DJ Akademiks Advises Drake to Avoid Further Conflict with Kendrick Lamar

DJ Akademiks, a prominent commentator in the music industry, has recently advised Canadian rapper Drake to refrain from continuing his lyrical rivalry with Kendrick Lamar. During an interview with VladTV, Akademiks expressed that it may be time for Drake to step away from the ongoing discourse surrounding their past conflicts. He recommended that Drake should focus on his upcoming album, ICEMAN, rather than revisiting the subject of Kendrick in his music.

Advising Caution in Rivalries

Akademiks articulated his view by stating, “When I mean leave him alone, we’ve got to leave the moment. There’s no more direct engaging. There ain’t no more with diss songs. It’s over.” His comments suggest that the lyrical exchanges, which have characterized the relationship between the two artists, should come to a close. He continued, “He’s still gotta sneak diss him. It’s gotta be the Jay-Z approach.” This approach implies that while overt confrontation should cease, subtlety in references may still occur.

Akademiks elaborated on the potential futility of further engagement, saying, “After this battle, it should be Drake’s last. Like, why engage with rappers? In any of these situations, you have nothing to gain. Would you go on a business deal you got nothing to gain?” His perspective reflects a broader understanding of Drake’s established career, stating, “When you look at Drake’s career as a whole, why would he engage? It’s over. He’s already solidified.”

Legal Challenges and Upcoming Projects

While discussing Drake’s future, Akademiks also touched on the rapper’s legal battles. Earlier this year, Drake filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group regarding Kendrick’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” In the lawsuit, Drake claimed that the company inflated the song’s success, contributing to a “false and malicious” narrative surrounding his persona. A judge dismissed this lawsuit earlier in October 2023, and Drake’s team has announced plans to appeal the ruling.

Despite these challenges, DJ Akademiks remains optimistic about Drake’s upcoming project. In a tweet earlier this week, he mentioned, “Just got the word… ICEMAN finna b a classic. Hollyyyy.” While the album currently does not have an official release date, it is anticipated to launch sometime this month.

As the music industry awaits the release of ICEMAN, Akademiks’ insights provide a glimpse into the dynamics of artist rivalries and the strategic decisions that come with maintaining a successful career. The ongoing discourse between Drake and Kendrick Lamar continues to capture public interest, but it remains to be seen how this will evolve as both artists proceed with their respective projects.