Even when we don’t want to talk about the beef, something forces us to.
In what feels like another chapter in the ongoing saga between two of rap’s biggest giants, Drake has officially surpassed Kendrick Lamar in monthly Spotify listeners. As of today, Drake sits at 80,653,323 monthly streams, while Kendrick trails slightly behind with 80,622,895. The margin may be razor-thin, but the symbolism speaks volumes.
The numbers are especially notable considering the different lanes the two rappers are currently occupying. Kendrick Lamar hasn’t released a full-length project in 2025, but he’s still riding high from the impact of GNX, his critically acclaimed 2024 project that featured standout tracks like the fan-favorite “luther.” His Grammy wins and memorable Super Bowl performance earlier this year only cemented his cultural relevance.
Drake is now the rapper with the most monthly listeners on Spotify currently.
— chart data (@chartdata) July 13, 2025
He surpasses Kendrick Lamar. pic.twitter.com/mdROQxFbG3
On the flip side, Drake is experiencing a powerful resurgence of his own. Following the release of $ome $exy $ongs 4 U and the viral success of “NOKIA,” the Toronto rapper has been racking up streams at a rapid pace. His latest single “What Did I Miss?” recently topped several major charts, and his show-stopping Wireless Festival performance featured co-signs and onstage appearances from artists like Latto, Yeat, 21 Savage, and more.
Right now, Drake and Kendrick are harder to separate than the dishes on a Thanksgiving plate. We need this to stop.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
