The Kendrick Lamar v Drake feud: is it the most heated in recent music history?
Apparently, you can. Musical feuds have a long history, sparking interest even among those not invested in the artists involved.
From rap queens clashing to legendary groups disbanding over business disputes, and even simple call-outs for attention, Spin Genie has analysed search trends to identify the 10 most searched—and thus, most heated—musical feuds.
Where does Kendrick and Drake place on this list after their recent, explosive jabs at one another, culminating in Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance, which some interpreted as a victory lap? Read on to find out where they place and how many searches took place.
The science part
To find the biggest rap beefs, Spin Genie counted how many times people searched for them online. They selected well-known feuds, tracked their respective search numbers, and ranked them accordingly
9. Jay Z v Nas - 266,500
A clash of titans: Jay-Z's Takeover v Nas's Ether—a legendary battle that defined the early 2000s. This feud, born from lyrical competition and perceived slights, raged from the late 90's into the early 2000's. Ultimately, they made peace and music together, collaborating on tracks like Black Republican. | Getty Images
10. Drake v Kendrick Lamar - 315,590
2024's lyrical war: Drake and Kendrick's diss tracks ignited the internet, with Not Like Us hitting number one. Over 300,000 searches prove this is a beef for the ages. This battle for hip-hop supremacy began with subtle jabs years prior, but exploded in 2024 over claims of who the 'big three' really were - culminating in a diss track that would become a GRAMMY winner and Super Bowl favourite. | Getty Images