Jon Caramanica

There's a verse that Kendrick had on a Future and Metro Boomin album where he says, There's no big three, it's just big me. Big three is a reference to Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar, the generational titans of the 2010s. Could have just come and gone, and we would have said, oh, and then it would have just come and gone. But it did not come and go.

There's a verse that Kendrick had on a Future and Metro Boomin album where he says, There's no big three, it's just big me. Big three is a reference to Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar, the generational titans of the 2010s. Could have just come and gone, and we would have said, oh, and then it would have just come and gone. But it did not come and go.

And what followed were about two to three months of back and forth songs.

And what followed were about two to three months of back and forth songs.

In total, I think, damaged Drake's stock.

In total, I think, damaged Drake's stock.

And elevated Kendrick's stock.

And elevated Kendrick's stock.

The reason that Kendrick came out on top is because he made a hit. It is the biggest diss record hit, I think, in hip-hop history. And that's beating Drake at his own game. In the dyad, Drake is the hitmaker, and Kendrick took that from him this year.

The reason that Kendrick came out on top is because he made a hit. It is the biggest diss record hit, I think, in hip-hop history. And that's beating Drake at his own game. In the dyad, Drake is the hitmaker, and Kendrick took that from him this year.

This ain't Texas.

This ain't Texas.

Ain't no Hold'em.

Ain't no Hold'em.

Beyonce has been on this long run of making historically-minded albums that restore Black contribution in different corners of American pop to the center of the discourse. She did it on Renaissance, and now she's doing it on Cowboy Carter.

Beyonce has been on this long run of making historically-minded albums that restore Black contribution in different corners of American pop to the center of the discourse. She did it on Renaissance, and now she's doing it on Cowboy Carter.

It is a part of an ongoing conversation that Beyonce is having through her music with her most dedicated listeners about... in this case, the role of Black Americans in shaping popular music. And I think, as to your point about thesis, it does feel like there is a lesson in this. And if people who are outside of the hive seek to learn from that lesson, all the better.

It is a part of an ongoing conversation that Beyonce is having through her music with her most dedicated listeners about... in this case, the role of Black Americans in shaping popular music. And I think, as to your point about thesis, it does feel like there is a lesson in this. And if people who are outside of the hive seek to learn from that lesson, all the better.

But it is also consistent with how Beyonce has been presenting her music for the last few years with a variety of styles.

But it is also consistent with how Beyonce has been presenting her music for the last few years with a variety of styles.