Drake has released the official studio version of ‘Push Ups’ on streaming platforms after speculation and debate sparked by a leaked Kendrick Lamar diss track. The 37-year-old rapper, who entered the fray following Lamar’s controversial verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s ‘Like That,’ also unveiled the official cover art for the single on his Instagram stories.
The cover art features a shoe-size scale, reportedly a pointed reference to a line in the track aimed at Lamar. In the song, Drake raps, “How the f**k you big steppin’ with a size-seven men’s on?” This is a direct allusion to Lamar’s 2022 album, ‘Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers.’
The leaked demo of ‘Push Ups’ initially featured a sample from Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s ‘Get Money,’ but a higher-quality version with a new beat emerged later, sparking skepticism about its authenticity. Drake appeared to confirm the track’s legitimacy by sharing an image from ‘Kill Bill’ on his Instagram story, depicting a scene of Uma Thurman’s character brandishing a sword against a circle of adversaries.
The release of ‘Push Ups’ prompted a swift reply from Rick Ross, who was targeted in the song. Ross alleged that Drake had undergone cosmetic surgery and teased the rapper by performing in a hoodie adorned with Drake’s face.
The feud between Drake and Lamar traces back to J. Cole’s reference to Lamar as part of “the big three” in ‘First Person Shooter,’ a collaboration with Drake from last year’s ‘For All the Dogs.’ Lamar fired back at both artists with a surprise feature on ‘Like That,’ featured on Future and Metro’s ‘We Don’t Trust You’ released last month.
J. Cole initially responded with ‘7 Minute Drill’ on his surprise project ‘Might Delete Later,’ but distanced himself from the track, labeling it the “lamest s**t I ever did” and removing it from streaming services just a week after its release.
The ongoing back-and-forth between these rap titans continues to captivate fans, leaving many eagerly anticipating the next move in this evolving saga.