DJ Whoo Kid is weighing in on the aftermath of the Drake and Kendrick Lamar battle, arguing that while Kendrick owned the spotlight for a stretch, hip-hop hasn’t felt the same commercially without Drake consistently dominating the charts.
During a recent interview with Diverse Mentality, the veteran DJ reflected on the impact of the high-profile feud and the current state of rap music as Drake prepares to release his upcoming album ICEMAN.
“Kendrick had his moment,” Whoo Kid said. “Six months, he’s the man. Then the Super Bowl, he’s the man.”
While acknowledging Kendrick’s run, Whoo Kid suggested Drake’s influence on the genre extends beyond viral moments or diss tracks. According to him, Drake’s patience and ability to strategically step back has highlighted how much his presence drives mainstream hip-hop success.
“But the thing about Drake, he uses patience as a way of getting back,” he explained. “As you can see… where has hip-hop been? There’s no Billboard charts, there’s nothing.”
Whoo Kid pointed to the current lack of rap dominance on major charts, noting that only a handful of artists have recently broken through commercially.
“I’m not an expert in this,” he added. “But I know when he’s here, we’re on the charts.”
The comments arrive as conversations continue around hip-hop’s recent performance on the Billboard Hot 100. Fans have noticed fewer rap songs occupying top positions compared to previous years, especially during periods when Drake was releasing music consistently.
The Drake-Kendrick rivalry dominated headlines throughout 2024, with both artists releasing multiple diss tracks and sparking one of the most talked-about rap feuds in recent memory. Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” became a cultural phenomenon and helped propel him through a massive year that included a Super Bowl halftime performance.
