Drake and Partynextdoor Drop New Album, Taking a Veiled Shot at Kendrick Lamar in “Gimme a Hug”

Drake’s long-awaited new album, a collaborative effort with longtime friend and artist Partynextdoor, has officially dropped, and it has already set the music world ablaze. While the album offers a mix of introspective tracks and catchy hits, one song in particular has generated massive buzz: “Gimme a Hug.” On this track, Drake seems to take aim at one of his most talked-about rivals, Kendrick Lamar, without directly naming him. The song, with its smooth production and rhythmic flows, has raised eyebrows for its veiled references to the ongoing “rap beef” between the two giants of hip-hop.

In “Gimme a Hug,” Drake’s lyrics draw attention to the very different paths he and Lamar have taken in the rap game. The line that caught the most attention was a clear jab at Lamar’s intellectual approach to rap, which many listeners have often hailed as deep, complex, and thought-provoking. Drake, in his usual style, flips the script, suggesting that the new “king of hip-hop” would have girls “on stage twerkin’ with a dictionary.” The line is a clever and subtle attack, insinuating that Lamar’s cerebral lyricism could be more academic than appealing to the masses.

The diss, though not overt, is a clear reflection of the tension that has been building between Drake and Kendrick over the years. What began as friendly competition and collaborative projects between the two has steadily morphed into a full-blown feud, with both rappers regularly throwing jabs at each other in interviews, tracks, and public statements. Fans have long speculated about the animosity between them, but with the release of this song, it appears that Drake is once again putting his feelings on display for the world to hear.

Drake’s criticism of Lamar’s intellectual style on “Gimme a Hug” is particularly striking given the two artists’ contrasting approaches to hip-hop. While Kendrick is often lauded for his poetic, almost scholarly lyricism, Drake has built his brand on catchy hooks, relatable themes, and a more mainstream appeal. The jab about “girls on stage twerkin’ with a dictionary” seems to emphasize the divide between their musical personas—Drake as the party-starting, accessible hitmaker, and Lamar as the socially conscious, poetic wordsmith.

The track has sparked an outpouring of reaction from fans and critics alike, with many interpreting it as a sign that the Drake-Lamar beef is far from over. Despite the years that have passed since the original tensions flared up in 2013, it’s clear that neither rapper is ready to let go of their rivalry. In fact, many believe that the feud has become a cornerstone of their public personas—something both artists continue to use to fuel their music and their legacies.

For Partynextdoor, his collaboration with Drake on the album has largely been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding “Gimme a Hug.” However, his contributions to the album have also garnered praise, with his smooth vocals and laid-back vibe complementing Drake’s hard-hitting verses. While the song itself may be an indirect jab at Lamar, it is clear that the dynamic between Drake and Partynextdoor adds another layer of chemistry to the track, making it an instant favorite among fans.

As expected, Kendrick Lamar has yet to respond directly to the line in “Gimme a Hug,” but if history is any indication, it’s only a matter of time before Lamar addresses it in his own music. The two have spent years circling each other, with Lamar’s cryptic diss tracks and Drake’s quick-witted rebuttals fueling the fire. As the beef continues to play out, fans are eagerly awaiting the next move from both artists. Will Kendrick retaliate with another sharp verse or cryptic line? Or will Drake continue to take subtle shots while maintaining his dominance in the mainstream?

The song also raises questions about the evolution of both artists and their roles in hip-hop. Drake’s track is a reflection of his ability to dominate the charts and control the narrative of the genre. Despite his apparent disdain for Lamar’s style, Drake still recognizes Lamar’s place at the top of the game. But the reference to “twerkin’ with a dictionary” also reveals how Drake views his music in contrast to Lamar’s—where Drake’s style is direct, commercial, and mass-appealing, Lamar’s is often more intricate, challenging, and thought-provoking.

“Gimme a Hug” also brings to light the ongoing evolution of hip-hop as a genre. In many ways, this feud between Drake and Lamar symbolizes the clash between two distinct schools of thought in rap—one that focuses on cultural relevance and commercial appeal, and the other that prioritizes artistry and intellectual depth. Both approaches have found success, but their tension is undeniable, as both artists seem determined to define what it means to be the true “king of hip-hop.”

As the dust settles from the album’s release and the attention shifts from the lyrics to the broader context of the music, one thing is certain: this feud isn’t over. “Gimme a Hug” serves as a clear reminder that, in hip-hop, the lines between competition and conflict are often blurred. Whether this track is just another chapter in the ongoing Drake-Lamar saga or the beginning of a new wave of diss tracks remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the world of hip-hop is in for more drama, more diss records, and more epic showdowns in the years to come.