Not Like Us Either: The Kendrick Lamar/Drake Rap Beef as a Case Study for Critical Mixed-Race Ethics

This paper examines the recent rap beef involving Kendrick Lamar and Drake as a case study that highlights the need for the development of critical mixed-race ethics within religious studies. This viral rap beef captivated North American pop culture, not just for the stinging lyrics and West Coast beats, but also because of the ways it unveiled dynamics of power, race, and identity in hip hop. The paper argues that such dynamics within hip hop reflect the presence of the same dynamics in broader North American culture. By analyzing the artists' lyrics, public personas, and the reception history surrounding their feud alongside scholarly writings on multiracial identity, this paper unveils how each artist’s involvement in the beef reflects or disrupts prevailing narratives about race, authenticity, and belonging in hip hop and beyond.