Photo — Drake: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bandfan/4972204415/ (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Kanye West: Own work (Public domain)
The Short Version
Drake and Kanye West have maintained a complex, multi-decade relationship that shifted from mentorship and admiration to intense artistic rivalry, recurring lyrical jabs, a brief public reconciliation in 2021, and renewed conflict.
Latest Development
Jay-Z Targets Drake and Kanye West in Roots Picnic Freestyle
During his headlining set at the Roots Picnic, Jay-Z delivered a freestyle containing direct lyrical responses to past tracks and comments by both Drake and Kanye West.
May 30, 2026 · Verified event
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
May 30, 2026
Jay-Z Targets Drake and Kanye West in Roots Picnic Freestyle
Verified eventDuring his headlining set at the Roots Picnic, Jay-Z delivered a freestyle containing direct lyrical responses to past tracks and comments by both Drake and Kanye West.
Source ↗August 27, 2025
Drake Featured in Trailer for Kanye West Documentary 'In Whose Name?'
Verified eventA trailer for Kanye West's documentary 'In Whose Name?' was released, featuring brief video footage of Drake alongside other public figures.
Source ↗April 2024
Kanye West Joins 'Like That' Remix Opposing Drake
Verified eventWest entered the ongoing rap conflict surrounding Drake by appearing on a remix to Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar's track 'Like That'.
Source ↗December 2021
Drake and Kanye West Perform Together at Free Larry Hoover Benefit
Verified eventBrokered by J. Prince, Drake and Kanye West reunited on stage in Los Angeles for the Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert, seemingly putting their feud to rest.
Source ↗August 2016
West Appears at OVO Fest and Teases Collaborative Album
Verified eventKanye West made a guest appearance at Drake's OVO Fest in Toronto, where the two teased a potential joint album, later backed by joint billboards in Los Angeles.
Source ↗January 2016
Drake Flexes Backyard Pool Size Over West in 'Summer Sixteen'
Public statementDrake released 'Summer Sixteen', containing a line where he claimed his Calabasas home had a bigger pool than neighbor Kanye West.
Source ↗February 2014
Drake Criticizes 'Yeezus' Lyrics and West Responds
Public statementDrake critiqued select lyrics on Kanye West's 'Yeezus' album during a Rolling Stone interview; West subsequently responded on stage during his tour, offering praise and stating 'we love Drake.'
Source ↗October 2011
Drake States Ambition to Surpass Kanye West
Public statementIn an interview with The Source, Drake praised Kanye West as a great competitor but publicly stated that his goal was to surpass everything West had accomplished in hip-hop.
Source ↗July 2009
Kanye West Directs Drake's 'Best I Ever Had' Video
Verified eventKanye West took the director's chair for the official music video of Drake's breakout hit single 'Best I Ever Had'.
Source ↗May 2009
Drake Names Kanye West His Most Influential Sound Inspiration
Public statementIn an MTV interview, Drake declared Kanye West the most influential musician on his sound, stating that West shaped much of his musical approach before they ever met.
Source ↗September 2007
Drake Freestyles Over Kanye West's 'Barry Bonds'
Verified eventDrake paid homage to Kanye West early in his career by rapping over West's 'Barry Bonds' beat on his 'Comeback Season' mixtape.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Active. Despite a public truce at the Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert in December 2021, tensions re-emerged when Kanye West joined a remix targeting Drake in April 2024. Both rappers also recently faced collective lyrical criticism from Jay-Z during a May 2026 performance.
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Sources
- 1.SourceJay-Z Targets Drake and Kanye West in Roots Picnic Freestyle · May 30, 2026
- 2.SourceDrake Featured in Trailer for Kanye West Documentary 'In Whose Name?' · Aug 27, 2025
- 3.SourceKanye West Joins 'Like That' Remix Opposing Drake ·
- 4.SourceDrake and Kanye West Perform Together at Free Larry Hoover Benefit ·
- 5.SourceWest Appears at OVO Fest and Teases Collaborative Album ·
- 6.SourceDrake Flexes Backyard Pool Size Over West in 'Summer Sixteen' ·
- 7.SourceDrake Criticizes 'Yeezus' Lyrics and West Responds ·
- 8.SourceDrake States Ambition to Surpass Kanye West ·
- 9.SourceKanye West Directs Drake's 'Best I Ever Had' Video ·
- 10.SourceDrake Names Kanye West His Most Influential Sound Inspiration ·
- 11.SourceDrake Freestyles Over Kanye West's 'Barry Bonds' ·
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.