The Drake and Kendrick Lamar arms race happening right now is unbelievable.

Drake’s ICEMAN has achieved something only one other rap album has managed to do. The project has joined Kendrick Lamar’s GNX as the only rap albums in Billboard history to have every song chart on the Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks.

One thing I’ve noticed while discussing ICEMAN with people is that nobody seems to agree on the best song. Some listeners can’t stop playing “National Treasure.” Others point to “Make Them Cry.” As someone who’s spent the last year on the West Coast, I’ve personally been drawn to “2 Hard For The Radio.”

That’s probably the album’s greatest strength. Drake didn’t create one obvious smash that overshadowed everything else. Instead, he built a project packed with records that appeal to different audiences.

Sure, hip-hop hasn’t been flooded with major releases recently, which may have helped ICEMAN maintain visibility. But charting all 18 songs for three consecutive weeks still requires genuine demand.

The bigger takeaway is that Drake and Kendrick Lamar remain the benchmark for commercial rap success. Whenever either artist drops, history tends to follow. This latest Billboard milestone is just another example.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.