Kendrick Lamar performs ‘Not Like Us' in Toronto, crowd responds
The overly publicised feud between Kendrick and Drake reached a fever pitch when Lamar took to the stage at the Rogers Centre and let loose with a selection of his records aimed at Drake.
These included Like That by Future which Lamar features on. That particular record sparked the exchange between two of the best rappers out. Lamar also did Euphoria and the monster hit, Not Like Us.
He performed for two nights in Toronto, which is also known as The 6. Pundits debated whether he would be able to perform in his rival's hometown, but not only did he do that, but he played to a sold-out audience.
Lamar left the crowd wanting more, right after he performed Not Like Us. This record is considered to have sealed Lamar's victory in the battle. That song houses lyrics that frame Drake in a dim light, inferring that he is a deviant. Drake is still at legal loggerheads with Universal Music Group (UMG) over their promotion of that track. The lawsuit filed in January of this year, alleges that UMG defamed Drake by amplifying Not Like Us, which includes accusations against him and his associates. UMG has filed motions to have this ongoing matter dismissed.
Regardless, Lamar basked in the moment at centre stage as the chant of 'one more time' rang around the arena after he played the controversial global hit. The Compton native did not oblige and instead moved on with his set.
Everything Lamar did in the battle was very purposeful and calculated. This was no different with his visit to Canada. Lamar played at a venue that Drake has not even performed at yet, which must sting. Drake has of course played at some major venues in Canada but not at the Rogers Centre.
Also having SZA on the GNX tour and performing in Canada could be a sore spot for Drake. At one stage he and SZA seemed to be friendly, and the R&B sensation has even appeared in a Drake music video for the song Rich Baby Daddy as well as an appearance in the lyrical visualiser for Slime You Out.
Adding insult to further injury, Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada's NDP party, was spotted in the audience. Drake called him out on social media to which Singh responded and claimed to have only been at the show to see SZA and nobody else. Singh even posted an apology on his social media, stating that Drake and his OVO collective have done so much for Canada and that it was insensitive for him to have gone to this concert.
The event went off without much incident as tensions were expected to be high. Some of Drake's most loyal fans did attempt a protest outside the venue, but to no avail, as the show went ahead as planned and uninterrupted.
Drake has been working on a new solo album following the Valentine's Day release of his third joint or collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with Partynextdoor. It would be hard to conceive a reality where the Canadian superstar lets this moment go by unanswered but given that he is widely considered to have lost the lyrical skirmish with Lamar, it might be better to simply move on.
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