The rap battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar is about more than whatever personal beefs these two men have with each other. What sets this rap battle apart from previous high-profile hip-hop feuds is its magnitude and implications for popular music. If Drake, who has become the face of rap’s mainstream pop faction, has lost this battle, that setback is not his alone. Mr. Lamar’s ability to write layered and intricate lyrics has long been lauded. Mr. Lamar’s apparent decision to remove copyright protections for “Not Like Us” has also enabled a wide dissemination of the track, allowing content creators to monetize posts featuring the song.

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Persons: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, ”, Lil Baby, Lamar’s Organizations: Spotify