In a surprise move, Kendrick Lamar has released a new song titled “Watch the Party Die” on Instagram, just days after announcing he will headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in 2025. The track appears to be a continuation of his ongoing feud with fellow rapper Drake.
Lyrics Seemingly Address Drake Beef
The opening verse of “Watch the Party Die” contains lyrics that seem to reference Lamar’s beef with Drake:
“I think it’s time to watch the party die / This s**t done got too wicked to apologize / It’s different, get him whacked and disqualified”
Lamar also raps: “Just walk that man down; that’ll do everyone a solid/ It’s love, but tough love sometimes gotta result in violence.”
The two rappers have been engaged in a back-and-forth battle over the past several months, trading diss tracks like “Like That,” “Push Ups,” “euphoria,” “Family Matters,” “6:16 in LA,” “meet the grahams,” “Not Like Us,” and “THE HEART PART 6.”
Tribute to Nipsey Hussle
In the song, Lamar also pays homage to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle:
“How many bches harder than a lot of you ngas?/ Would trade all of y’all for Nip, I can’t be proud of you n**gas.”
Channeling Christian Rappers
Towards the end of the track, Lamar steps into the shoes of Christian rappers Lecrae and Dee-1:
“Sometimes I wonder what Lecrae would do / Fk these ngas up or show ’em just what prayer do?/ I want to be empathetic, my heart like Dee-1″
DJ Akademiks Responds
Radio personality DJ Akademiks, who was seemingly referenced in the line “radio personality pushin’ propaganda for salary,” responded to the song in the comments section, writing: “No, no, noooo.”
Despite declaring “no round twos” in his Super Bowl announcement, Lamar’s surprise release of “Watch the Party Die” suggests the feud with Drake is far from over. Fans will have to wait and see if this track leads to further retaliation from either side.