Meek Mill versus Drake has become one of the most talked about industry rap battles in recent memory. Hip Hop media, social media, mainstream media, and even corporations have weighed in on the contest between the “Dream Chaser” and the “6 God.”
With both performers having links to the battle rap culture (a young Meek battle rapped in Philadelphia, Drake has stood on stage at King Of The Dot and URL events), their recent feud is an extension of the competitive streak taking place in battle leagues across the globe. So what do the people making a living off of these lyrical contests think about the Meek-Drake clash?
AllHipHop.com’s Senior News Writer Yohance Kyles and veteran battler/songwriter Okwerdz contacted several notable members of the battle rap community to get their thoughts on Meek claiming Drake uses ghostwriters, the two performers’ respective diss tracks, and how the events of the last few weeks ultimately played out.
Find out what the battle rap professionals have to say about Meek vs. Drake below.
[ALSO READ: Drake – “Back To Back” (Meek Mill Diss)]
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Brizz Rawsteen
In my opinion, it’s a “real vs. fake” situation. You have a ghostwriter, you become exposed, and now the exposer gets ridiculed. Drake is winning to the masses, but I’m not all shocked because these days any and everything is acceptable. Rappers wearing b*tch clothes, makeup, etc. He was invited to the cool table. There was no Degrassi in rap! Some people are forgetting that though.
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Caustic
Much to the dismay of the average Hip Hop purist, Drake vs Meek Mill was the first big feud of this generation. In the footsteps of 50 Cent, it ushered us into a new era of beef. The “Petty Era.”
From the beginning, Drake was playing chess, while Meek was playing checkers. Drake played the long game and beat dude psychologically. By the time Meek had finished processing the first track, Drake hits him again forcing Mill to push his plan into action earlier than expected.. But it was still too late.
Meek’s ace up his sleeve was this big ghostwriting accusation which ultimately kind of flopped anyways – poor form. I give it to Drake 3-0 before “3 Peat” even drops. Sending Charlemagne the bottles and school donations was just extra credit. Actually, 4-0 Drake, because he lost Nicki too. At least people know who you are now though right?
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Cortez
Truthfully, it’s good for the culture! Everybody is so cool now, it’s like the competitive nature is lost. The only way artists can evolve is by testing your talent against your peers! Drake got that one! His whole plan of attack was thought out and executed! Plus you can tell he watches current battles! Ha!
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The Deadman
We still don’t know exactly what triggered Meek Mill’s Twitter rant, but it seemed to be an emotional response. I think he reacted on impulse, but I also think he might have underestimated the level of support Drake has from the Hip Hop community. And Drake, with his recent talk about wanting to step in the battle rap ring, must have been waiting for an opportunity like this to show what he’s really capable of.
I feel like Drake’s response was very strategic. It was very well thought out and properly executed. He definitely seems to be a student of battle rap and delivered a multiple-angle attack covering all his bases. It almost reminds me of an ending scene from The Godfather movies.
And the craziest part is, I don’t think Drake is done. I think he has one more coup de grâce that he’s been waiting to deliver at the right moment. Now all the pressure’s on Meek to see if he can send a strong enough response. Just glad this stayed a competition on wax and hasn’t led to violence, because Hip Hop doesn’t need that.
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Drect
The night when Meek showed the world who Quentin Miller was I thought it was over for Drake. I actually DM’d him on Twitter with the word “bodybag.” I know he saw it. When “Charged Up” dropped, I said to myself, “This is a good song, but it’s the softest, most subliminal indirect diss record in history.” All Meek had to do was deliver, and it was a wrap, until Drake dropped “Back To Back”
“Is this a world tour or your girl’s tour? This ain’t what she meant when she told you to open up more.” Straight fire. These are bars anyone from the battle world can respect. I hope Nicki really didn’t leave Meek… at least his album was fire.
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Goodz
I feel Meek’s diss record wasn’t that good, because he took too long to drop it. No matter what he would have dropped after the days he waited to drop it, it wouldn’t have been that good. The expectation level was just too high.
If he would have dropped it right after Drake dropped his first joint – which really wasn’t a diss track to me, it was just touching on a couple of things. If Meek would have dropped it then, it would have gotten a better response. Then once Drake dropped his other diss track, Meek’s would have got a good response. Then it could have gone back-and-forth.
Meek would have to drop another joint, but it would look like it’s going back-and-forth instead of it looking one-sided. The fact that Drake dropped two diss songs before Meek dropped one made the expectation so high for Meek to drop his first one, no matter what he would have dropped it wouldn’t have met the expectation level.
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Hollow Da Don
I think Meek made a fatal mistake by playing his trump card. He should have called out Drake first, then waited for him to diss him back. Then Meek should have exposed the reference tracks to the world on his comeback while snapping with bars. But since he didn’t calculate his moves, Drake outsmarted him.
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John John Da Don
About this whole Meek and Drake battle, Drake is definitely winning. He’s clearly winning this. I feel like Meek might have barked up the wrong tree at the wrong time. Drake is not playing.
Being that Meek started all of this is also giving Drake’s disses even more power, because it’s like “N*gga, you asked for this.” He just awakened some kind of beast in the light-skinned n*gga Drake.
As far as the battle goes, Drake is definitely winning. I want to see Meek come back swinging. I know Meek got something in the tank. A lot of people don’t believe. I’m rocking with Meek, but he’s f*cking losing.
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Lush One
I’ve been a fan of diss tracks going back to the Golden Era. I think Cam’ron and DJ Quik are two of the potent – and also slept on – creators of the best disses ever. I wish more artists would be like Cassidy. In the sense, they would be willing to step into the actual battle arena and get it poppin. But they need to drop the ego and unrealistic financial expectations of a still growing subculture within Hip Hop.
But as of now, diss tracks are still the equivalent on an industry level, they inject the game with an appreciation of lyricism, and add necessary excitement. Props to Drizzy for going the extra mile and not only destroying Meek on a track and in life (hope he don’t lose his girl smh), but also showing some genuine willingness to hop in the actual battle rap arena as well.
Meek is an artist I respect, but this diss hit so hard it actually affects how the general public views him in general. He needs to fight back quick or it’s a wrap. These rappers need to sack up, hop in the ring, and make some real money while putting their reps up. The branding opportunities are endless. Floyd and Manny were literally the highest paid athletes of the year… It ain’t rocket science.
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Marv Won
The funny thing about this whole Meek/Drake beef is… ten years ago, if Meek would’ve dropped these references, the world would’ve lynched Drake. This is so not the way Meek thought this would play out. Lol.
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Okwerdz
I’m a huge fan of Drake and Meek Mill, but I was a little underwhelmed by the diss tracks on both sides thus far, although “Back To Back” was a step in the right direction. I don’t think this generation has really been exposed to real diss tracks that say names and even get people hurt like that just yet.
Drake’s chess game, however, is very impressive, and the most entertaining part of this whole “beef.” Competition is good for Hip Hop, and it’s kind of cool to see Drake put his battle rap influence to good use. I hope to see them face off in the ring!
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Real Deal
Overall, I just think it’s clearly not the same. To me, from jump Meek was in over his head. If this were 90’s style diss records and feel, then possibly the “street” approach would hold more weight. But where Hip Hop is now, Meek seems outgunned.
Drake has a larger fanbase and voice and was quicker with the draw on the responses. The hype waiting on Meek’s response seemed to leave anything short of a “Hit Em Up” comeback doomed.
This day and age of people seem more “sheep like” than ever. If person A goes Drake there will be a line of followers who may have never even heard Meek’s comeback to follow suit. Having said that and heard all tracks, it’s lost its interest to me, and even more so I don’t feel it’s real.
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The Saurus
Clearly, Drake has won the war between the two, and as a result, I think the term getting “Meek’ed” will almost replace the term “ethered” in Hip Hop culture.
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Uno Lavoz
I think this Meek Mill and Drake “beef” is a good look. It shows that battle rap is still alive in mainstream Hip Hop, and it brings back the competitive nature. I hate that Drake is kicking Meek’s ass (me being from Philly) all over the place. But hey… the better man won.
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Xcel
Drake and Meek are funny to me. It is Drake powering Meek Mill out of position. It’s not lyrical rapping wise, but it’s funny. Drake clearly is winning the war.