‘They keep profiting from it long after it’s over’ – DJ Akademiks claims he received ‘the biggest money of his career’ during Drake’s feud with Kendrick Lamar.


Hip hop podcaster and commentator DJ Akademiks said the viral feud between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar has generated unprecedented engagement and revenue for hip-hop media, while also contributing to a creative block for the genre. Speaking during a recent livestream, the Akademiks reflected on how coverage of the battle dominated online discourse well beyond its conclusion.

He argued that financial benefits caused the media to dwell on the rivalry, thereby crowding out new narratives. While acknowledging the cultural impact of the moment, Akademiks presented it as a cautionary tale about incentives in modern rap coverage, warning that an over-reliance on a single storyline can freeze momentum, saying:

“During the Drake vs. Kendrick showdown the numbers went crazy, the biggest financial period of my career, I’m sure it was the same for other media too. So the media was stuck there, which is why they continue to profit from it long after it’s over.”

Read more about what DJ Akademiks said about the beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar

During the live stream, Akademiks said the Kendrick Lamar-Drake feud marked “the biggest money period of my career,” adding that other media outlets have likely seen similar spikes. In his assessment, the increase in clicks, views and revenue created a feedback loop, as the numbers “went crazy” with media coverage remaining stuck on the same feud even after the exchange cooled. The result, he suggested, was an industry-wide pause in the development of new bows.

DJ Akademiks emphasized that hip-hop thrives on narrative momentum as much as the music itself. “Hip-hop is about storytelling, not just sound,” he said, arguing that when the media repeatedly returns to a conflict, it limits the space for emerging artists, new rivalries and new cultural moments. His critique was not aimed at the work of artists during the battle, but at the way in which prolonged amplification had shaped editorial priorities.

Akademiks goes into deep dive explaining “THE STATE OF HIP HOP” and says he doesn’t just blame Kendrick and Drakes’ beef, but he thinks it had real ripple effects.​According to him, the battle generated massive attention and short-term victories, but long-term damage followed:​• Labels stopped spending• Deployments have lost their impact• New artists were ignored• Old catalogs have become safer values ​​than building stars​Ak says that labels have realized that it’s easier to profit from old albums than to risk millions developing new talent and that it’s this mindset that explains why hip-hop feels at a standstill.

These comments were echoed in HotNewHipHop’s cover story, published on December 30, 2025, which framed Academies remarks as a broader diagnosis of stagnation. The report notes that this is not the first time it has questioned the long-term effects of the feud.

Why DJ Akademiks Says Drake Should Move On

DJ Akademiks also linked his media critique to strategic advice for Duck. In an October 2025 interview on VladTV, later reported by Complex on October 15, 2025, he said he personally told Drake to stop directly engaging Kendrick Lamar. According to Akademiks, the cultural impact of the battle is already cemented, leaving little benefit in other issues of contention. He recommended a more discreet and indirect approach, what he called “the Jay-Z approach”, rather than reopening a closed chapter.

He reiterated this view in a later comment, arguing that Drake’s career no longer gains “legacy points” from lyric wars. While acknowledging historic moments like the 2015 “Back to Back,” Akademiks argue that the calculus has changed. Continuing to harp on the rivalry with Kendrick Lamar, he said, risks generating diminishing returns for both the artist and the ecosystem that covers him.

According to Rolling Stone on December 27, 2025, the 2026 Grammy Awards The Best Rap Album category presents itself as a head-to-head matchup between Kendrick Lamar and Clipse, even within what is described as an unusually strong field. The five nominees are those of Clipse Let God sort themthat of Kendrick Lamar GNXGloRilla GloriousJID God loves uglyand Tyler, the Creator Chromacopy.

Kendrick Lamar, winner of Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video and Song of the Year for Kendrick Lamar, winner of Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video and Song of the Year for
Kendrick Lamar, winner of Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us” at the 67th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Rob Markman, Genius’ vice president of music and content, called the past year “the year of intention,” saying many of the nominated projects are led by artists working through pain while demonstrating optimism. This framework applies most directly to Kendrick Lamar and Clipwhose albums are cited as being lyrically driven and purpose-driven, but Markman also highlighted J.I.D.’s long-standing reputation as a meticulous lyricist.

He further highlighted the continued artistic growth of Tyler, the Creator, praising Chromacopy for showcasing his evolving, layered production style.

The 68th annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026.