The internet is buzzing right now, and so have we Drake And Kendrick Lamar in the middle of it. Ever since their rap beef resurfaced on the internet, everyone has kept their ears to the ground and eagerly awaiting the release of the next diss track. Interestingly, Drake and Kendrick have been embroiled in a rap feud since early 2010, but not until the release of “First Person Shooter,” a song on Drake’s album “For All the Dogs” featuring J. Cole Last October all hell broke loose. In one verse, Cole implied that he, Drake and Kendrick were the one “big three” of the current hip-hop era
However, the feud escalated in March 2024 after the premiere of ‘Like That’ from Future, Metro Boominand Kendrick. On this song, Kendrick contradicted Cole and Drake for implying that they were on the same level. (Cole has since gotten out of the feud). And as expected, Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s fan base has been doing their utmost on social media, comparing the rappers to decide who reigns supreme.
Nothing is off the table at this point. Both rappers went at each other song after song, but what really piqued our interest was a diss track that Kendrick released on April 30, titled “Euphoria,” a possible reference to the HBO TV show of the same name in which Drake is an executive . producer. Here Kendrick calls himself Drake’s “biggest hater,” before unleashing a rant on the song. However, one text that particularly struck us was when it was correct: “…I hate the way you dress.”
We’ve heard enough lyrical comparisons between Drake and Kendrick to last a decade! Let’s talk about their style…
‘I am best dressed when I am moving forward’ Kendrick Lamar shouted out on “The Hillbillies,” a 2023 song Baby Keem. Normally this wouldn’t be questioned when a rapper brags about his stylish clothing, but it is with Kendrick, who openly hates Drake’s dressing style. Although Drake has made it clear he’s not obsessed with fashion in his song “Finesse,” in which he raps, “Fashion week is more your thing than mine,” the Canadian rapper knows how to effortlessly create dandy looks. Late Virgil Abloh said it herself in an interview with Vogue in 2019: “Drake is the pinnacle of contemporary artists and has the skills to create an environment that is fulfilled by his set design. These features support a perfect palette to create attractive new men’s silhouettes.”
Both Drake and Kendrick are undisputed icons in the rap game. But when it comes to their wardrobe, the similarities are just as interesting as the differences. Of course, there are the core hip-hop items that unite them, such as hoodies, graphic T-shirts, baseball caps and sneakers. This keeps them rooted in the genre, while leaving room to showcase their unique style.
Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake: A Fashion Showdown
Kendrick often has a more minimalist aesthetic, sticking to neutral colors and simple silhouettes, while Drake tends to experiment with bolder prints and colors. However, they are both known to rock high-end designer pieces. Kendrick has been spotted in Chanel, Gucci and Prada, while Drake has a penchant for brands like Moncler and Burberry.
However, the difference in Drake and Kendrick’s styles goes beyond the superficial. You could think of Drake as a chameleon who changes his appearance to stay relevant and stylish. He’s more put-together and trend-driven, often rocking the latest designer pieces and seeming to draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including British grime fashion. On the other hand, Kendrick pushes the boundaries with his goal-oriented approach. His style feels more personal and authentic, reflecting his West Coast roots. His fashion choices seem to be less about chasing trends and more about expressing his personality.
The early days (2011-2015)
Started from the bottom up: Drake
During his early years in the spotlight, Drake’s personal style was understandably not the rave among fashion critics, but it was certainly recognizable and fit the image he cultivated as a young rapper on the rise. He captured the zeitgeist of the time and evolved his style alongside his music.
Drake’s fashion sense was heavily influenced by the vibrant hip-hop scene in his hometown of Toronto. He embraced a streetwear aesthetic, often pairing graphic T-shirts, hoodies and baseball caps with dark denim and sneakers. Drake’s love for luxury brands also began to emerge during this period, as he began incorporating pieces from labels such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Burberry into his ensembles. His collaboration with the brand OVO (October’s Very Own), which he co-founded, also began to shape his style during this time.
Rooted in Compton: Kendrick
During his early performances, which coincided with the release of his debut album ‘Section.80’ in 2011, Kendrick’s fashion choices were ingrained in Compton’s hip-hop culture. His style embodied a laid-back West Coast vibe, with oversized jerseys, baggy jeans and classic sneakers. Kendrick was even wearing Pyrex Vision hoodies weeks after Virgil Abloh introduced the brand in early 2010. He was committed to aesthetics that resonated with his commitment to authenticity. “I don’t rock designer shit anymore, white T’s and Nike Cortez, this red Corvette is anonymous,” Kendrick further stated Big Sean’s Track ‘Control’ from 2013. Sticking to his word, Kendrick’s look generally steered away from big brand logos or flashy pieces from luxury houses. The outfit he wore for the premiere of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is proof of this: a denim T-shirt from Levi’s, jeans, a New York Yankees baseball cap and of course a pair of all-white Chuck Taylor’s, where he keeps his style true to the west coast.
As time went on, Kendrick began to incorporate bucket hats and Champion clothing, in addition to the influence of the California gangster aesthetic. However, after the release of “To Pimp a Butterfly” in 2015, his fashion evolved. He embraced Afrofuturism and often incorporated African prints, blazers with dashikis and other eclectic elements into his wardrobe.
Rise to stardom (2016–2020)
Freestyle style: Drake
There’s no denying that Drake likes to experiment with a wide variety of looks until he finds what works. This approach allows him to embrace a wider range of styles, including athleisure fits, vintage finds and high-fashion suits. Take Drake at the 2019 Grammys, where he accepted the award for Best Rap Song while wearing a custom Tom Ford with a gray plaid suit, a retro turtleneck and a diamond necklace. Following the release of his critically acclaimed album ‘Views’, Drake continued his love affair with streetwear, but with an elevated twist. He replaced basic T-shirts and hoodies with high-end labels such as Off-White and Stone Island. But he didn’t stop there. He collaborated with Jordan Brand for the OVOXO x Jordan collection to create exclusive pieces that showcased his personal style and love for fashion.
Threads of rebellion: Kendrick
Gone are the baggy clothes of Kendrick’s earlier years. With a focus on the emerging black designers of the time, Kendrick adopted graphic T-shirts with relaxed tailoring. His fashion choices reflected the rebellious spirit of his critically acclaimed album ‘DAMN’. This period marked a shift towards a more relaxed yet refined look, reflecting his artistic maturity and evolving personality. Additionally, Kendrick’s involvement in the 2018 ‘Black Panther’ soundtrack brought a new dimension to his fashion style. Influenced by the film’s regal and Afrofuturist themes, he incorporated royal headpieces and cultural references into his clothing.
A contender for the style crown (2021–present)
Drake’s style
From his early days until now, Drake has consistently demonstrated his impeccable taste in fashion. He’s gone from beaming ear-to-ear at bar mitzvahs to donning high-end denim and luxe coordination. Today, Drake is known for his puffer coats and sheepskin coats from major fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and especially Tom Ford.
“For Drake, Tom Ford has become a second skin” says Drake’s stylist Mellany Sanchez about his 2019 Grammy look. “It’s a brand he wears more than sportswear, more often than anything else. It is a brand he lives in.”
Lately, Drake has developed an affinity for the wide look. This isn’t surprising since he’s known for jumping on fashion trends as soon as they pop up on his radar. He has also been spotted experimenting with piles of jewelry.
Kendrick’s style
While Kendrick isn’t typically put in the same spotlight when it comes to fashion, compared to artists like Tyler, the Creator And Playboi Carti, he’s had some great offense in the past decade. At the 60th annual Grammy Awards, Kendrick performed in a Craig Green archive jacket from the British designer’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection.
Additionally, he arrived at the 2022 Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show wearing a Louis Vuitton suit from Virgil Abloh’s Fall/Winter 2022 collection, paired with Tiffany & Co. jewelry. This wasn’t the first time Tiffany & Co. through for Kendrick. For his “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” album, the jewelry company made him a crown of thorns, decorated with 8,000 diamonds. It was and still is Kendrick’s most iconic fashion statement.
We would be remiss not to mention Kendrick’s favorite designers, whom he mentions in “The Hillbillies”: Grace Wales Bonner (“I don’t even need to check the facts, all I’m wearing is Wales Bonner”) and Martine Rose (“Wear Martine when I board jets”). Any true fan of Kendrick knows he loves wearing Martin Rose. The London label was largely responsible for the fits he chose in the Hillbillies music video.
Kings in their own right
Drake and Kendrick Lamar represent two different ends of the hip-hop fashion spectrum. Drake, the trendsetter, is dripping with designer labels. While Kendrick, the conscious artist, prioritizes comfort and purpose over flash. Yet both deserve recognition as kings in their respective realms. Drake’s influence on mainstream fashion is undeniable, while Kendrick uses clothing as a powerful tool for social commentary.
So who is the king of fashion? The answer lies in your perspective. Do you appreciate trendsetting swagger or purposeful expression? Ultimately, Drake and Kendrick Lamar remind us that fashion, like music, is a form of personal expression. They may rule different kingdoms, but both reign supreme in their own sphere.
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