On Saturday, July 12, 2025, the music world buzzed with excitement and drama as Drake headlined the second night of the Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park in London. The Canadian rapper, known for hits like “God’s Plan” and “In My Feelings,” made headlines not just for his performance but for reigniting his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar. During his set, fans erupted into a chant of “F*** Kendrick,” and Drake leaned into it, encouraging the crowd and taking a shot—literally and figuratively—at his rival. This moment has sparked conversations across social media and music circles, highlighting the intensity of their rivalry. Let’s break down what happened, the history of their beef, and why this moment matters.
The Wireless Festival Moment
Drake’s appearance at Wireless Festival 2025 was historic. He became the first artist to headline all three nights of the festival, each with a different setlist, marking his first UK performances in six years. On night two, billed as “Drake & The Mandem,” he brought out UK stars like Central Cee, J Hus, Dave, Skepta, and Headie One, as well as American artists like Latto, Sexyy Red, Yeat, and 21 Savage. The crowd of 50,000 was electric, singing along to Drake’s hits like “IDGAF” and his new single “What Did I Miss?” But the night took a dramatic turn during a break between songs.
As Drake spoke to the audience, he challenged, “Three nights headlining, three different sets, three different vibes. Name another artist that can do that and bring him up here, and we can clash right now.” The crowd responded with a loud chant of “F*** Kendrick,” targeting Kendrick Lamar, Drake’s longtime rival. Instead of ignoring it, Drake embraced the moment. He took off his headset to hear the chants better, smiled, and called to his head of security, Chubbs, saying, “Chubbs, grab me a shot, I’ll drink to that.”
After downing the shot, he asked the crowd, “Y’all thought y’all could knock The Boy off for real?” The audience roared “No!” before Drake launched into his next song, “NOKIA.” This bold move set social media ablaze, with fans and critics alike reacting to Drake’s unapologetic jab at Kendrick.
The Drake and Kendrick Lamar Feud: A Quick History
To understand why this moment was so significant, we need to look at the history of Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feud. The two rappers started on good terms, collaborating in 2011 and 2012 on songs like “Poetic Justice” and A$AP Rocky’s “F***in’ Problems.” But things turned sour in 2013 when Kendrick’s verse on Big Sean’s “Control” called out Drake and other rappers, claiming he wanted to “murder” their careers. Kendrick called it friendly competition, but Drake took it personally, responding subtly on his track “The Language” from Nothing Was the Same. Over the years, they traded low-key jabs in their music, but the feud stayed mostly under the radar.
The tension exploded in 2024 with Kendrick’s verse on “Like That” by Future and Metro Boomin, where he rejected the idea of a “big three” in hip-hop (himself, Drake, and J. Cole), declaring it was “just big me.” This sparked a flurry of diss tracks. Drake fired back with “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle,” while Kendrick responded with “Euphoria,” “Meet the Grahams,” and the scathing “Not Like Us.” Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” became a cultural phenomenon, accusing Drake of serious allegations, including references to inappropriate behavior, which Drake denied.
The track topped charts, won five Grammy Awards in 2025, and was performed by Kendrick at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, where he was joined by Drake’s ex, Serena Williams, and SZA, further humiliating Drake.
Drake responded with “The Heart Part 6,” but it didn’t match the impact of “Not Like Us.” He also filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), their shared label, claiming they artificially boosted “Not Like Us” and allowed defamatory lyrics. The lawsuit remains unresolved, adding fuel to the feud. Kendrick’s Grammy wins and Super Bowl performance, where he wore a “Canadian tuxedo” as a jab at Drake, seemed to put him ahead in the public’s eyes. But Drake’s Wireless Festival moment shows he’s not backing down.
Why This Moment Matters
Drake’s reaction to the “F*** Kendrick” chants at Wireless Festival was a calculated move to reclaim his narrative. After a tough 18 months—losing the diss track battle, facing industry backlash, and suing UMG—Drake used the festival to prove he still has a loyal fanbase and star power. His three-night headline stint, a first in festival history, was a flex, reportedly worth millions. By bringing out a mix of UK and U.S. artists, he showed his influence spans continents, countering claims that he’s lost support in the hip-hop world.
The chants and Drake’s response also highlight the personal nature of this feud. Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” included pointed attacks, naming Drake’s crew members like Chubbs and referencing allegations that Drake strongly denies. By calling out Chubbs during the chant moment, Drake directly addressed Kendrick’s lyrics, turning a crowd reaction into a personal statement. Social media posts on X captured the energy, with users like @examinersclub and @kingjames860 sharing clips of Drake’s “Y’all thought y’all could knock The Boy off?” line, showing fans’ excitement.
Drake also took shots at others, like LeBron James, who supported Kendrick by attending his Pop Out concert and dancing to “Not Like Us.” Drake covered his LeBron tattoo with one of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rapped, “6 to 23 but not LeBron,” during his set. This shows the feud’s ripple effects, pulling in other celebrities and adding layers to the drama.
The Bigger Picture
The Wireless Festival incident is more than just a concert moment—it’s a snapshot of a cultural battle in hip-hop. Drake, 38, has been a dominant force for over a decade, with chart-topping albums like Take Care and Scorpion. His recent album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, broke R&B streaming records on Apple Music, proving his commercial strength despite the feud. Kendrick, 36, is seen as hip-hop’s lyrical king, with Not Like Us tying for the most Grammy wins for a single song. Their rivalry has divided fans and artists, with some, like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, visibly supporting Kendrick at the Grammys.
For Drake, the festival was a chance to show resilience. His comments about London being the “preeminent hip-hop country” and his guest-heavy setlist were strategic, reinforcing his global influence. The “F*** Kendrick” chants, while controversial, gave him a platform to rally his fans and push back against the narrative that Kendrick won the feud. Critics on X had mixed reactions—some called Drake’s move “cringe,” while others praised his boldness, with one user saying, “Might come outta retirement for this.”
What’s Next?
The feud shows no signs of slowing down. Drake’s third night at Wireless Festival on July 13, 2025, featured Burna Boy and Vybz Kartel, and he’s set to tour Europe with PARTYNEXTDOOR until September. His upcoming album, ICEMAN, teased with “What Did I Miss?,” is expected to address the feud further. Kendrick, fresh off his Grammy wins and Super Bowl performance, may respond, especially since Drake’s festival moment has reignited their beef. The lawsuit against UMG adds another layer, with Drake claiming the label harmed his reputation by promoting “Not Like Us.”
Fans are divided. Some see Drake as fighting an uphill battle after Kendrick’s cultural wins, while others admire his refusal to back down. The Wireless Festival moment, captured in viral clips across X, shows Drake’s determination to stay relevant. As one fan posted, “Drake takes shots at Kendrick Lamar during Wireless Festival moment, captured in viral clips across X, shows Drake’s determination to stay relevant. As one fan posted, “Drake takes shots at Kendrick Lamar during Wireless signaling this feud is far from over.
In conclusion, Drake’s response to the “F*** Kendrick” chants at Wireless Festival 2025 was a bold move in a heated rivalry that’s gripped hip-hop. By embracing his fans’ energy and taking a shot—both literal and lyrical—Drake proved he’s still a force in the industry. The feud with Kendrick Lamar, rooted in over a decade of tension, continues to shape their careers and captivate audiences. As both artists push forward with new music and performances, the hip-hop world is watching to see who lands the next blow.
