Drake v Kendrick Lamar: Who wins the battle of property portfolios?
The Drake and Kendrick battle continues. This time Drake escalated the feud by battling Kendrick in the courtroom rather than the studio.
The Drake and Kendrick rap battle spanning from the 2010s continues. This time Drake escalated the feud by battling Kendrick in the courtroom rather than the studio.
According to Realtor, the Canadian hip-hop star, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, 38, is now bringing a “pre-action petition” to Spotify and Universal Music Group, forcing the companies to retain documents ahead of further action. Drake and his lawyers accuse the companies of using bots to artificially inflate the popularity of the song “Not Like Us”, a Lamar diss track against Drake.
The rappers have been involved in extended feud since the 2010s, but sparked new heights in April 2024. This is the first time legal action has been taken against either rapper.
Drake’s legal team now claims that UMG and Spotify made intentional choices to manufacture the success of Lamar’s diss track, which now sits at 916 million streams on Spotify.
“UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” attorneys for Drake stated, according to Billboard.
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“It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.”
The papers filed in New York State that UMG violated federal anti-racketeering law. And that they are also guilty of “deceptive business practices”
Spotify declined to comment, but UMG issued a statement to Billboard denying Drake’s allegations, arguing that fans have the final say on what’s popular.
“The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Is Drake bringing back the beef? This latest dispute comes just as Lamar has released his new album, “GNX,” which will most likely feature in Kendrick’s Superbowl performance in early 2025.
Interestingly, the two men also go toe-to-toe in another industry: real estate. Both artists boast an impressive property portfolio — but who wins this battle of top-notch dwellings?
Drake’s real estate
In addition to his recording career, Drizzy has some seriously swanky real estate spanning across countries.
Texas ranch
The Toronto native had been trying to find space outside of Canada for a very “long time”. He eventually teased how he found his new abode during a Houston concert in 2023.
“I’ve been looking for a long time, trying to figure out the right place for me to live — where I belong outside of Toronto. And I finally, finally, after all these years, found me a place in Houston!”
The 313-acre property the rapper reportedly picked up for $15 million is about 45 minutes outside of “H-Town”, in Washington, Texas.
The former luxury resort turned estate boasts a treasure trove of facilities including multiple homes, pools, a tennis court and equestrian facilities.
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Beverly Hills megamansion
Although Drake’s home is in Houston, he has had a flaunting love-affair with Beverly Hills that he now wishes to get rid of after finding his soulmate.
Drake scored the 90210 estate of Robbie Williams in March 2022 for $US75 million, and it went back on the market in May 2023 with a price tag of $US88 million. It’s still available.
Set on almost 20 acres, the 25,000-square-foot megamansion features a screening room, wine cellar, and tennis court. The stunning acreage includes lush landscaping and gardens and spectacular views of the canyon, city, and ocean.
Other highlights include an 11-car garage, a gym, a game room, and a pool with a pool house.
YOLO compound sale
Before he bought in Beverly Hills, Drake had assembled his very own YOLO compound in the celeb-packed enclave of Hidden Hills.
In March 2022, he put the entire three-parcel spread on the market for $US22.2 million.
This party pad was designed to entertain. The compound features a massive swimming pool and spa grotto, a swim-up bar, waterfalls, and a rock waterslide.
Two of the Drake-owned homes were purchased by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford — one for $11 million and the main house for $US12 million, handing the rapper a massive $US23 million payday.
North of the border
Drake has a fascinating place to stay when he’s in his hometown of Toronto.
The 50,000-square-foot mansion includes a regulation-size, indoor basketball court; a bar with Champagne and wine chillers; and a hot tub with a TV screen.
Kendrick Lamar’s real estate
Not to be outdone, Lamar, whose full name is Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, 37, is a worthy opponent in rap and real estate. And much exceeds his “average Joe” beginnings in his eponymous 2010 song.
Outside the recording booth, his property portfolio is also award-worthy.
Brooklyn pad
Lamar went back to hip-hop’s roots and bought a Brooklyn penthouse in 2023 for $US8.6 million.
The 3,140-square-foot condo was finished in 2015 and features a two-level, open layout with floor-to-ceiling windows. The four-bedroom unit also features a private terrace and a rooftop deck.
Calabasas crib
In 2018, the rapper picked up an investment property in Calabasas, CA, for $US2,650,000.
Located in the exclusive community of Calabasas Park Estates, situated 42km from Central LA, the 5,433-square-foot home includes a gym, family room, and guest suite. It’s reportedly a place for Kendrick’s family.
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So where does the Compton-born talent lay his head when he’s going back to Cali?
So where does the Compton-born hip-hop mogul go back to California?
Well, this rapper is not restricted when it comes to his options.
Included in his portfolio includes a $US9.7 million mansion in Manhattan beach, bought in 2019 it features four bedrooms and seven bathrooms. However the rest of the details about this “secret property” are unavailable due to the off market nature of his deal.
Kendrick also owns a sweet Bel-Air estate, which he snagged for $15.8 million at the end of 2022, according to AD.
The ranch house in the desirable East Gate community was designed in 1951 by architect Edward Fickett. It’s since been expanded and turned into a compound with a main house and a two-storey guesthouse. They total 8,000 square feet and offer seven bedrooms.
Parts of this story first appeared in Realtor and were republished with permission.
Originally published as Drake v Kendrick Lamar: Who wins the battle of property portfolios?
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