Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton suggested a rap battle between Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar on his “4th & 1 Podcast,” dismissing Drake as a worthy opponent for Lamar.
“I don’t think Drake has it in him to go to the places that he needs to go to attack Kendrick properly,” Newton stated, advocating for Wayne as a more suitable challenger. “I wanna see Lil’ Wayne … just for the appreciation of the art … because Drake ain’t capable.”
Newton referenced Lamar’s upcoming Super Bowl LIX performance, challenging Wayne: “You’re going to let this muthaf*cka come into your m—————’ city o m—————’ February, and you ain’t gonna drop nothing,” he added.
The discussion follows Wayne’s earlier frustration over Lamar’s Super Bowl selection. At Lil Weezyana Fest, Wayne expressed disappointment: “I told myself I wanna be on stage at the Super Bowl in front of my mom and I worked my a— off to get that position. It was ripped away from me,” he said.
Newton’s comments come as Lamar promotes his sixth album “GNX” and prepares for a tour with SZA. The proposed battle would pit two acclaimed lyricists against each other, potentially elevating current hip-hop discourse beyond recent feuds.
The suggestion generates interest given both artists’ respected status in hip-hop and their history of lyrical excellence.
Newton’s comments reflect growing discussion about rap battle dynamics in modern hip-hop. His perspective as a sports figure adds unique context to debates about competition in music.
The proposed matchup would showcase contrasting styles – Wayne’s metaphor-heavy wordplay against Lamar’s intricate storytelling and social commentary. Their different approaches to lyricism could create compelling battle material.
This hypothetical battle highlights evolving expectations for hip-hop competition, moving beyond traditional diss tracks to emphasize technical skill and artistic merit.
Wayne and Lamar’s shared history of critically acclaimed albums and commercial success adds weight to Newton‘s suggestion that their battle could represent hip-hop at its highest level.
