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A New Day, A New Diss
Right after Mustard electrifying set at Coachella, another layer of drama unfolded in the ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. The very next day, Kendrick Lamar himself took an opportunity to throw some pointed jabs at Drake during the kickoff show of his highly anticipated “Grand National” tour alongside SZA. Clearly, tensions between these two rap giants are far from easing up. In fact, it seems each encounter is adding fresh fuel to an already blazing rivalry. The timing was notable: just when fans thought they might catch a break from the relentless beef, Kendrick delivered a fresh set of shade, ensuring the drama stayed front and center.
While Kendrick Lamar and Drake continue to dominate the spotlight, other artists find themselves drawn into this ongoing conflict, one such figure is Mustard, the popular West Coast DJ and producer. Even though Mustard isn’t the main character in this beef, he’s definitely picked a side—and he’s standing firmly behind Kendrick Lamar. At Coachella’s second weekend, on Friday, April 18, Mustard made a bold statement by fully embracing Kendrick’s aggressive diss track “Not Like Us.” Mustard excited his fans by not just playing it once but by doing it twice so that the message was crystal clear to all. He, rather than being neutral, proved himself to be a very devoted member and did this by showing so much loyalty even in the face of a scandal.
Mustard’s Lyrical Twist
Not only did Mustard play back the track, but he also put an additional creative twist of his own. He stripped out one of Kendrick’s best lines from “Not Like Us” and transformed it into a totally different verse. Addressing the excited festival crowd directly, Mustard boldly shouted out, “Why you suing like a b***h, ain’t you tired?” This pointed question was clearly aimed at Drake, adding an extra layer of insult. By doing this, Mustard openly mocked Drake’s ongoing legal battles, implying that the Toronto rapper’s continuous litigation was both petty and exhausting. His decision to enhance Kendrick’s diss with a clever, provocative twist further emphasized Mustard’s personal investment in the feud.
Interestingly, Mustard had chosen a completely different path during the first weekend of Coachella. Instead of highlighting Kendrick’s confrontational track, Mustard had opted to avoid controversy, leaning heavily into his own extensive catalog of hit songs and featuring various guest appearances. By keeping things neutral initially, many fans assumed he would continue to steer clear of the ongoing Kendrick-Drake beef entirely. However, his change in approach during the second weekend made his stance unmistakably clear. Transitioning from a neutral artist focused purely on music to a vocal participant in this feud, Mustard effectively amplified the conflict, surprising both fans and critics alike.
Closing With a Bold Move
According to reports, Mustard chose to close his second Coachella performance dramatically—with Kendrick Lamar’s controversial diss track front and center. Ending the set with “Not Like Us,” Mustard made a powerful statement to the thousands of fans in attendance. This meant to convey more than a message, it was a direct and conscious effort to stir up the beef at a significant public event. By slotting the controversial track at the end of his performance, Mustard empowered himself to slam the door on any doubts and to signal his unwavering loyalty to the ongoing feud, as well as his readiness to wage the battle in public. His decision to do this not only made the already tense deadlock even tenser but also told everyone that the lines had been drawn.
On the other hand, Drake is currently involved in a very confusing legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG) that emerged from a defamation case. In addition to the public diss tracks and verbal attacks launched at the defendants, the legal team of Drake is working in the background to chase any possible lead. The latest responses coming from Drake’s representatives indicate they have absolutely no intention of backing down or letting this matter quietly fade away. This legal fight, which Drake has been relentlessly pursuing, clearly shows the seriousness with which he’s treating the accusations against him. While Kendrick Lamar and Mustard continue their public jabs, Drake’s camp is equally determined to fight on their own terms—through the courts.
Drake’s Legal Response: Transparency and Accountability
Drake’s legal team has not minced their words in communication with Universal Music Group (UMG) about the ongoing matter. They have stressed that their client, Drake, is still honest and open, and he is not afraid of any investigation. “Drake has taken discovery and has no need to be afraid,” the lawyers said. The reference from Drake’s lawyers was made quite explosive as they suggested that the one who should worry about the matter was not Drake but the UMG management. More precisely, they have singled out the names of Lucian Grainge, John Janick, and other similar figures who, according to the lawyers, will soon be interrogated.
The message of that statement was crystal clear — Drake is ready for the long march to the truth and that even those responsible will be held accountable. One of the key points in Drake’s amended lawsuit against UMG is his references to the Grammys and the Super Bowl. These mentions are significant, as they could potentially serve as evidence in his claims of defamation. By bringing up these prestigious events, Drake’s legal team may be positioning these moments as part of a broader narrative that supports their case.
While it remains speculative whether these references will directly influence the legal proceedings, they certainly add weight to Drake’s arguments. His team may well use these high-profile moments as a means of showcasing the alleged damage done to Drake’s reputation, further emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Of course, the specifics of how these events play into the defamation claim are still unclear, as little concrete information is available to confirm whether they will be pivotal in the case. Regardless, Drake’s legal maneuvering shows he’s prepared to use every available tool to make his case.
Kendrick Lamar’s Subtle Shots at Drake
While exploring these court cases, Kendrick Lamar has not let the situation between him and Drake be at peace. Just days ago, at his “Grand National” stadium tour where Kendrick was the opening act, he couldn’t resist but diss his colleague in a very subtle way. Singing beside Mustard and SZA, Kendrick gave the impression that he might be imitating Drake’s very famous “Drop, drop, drop” tagline – a line that has indeed stuck as one of Drake’s marks of style. Kendrick’s crafty move to include this reference in his aggression part of his concert set its tone explicitly that he didn’t have any qualms about dissing Drake. The segment was continued by Kendrick performing his massive diss song, “Not Like Us,” which further widened the rift between the two.
“Not Like Us” has clearly become a fan favorite, especially during Kendrick’s live performances. Despite the ongoing feud and the speculative nature of the defamation case, the track continues to garner intense reactions from crowds. Kendrick’s fans are in great anticipation to experience the lively atmosphere from the diss track when performed live, and hence, the song’s impact on his concerts is widely acknowledged. It is also the case that the song is a vital part of his live show and is just an additional factor in his performances, which in turn is a huge factor behind the excitement of the performances. However, as the legal proceedings unfold, Kendrick’s fans are still in support of the track and are able to view it as a political statement as well as a musical victory.
Anticipating More Jabs in the “Grand National” Tour
As Kendrick Lamar’s “Grand National” tour goes on, fans wonder whether he will take more shots and present other surprises directed at Drake. Keeping the current climate of their beef in mind, it’s quite likely that Kendrick will keep name-dropping the other guy in his melodies. Kendrick has used many different methods, from subtle hints to real diss tracks, to express that he’s still not quiet about the whole scenario. The fact that the tour rolls forward guarantees the audience that they will witness additional situations that will escalate the tension in the music industry between the two soloists.
But whatever discord there is, if at all, still Kendrick’s concerts will continue to serve as a powerful experience, and the catchy and energy-triggering vibe of his songs is the real proof of that. The ongoing court case between Kendrick and Drake is also unfolding not just within a courtroom setting but also in public eyes, with Kendrick Lamar’s “Grand National” tour. This particular event has given Kendrick a chance to present himself as an artist, and also a real place where they bring the situation with their rivalry to the audience in real-time.
It has become a situation where both artists’ fans are up for watching these times pass with their performances and how Drake would respond to them in the near future. The more cities the “Grand National” tour visits, the greater the possibility that they will continue to express themselves publicly through songs or words. Whether those occasions are going to be used by the artists as evidence in their legal battle is still uncertain, but it is obvious that both artists are seizing opportunities to assert their claim in the music industry.
