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Drake-Kendrick Feud Disrupts Careers and Business Ties

11/16/2025

31 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar is impacting both artists' careers and business relationships.
Drake split with Brent Smith, his agent who represents Kendrick Lamar, after Smith had not worked with Drake in 2025.
Drake has now partnered with Creative Artists Agency for live representation.
Both Drake and Kendrick Lamar are Grammy nominees this year.
Drake's lawyers are appealing a dismissed defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group.

History

Historical Context

The East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry intensified in the 1990s, primarily between Tupac Shakur of Death Row Records and The Notorious B.I.G. of Bad Boy Records. This feud culminated in their tragic murders in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Today, the ongoing tensions between artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar reflect this historical conflict, continuing to influence the dynamics of the hip-hop industry.

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Story summary

The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar is impacting both artists' careers and business relationships.
Drake split with Brent Smith, his agent who represents Kendrick Lamar, after Smith had not worked with Drake in 2025.
Drake has now partnered with Creative Artists Agency for live representation.
Both Drake and Kendrick Lamar are Grammy nominees this year.
Drake's lawyers are appealing a dismissed defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group.

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