Just when the dust seemed to be settling between two of hip-hop’s most powerful voices, Drake may have fanned the flames once again.

On July 5, social media erupted after fans noticed that Drake had unfollowed Kendrick Lamar on Instagram, just hours after dropping his surprise single, “What Did I Miss?”. The timing was no coincidence — and fans, critics, and fellow artists alike are asking the same question:

Is Drake reviving the feud? Or was it never really over?

The Unfollow Heard Round the World

Instagram unfollows are rarely accidental in celebrity circles. In hip-hop, they’ve become symbolic moves — digital declarations of war.

This isn’t the first time Drake and Kendrick have traded subliminal shots. But this latest unfollow, paired with Drake’s emotionally charged track, has made it clear that the tension still simmers just beneath the surface. What might seem like a petty swipe is, in today’s algorithmic arena, a calculated move designed to send a message.

“Enough is enough,” wrote one fan on X.
“Drake unfollowed Kendrick. He’s not done.”

A Song Full of Shadows: “What Did I Miss?”

The track itself adds fuel to the fire. Released during a cryptic livestream titled “Iceman: Episode 1”, the song finds Drake not only confronting Lamar, but also turning on his former allies.

Lyrically, “What Did I Miss?” calls out the fallout from Kendrick’s explosive diss track “Not Like Us” — a song that dominated headlines in 2024 and earned a Grammy for its biting accusations and unmatched cultural impact. In this new single, Drake directly addresses the betrayal he felt from close friends and collaborators who, in his words, “stood beside someone who tried me.”

“Last time I looked to my right, you n****s was standing beside me…
How can some people I love hang around pussies who try me?”

The reference, though indirect, is unmistakable. It points to West Coast figures like YG, Mustard, and Ty Dolla $ign — all of whom stood behind Kendrick at his Pop Out concert in Los Angeles last year. Drake, often known for subliminal messaging, isn’t being subtle anymore.

Not Just Words: The Legal War Behind the Lyrics

What makes this feud even more intense is that it’s no longer confined to music or Instagram. Drake is currently suing Universal Music Group over the promotion of “Not Like Us”, citing defamation.

The lawsuit alleges that Kendrick’s lyrics crossed the line from diss into dangerous territory — specifically a line that many interpreted as an accusation of grooming. UMG has dismissed the complaint as “traditional trash-talking” common in hip-hop, but a federal court is now weighing whether rap bars can carry legal consequences.

While Kendrick has remained largely silent on the lawsuit, the move has forced fans and media to consider a new angle: is this beef even about music anymore?

Kendrick’s Silence, Drake’s Strategy

Unlike the chaotic exchanges of last year — where diss tracks flew within days — Kendrick Lamar has not responded publicly to Drake’s latest moves.

His last major statement came through art, not interviews. That was “Not Like Us” — a track that was equal parts anthem and indictment. Since then, Kendrick has played the long game: focusing on performance, streaming dominance, and a surprise album (GNX) that broke records without directly mentioning Drake.

So why is Drake circling back now?

“This isn’t random,” said hip-hop analyst Daniel Roberson.
“Drake is trying to reset the narrative — from victim to fighter.”

The unfollow, the song, the livestream — all of it signals a shift. Whether it’s out of pride, pain, or PR, Drake wants control of the storyline again.

Fans Are Divided: “Let It Go” vs. “Run It Back”

Across social media, the reactions have been split. Some see Drake’s latest move as desperation — an attempt to claw back relevance after Kendrick’s cultural sweep. Others applaud him for standing his ground and not letting the narrative end on someone else’s terms.

“He’s tired of being the punchline,” wrote one supporter.
“He’s here to fight back.”

But not everyone is buying it.

“This just feels forced now,” said one top comment on YouTube.
“Kendrick already won. Drake should move on.”

The numbers, however, tell a more complicated story. Within 24 hours, “What Did I Miss?” hit #2 on Spotify’s Global Top 50. The Instagram unfollow became a trending topic on X. And thousands are now speculating what Kendrick will do next — if anything at all.

Final Thoughts: A New Chapter or a Repetition?

If Drake hoped to shift the energy, he’s succeeded — for now. He has headlines again. He has attention. And he’s reminded the world that his pride is still wounded.

But whether this is the beginning of a new chapter in hip-hop’s most compelling rivalry — or simply a tired rerun of last year’s drama — depends on how Kendrick Lamar responds.

And that, as always, may not be with words.