Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR have joined forces once again, officially releasing their highly anticipated joint album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, on February 14, 2025. The 21-track project blends sensual R&B melodies with hard-hitting rap bars, but beyond the vibes, Drake uses the album as a platform to subtly revive old tensionsāparticularly with Kendrick Lamar and Joe Budden.
Drake Hints at Kendrick Lamar Feud Without Saying His Name
While Kendrickās name isnāt explicitly mentioned, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U contains veiled shots at the Compton rapper, hinting at the bitter lyrical war that unfolded in 2024. Their feud, which pulled in heavyweights like Rick Ross, Metro Boomin, and The Weeknd, saw Drake and Kendrick trade jabs over multiple diss tracks. Now, on Gimme a Hug, a track that leaked months ago, Drake appears to address his rivals head-on.
Kicking off the song with a confident, self-reflective verse, he raps:
āDrake elimination, fake intimidation / Take a minute, take a deep breath, have a little bit of patience / āDrizzy, you amazing, you the inspiration / You set the bar for the next generation / You Neo in The Matrix, these n-ggas just Nemo in the ocean / Small fish, making kids feel emotion / Using you for promotion,ā truer words have never been spoken.ā
Drakeās bars suggest that many of his critics are merely using his name for cloutāan argument heās made throughout his career. He continues with a stark reflection on his mortality and industry enemies:
āN-ggas want to see āRIP meā on a t-shirt like Iām Hulk Hogan / I appreciate the fans rocking with me, this is really just a small token / Really fucking with a visionary / Only reason I aināt got a girl and I aināt getting marriеd / āCause Iām really out herе, filling up the itinerary ātil Iām six feet in a cemetery.ā
His next verse intensifies the attack, with a possible dig at Kendrickās lyrical approach:
āBulletproof doors so heavy, got me rolling āround like a dignitary / Funny how itās only bitch n-ggas that are waiting on The Boyās obituary / āCause if I die, itās these n-ggas that become the sole beneficiary / And what the fuck are they gonā do with it? / Have the girls up at 29 on stage twerking with a dictionary?ā
Fans believe this last line is a direct jab at Kendrick, referencing the dictionary screenshot featured on the cover of Euphoria, one of Kendrickās most scathing diss tracks from their battle.
Drake Swerves from Rap Beef to Party Vibes
Despite the tension-laden verses, Gimme a Hug undergoes an upbeat beat switch, where Drake dismisses feuds in favor of turning up:
āThey be dropping shit, but we be dropping harder shit / Fuck a rap beef, Iām tryna get the party lit / Tryna get the party lit for the bitches / Them Nike tights is hugging on that ass like they missed it.ā
The track, built around a second beat switch sampling Aaron Hallās 1993 R&B classic I Miss You, then shifts to a more subtle shot at Joe Budden.
Drake Fires at Joe Budden with a Clever Wordplay
Budden, a longtime Drake critic, finds himself in the crosshairs yet again. Drizzy raps:
āBroski just hit me, said, āPut all the beef on the side,ā I canāt / Mm-hmm, Iām heated now, yeah / N-ggas want meet up, talk about shit, Iām vegan now / Evil eyes were staring at me and I see it now.ā
The āveganā line could hint at a refusal to entertain beefs, while the āevil eyesā reference suggests he recognizes betrayal from former supporters.
A Calculated Release Amid Legal Drama
Arriving on Valentineās Day, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U stretches across 21 tracks and features guest appearances from Yebba, Chino Pacas, and Houston newcomer Pim. The albumās release strategy is also intriguingāit surfaces via Universal Music Group in collaboration with OVO Sound, Republic, and Santa Anna. This move comes as Drake remains embroiled in a legal dispute with Universal, adding another layer of complexity to the projectās rollout.
Drake & PARTYNEXTDOORās History & Whatās Next
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U marks the first full-length collaboration between Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR, a pairing that previously delivered fan-favorites like Recognize, Over Here, and Come and See Me. Their chemistry is evident throughout the project, with Partyās signature melodies balancing Drakeās introspective verses.
Following last yearās bruising rap clash with Kendrickāa battle many judged in Lamarās favorāthis album serves as both a return to form and a statement of resilience for Drake.
As fans dissect every lyric and speculate on the fallout, one thing is clear: $ome $exy $ongs 4 U isnāt just an R&B-inspired collabāitās another strategic move in Drakeās ongoing chess game with the rap industry.
Stream the Album & Join the Conversation
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U is now available on all major streaming platforms. Which tracks are your favorites? Do you think Drakeās subliminals will reignite old feuds? Drop your thoughts in the comments!