AceShowbiz - As Kendrick Lamar gears up for his headlining performance at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, fans and followers are getting a deeper insight into his mindset and motivations. In a press conference on February 6, Kendrick delved into the background of his beef with Drake, revealing that at the heart of it all was his desire to keep rap competitive and authentic.

"My intent from day one was to keep the nature of it as a sport. I don't care how muthaf***ers look at it as far as like a collaborative effort. That's cool too, but I love when artists grit their teeth," Kendrick stated. This sentiment, he explained, was a driving force behind his decision to go toe-to-toe with Drake last year.

"I still watch battle raps, I still watch Smack URL-from Murda Mook to Lux to Tay Roc, my bro Daylyt. This has always been the core definition of who I am. It's been that way since day one."

Kendrick's intense rap feud with Drake in 2024 captured the attention of fans worldwide. The rivalry saw a series of heated diss tracks that included Kendrick's "Not Like Us," which topped multiple charts and eventually won five awards at the 2025 Grammys, including Song of the Year and Best Rap Performance.

The history between the two rappers is as rich as it is complex. The two rappers initially started on good terms, with Kendrick opening for Drake in 2012, before their relationship crumbled. Both artists have since exchanged numerous sneak disses, which reached an unprecedented fever last year with blatant lyrics in Drake's "Push Ups" and Kendrick's "Euphoria."

Both made serious accusations against each other, touching on issues related to family and personal conduct. Despite the intense rivalry, Kendrick's vision of keeping rap "as a sport" underscores a respect for the craft and the culture that has defined his career.

When asked about the impact of his diss track winning multiple Grammys, Kendrick emphasized the cultural significance of the recognition, "I just think about the culture, really. It's always definitely first, I'm not even bullsh*tting with you. When people talk about rap, man, the conversations I hear, they think it's just rap and it's not an actual art form."

Kendrick Lamar's professional journey and his latest album, "GNX", alongside the upcoming Super Bowl gig with SZA, continue to highlight his commitment to pushing the boundaries of rap while honoring its roots. His passion for "grit" and "battle" in the rap genre speaks volumes about the competitive spirit that keeps the art form vibrant and evolving.