Marlon Wayans Breaks Down the Battle
Marlon Wayans recently made a visit to Big Boy’s Neighborhood in Los Angeles, where he shared his perspective on the highly publicized rap battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake that dominated headlines throughout year ‘2024. In his usual candid style, Wayans dove deep into the dynamics of the rivalry, shedding light on both artists’ approaches while acknowledging their undeniable talent. He began with a nod to Drake, recognizing the Canadian superstar’s resilience in facing off against multiple challengers simultaneously.
“But look how many people it took,” Wayans remarked, drawing an interesting parallel between Drake and one of cinema’s most formidable characters. “This was like he was Thanos, and all the Avengers was coming after him. I got to give Drake his credit for standing toe to toe, like, ‘Nah, I got something for you, I got something for you, I got something.'”
Wayans’ analogy painted Drake as a near-invincible force, holding his own against the wave of criticism and diss tracks aimed at him. However, the comedian made it clear that Kendrick Lamar managed to outmaneuver Drake in a way few others could. “Kendrick just slipped through the cracks. Kendrick is just special and different and hit him from an angle that was like therapy. He hit him in the soul, you can’t beat that.”
Praise for Kendrick’s Impact
When it came to discussing Kendrick Lamar’s now-iconic diss track “Not Like Us,” Wayans and Big Boy took the conversation even further. Big Boy reflected on previous legendary rap beefs, comparing them to the one between Kendrick and Drake. Wayans chimed in with his own take, describing “Not Like Us” as a cultural moment that drew inspiration from some of hip-hop’s most legendary diss tracks.
He explained that the West Coast anthem reminded him of classics like “Ether” by Nas and “No Vaseline” by Ice Cube—both of which are often held as benchmarks for cutting, effective lyrical takedowns. “It’s like Kendrick tapped into that same energy,” Wayans noted, emphasizing how “Not Like Us” blended lyricism, precision, and cultural relevance.
What stood out to Wayans the most, however, was the track’s undeniable influence on the culture. “The track had Bloods crip-walking to it,” Wayans joked, underlining how Lamar’s song transcended typical diss tracks to become a unifying anthem on the West Coast. The ability to create a diss record that doubles as a street anthem, he suggested, is what made Kendrick’s approach particularly devastating.
While Wayans praised Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical brilliance and unique ability to hit Drake “in the soul,” he did not hold back in applauding Drake’s tenacity. The comedian admired the Toronto rapper for not backing down despite being under relentless attack from all directions. “It was like Drake had something for everyone,” Wayans said, further reinforcing the Thanos comparison.
Drake’s Tenacity in the Battle
To Wayans, Drake’s willingness to respond to every challenger demonstrated his dominance and confidence as one of the biggest names in hip-hop. It highlighted Drake’s ability to stay relevant and compete on a level that very few can match, even under immense pressure. For Wayans, this resilience alone deserved recognition.
The conversation circled back to the widespread cultural impact of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Wayans and Big Boy agreed that the track had cemented itself as a moment in rap history, one that resonated far beyond the feud itself. The West Coast banger wasn’t just about Drake and Kendrick—it was a song that united listeners and energized fans across all demographics.
“Kendrick didn’t just drop a diss track,” Wayans explained. “He created something that people could celebrate, even while understanding its deeper context. That’s not easy to do.” Wayans’ comments highlighted how Kendrick’s approach to the feud was more than just about lyrical shots—it was a multi-layered effort that engaged fans emotionally, culturally, and musically.
Both Wayans and Big Boy took a moment to reflect on how this battle fits into the long lineage of iconic rap feuds. Big Boy mentioned other classic rivalries, such as Tupac and Biggie, or Jay-Z and Nas, which set the stage for how modern rap battles are measured. Wayans added that the Kendrick-Drake feud brought a refreshing sense of excitement to the genre. “There’s something about a great rap battle that lights a fire in the culture,” Wayans said. “It pushes artists to be better and gives fans something to talk about. That’s what Kendrick and Drake gave us this year—a true cultural moment.”
Praising Kendrick Lamar’s Evolution
Wayans was right behind the Kendrick and Drake battle to express one thing: it was not a battle between two artists but rather the battle of legacy, influence, and cultural significance. Kendrick Lamar’s hitting back to Drake with such depth became a strife that will be remembered for years. Wayans’ view centered on the fact that rap battles at this level are more than mere entertainment, they are the opportunities that thicken the plot and really make the “winners and losers of the day” list. Irrelevant to whose side Kendrick or Drake’s fans are, it is beyond debate that the contest not only augmented the level of visual but also stood as a cultural peak.
During their conversation, Marlon Wayans and Big Boy were full of admiration for Kendrick Lamar, highlighting the rapper’s exceptional artistry and his ability to cut across musical boundaries. Wayans and Big Boy also pointed out how this entire feud serves as the perfect prelude to Kendrick’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. Wayans, in particular, emphasized how Kendrick’s sharp lyricism and cultural impact have solidified him as one of the most unique talents in the industry.
However, Wayans brought up a significant point about the lineage of hip-hop artistry, acknowledging that Kendrick’s success owes a debt to the contributions of those who came before him—especially Lil Wayne. Wayans expressed that Lil Wayne was someone who deeply desired to perform on the Super Bowl stage, and while he paved the way for many artists today, Kendrick’s upcoming performance marks a full-circle moment in rap’s evolution. “You see the evolution of things that were starting and how they’ve been applied to this generation,” Wayans explained, paying homage to the foundations that artists like Lil Wayne built for current icons like Kendrick Lamar.
Anticipating Drake’s Next Move
While praising Kendrick, Marlon Wayans also shared his excitement about what Drake might do next. Wayans acknowledged Drake’s ability to turn challenges into opportunities and hinted that this battle, while intense, could inspire something groundbreaking from the Toronto superstar. Wayans’ comments reflect how Drake’s history of adaptability and resilience has made him one of the most compelling figures in the music industry. Fans are now eagerly watching to see how Drake will respond following Kendrick Lamar’s strong showing in the feud. For Wayans, it’s clear that while Kendrick may have hit Drake “in the soul,” the 6ix God has proven time and again that he knows how to bounce back.
“I am really curious about what Drake is going to do next,” Wayans said with eagerness, which could be the beginning of another significant cultural moment. Though he lauds the rapper’s one-time ability to recover, he is equally vocal in his critique of the way he dealt with it. Specifically, Wayans expressed disapproval of Drake’s legal petition against Universal Music Group and Spotify. Drake’s move to file this legal action raised eyebrows, and Wayans questioned whether this was the right step for an artist of Drake’s stature.
For Marlon Wayans, the legal approach felt like a misstep in an otherwise strong showing from Drake throughout the feud. It was the one point where he felt Drake’s response may have veered off course, detracting slightly from his performance in the battle. However, Wayans balanced his criticism with an understanding of the pressures artists face, particularly in high-stakes rivalries like the one between Kendrick and Drake.
A Cultural Milestone
Wayans pondering through the Kendrick Lamar and Drake quarrel has shown the weight and importance of this enmity. The diss tracks Kendrick dealt to the very core of one’s soul and Drake’s undying zeal were the reasons for this battle that has been one of the greatest moments in contemporary rap music history. The extraordinary views of Wayans indirectly exhibited the honorable talent that both rappers have, but also pinpoints the certain cultural value of their competition. On the one hand, the resentment, as stated by Wayans, is a manifestation of hip-hop, which is a competitive art.
It springs up artists to the sky of creativity, throws down the challenge of inventiveness, and finally provides moments that the fans will never forget for a long time to come. It’s uncertain whether Kendrick Lamar and Drake will evolve the combat into cohesion but it’s for certain that it will forever scar the genre.
Marlon Wayans’ thought-provoking view on the Kendrick Lamar and Drake bickering grabs the subtleties of what is most probably one of the most famous cultural events of 2024. While Kendrick came out as the much smarter and more sorrowful proponent through his song “Not Like Us,” Drake’s unwillingness to compromise in the face of all challengers is what made him an integral part of the rap world. According to Wayans, it was an act of artistry, cultural impact, and competitive spirit rap and hip hop music that remind us that these genres are still the most desirable and trendy music of all times today.
