Drake – the “6God” – goes on offense on “Duppy Freestyle” dissing his adversary, Pusha T, while also getting in a shot at Kanye West. 

“Tired of sittin’ quiet, and helpin’ my enemies eat.” Sigh, beefs seem to fuel Drake – he is the “6 God” after all.  Anyways, besides releasing his ‘commercial’ single “I’m Upset”, more notably, Drizzy released a much-buzzed about diss track, “Duppy Freestyle.” “Duppy Freestyle” certainly wouldn’t be the first time that the fired-up rapper ‘went in’ on the opposition.  Much like his shot at Meek Mill years ago with “Back 2 Back,” Aubrey Graham isn’t messing around on “Duppy Freestyle.”

Before analyzing the lyrics or the shots fired, first, let’s appreciate the production.  This soulful joint with a robust bass line, produced by Jahaan Sweet and Boi-1da, is simply gorgeous.  Perhaps it’s not the backdrop one would necessarily expect to hear ‘shots fired’ on, but the fuel is definitely there. Okay, on to the shots now.

“So if you rebuke me for workin’ with someone else on a couple of Vs

What do you really think of the n***a that’s makin’ your beats?

I’ve done things for him I thought that he never would need

Father had to stretch his hands out and get it from me.”

Woo! From the start, Drake aims at his target – Pusha T (and Kanye West, a smidge).  Essentially, Drake goes on offense, asserting that Pusha T is jealous of his success, hence why he’s going after him.

“Don’t know why the fuck you n***as listen to Denim or Steve

Must’ve had your infrared wrong, now your head in the beam

Y’all are the spittin’ image of whatever jealousy breeds

Don’t push me when I’m in album mode

You not even top 5 as far as your label talent goes.”

Naturally, Drake also disses Pusha T about his hustling, a prominent, inescapable theme in the rapper’s music.

“Man, you might’ve sold to college kids for Nike and Mercedes

But you act like you sold drugs for Escobar in the 80s.”

He also defends the fact that he writes his own rhymes and doesn’t need a ghostwriter, The alleged ghostwriter, Quentin, who Pusha T happens to reference on the song “Infrared” on his new album Daytona, Drake addresses as well.

“And as for Q, man, I changed his life a couple times

N***a was at Kroger workin’ double time

Y’all actin’ like he made the boy when I was tryna help the guy.”

Final Thoughts

Does Drake defend himself? Definitely.  Did he need to? No. Is this a publicity stunt from Pusha T? Well, there’s been bad blood, but it does seem to coincide with his Daytona album, which is considered to be both brilliant and controversial.  “Duppy Freestyle” is tight though.

Drake • Duppy Freestyle • Release: 5.25.18

Photo Credit: OVO Sound