Drake, Kendrick Lamar beef's unlikely Calgary connection
The ongoing feud between two of rap's biggest stars can trace its roots back to an old promotional scheme refined in Calgary decades ago.
Known in the world of professional wrestling as "kayfabe," the scripted conflict and drama outside of the ring was developed by the Hart family to drive ticket sales and hype events.
"It's a way to drive interest, creating a largely fictional conflict for promotion," said Darin Flynn, a linguistics professor at the University of Calgary who teaches a course in the language of rap.
Flynn says when it works, the money can flow.
But sometimes, outsiders not in on the script get involved and the lines between reality and art become blurred.
It has led performers to act out, and is common enough that there is a term for it: "shooting."
"Shooting is literally the term that is used when an element is introduced that wasn't planned," Flynn said.
The "beef" between the two former collaborators spilled out of the entertainment world and into the public conversation on Tuesday after a security guard at Drake's Toronto mansion was shot around 2 a.m.
The man was taken to hospital with critical injuries.
Toronto police have not said the shooting is connected to the war of words, which has included allegations of pedophilia and spousal abuse among other things.
Drake is known for a long list of massive commercial hits.
Kendrick Lamar is a critically acclaimed Grammy winner and the first musician outside of jazz or classical music to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize.
The string of "diss tracks" released over the past week has driven sales for both artists.
Past rap beefs, such as between Nas and Jay-Z in the early 2000s, had duelling tracks share the same producer, at times giving the wink to the planned nature of the conflict.
There is some worry about the fallout from the war of words – that if some of the more disturbing allegations are true it could affect radio and other businesses that play their music.
"If for some reason it were no longer appropriate to associate ourselves with Drake, that could have a negative impact on what we do as a business," said Tyler Hall of Virgin Radio 98.5.
"Drake is one of our most popular artists."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6968186.1721272613!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
JD Vance introduces himself as Trump's running mate and makes direct appeal to his native Rust Belt
Introducing himself to the nation after being tapped as Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance used his Wednesday night address to the Republican National Convention to share the story of his hardscrabble upbringing and make the case that his party best understands the challenges facing struggling Americans.
Two deaths in listeriosis outbreak linked to plant-based milk recall
Two people have died after an outbreak of listeriosis trigged a national recall of certain plant-based milks, the Public Health Agency of Canada said Wednesday.
Quebec filmmaker denied replacement hand after airplane propeller accident
The War Amps is speaking out after one of its members who lost most of his hand in an airplane propeller accident was denied coverage by Quebec for a mechanical hand.
Video shows B.C. grizzly basking in clawfoot tub
A donated clawfoot bathtub has become the preferred lounging spot for a pair of B.C. grizzly bears, who have been taking turns relaxing and reclining in it – with minimal sibling squabbling – for the past year.
John Deere ends support of 'social or cultural awareness' events, distances from inclusion efforts
Farm equipment maker John Deere says it will no longer sponsor 'social or cultural awareness' events, becoming the latest major U.S. company to distance itself from diversity and inclusion measures after being targeted by conservative backlash.
Rare photos reveal uncontacted tribe in Peruvian Amazon as loggers move in
Rare images of the Mashco Piro, an uncontacted Indigenous tribe in the remote Peruvian Amazon, were published on Tuesday by Survival International,
'I feel like he did not die in vain': Family responds to report on tortured B.C. boy's death
The heartbreak over the death of an Indigenous 11-year-old Fraser Valley boy, tortured and then ultimately killed by his foster parents, was felt by all who knew him.
Biden tests positive for COVID, will self-isolate in Delaware
U.S. President Joe Biden, under pressure from fellow Democrats to drop his re-election campaign, tested positive for COVID-19 while visiting Las Vegas on Wednesday and is self-isolating after experiencing mild symptoms, the White House said.
Day three of the RNC: Trump made an appearance, JD Vance addressed the crowd
The third day of the Republican National Convention was underway in Milwaukee on Wednesday evening, with speakers including Donald Trump's newly selected vice-presidential pick, JD Vance, as well as the former U.S. president's son, Donald Trump Jr.