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
One dead, 26 wounded in overnight shooting in Ohio: reports
A shooting on a street in Akron, Ohio, killed one man and wounded 26 other people early Sunday morning, according to reports by local news outlets.
Ambassador says interactions with Russia 'quite limited' but 'not unfriendly'
Canada's ambassador to Russia says while Ottawa has 'grave concerns' about the Kremlin's 'longer-term trends,' the war in Ukraine is 'a primary barrier to a change in the relationship.'
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
South Korea vows 'unbearable' retaliation against North Korea over its launch of trash balloons
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Mass parachute jump over Normandy kicks off commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Parachutists jumping from Second World War-era planes hurled themselves Sunday into now peaceful Normandy skies where war once raged, heralding a week of ceremonies for the fast-disappearing generation of Allied troops who fought from D-Day beaches 80 years ago.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months