Imagine a hip-hop feud that refuses to die down, where old diss tracks and leaked songs keep sparking fresh debates among fans—now that's the wild world of Drake and Kendrick Lamar's ongoing saga! But here's where it gets controversial: is this latest leak proof of ghostwriting secrets, or just another overblown accusation in the endless Drake hate parade?
Let's dive into the heart of the matter with a friendly chat about what's got everyone buzzing. Drake, the chart-topping superstar, has long been at the center of whispers about ghostwriting in rap, though plenty of fans mix this up with straightforward songwriting credits. For beginners, ghostwriting means someone else crafts the words or beats for an artist who then claims them as their own—think of it as a hidden collaborator who never gets the spotlight. This isn't new in music; it's happened in pop, rock, and hip-hop for years, but in rap, where personal stories and flows are king, it can feel like a breach of authenticity. The most recent stir came from Twitter, spotted by user Ibvbnn, highlighting a video clip of a leaked track called 'Triumph Tower.' This unreleased collaboration between Drake and Central Cee surfaced earlier this year, and while some call it 'Trump Tower,' the original leak report points to 'Triumph Tower' as the real file name.
Now, the plot thickens: an alleged reference track for this exact song has popped up online, credited to Beam. If you're not familiar with Beam, he's a talented Jamaican producer and writer who's lent his skills to a bunch of artists, including Drake himself. In the reference track, Beam handles the chorus and melody in much the same way as the leaked version, but swaps in different verses. It's all pretty hazy, though—too vague to draw firm conclusions, and the timelines of when things were recorded or released are murky at best. To clarify for newcomers, reference tracks are often early demos or sketches used in studios to build a song, kind of like a blueprint before the final masterpiece.
And this is the part most people miss: Beam's name might ring a bell if you've listened to Kendrick Lamar's fiery diss track 'euphoria' from last year. On that six-minute takedown, Kendrick raps, 'Ain't 20v1, it's 1v20 if I got to smack nas that write with you / Yeah, bring them out too, I'll clean them out too, tell Beam that he better stay right with you.' He's basically calling out Drake's team, hinting at ghostwriters (the 'nas that write with you') and specifically naming Beam as someone who should stick close to avoid trouble. For context, '20v1' nods to Drake's album 'Certified Lover Boy' and Kendrick's 'Section.80,' flipping the numbers to show Kendrick's dominance in this lyrical battle—it's a clever rap math trick that shows how deep these feuds can get.
Adding fuel to the fire, fans pointed to another track from earlier this year: '3STAR' by wolfacejoeyy. This song shares lyrics and melodic bits with the Drake leak, and Beam is reportedly listed as a writer on it. It's one of those moments where hip-hop's interconnected web of producers and ghostwriters becomes impossible to untangle.
Of course, we're dealing with a puzzle missing key pieces here. The sequence of events could be twisted—maybe 'Triumph Tower' was never meant for release, or the collaborations happened in a different order than we think. Most crucially, we'll likely never confirm if Beam would have been credited on Drake's track. So, approach this with a hefty dose of skepticism, no matter which side you're on—whether you're team Kendrick (the 'K.Bots') or die-hard Drake supporters (the 'OV-H*es'). And here's a controversial twist: what if these leaks are actually planting seeds of doubt intentionally, stirring up drama for album sales? It's a bold claim, but in an industry built on buzz, who's to say it couldn't be part of the strategy?
In wrapping this up, I'd love to hear your take: Do you think fans have a right to dig into these ghostwriting allegations, or is it all just fan fiction gone wild? Is Kendrick's jab at Beam a fair shot, or does it unfairly tarnish Beam's rep? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree this is a big deal, or is the hate train truly derailing? Let's keep the conversation going!
About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares serves as a dedicated staff writer for HotNewHipHop, bringing his passion for music journalism to every piece. He joined the team during the summer of 2022 while wrapping up his Bachelor's degree in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University. Hailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel loves blending his roots in reggaetón with hip-hop coverage—like his glowing review of Bad Bunny's 2024 hometown show, where he explored how the artist's Puerto Rican pride shines through in sold-out arenas. Beyond the headlines, he dives deep into hip-hop's soul, from pondering the 'death' of the genre in 2023 to unpacking the intricate lyrical battles and fan dynamics in the Kendrick Lamar-Drake rivalry, or the intricate legal drama surrounding Young Thug and the YSL RICO case. Gabriel isn't just about breaking news; he thrives on live music, offering recaps of epic festivals such as Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. Through album reviews, thought-provoking essays, and interviews with rising stars and hidden gems alike—think Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik—he's honed a voice that's engaging, insightful, and always eager to uncover the beats behind the bars.
