Many fans have raised allegations against Kendrick Lamar, claiming that he borrowed lyrics from battle rappers and old online tweets for his diss tracks aimed at Drake. Some of these fans insist that they deserve co-writer credits and royalties for contributions to the “Not Like Us” single.

GHOSTWRITING IN HIP HOP

This social media allegation has once again raised the question about how much authenticity is with some of the biggest artists in the world of hip hop. Ghostwriting in hip-hop refers to the practice where one person writes lyrics or music for another artist, who then performs and takes credit for the work.

It’s a controversial topic within the hip-hop community, as authenticity and credibility are highly valued. While some artists openly collaborate and credit others for their contributions, ghostwriting is often seen as undermining the creative integrity and authenticity of an artist’s work, especially in a genre where personal expression and storytelling are fundamental. Despite the controversy, instances of ghostwriting have been documented throughout hip-hop’s history, sparking debates about artistic ownership, transparency, and the blurred lines between collaboration and manipulation.

DRAKE GHOSTWRITING CONTROVERSY

The Drake ghostwriting controversy erupted in 2015 when fellow rapper Meek Mill accused Drake of using ghostwriters for his lyrics. Meek Mill claimed that Drake hadn’t written his own verses on a track they collaborated on, “R.I.C.O.,” from Meek’s album “Dreams Worth More Than Money.”

Drake initially responded with the diss track “Charged Up,” followed by “Back to Back,” which further fueled the controversy. While Drake never explicitly denied using co-writers, he defended his artistic process, stating that he collaborates with others but ultimately takes responsibility for his music.

Despite the controversy, Drake’s popularity and commercial success remained largely unaffected. However, the incident sparked debates within the hip-hop community about the authenticity of artists who use ghostwriters and the importance of writing one’s own lyrics in rap music.

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