Big Three (rappers)

"Big Three" major rappers of the 2010s: Drake, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar

The term "Big Three" in hip-hop culture refers to Drake, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, who are widely recognized as three of the most influential and commercially successful hip-hop artists of the 2010s. ^{[1] [2]} The phrase is commonly used by fans and media to describe their prominence within the genre. ^{[3] [4]} In 2023, J. Cole referenced the term in his collaboration with Drake, "First Person Shooter," which contributed heavily towards causing the widely publicized feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. ^{[5] [6]}

Origin

The designation of these three artists as the "Big Three" can be traced back to their respective rises in prominence and the frequent comparisons made between them. ^{[7] [8] [9]} Their competitive dynamic was initially highlighted following the release of Big Sean’s 2013 track "Control," which featured a guest verse from Kendrick Lamar. In his verse, Lamar named several rappers, including J. Cole and Drake, and positioned himself as the preeminent artist of his era. ^{[10] [11]}

While many rappers viewed Lamar’s verse as a nod to hip-hop’s competitive nature, Drake responded in a 2014 interview on HOT 97, questioning Lamar’s intentions. J. Cole similarly alluded to the competitive nature of their relationship in his verse on Justin Timberlake’s "TKO (Black Friday Remix)". ^{[10] [12]}

2024 Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud

Main article: Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud

In 2024, discussions surrounding the "Big Three" were revived following the release of Metro Boomin and Future’s album We Don’t Trust You . On the track "Like That," Kendrick Lamar called out Drake and J. Cole. Lamar’s verse referenced their collaboration on "First Person Shooter" and included the line "Motherfuck the Big Three, it’s just Big Me". ^{[10] [13] [14]}

Drake and J. Cole subsequently responded with diss tracks, beginning the Kendrick Lamar-Drake feud.

References

1. Perry, Kevin E G (March 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar disses Drake and J Cole on new song: It's just big me". The Independent . Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025. Many critics consider the trio to represent the most talented and commercially successful rappers of the last decade.
2. Gee, Andre (March 27, 2024). "Kendrick vs. Drake Is an Inevitable Clash of Hip-Hop Philosophies". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025. Consider rap's consensus "Big Three" — Kendrick, Drake, and J. Cole.
3. Tharpe, Frazier (October 24, 2024). "What Comes Next for Rap Music? 17 Experts Weigh In". GQ . Carl Chery: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole are still the Big Three until further notice.
4. Kingsberry, Janay; Scribner, Herb (April 30, 2024). "The Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole beef, explained". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025. A potential faceoff between Lamar, Drake and Cole could be a culmination for three rap heavyweights who have dominated their genre — generating numerous accolades, critical acclaim and fierce debates among fans engaging in endless discussion of the genre's greatest artists.
5. Lamarre, Carl (February 14, 2025). "Drake & Kendrick Lamar's Rocky Relationship Explained". Billboard Magazine. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
6. Horowitz, Steven J. (May 5, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's Beef With Drake and J. Cole, Explained". Variety Magazine . Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
7. Gee, Andre; Mckinney, Jessica; Rose, Jordan; Skelton, Eric (May 12, 2022). "Ranking the 'Big 3' Every Year Since 2010". Complex . Archived from the original on February 20, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
8. Hill, Ethan (April 10, 2024). "The Big Three and the Rap Civil War: Is the Beef Really 'Like That?'". The Hoya. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
9. Pearce, Sheldon (April 11, 2024). "Can rap beef exist when no one agrees on what's being fought for?". NPR. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
10. Claire, Lola; Casanova, Emilio (April 24, 2024). "The Big Three's history, Kendrick's proclamation, an apology". Hilltop Views. Archived from the original on November 2, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
11. Brown, Nya (May 6, 2024). "The Big Three (Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole)". The Tower. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
12. Ryan, Tamantha (February 3, 2025). "Timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Drake's bitter feud". Page Six. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
13. Osmond, Paul (March 28, 2024). "For the Culture: The 'Big 3' battle for the crown of hip-hop". The Tufts Daily. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
14. Walker, Joe (March 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Torches Drake & J. Cole On Ruthless New Collab: 'MF The Big 3!'". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2025.

Sources

• Gomez-Peck, Stephen (2024). Checa, Agustina (ed.). "The Kendick Lamar / Drake Beef by the Numbers" (PDF). American Music Review. Vol. 53. p. 31.

Further reading

• Kornhaber, Spencer (May 8, 2024). "It's Not a Rap Beef. It's a Cultural Reckoning". The Atlantic.
• McCausland, Phil (May 11, 2024). "How Kendrick Lamar and Drake changed rap beefs forever". BBC News .
• Pearce, Sheldon (April 11, 2024). "Can rap beef exist when no one agrees on what's being fought for?". NPR.
• Paschal, Nadia (May 10, 2024). "'Big 3' enter big feud". Cardinal Points.