"IDFWU!" Do Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar Have Beef? Unpacking Their Rumored Rivalry
Rumors of a feud between Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean have been brewing for years. Do Kendrick and Big Sean have beef? Here's the truth.
By D.M.July 31 2024, Updated 1:38 p.m. ET
In addition to his intense beef with Drake, Kendrick Lamar was rumored to be involved in a feud with Big Sean. The rumored rivalry between Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar has sparked significant interest over the years.
Fans have speculated for years about the nature of the relationship between these two prominent figures in the rap game. However, the truth will surprise some. Here is a breakdown of the alleged beef between Sean and Kendrick.
Do Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar have beef?
The alleged tension between Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar heated up in 2017, following the release of Kendrick’s DAMN. The album featured an unreleased version of the song “ELEMENT,” that leaked years later. In the song, K-Dot mentions Sean by name, leaving many to believe there was beef between the two hip-hop stars.
The rapper Kendrick Lamar performs during the Primavera Sound
“Big Sean keep sneak dissin', I let it slide/ I think his false confidence got him inspired,” Kendrick raps. “I can't make them respect you, baby, it's not my job/ You finally famous for who you date, not how you rhyme (boy).” Kendrick’s verse was praised and regarded as a lyrical masterpiece, but it also ignited conversations about the alleged rift.
When the song leaked in 2023, hip-hop heads were hoping for a response from Sean. However, the Detroit rapper took a different approach, explaining to TMZ that he did not take the shot personal. “Ain't no diss," Sean said. "Of course. If it was a diss, it would have been a diss... If it was a diss, it would have been another diss."
Did Big Sean drop a diss track about Kendrick Lamar?
In 2020, Big Sean opened up about his beef with Kendrick Lamar. According to Sean, the conflict was unfounded and began after outside parties instigated the feud.
“He thought that people around him were telling him something, people around me were telling me something, and it just really wasn’t the case,” Sean said during an appearance on Sway In The Morning (via REVOLT), adding, “So, when we were able to talk, it was a good reconciliation and it was a good mutual respect.”
Big Sean performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park.
Feud rumors were reignited in July 2024 after Sean appeared on On The Radar and dropped a fiery freestyle. Fans speculated that one of the bars was about Kendrick, leaving many to believe that the beef was back on.
“N***as looking for engagement like they got they knee bent / I got better things to do than find someone to beef with,” Sean raps. While Sean did not mention Kendrick by name, many thought Sean was subtly getting his shot back.
However, DJ Hed set the record straight. The producer allegedly spoke to Sean after the freestyle was released, and the “Bounce Back” rapper revealed that the bar was not about Kendrick. “I talked to Sean. The bar was 'I got better things to do than find someone to beef with,' and it was not for Dot. Bar was directed at a different Gemini,” Hed tweeted.
Kendrick has yet to respond to Sean.
