NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors

Dec 5, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Recording artist Drake (gold jacket) reacts as Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25) is knocked over during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

 

It’s hard for even OVO Stans to not find this whole victory lap quite awe-inspiring.

It’s a good day for Drake haters… Sadly, one of many as of late. When he rapped “Kendrick just opened his mouth, someone go hand him a Grammy right now” on “Family Matters” back in May, the world witnessed someone who had never been so wrong to be so right. Last night (Sunday, February 2), that self-fulfilling prophecy came to life as Kendrick Lamar won every single nomination he got for “Not Like Us,” specifically Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance. And of course, the Internet was quick to clown The Boy.

However, plenty of OVO Stans and non-partisan hip-hop participants were not so impressed with Kendrick Lamar’s wins, whether they pointed to that “Family Matters” bar or not. Call it coping or call it the underdog story, but a lot of people assumed from Drake’s own jabs that he was more than ready to engage with K.Dot. Then, as we all know, the 6ix God became the underdog faster than you could say “Dear Adonis,” and we don’t doubt that he will bounce back strong with whatever he drops next, whether that’s his collab album with PARTYNEXTDOOR or… Another lawsuit, perhaps?

Drake Faces The Internet‘s Relentless Clowning For Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Grammy Wins

Drake Faces the Heat as Kendrick Lamar Sweeps the Grammys

It’s a tough day for Drake and his loyal OVO fans, as Kendrick Lamar’s triumphant sweep at the 2025 Grammy Awards has become the talk of the hip-hop world. When Drake rapped, “Kendrick just opened his mouth, someone go hand him a Grammy right now” on “Family Matters” back in May, little did he know how prophetic those words would turn out to be. Fast forward to last night, Sunday, February 2, Kendrick not only opened his mouth—he claimed every single award he was nominated for with “Not Like Us,” securing wins for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance.

Unsurprisingly, the Internet wasted no time turning Drake into the butt of countless jokes. Memes, tweets, and viral videos flooded social media, painting the 6ix God as the unexpected underdog. Yet, even among the sea of mockery, some OVO stans and neutral hip-hop enthusiasts remain unimpressed with Kendrick’s dominance, clinging to the idea that Drake’s lyrical jabs suggested he was prepared for a deeper battle with K.Dot. Ironically, Drake’s own words have become the soundtrack to his critics’ celebration.

However, it would be foolish to count Drake out. Despite the online ridicule, his commercial success remains unmatched. He became the first rapper to hit a billion Spotify streams in 2025, edging out Kendrick by just a few days. Moreover, Drake added two new diamond-eligible tracks to his catalog with “Started From The Bottom” and “Passionfruit,” further solidifying his position as a streaming powerhouse.

Adding another layer of irony, the music industry’s enthusiastic sing-along to “Not Like Us” at the Grammys highlights a curious dynamic: the very establishment that often feels distant from hip-hop culture fully embraced a song that, in part, critiques industry norms. This twist underscores how Kendrick’s artistry transcends traditional boundaries, making his victory lap even more awe-inspiring.

Drake’s journey from the dominant force to the perceived underdog is a narrative twist few saw coming. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that Aubrey Graham thrives under pressure. Whether through his upcoming collaboration with PARTYNEXTDOOR or another unexpected project, Drake is far from finished. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: hip-hop’s landscape remains as dynamic and unpredictable as ever, with both Drake and Kendrick continuing to shape its future in their own distinct ways.