N.O.R.E. and the **Drink Champs** team asked Xzibit for his take on the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar beef. Surprisingly, N.O.R.E. gave Kendrick his flowers, and they discussed what ultimately led to Drake’s downfall.
For those who may not know, Xzibit is a West Coast rapper best known for hosting *Pimp My Ride* on MTV. Now, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Drake is arguably the biggest artist in the world, but Kendrick Lamar is known for taking lyrical shots at his peers. Xzibit recalled how Kendrick once went at the entire New York rap scene, calling himself the “King of New York” in the *Control* verse, which caused a massive controversy.
This time, however, things felt very different. When asked if he understood Kendrick’s strategy from the beginning, Xzibit explained that there are always behind-the-scenes factors that the public isn’t aware of. He believes that Kendrick is a deep thinker, a major force in West Coast hip-hop, and someone who was severely underestimated in this battle.
Using the biblical analogy of **David and Goliath**, Xzibit suggested that Drake may have been dismissive and arrogant at first, but Kendrick strategically dismantled him. The turning point came when Drake used AI to mimic Tupac’s voice, which deeply offended West Coast fans who revere Tupac.
Many casual listeners underestimated Kendrick Lamar, largely because they were blinded by Drake’s commercial success. Xzibit pointed out that Drake’s diss lines were often childish and simplistic, whereas Kendrick came with heavy, layered bars. Fans who truly understood Kendrick’s artistry knew that Drake was in trouble.
Xzibit then explained why he believes Drake and Kendrick Lamar aren’t even in the same class. When Drake used AI to replicate Tupac’s voice, Kendrick responded with a line warning him:
Xzibit emphasized how serious the West Coast took this situation. While Xzibit claimed he had “no dog in this fight,” he made it clear that Kendrick was setting the tone for the culture. In his opinion, Drake should have just focused on making a hit song for his female audience instead of engaging in a battle he couldn’t win.
N.O.R.E. admitted that at one point, he felt like Drake was bullying Kendrick by continuously dropping diss tracks. However, Xzibit completely disagreed, saying Kendrick was never in any real danger. He compared Kendrick to **Floyd Mayweather**, using the legendary boxer’s defensive techniques as an analogy for how Kendrick handled the beef. Kendrick was **calm, calculated, and in control the entire time**.
There were even rumors that Kendrick originally recorded a **19-minute** version of *Euphoria* and later cut it down to the **7-minute** version fans heard. Xzibit and others expressed curiosity about the unreleased material, saying it would be legendary if Kendrick ever decided to release it.
N.O.R.E. admitted that while he always respected Kendrick, he didn’t realize how much of a **master strategist** he was until this beef unfolded. At first, he thought Kendrick’s *Grand National X* project didn’t sound “fun,” but after listening again, he understood the depth of Kendrick’s artistry.
Xzibit highlighted the key difference between Drake and Kendrick Lamar:
– **Kendrick is inclusive**, respecting the legends who came before him and collaborating with his peers.
– **Drake, on the other hand, has always acted untouchable**, as if he didn’t need anyone else in the industry.
Xzibit believes this arrogance ultimately contributed to Drake’s downfall in this battle.
Xzibit closed by saying that Drake was **outsmarted, outclassed, and outmaneuvered**. He believes Drake’s **pride** got the best of him, leading him into a battle he wasn’t prepared for. Even **DJ Akademiks**, a longtime Drake supporter, admitted that Drake was doing too much, especially with his recent lawsuit threats.
