Online Reporter
NEW YORK. —Drake released a new single titled “What Did I Miss?” on Friday, addressing the aftermath of his public feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar.
The surprise release was preceded by a live stream on Drake’s YouTube channel, where he not only debuted the track but also laid the groundwork for his forthcoming album, “Iceman”.
With cutting lyrics that reflect on the strains of friendship and loyalty, Drake dives deep into the emotional fallout stemming from his recent disputes with Lamar.
“Last time I looked to my right, you n—s was standing beside me / How can some people I love hang around pussies who try me?” he raps, laying bare his feelings of betrayal by those he once considered close allies.
The artist has particularly notable references to Lamar’s “The Pop Out” concert held in Los Angeles last year, saying, “I’m back in your city tonight, walkin’ around with my head high / I saw bro at the Pop Out with them but been dick-riding gang since ‘Headlines.’”
These lines exemplify the tension that continues to boil over between the two titans of contemporary hip hop.
Drake’s introspection doesn’t stop there; he reflects on his commitment to his crew and questions their loyalty in a strong third verse: “What did I miss?/ When I was looking at y’all and cooking with y’all/ And giving out verses and bookings to y’all …”
“What Did I Miss?” was produced by a cadre of talent, including London Cyr, O Lil Angel, DJ LEWIS, and others, and has already made an impressive debut, soaring to the top spot on both the US Spotify and Apple Music charts shortly after its release.
While some fans have lauded the song as a return to form for the Toronto rapper, others have noted that his essence has evolved very little since his last major release.
“Great production but good God he’s been doing this flow since CLB,” one listener remarked, while another defended the track, saying, “Unfortunately for the haters, this a banger.”
This release comes amidst a fierce and ongoing rivalry with Lamar, where both artists have engaged in a series of retaliatory diss tracks targeting one another.
Their differences, rooted in conflicting claims regarding authenticity and artistic integrity, have captured the attention of hip hop enthusiasts across the world, particularly following Lamar’s impactful track “Not Like Us”.
Despite the intense scrutiny and mixed fan reactions, there’s no denying the anticipation surrounding Drake’s upcoming album, “Iceman”.
While details regarding its full release remain under wraps, his latest single’s climbing streaming numbers suggest it could rival his most successful works to date.
Drake is already cemented as a streaming powerhouse and recently set a record as the artist with the most entries on Apple Music’s Top 500 list. —IOL
derick.khumalo