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I don’t see how you can place Kendrick above Drake – M.I Abaga weighs in on rivalry , Predicts Drake’s Comeback
Nigerian rap legend M.I Abaga has shared his thoughts on the high-profile feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, a rivalry that shook the hip-hop world in 2024 and culminated in Kendrick’s Grammy-dominating diss track, Not Like Us.
In a recent interview on Afropolitan, M.I. acknowledged Kendrick’s massive win but backed Drake to make a historic comeback that could redefine his legacy.
The Chairman rapper highlighted Drake’s unmatched consistency over the past 15 years and suggested that his greatest chapter might still be ahead.
“If Drake is able to make a comeback, it will elevate him above everyone,” M.I. stated. “Because not just the music industry, but also tech boys—everybody came and danced on his ‘grave.’
“If there’s one person who has the talent to make a comeback album, it is Drake. He is the guy who knows how to put music together.”
M.I. added that while the first phase of Drake’s career was about his rise to superstardom, this controversy has given him a new story to tell—and no one tells stories better than Drake.
Despite his support for Drake, M.I. admitted that Kendrick’s dominance in the battle had significantly elevated his status in rap history.
“Kendrick wasn’t in my top 10 before this moment. But I think this has put Kendrick, at the very least, in the top 3,” he said.
However, he maintained that Drake’s longevity and influence cannot be dismissed:
“I don’t see how, objectively, you can place Kendrick above Drake just because they were active at the same time. Drake was consistently dropping hits for 15 years. You can’t deny what Drake has done.”
M.I. also shared how he could relate to Drake’s situation, drawing parallels to his own experiences in Nigerian rap.
“At a certain point, no matter what I did, the ‘rap community’ in Nigeria would say it was boring,” he recalled. “The American hip-hop face-off was great and entertaining. Shoutout to Kendrick and Drake.”
With hip-hop fans still debating the fallout of this historic beef, M.I.’s perspective adds a unique global angle to the conversation. The big question remains: Will Drake make the ultimate comeback?