Kendrick Lamar Drops Blaze of a Diss Track “Euphoria” Targeting Drake
Kendrick Lamar has sent the hip-hop world into a frenzy with his scorching Drake diss track “Euphoria.” Clocking in at six minutes, this fierce anthem is loaded with intriguing Easter eggs that become even more enthralling with repeated listens.
Kendrick Lamar’s Unique Timing
Kendrick Lamar released “Euphoria” at 8:24 a.m. Pacific Time (11:24 a.m. Eastern Time), a subtle homage to the late Kobe Bryant, who wore the jersey numbers 8 and 24. The release showcases Kendrick’s profound admiration for the legendary basketball player.
The Initial Reversed Voice Is of Richard Pryor From The Wiz
Listeners will decipher that the opening backward voice in the track belongs to Richard Pryor, known for his role as The Wiz in the 1978 film. The reversed line, “Everything they say about me’s true,” reflects Kendrick’s portrayal of what he believes the “culture” thinks about Drake.
Fascinatingly, the film also stars the late music icon Michael Jackson, who played the Scarecrow. The connection between the characters played by Jackson and Drake isn’t lost, as there’s an allusion to Drake lacking intelligence. Remember, Drake referred to Kendrick as Prince and himself as MJ in his diss track “Push Ups.”
The Double Meaning Behind “Euphoria”
The cover art of “Euphoria” showcases the dictionary definition of the word, which implies Kendrick’s immense excitement for his diss track. This counters Drake’s insinuation in the “Taylor Made Freestyle” that Kendrick was less enthused about going toe-to-toe with him. Furthermore, it alludes to Drake’s role as an executive producer of an HBO series titled “Euphoria.”
“Crodie” Is Toronto Slang
The term “crodie” is a crip-influenced variation of “Brodie,” a slang term in Toronto used to refer to a friend. Its popularity stretches beyond gang affiliations, with many people and rappers adopting the word.
Drake’s “Open Case” Likely Refers to Past Misfortunes
In the track, Kendrick questions Drake with the line, “Have you ever paid 500 thou’ like to an open case?” This may be a reference to Drake quietly settling a case involving a woman accusing him of sexual assault during his 2017 Boy Meets World tour. While the amount mentioned by Kendrick is slightly inflated, it’s likely influenced by a headline from The New Zealand Herald that stated Drake paid out $530K to the accuser (in New Zealand dollars).
Kendrick Clowns Drake for Purchasing Tupac Shakur’s Crown Ring
Kendrick expresses his disapproval of Drake’s acquisition of Tupac Shakur’s crown ring from Sotheby’s for a staggering $1 million. Through the lyrics, “Somebody had told me that you got a ring, on God, I’m ready to double the wage/I’d rather do that than let a Canadian n***a make ‘Pac turn in his grave,” Kendrick suggests that Drake is undeserving of possessing such a prized item. This stance reflects Kendrick’s desire to outbid Drake by paying double the amount to prevent him from owning such a significant piece.
Tommy Hilfiger’s Rocky Relationship With Hip-Hop
At the inception of the track, Kendrick questions Drake’s racial identity, implying that he is a “scam artist” seeking acceptance in the rap game. Kendrick’s reference to Tommy Hilfiger and his association with the brand FUBU highlights the iconic designer’s controversial relationship with hip-hop. In 1996, Hilfiger faced false accusations of making racist remarks against Black people, causing a temporary boycott of his clothing. However, Hilfiger’s support for Black artists like Usher and Aaliyah, evident in their prominent appearances in his print campaigns, suggests that the accusations were baseless. Kendrick invokes Tommy Hilfiger in questioning Drake’s true connection to Black culture and his use of the N-word in his music, signaling a desire for change.
Listen to Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria”
See 24 of the Most Vicious Lines From Hip-Hop’s Recent Diss Tracks