OVO Rapper Preme Defends Drake Amid Kendrick Lamar Feud: "The Best Revenge Is Success"
In the latest twist of the ongoing rap feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, OVO Sound affiliate Preme has stepped in to defend his longtime collaborator, challenging the narrative that Kendrick “ended” the Canadian superstar's career.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week, Preme shared a screenshot showing Drake’s latest track “Nokia” perched at number one on Apple Music’s Top 100: Global chart — ahead of Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” and “Luther.” In a defiant caption, he wrote: “They said we were dead. They said it was over. They said Super Bowl was checkmate. They said he should take a few years off and disappear. Back on top even while beefing with the label and it’s only April! This why yall hate the boy.”
He followed up with a concise message the next day: “The best revenge is success.”
The 39-year-old Preme, who rose to fame with his 2014 track “DnF” featuring Drake and Future, has become more known as a loyal OVO supporter than an active artist in recent years. But his social media statements are adding fuel to an already raging debate within the hip-hop community: has Kendrick truly surpassed Drake, or is there still fight left in the 6 God?
Drake's “Nokia,” a '90s-inspired call-and-response banger from his joint album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with PARTYNEXTDOOR, has shown surprising resilience. The track debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 before slipping, but has since rebounded to No. 7, buoyed by the recent release of its music video.
Still, Kendrick holds a stronger grip on the Billboard Hot 100. His soulful collaboration “Luther” has topped the chart for six consecutive weeks, and both “Not Like Us” and “TV Off” remain firmly within the top 20. Despite Preme’s optimism, Drake has not had a No. 1 hit since 2023’s “First Person Shooter” — ironically, the very song that sparked his current rivalry with Kendrick.
While chart numbers remain in Kendrick’s favor, the OVO camp is banking on momentum and longevity. As Preme implies, the year is young, and Drake’s return to top streaming positions could signal a shift in public perception.
Whether “Nokia” continues its climb — and if Drake can reclaim the Billboard crown — remains to be seen. But for now, Preme is making one thing clear: Team OVO isn’t ready to concede.
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Drake | Kendrick Lamar | Preme
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