Inside Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean’s Beef

The hip-hop world thrives on rivalry, and few have been as quietly intense as the long-simmering beef between Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean. While it never erupted into a full-scale lyrical war like some of rap’s most infamous feuds, the tension between these two heavyweight artists has brewed for years, driven by subliminal disses, competitive energy, and persistent fan speculation.

The origins of the beef can be traced back to 2013 with the release of Big Sean’s track “Control.” Although the song officially belonged to Sean, it was Kendrick Lamar’s guest verse that became the centerpiece of discussion in the hip-hop community. In a fiery verse, Kendrick called out several top rappers by name—Big Sean included—stating that while he respects them, he’s out to lyrically dominate. The verse electrified fans and critics alike, but it also raised eyebrows since it came on Sean’s own track. Adding fuel to the fire, Big Sean’s verse was often overlooked in the ensuing conversation.

At the time, Sean publicly brushed off any notion of offense, even praising Kendrick’s performance. However, fans sensed something deeper beneath the surface. Over the next few years, both rappers released songs that included lines many interpreted as subtle jabs. Big Sean’s 2016 track “No More Interviews” hinted at frustrations with unnamed peers, and the line, “I still want to rap better than everybody,” seemed like a thinly veiled declaration of competition. Later releases like “Bounce Back” and “Halfway Off the Balcony” only intensified the speculation.

Kendrick responded in kind—without ever naming names. In “The Heart Part 4” released in 2017, he warned an unnamed rapper not to test him, declaring he would “crush your whole little s**t.” Around the same time, Kendrick’s DAMN. album featured several tracks like “HUMBLE.” and “ELEMENT.” that fans believe included lyrical digs aimed at Sean, mocking his flow and delivery style.

Despite these tensions, neither artist ever confirmed the feud directly, and both maintained a degree of public professionalism. Interviews became increasingly careful, and the absence of collaborations between two of the most prominent rappers of their generation spoke volumes.

In more recent years, the friction seems to have died down. Big Sean turned his focus to personal growth and creative evolution, while Kendrick took a more introspective path with Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. In a 2020 interview, Sean dismissed the idea that the beef had been serious and even hinted that they might collaborate in the future, though nothing has come of it yet.

While the Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean beef may not have exploded into full-blown diss tracks and direct shots, its quiet intensity and long shelf life make it one of hip-hop’s most intriguing rivalries. It was less about public drama and more about mutual ambition—two lyricists pushing each other, even if from a distance. And sometimes, that kind of competition leaves the biggest mark.