Kanye West

A generational bridge defined by collaboration, rivalry, and a feud spanning from 2009 to 2025.

Kanye West and Canadian rapper Drake share one of hip-hop's most complex legacies, defined by a decades-long on-and-off feud beginning in 2009. Their history oscillates between high-level collaboration—such as West producing 'Find Your Love' and featuring on 'Pop Style'—and intense public sparring involving social media exchanges and musical diss tracks. From neighbors in Hidden Hills to rivals releasing albums days apart, their dynamic has shaped modern rap culture. While they have reconciled for benefit concerts like the Free Larry Hoover event, their relationship remains volatile, marked by specific incidents ranging from the 'Lift Yourself' beat dispute to lyrical attacks over ghostwriting and family secrets.

Quick Facts

Medium: Diss tracks, social media

Lore & Background

The conflict between West and Drake is rooted in early professional admiration that shifted toward competition. In 2011, Drake rapped 'watch me take it' on 'I'm on One,' referencing West's Watch the Throne album with Jay-Z. By 2016, they hinted at a joint project during OVO Fest, teasing it with a billboard reading 'Calabasas is the new Abu Dhabi.' However, plans were scrapped after West expressed disdain for radio stations playing Drake's 'For Free.' Tensions exploded in 2018 when Pusha T released 'Infrared,' produced by West, accusing Drake of ghostwriting. Drake responded on 'Duppy Freestyle' calling West a 'leech and serpent' over the departure of Virgil Abloh. The feud intensified with Pusha T's 'The Story of Adidon,' which revealed Drake's son Adonis, leading to a brief response track that James Prince stopped from release to protect families.

Reader's Guide

To understand the West-Drake dynamic, track specific releases and dates. In 2015, both featured on Big Sean's 'Blessings.' In 2016, West produced for Drake's Views album while Drake wrote for West's The Life of Pablo. The 2018 escalation included West releasing 'No Mistakes' from Ye two days after Pusha T's 'The Story of Adidon.' In 2021, Donda (August 29) and Certified Lover Boy (September 3) released five days apart; CLB sold 613,000 units to Donda's 309,000. Post-reconciliation exchanges continued: on November 4, 2022, Drake referenced J Prince in 'Circo Loco,' prompting a tweet from West. On April 7, 2023, Drake used a clip of Kim Kardashian discussing her divorce in 'Search and Rescue.' By April 6, 2025, West previewed 'Heil Hitler' containing a slur against Drake, yet later gave positive remarks calling Drake 'a million times better' than Kendrick Lamar regarding the Super Bowl.

Did You Know?

West directed the music video for Drake's 2009 debut single 'Best I Ever Had' before their feud began.
In 2018, West kept a beat Drake wanted to buy for $3,000,000 and used it for 'Lift Yourself,' which features phrases like 'Whoop-diddy-scoop-poop'.
Pusha T revealed in 2018 that Drake has a son named Adonis, a name later used for the scrapped Adidas collaboration 'Adidon.'