Drake’s new album with PARTYNEXTDOOR, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, is out now, and it features him addressing some of his rivals, including Kendrick Lamar and Joe Budden.
While he doesn’t directly name Kendrick, Drake hints at their ongoing feud — which also involved Rick Ross, Metro Boomin, and The Weeknd — in the track “Gimme a Hug,” a snippet of which leaked earlier this year.
In his bold opening verse, Drake raps: “Drake elimination, fake intimidation / Take a minute, take a deep breath, have a little bit of patience / ‘Drizzy, 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,” showing his confidence and dismissing his haters.
“N-ggas want to see ‘RIP me’ on a t-shirt like I’m Hulk Hogan / I appreciate the fans rocking with me, this is really just a small token / Really fucking with a visionary / Only reason I ain’t got a girl and I ain’t getting married / ‘Cause I’m really out here, filling up the itinerary ’til I’m six feet in a cemetery.
“Bulletproof doors so heavy, got me rolling ’round like a dignitary / Funny how it’s only bitch n-ggas that are waiting on The Boy’s obituary / ‘Cause if I die, it’s these n-ggas that become the sole beneficiary / And what the fuck are they gon’ do with it? / Have the girls up at 29 on stage twerking with a dictionary?”
This latter line seems to specifically target Kendrick, referencing his complex lyrics. It might also allude to Kendrick’s “Euphoria” diss track, which uses an online dictionary screenshot for its cover art.
After a vibrant beat switch, the Toronto artist shifts focus away from the rap beefs, rapping: “They be dropping shit, but we be dropping harder shit / Fuck a rap beef, I’m 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.”
“Gimme a Hug” also features a second beat switch, sampling Aaron Hall’s 1993 hit “I Miss You,” and includes a diss aimed at Joe Budden, a long-time rival.
“Melyssa Ford, you a legend from the 6, hate to see you with a dick-sucker,” Drake raps, referencing the former video model who now co-hosts The Joe Budden Podcast.
In another track, “Brian Steel” — named after the lawyer who helped secure Young Thug’s release from jail — Drake addresses Thug’s plea for a reconciliation between him, Future, and Metro Boomin.
“Broski just hit me, said, ‘Put all the beef on the side,’ I can’t / Mm-hmm, I’m heated now, yeah / N-ggas want meet up, talk about shit, I’m vegan now / Evil eyes were staring at me and I see it now,” Drake raps.
Before regaining his freedom last October, Thug posted on X (formerly Twitter), “@Drake @1future @MetroBoomin we all bruddas. Music aint the same without us collabin.” Pluto seemed open to the idea of reconciliation, resharing the post, though Metro has not commented publicly.
Released just in time for Valentine’s Day, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U features 21 tracks and guest appearances from Yebba, Chino Pacas, and rising Houston artist Pim.
Interestingly, despite Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, the album dropped through UMG alongside labels like OVO Sound, Republic, and Santa Anna.
This marks the first full-length collaboration between Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR, following their long-standing partnership that produced hits like “Recognize,” “Over Here,” and “Come and See Me.”
The album also serves as Drake’s first release since his long-running feud with Kendrick Lamar escalated last year — a conflict many believe he ultimately lost.
