rap beef

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 2

English Class

with Miss Kadmi

Lesson goals

1. The student can understand the main idea and important details in a non-fiction text about a cultural topic.
   
2. The student can express and support their opinion in English during a discussion or debate.
   
3. The student can use topic-related vocabulary (e.g. feud, diss, rivalry) correctly in context.
   
4. The student can reflect on how public conflicts in music influence fans and media.
   
5. The student can work together in groups to form and present arguments in English.
   

Rap beefs are mostly marketing tricks, not real conflicts.

Public rivalries help artists become more creative.

Artists should use their influence to promote unity, not conflict.

As long as the music is good, it doesn’t matter if the drama is fake.

Rap Rivals: The Feud Between Drake and Kendrick Lamar

In the world of hip-hop, competition has always been part of the culture. Artists often challenge each other through lyrics, performances, and social media. One of the most talked-about rivalries in recent years is the ongoing feud between two of the biggest names in the industry: Drake and Kendrick Lamar.

The tension between them began over a decade ago, but it gained new attention in 2024. In March of that year, Kendrick Lamar appeared on the track “Like That” by Future and Metro Boomin. In his verse, Lamar clearly distanced himself from other popular rappers, including Drake and J. Cole. He suggested that he was not just one of them—but above them. This sparked an online storm. Fans were quick to pick sides, and media platforms around the world began reporting on the so-called “new rap war.”

J. Cole responded politely during one of his concerts, stating that he respected both artists and didn’t want to be part of any “beef.” Drake, however, took a different route. He released a track of his own that seemed to respond directly to Kendrick’s verse. Subtle insults, clever wordplay, and indirect jabs added fuel to the fire.

Why do these feuds matter? For some fans, they are a natural part of hip-hop’s competitive nature. They believe that battles like these push artists to do better, write stronger lyrics, and stay creative. Others, however, argue that public conflicts like this are mainly used for attention and marketing. These people worry that the focus shifts away from music and more towards drama and gossip.

Still, there’s no denying the impact of the Drake–Kendrick feud. Streaming numbers for both artists increased. Their fans debated lyrics on social media, and online music platforms exploded with reactions, analysis, and opinion videos. Whether it’s real tension or smart publicity, one thing is clear: people are watching—and listening.

In a world where attention is everything, even a well-placed line in a verse can become global news. But it also raises questions: Should music be about competition? Or about unity and creativity? And where is the line between artistic freedom and unnecessary conflict?

Podcast

What: Students create a short podcast (2–3 minutes) in English about the rap battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. They discuss what happened and share their opinion.

How: Work in pairs.

Prepare a script or structure together: introduction, summary, opinion, conclusion.

Use the reading text as your source.

Record it using your phone or present it live in front of the class.

Speak in English at B2 level.

Include 3–5 keywords from the text (e.g. feud, verse, diss, rivalry, attention).

Time:⏱️ 25–30 minutes (15 minutes to prepare, 10–15 minutes to record or present)

Lesson goals

• The student can understand the main idea and important details in a non-fiction text about a cultural topic.
  
• The student can express and support their opinion in English during a discussion or debate.
  
• The student can use topic-related vocabulary (e.g. feud, diss, rivalry) correctly in context.
  
• The student can reflect on how public conflicts in music influence fans and media.
  
• The student can work together in groups to form and present arguments in English.