Kai Cenat didn’t become the most popular Twitch streamer in hip-hop by holding back his real opinions. Speaking with Billboard for his January cover story, he didn’t hold back his takes on the Drake versus Kendrick Lamar rap war of 2024. Cenat, who once FaceTimed Drizzy on his Twitch livestream, began by saying, "I’m cool with Drake."
"So people would expect me to be on Drake’s side, but I’m not going to lie. Kendrick won [the battle]," he continued. Cenat was among countless hip-hop fans who were captivated during the Toronto native and Dot’s musical conflict last spring, when the two rappers exchanged searing diss tracks throughout April and May. The streamer reacted live on his channel to these developments, where Drake even instructed him to "stay on stream" before releasing his diss track "Family Matters".
"I loved every second of it," Cenat remarked about the musical exchange. He added, "I was just appreciating the moment. Like, bro, we got bangers right now dropping back to back, and everybody’s talking about them. It was definitely fire."
Things escalated significantly by November when Drake filed multiple legal actions against Universal Music Group (UMG). This was largely sparked by Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping single, "Not Like Us," which features Lamar famously labeling Drake as a “certified pedophile.” Drake accused UMG of inflATING streams of the track through illicit tactics and claimed defamation, alleging they should have removed or revised the song prior to distribution.
Earlier this month, things reached another level when Drake launched a comprehensive lawsuit against UMG. The label, for its part, denied all allegations, describing Drake’s claims as "illogical". Intriguingly, Cenat’s name was mentioned within the legal documents. Drake’s lawyers cited him alongside other streamers who reacted to "Not Like Us”, accusing UMG of "whitelisting" the song for promotion. Cenat responded on his stream, bewildered: "Wait, why am I in this s–t? I’m getting sued?!"
The reactions from fans and the online community were immediate and varied. Netizens swarmed to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their mixed feelings over Cenat's candid admission. One user quipped, "Wow it’s like we didn’t know this," showcasing the frequent sentiment among fans. Another user chuckled, observing, "There aren’t people who think Drake won, right… Not Like Us made the coffin and put 69 nails in it."
Echoing what many were thinking, another netizen commented, "This isn't hot take. It was blatantly obvious who won when Drake needed to file a lawsuit lmfao." It seems like Kendrick's dominance left many feeling validated. One particularly amused user expressed frustration, saying, "Tell us something we all didn't know already! I'm glad he's not compromised to say the least."
The internet, known for its humor, was alive with users turning the legal dispute and Cenat's statements alike, almost overnight, transforming them both the rap industry tensions and legal developments, all leading to jokes and memes. One such meme fest revolved around the legal drama like it was some scripted show, coming to life before the eyes of thousands of online viewers.
Throughout it all, Cenat’s honesty and boldness kept him at the forefront of hip-hop commentary on social media—a space dominated by personalities who often play it safe. Even after facing potential legal backlash due to his unexpected role within the legal drama, Cenat stands firm, embodying the very spirit of hip-hop culture—unfiltered and unapologetic.
With the conflict now taking such intense legal dimensions, it raises intriguing questions about the nature of celebrity within the music industry and how interconnections among public figures manifest, sometimes bafflingly, across platforms and different realms of interaction.
This feud and Cenat’s blunt admission about its outcome have captured the attention of both hip-hop fans and legal analysts alike, as we are left to ponder the broader impacts. While some may have anticipated Kendrick’s win, the ensuing legal battles are likely to resonate far beyond the charts and streams, emphasizing how intertwined entertainment, talent, and legalities can become—all played out under the watchful eyes of the public.