Kendrick Lamar

Drake initiated legal proceedings and then a federal action against Universal Music Group, claiming that the distribution and promotion of Not Like Us had defamed him and endangered him. Lamar's song is central to the case, but Drake explicitly chose to sue UMG rather than Lamar.

State of the evidence

Documented

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

During the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, Lamar performed Not Like Us, explicitly addressed Drake and retained several of the track's barbs while omitting the term most directly accusing him of paedophilia. Serena Williams, previously linked to Drake in media reports, appeared during the segment.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Lamar–Drake rivalry erupted in 2024 with a series of diss tracks. Lamar notably accused Drake of sexual conduct involving minors and other wrongdoing, while Drake accused Lamar of domestic violence, infidelity and other personal misconduct.

Attribution

Directly implicated

In Auntie Diaries, Lamar recounts his evolving understanding of two transgender family members. The song prompted criticism over repeated use of a homophobic slur, deadnaming and deliberately misgendered language.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Lamar gave Kodak Black several appearances on Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, prompting criticism because Kodak had pleaded guilty to assault in a case arising from a sexual allegation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

At Alabama's Hangout Festival, Lamar invited a white female fan to rap m.A.A.d city. When she said the N-word appearing in the lyrics, he stopped the performance and asked her to omit the word, triggering international debate over who may repeat certain lyrics.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After Alright became an anthem at Black Lives Matter protests, Geraldo Rivera criticised Lamar and claimed that hip-hop had harmed young African Americans more than racism. Lamar responded that the problem was not hip-hop but the social reality it described, then reused Rivera's remarks on DAMN.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Directly implicated

At the Grammy Awards, Lamar performed The Blacker the Berry and Alright in a staging featuring chained prisoners, a prison, African references and a concluding visual reference to Compton. The performance became one of the ceremony's major political moments.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Kendrick Lamar's verse on Big Sean's Control shook American rap when he proclaimed himself 'King of New York' and named numerous contemporaries he wanted to surpass. A series of musical responses and feuds followed.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated