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The battle for rap supremacy between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been simmering for years, but their recent public feud has brought it to a boiling point. While some fans were stunned by the lyrical warfare, others saw it coming from a mile away. And apparently, so did Barack Obama way back in 2016.
A recently resurfaced clip of the former President of the United States confidently picking Kendrick Lamar over Drake in a hypothetical rap battle has sent social media into a frenzy. Some are calling it a prediction, while others argue it was simply the safe and diplomatic choice. Either way, fans can’t get enough of Obama’s take on the long-standing debate.
Obama’s Take on the Drake vs. Kendrick Debate
During his time in office, Obama sat down with YouTuber Adande Thorne, better known as Swoozie, for an interview that included a question many hip-hop heads have debated for years: Who would win in a rap battle Drake or Kendrick?
Without hesitation, Obama replied:
You gotta go with Kendrick. I think Drake is an outstanding entertainer, but Kendrick, his lyrics¦ his last album was outstanding. Best album, I think, of last year.
The album he was referring to? None other than To Pimp a Butterfly a critically acclaimed masterpiece widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever.
Social Media Reacts: Obama Knew Before We Did
Once the footage resurfaced, hip-hop fans lost their minds over Obama’s comments, especially in light of the recent tensions between the two rap icons. Twitter and Reddit quickly became flooded with reactions:
Obama wasn’t about to side with no Canadian.
Drake probably gon reference this in his next song.
This is truly a prediction.
Some fans, however, were more skeptical. One user argued:
Obama would never say Drake even if he wanted to. That was a diplomatic answer. While his answer might be genuine, he wouldn’t say Drake because 1) Drake is Canadian, he has to go with Kendrick, and 2) Drake is biracial like him, and people would say he picked Drake because of that.
Obama wasnt about to side with no Canadian 😂
— Masters Of The Underground (@MastersOfTheUG) May 4, 2024
Obama’s Long-Standing Admiration for Kendrick
This wasn’t a one-time endorsement of Kendrick by Obama. He has consistently praised the Compton rapper for his music and messaging. As recently as October 2023, during an appearance on the Deepcut with VicBlends podcast, Obama reaffirmed his admiration for Kendrick:
“Kendrick is a friend of mine, he actually performed at the White House. I do think that Kendrick has a unique status right now. He is not just gifted, he is serious about the message, he digs into himself, he digs deep.” This level of respect from a former President of the United States speaks volumes about Kendrick’s cultural impact not just in hip-hop, but in society at large.
Drake vs. Kendrick: The Feud That Was Always Coming
Drake and Kendrick’s comparisons date back over a decade, but their recent back-and-forth has added a personal edge to the debate. With sneak disses turning into more direct shots, it’s clear that this is more than just a competition it’s a battle for dominance.
Obama may not have literally predicted their beef, but looking back, his words definitely hold weight in today’s rap landscape. Whether or not Drake fires back with an Obama reference in his next track remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the internet will be watching.
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