How Kendrick Lamar and Drake changed rap beefs forever

Mr Stephney recalled the Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls rap feuds that led to the two men’s deaths in the mid-1990s. He noted that a security guard was recently shot outside Drake’s home, which has also played host to two other police-involved incidents since the shooting.

While these disturbances have not been connected by authorities to Drake’s dispute with Lamar, the former record producer said he fears the two rappers’ feud could lead to real-world violence.

“It made absolutely no sense when it happened 28 years ago,” Mr Stephney said of Tupac’s and Biggie’s murders. “I just hope those were lessons learned by these two guys and they see the terrible excuses for violence that occurred at that time.”

Tensions seem to have simmered down in recent days, though the public will have to wait to see what effects the beef may have on the stars’ reputations.

That does not mean fans and casual observers are not keeping their eyes peeled for another diss track release, however. The last track – Drake’s THE HEART PART 6 – was delivered less than a week ago on 5 May. And it is clear that fans want more.

“This is the kind of rivalry that people favour. It’s Nadal-Federer, Lakers-Celtics, Yankees-Red Sox,” Mr Lamarre said. “These are two different artists with amazing accolades that have two different backgrounds.”

“And it just forms a community as people sit around the internet bonfire and wait for that next diss track to be released.”

Additional reporting by Regan Morris in Los Angeles