About "Family Matters" by Drake

"Family Matters" is a diss track by Canadian rapper Drake, released on May 3, 2024. The track serves as a response to several songs ("Champagne Moments", "All to Myself", "Show of Hands", "Euphoria", and "6:16 in LA"). Drake targets several rappers, such as Kendrick Lamar, Future, Rick Ross, A$AP Rocky, along with singer, The Weeknd, and record producer, Metro Boomin. Lamar responded to "Family Matters" within an hour with the song "Meet the Grahams".

Background and release

Main article: Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud

Drake posted "Buried Alive Interlude (remix)" as a promo for "Family Matters" on his official Instagram.

The single was released by Drake on 3 May 2024 on all streaming platform along with an accompanying music video on YouTube.

Music video

The "Family Matters" music video by Drake is laden with symbolism, beginning with Drake's homage to 50 Cent with a vintage G-Unit spinner chain and his response to Lamar's mention of FUBU in "Euphoria". The video features a third generation Plymouth Voyager, reminiscent of the third generation Chrysler Town & Country featured on the cover of the deluxe edition of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, being crushed in a junkyard, symbolizing Drake's intention to bury Kendrick. Drake then flaunts jewelry from Pharrell's collection, including Tupac's ring, suggesting the ongoing narrative of their feud. References to Lamar's personal life emerge with cakes inscribed with "Happy Divorce" and "Happy Co-parenting," implying a split from Alford due to infidelity. Scenes of Drake in the studio, a Michael Jackson action figure highlighting "Black and White," and Drake wearing a ringed chain hint at deeper meanings, such as speculation about Lamar's engagement to Alford. The music video also shows Drake visiting the New Ho King Chinese restaurant referenced by Lamar in Euphoria.

Aftermath

Lamar released his response song "Meet the Grahams" 20 minutes after the release of "Family Matters".

DRAKE AND KENDRICK LAMAR FEUD

Canadian rapper Drake and American rapper Kendrick Lamar have been involved in a rap feud since the early 2010s. The feud escalated in March 2024 after the premiere of "Like That" by Future, Metro Boomin and Lamar.

Their first collaboration was in 2011, on Drake's album Take Care, with another collaboration a year later on Lamar's album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. Lamar later dissed Drake and several other rappers on the 2013 song "Control" by Big Sean, later clarifying that his verse was intended to be seen as "friendly competition".

In March 2024, Lamar dissed J. Cole and Drake on "Like That" after J. Cole proposed on "First Person Shooter" that he, Drake, and Lamar were the "Big Three" of hip hop. Cole responded to Lamar on the diss track "7 Minute Drill", which Cole later apologized for and removed from streaming services.

Drake then released the songs "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle" in April. "Taylor Made Freestyle" was later deleted from social media after Tupac Shakur's estate threatened Drake with legal action for his use of AI-generated vocals resembling Shakur. In response, Lamar released "Euphoria" on April 30 and "6:16 in LA" on May 3. Drake responded with "Family Matters" later that day, accusing Lamar of being a domestic abuser and alleging that one of Lamar's children was fathered by Dave Free. Less than an hour later, Lamar released "Meet the Grahams", accusing Drake of being a sexual predator, sex trafficking, and fathering a secret child. Lamar then released "Not Like Us" the following evening, further accusing Drake of pedophilia and lying about Lamar's family. On May 5, Drake responded with "The Heart Part 6", denying Lamar's accusations and claiming his team gave Lamar false information about the secret child.

Critics have generally cited Lamar as leading or winning in the feud, including Pitchfork, The Ringer, and Rolling Stone, with an Insider article claiming music critics and social media users considered Lamar the winner. However, some outlets were more qualified in their assessment, calling Lamar's victory a hollow one.