In a new interview with Justin Laboy, Kanye West once again stirred the pot in the ongoing hip-hop discourse, addressing his complicated dynamic with Drake, Kendrick Lamar’s current dominance, and the evolving state of the culture. SOUND and the Club Ambition crew dissected the interview, breaking down Ye’s statements and questioning Kendrick’s real influence.
Kanye acknowledged his past hostility toward Drake but framed him as an enduring nemesis rather than a defeated foe. Comparing Drake to Steph Curry, Ye suggested that while Kendrick may have taken the upper hand for now, Drake could easily “drop 200 points” at any moment and reclaim dominance. He also likened Drake to a Wolverine-type character who temporarily disappears but always returns.
Ye praised Kendrick for pushing the culture forward, stating that while Drake and Future have had their moments, Kendrick is now the one shifting the “frequency.” He suggested that artists who don’t adapt to Kendrick’s impact might be left behind, much like how Jay-Z learned from Twista’s fast rapping style.
This led to a heated debate on the Club Ambition podcast, where the hosts questioned whether Kendrick is truly shaping the youth culture the way Ye claims. While they acknowledged his lyricism and political messages, they argued that artists like Playboi Carti may have a stronger influence on the next generation.
Host SOUND pointed out that Kendrick’s choice to wear a “Canadian tuxedo” (a denim-on-denim outfit) at the Grammys might have been a calculated statement, metaphorically stomping on Drake’s home turf. The hosts debated whether this type of symbolism holds real weight in shaping hip-hop’s future.
The episode wrapped up with a deeper discussion on Kendrick’s actual impact on younger listeners. While the hosts acknowledged his critical acclaim, they questioned whether he influences the youth in the same way as artists like Playboi Carti, whose aesthetic and sound have arguably shaped a new wave of rap.
