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In the world of Hip-Hop diss tracks, time is of the essence. So the three weeks since Drake dropped “Push-Ups” in response to Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” verse feels like a relative eternity not to hear back from K. Dot.

So when the Compton emcee dropped his much-awaited response “euphoria” Tuesday morning, those of us who’ve been waiting with bated breath stopped what we were doing and scrambled for the headphones.

Indeed, “euphoria” is what many of us were waiting for: A scathing, incisive 6-minute 24-second heat rock that’s killing productivity in workplaces nationwide as I type. But it also demonstrates that Drake and Kendrick have completely different approaches to rap beef.

A recap of how we got here: After years of trading subliminal shots toward each other, Kendrick finally upped the ante in March with pointed disses in his surprise appearance on “Like That” on Future and Metro Boomin’s album “We Don’t Trust You.” Drake responded three weeks later with “Push Ups,” and again the following week with “Taylor Made,” a track on which he used AI voice filters of 2Pac and Snoop Dogg to urge Kendrick to respond.

While everyone was speculating when – or if – Kendrick would respond, he sent a simple, understated tweet of a YouTube link and the track title on Tuesday, officially putting the battle into full motion.

While Drake fires his shots with the steely calm of a sniper reloading the chamber, Kendrick Lamar is closer to Tony Montana, yelling while dumping clips from his machine gun. That’s not to say that Kendrick’s rhymes here aren’t intentional or calculated — both rappers are at the top of their game. But on “Push Ups,” Drake used witty, dismissive punchlines and a catchy, patronizing chorus.

In contrast, “Euphoria” is a relentless, snarling assault — more than six minutes of insults making up for lost time.

 

 

Disses by Future, A$AP Rocky, and Rick Ross in recent weeks have shown that there’s plenty of ammunition to send Drake’s way. Kendrick doesn’t offer much as far as new information (other than alleging that Drake tried to a file cease and desist order for “Like That”) in “euphoria,” but he brings a tenacity to their feud that Drake’s other foes haven’t while presenting “euphoria” as a disambiguation of all anti-Drake sentiments.

Kendrick pokes fun at Drake for not responding to Pusha T’s “Story of Adidon,” retreads Push and Ross’ insults of racial insecurity, disses him for getting help writing his rhymes, repeats the viral accusations of him having fake abs and labels the Canadian rapper a misogynist.

 

 

In true K. Dot fashion, there appear to be a few jewels beneath the surface. The song is six minutes long — a sly reference to Drake’s nickname 6 God. “euphoria” is the same name of the TV show Drake produces that has been criticized for its sexualization of minors — allegations that Drizzy himself has battled for years. There’s even a clip circulating on social media that translates the reversed audio in the song’s intro.

 

 

But perhaps the funniest and most telling lyric is the most pointed: “This ain’t been ‘bout critics, not about gimmicks, not about who the greatest / It’s always been about love and hate, now let me say I’m the biggest hater,” Kendrick raps. “I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk / I hate the way that you dress I hate the way you sneak diss, if I catch flight, it’s gon’ be direct.”

Kendrick doesn’t just want to battle Drake for rap supremacy, because he already feels like he has the top spot. He can’t stand Drake, and he’s thrilled by the opportunity to take him down.