In typical Drake fashion, the Hip Hop Legend demonstrates why he is legendary, by dropping 3 albums in one day.
Hip Hop has never seen an artist quite like him before. At this point, it’s very unlikely, that we ever will.
Full disclosure. This article is less about reviewing the 3 albums that Drake has dropped and more so just a recap of where Drake is at in general.
The Drake & Kendrick Lamar Battle.
At best, or worst, depending on how you look at it, Kendrick Lamar won a rap battle. However, as the famous question goes, at what cost?
In addition to winning that rap battle, Kendrick Lamar, has been winning his fair share of Grammy’s too. (He has won the most Grammy’s in Hip Hop history). However, does the genre of Hip Hop have the same swagger, relevance or commercial success, without Drake in it?
The answer, is probably no.
Moreover, whilst Kendrick Lamar does have the most watched half time performance in SuperBowl history.
Most Caribbean people will probably admit, that Bad Bunny’s performance, is their greatest Super Bowl performance of all time.
Interestingly, the same reason why Caribbean people would say this, is the same reason why Drake’s music is more relevant in the Caribbean. Bad Bunny’s performance was heart warming and made us feel seen.
Drake’s Immortal Legacy.
Drizzy, also specialises in making feel good, relatable music, that makes people feel seen. Which, incidentally explains why Bad Bunny and Drizzy have a song together. Both of these globally relevant artists excel at making emotional music, that makes people emotional. (In a good way).
Nevertheless, with the OVO Boss having a new album called Iceman. It remains to be seen if, a less emotional ‘Iceman Drake’ will be able to resonate with music fans the way he did prior to the Kendrick Lamar battle.
If the Certified Lover Boy is no more and Iceman Drizzy has taken over. Kendrick’s biggest victory from the battle might be having inspired a less successful version of Drizzy. That’s been knocked off his usually successful axis.
To Be Drizzy Or Not To Be Drizzy, That Is The Question.
However, even if this does prove to be the case. Kendrick Lamar will never be as relevant in the Caribbean as the OVO Boss has been.
Moreover, Drake is from Toronto.
One of the epicenters of Caribbean culture, particularly, outside the Caribbean. Like Vybz Kartel alludes to in the above clip, the OVO Boss has done a lot for the Caribbean.
From filming some of his music videos in the Caribbean. To including Caribbean slang and bigging up Caribbean culture, in his lyrics. To supporting and promoting Caribbean businesses, within the Caribbean. It’s fair to say, Caribbean people are either indifferent or full on Drizzy fans.
However, when it comes To Kendrick Lamar, Caribbean people are probably mostly indifferent plus a few actual fans. They Not Like Us, is Kendrick’s most relevant song in the Caribbean. The fact that this is unlikely to change is proof that Kendrick is no King of Hip Hop (respectfully).
Drizzy on the other hand would probably create a media frenzy anywhere he touched down in the Caribbean, still.
Kendrick Lamar’s net worth is approximately 200 million.
Whilst Drake’s is approximately 400 million.
If it’s true that money talks, it would explain why Drake’s pockets, are another reason his presence in the Caribbean, would be news worthy.
Furthermore, the difference in what Drizzy and Kendrick have earned from Hip Hop. Shows why K. Dot ultimately has lost the war. Even if he won the battle.
Overall, the legacy of the OVO Boss in Hip Hop, still overshadows Kendrick’s. Finally, and this is the clincher, the fact that Kendrick was unable to carry Hip Hop on his back (post battle). (Like Drizzy has, pre battle). Is how the war was lost.
Speaking of Drizzy’s absence. It would be great to see him performing in the Caribbean. His brand is to a certain extent a Caribbean one. If there is one region on earth, outside of Toronto, where a Drake performance could send the rest of the world a loud message. Arguably, it’s the Caribbean.
Whether in Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, or any of the other many, Music Festivals around the Caribbean. Drizzy in the Caribbean would be a great way for the Iceman to defrost.
The best way to relegate the hate to irrelevance. Is probably tapping into some Island Love in the Caribbean instead. Maybe the warmth of the Caribbean sun, is what the Iceman needs in his career right now?
Either way, Drake legacy in hip hop is secure. Hindsight is 20/20 and like the rapper Game once pointed out:
No matter what, a rap beef with Drake, probably involves taking some sort of loss. Kendrick, in the eyes of some now looks like a pretender to the Hip Hop throne. The main reason for this is, Hip Hop has slapped far less, without Drizzy.
At best, he won the battle but that was all he could do. As far as the war, Drake has probably won that.
