Kendrick Lamar Response to Joey Bada$$ Disses Teased by Glasses Malone

Tensions between coasts may be on the verge of exploding as Glasses Malone hints that Kendrick Lamar is gearing up to break his silence after repeated lyrical shots from Joey Bada$$. The Brooklyn rapper has been taking increasingly direct jabs at Kendrick over several diss tracks, and according to Malone—who received a shoutout from Kendrick during his 2024 Grammys speech—Compton’s lyrical titan is aware, locked in, and possibly preparing to strike back.

Speaking candidly in response to Joey’s latest diss on the track “Crash Dummy,” Glasses Malone didn’t mince words: “Joey know sure as shit bars are coming his way. When is the question.” That simple statement has reignited speculation that Kendrick is plotting a calculated return to the mic in what could become another headline-dominating rap battle.

On “Crash Dummy,” Joey Bada$$ didn’t hold back, openly questioning Kendrick’s willingness to battle, rapping: “Thank you for making it clear that Dot scared, but yeah / I was at the party, but I also saw Top there.” It’s the most recent of several shots Joey has fired, building a case that he’s actively trying to bait Kendrick into engaging him directly.

Joey’s most pointed words came on “My Town,” where he declared himself the true lyrical threat: “I’m the real boogeyman, y’all n-ggas should be afraid / Get the general, I’m killing his troops.” The line not only asserts dominance but suggests that Kendrick’s labelmates like Rey Vaughn and Daylyt—who have been the primary responders thus far—aren’t enough to match Joey’s energy.

He continued to apply pressure with lines like: “Don’t make me Pulitzer, better be wise because / I’m dottin T’s and cross your eyes like Whitaker.” A clear reference to Kendrick’s Pulitzer Prize and his signature nickname “K. Dot,” the line signals that Joey’s disses are increasingly personal and strategic.

In his more recent track “The Finals,” Joey Bada$$ seemed to both challenge and compliment Kendrick: “I salute you Kenny but I know you well aware / You lookin’ for some competition? Then just know that I’ll be right here.” While the song focused largely on Rey Vaughn, it was laced with critiques of how other artists defer to Kendrick: “The way you let Dot dick sit in your mouth / This that same dick linkin’ I was talkin’ about / You n-ggas would do anything for the clout / Crash out over n-ggas who won’t even let you in they house / I bet you ain’t even got his number / It’s funny how the thirst is bein’ disguised as hunger.”

Joey Bada$$ first declared lyrical war with the West Coast back in January on “The Ruler’s Back,” a blistering introduction to his campaign. On that track, he rapped: “Too much West Coast dick lickin’ / I’m hearing n-ggas throwin’ rocks, really ain’t shit stickin’ / ‘Cause if we’re talking bar for bar, really it’s slim pickings / I rap like I draw pentagrams and kill chickens, n-gga / Fuck around with your soul like Ether, quick for a feature / This that black Air Force energy comin’ out your speaker.”

While Kendrick has stayed silent, his history in high-stakes rap battles—from his infamous “Control” verse to subliminals across DAMN. and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers—suggests that when he finally speaks, it’ll be worth the wait. With Glasses Malone stoking the fire, fans and critics alike are bracing for what could become one of the biggest lyrical clashes of the year.