Two iconic rappers, Drake and Ludacris, are now on good terms after years of seemingly irreconcilable differences. Drake and Ludacris were two names that dominated music charts, but in different decades—Ludacris was a symbol of the 2000s, while Drake ruled the 2010s. Although they both enjoyed massive popularity at the same time, they had never collaborated or shown any public camaraderie. In fact, they had an extended “cold war,” with subtle jabs at each other in interviews and songs. Recently, however, Drake decided to go public about their personal feud during a live appearance.
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Currently celebrating his birthday week, Drake had a lively night with friends and fans when “Pimpin’ All Over the World” by Ludacris started playing. The classic track sparked memories for Drake, prompting him to grab the microphone and share with the audience the real reason behind his long-standing conflict with Ludacris. Unlike the previously mentioned reasons, this one was highly personal and involved matters of the heart. Drake admitted, “I used to beef with Ludacris because he dated my first girlfriend. Swear to God. I used to have beef with Ludacris.” He quickly reassured everyone that things are now settled, saying, “Shoutout to Ludacris.”
Drake’s revelation surprised the crowd, as both rappers had previously cited music as the root cause of their feud. In the early 2010s, as Drake’s fame soared with his unique rap style, he introduced a technique that later became known as the “hashtag flow”—a type of wordplay that uses abrupt pauses like hashtags. At the time, many believed Ludacris was trying to mimic Drake’s technique. In a 2010 interview with AllHipHop, Drake commented, “I hate that rappers picked that flow up. I wish they had left that for people who know how to use it.”
This comment led many to speculate that he was targeting Ludacris. In response, Ludacris released the track “Bada Boom”, featuring bars that, while not mentioning Drake’s name directly, were clearly aimed at him. Ludacris seemed to convey that he wasn’t afraid to confront anyone, even newcomers like Drake, asserting that he remained a force to be reckoned with in the rap world.
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The tension escalated in 2015 when Drake indirectly referenced the feud in his song “How Bout Now”. The lyrics are widely believed to describe a past relationship Drake had with an unnamed woman, with a subtle mention of Ludacris: “I used to always try and burn you CDs of my new sht, you’d be like ‘Who’s this?’ I’d be like ‘Me, girl,’ You’d be like ‘Oh, word, true sht?’ Then ask if we could listen to Ludacris.”
As the rivalry heated up, fans began taking sides, with some supporting Drake and others backing Ludacris. Many believed that the conflict represented a generational divide in rap styles—Ludacris embodied the golden age of rap in the 2000s, while Drake symbolized the new wave that blended rap and pop.
However, with Drake’s recent confession, it appears that their conflict wasn’t just about music or style. The real reason was much more personal, as Drake admitted his resentment toward Ludacris for dating his first girlfriend. This revelation adds a new perspective and aligns with Drake’s often-heartbroken persona portrayed in his music.
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Now, with both artists having grown and reflecting on the past, it seems the feud has become a distant memory. Both Drake and Ludacris have built solid careers with loyal fanbases and impressive accomplishments. The fact that Drake shared this story in the festive atmosphere of his birthday celebration also indicates he is ready to let go of the past, even offering a compliment to Ludacris. “Shoutout to Ludacris,” he added, paying respect to the man who was once his rival.
This reconciliation marks a positive sign of maturity for both rappers and brings joy to their fans. Ultimately, it’s a happy ending, and fans are relieved to see their idols finally “cool” with each other.
