Produced by Boi-1da, Tay Keith, Dramakid, Mark Ronson, Kevin Mitchell and Fierce, "Family Matters" is divided into three sections, with trap with drill elements. Music critics wrote that its lyrical content marked an intensification of Drake and Lamar's feud; Drake alleges that Lamar is a domestic abuser, that he is unfaithful to his fiancée Whitney Alford, and that one of their children was fathered by Lamar's creative partner Dave Free.[1][2] In addition to Lamar, Drake attacks Future, Rick Ross, ASAP Rocky, Kanye West, Metro Boomin, Pharrell Williams, and the Weeknd.[2]
"Family Matters" received positive reviews, with praise for its lyricism and production, as well as the Easter eggs in the music video.[3] It debuted at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100.[4] Lamar responded to "Family Matters" within an hour, with "Meet the Grahams".[3]
Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been involved in a rap feud since the early 2010s. The feud escalated after the release of "Like That" by Future, Metro Boomin, and Lamar on March 22, 2024. Drake then released the songs "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle" in April. "Taylor Made Freestyle" was later deleted from social media after Tupac Shakur's estate threatened Drake with legal action for the use of AI-generated vocals resembling Shakur's. In response, Lamar released "Euphoria" on April 30 and "6:16 in LA" on May 3.
Drake posted a parody of "Buried Alive Interlude", a song recorded by Lamar for Drake's Take Care (2011), on Instagram on the same day. In the parody, Drake mocks Lamar's performance on the original song and disses him, claiming Lamar is jealous of his success.[5] "Family Matters" was released later that day with an accompanying music video.
The song opens with a voice clip from Drake's mother, Sandi, who advises, "Maybe in this song, you shouldn't start by saying," to which Drake replies, "Nigga, I said it, I know that you mad," referencing the final lines from Kendrick Lamar's song "Euphoria.", in which he says "We don't wanna hear you say 'nigga' no more." Following this, Drake delivers a series of allegations against Lamar, including accusations of domestic abuse, infidelity involving white women, and a claim that one of Lamar's children was fathered by his business partner, Dave Free. Drake also suggests that Lamar attempted to have the AI-generatedTupac Shakur vocals from "Taylor Made Freestyle" removed by contacting Shakur's estate.[6] In the first verse he also mentions YG, The Game and Chris Brown as people "who really bang a set".[7]
In the second part of the track, Drake broadens his critiques to include other prominent figures in the music industry, such as Future, Rick Ross, ASAP Rocky, Kanye West, producers Metro Boomin and Pharrell Williams, and singer the Weeknd. Additionally, Drake accuses Rick Ross of using the weight-loss drug Ozempic and repeatedly mentions Ross's past work in law enforcement. Drake references A$AP Rocky, criticizing both his music and fashion career, as well as his relationship with Rihanna. Drake also targets The Weeknd , mocking his falsetto singing style and suggesting he should "save it for a hip-hop" artist, while attacking his drug use and calling him a "drugged-out lil' punk sissy from the Northside." Drake also questions The Weeknd's authenticity and street credibility, suggesting Abel needs to "buy some more chains for some more guys" and critiquing his crew's loyalty as they leave for Atlanta. Regarding Future, Drake expresses reluctance to engage in conflict with him, while also accusing Metro Boomin of being a negative influence.[8][6]
The music video is laden with disses to Lamar: Drake was viewed as paying homage to 50 Cent by featuring a vintage G-Unit spinner chain and wears FUBU, with critics noting it as serving as a direct response to Lamar's mention of the brand in "Euphoria".[5] The video also features a third generation Plymouth Grand Voyager, a rebadged version of the Chrysler Town & Country (as both vans are of the same generation & are variants of the Chrysler NS Minivan Platform) featured on the cover of the deluxe edition of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), being crushed in a junkyard.[5]
References to Lamar's relationship to Whitney Alford, with cakes inscribed with "Happy Divorce" and "Happy Co-parenting", also feature, although Lamar and Alford are only engaged and not married as of yet, alongside a ringed chain: according to Jordan Rose at Complex, fans speculated the ringed chain was similar to the one Lamar gave Alford in 2015,[5] while the presence of a Michael Jackson action figure representing Jackson's song "Black or White" referencing Drake's claims that Lamar cheated on Alford with white women.[5] Drake also flaunts jewelry and memorabilia previously owned or designed by Pharrell Williams, which Drake bought from an auction, and a ring previously owned by Tupac Shakur, also bought by Drake at an auction, the video also shows Drake visiting New Ho King.[5]
Responses
Kendrick Lamar responded with "Meet the Grahams" on the same day that Drake dropped "Family Matters".[4] ASAP Rocky responded with the song "Ruby Rosary" featuring J. Cole, released on September 6, 2024.
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