Euphoria is a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness. Kendrick Lamar—an American rapper and songwriter from Compton, California—first gained popularity with his m.A.A.d city. Since then, Lamar has gotten the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018. Kendrick Lamar is an influential figure known for experimenting with rap music to create new sounds. Despite Kenrick's status as an influential artist prior to his exchange with Drake, another popular Canadian rapper, the undeniable talent of Lamar stood out. Lamar's song euphoria served as a response to Drake's track "Push-Ups."
The famous actor we once knew is lookin' paranoid and now is spiralin' / You're movin' just like a degenerate, every antic is feelin' distasteful
To the untrained ear, euphoria starts with incoherent nonsense. Yet, when we listen to the lyric backwards, we can see what Lamar clearly states "eurt si em tuoba yas yeht gnihtyrevE" or Everything they say about me is true. This was a direct response to Drake's song and Drake's' ideas of not only Kendrik but also Kendrik's community and home life. Other than that, the entire song is about Lamar hating or in other terms speaking his mind about Drake's fallacies and hidden secrets.
I hate when a rapper talks about guns, then somebody dies, they turn into nuns / Then hop online like "Pray for my city," he fakin' for likes and digital hugs
To understand this lyric, it's helpful to consider the broader context. Drake has frequently created music that portrays him as a figure with power and authority, sometimes hinting at associations with a gangster or "bad guy" persona. In the lyric "I hate when a rapper talk… turn into nuns," Drake appears to reference this tough image, but also alludes to his response to real-life violence, suggesting a possible inconsistency between his persona and actions.
Kendrick Lamar later responds with the line, "Then hop online… faking for likes and digital hugs," which is often interpreted as a critique of Drake's public advocacy for a gun ban in his city. The contrast drawn here reflects the tension between the image of toughness in some of Drake's music and his more public-facing stance on issues like gun violence.
This has led some listeners to question the authenticity of his rap persona, suggesting that it may be more performative than a true reflection of his personal values.
It's always been about love and hate, now let me say I'm the biggest hater / I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress / I hate the way that you sneak diss, if I catch a flight, it's gon' be direct
The above is one of my favorite lyrics in the song. This highlights the ongoing tension between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, with Kendrick seemingly positioning himself as the more dominant figure in their rivalry. Kendrick's critiques have pointed to inconsistencies in Drake's persona, particularly the portrayal of a gangster image for personal gain. This dynamic has led to speculation that Kendrick may ultimately emerge as the victor in their back-and-forth exchanges—at least for now.The debate between Kendrick and Drake, especially with the added threats towards Kendrick’s family, makes this song a warning to Drake to stop or else.
If you take it there, I'm takin' it further / Psst, that's something you don't wanna do
This is the ending lyric that solidified the threat Kendrick poses to Drake’s career and how he doesn’t want to lose his status as the best rapper.
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