Byron Nelson
Drake, the reigning king of rap controversies, has once again set the internet ablaze with his latest diss track, “Drop and Give Me 50.” In this scorching release, Drake pulls no punches, targeting a slew of fellow artists with razor-sharp lyrics and clever wordplay. Among those in the firing line are Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, and Future. However, what’s causing perhaps even more of a stir is Drake’s surprising name-dropping of Maroon 5, SZA, and J. Cole in the midst of his verbal onslaught.
The track opens with a punch aimed squarely at Kendrick Lamar, with Drake asserting his dominance and dismissing any claims of competition. “You better drop and give ’em 50/Pipsqueak pipe down, you ain’t in no Big 3,” he spits, referencing Lamar’s recent comments about the lack of a “Big Three” in hip-hop, which many interpreted as a slight towards Drake and J. Cole.
But Kendrick isn’t the only one feeling the heat from Drake’s fiery lyrics. Rick Ross, The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, and Future all find themselves in the crosshairs as Drake unleashes a barrage of verbal assaults. From questioning The Weeknd’s spending habits with the line “Cash blowin’ Abel bread, out here trickin'” to calling out Metro Boomin with “You’re not the future, you’re just a Boomin’ Metro,” Drake leaves no stone unturned in his quest for lyrical supremacy.
What’s particularly intriguing, however, is Drake’s unexpected name-dropping of Maroon 5, SZA, and J. Cole. While Maroon 5 might seem like an odd addition to a diss track aimed primarily at hip-hop artists, it’s worth noting that Drake has collaborated with the pop-rock band in the past, most notably on their hit single “Girls Like You.” Could there be behind-the-scenes drama between Drake and Maroon 5 that we’re not privy to?
Similarly, SZA’s inclusion in the diss track raises eyebrows, especially considering her affiliation with Kendrick Lamar’s TDE label. Could Drake be hinting at a potential feud between himself and SZA, or is her name simply collateral damage in his ongoing beef with Lamar?
And then there’s J. Cole, whose name-drop adds another layer of complexity to the already convoluted web of hip-hop rivalries. Drake and Cole have had a complicated relationship over the years, veering between collaboration and competition. With Drake seemingly taking shots at Cole’s assertion of being one of the greatest, it’s unclear where their relationship stands now.
As fans dissect every line and analyze every bar, one thing is certain: Drake’s “Drop and Give Me 50” has reignited the flames of hip-hop feuds and controversies. Whether it’s his relentless disses towards his fellow artists or his unexpected name-dropping of Maroon 5, SZA, and J. Cole, Drake has once again proven himself to be a master of the rap game. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that when it comes to stirring up drama and dominating the headlines, Drake knows how to keep us talking.
