The highly publicized rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has finally come to an end after a series of diss tracks exchanged between the two rappers. The feud not only captured the attention of music fans but also made its way into the sports world. Tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff recently weighed in on the ongoing battle, both siding with Lamar as the clear winner of the rap beef.
During a press conference at the Italian Open, Osaka and Gauff expressed their admiration for both artists but ultimately chose Lamar as the victor. Osaka praised Lamar’s lyrical prowess, stating that he “dropped some heat” in his last song. Gauff echoed similar sentiments, recognizing Drake’s talent but acknowledging Lamar’s superiority in the ongoing rap battle.
In addition to declaring Lamar as the winner, Gauff also defended tennis legend Serena Williams against a reference made by Drake in one of his tracks. By aligning herself with Lamar, Gauff highlighted the rapper’s support for Williams in contrast to Drake’s alleged disrespect towards the tennis icon. This further solidified her stance in favor of Lamar in the ongoing feud.
The back-and-forth between Lamar and Drake began with Drake’s “Push Ups” and Lamar’s response with “euphoria.” This exchange of diss tracks continued with Lamar’s “6:16 in LA” and Drake’s “Family Matters.” The rivalry reached its peak with Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and Drake’s “The Heart Part 6,” which seemingly marked the end of the feud.
Osaka, who utilized Lamar’s music as part of her warm-up routine, expressed her preference for Lamar’s tracks and hinted at the possibility of more songs from the rapper in the future. Despite Drake releasing “The Heart Part 6” as a potential finale to the beef, Osaka remained hopeful for more music from Lamar, citing her admiration for the rapper.
With Osaka securing two wins in the Italian Open, she looks ahead to a match against Daria Kasatkina. On the other hand, Gauff, seeded at No. 3, is set to face Jaqueline Christian in the next round of the tournament. As the rap beef between Lamar and Drake comes to a close, the impact of their rivalry continues to resonate beyond the music industry.