How Much Revenue Did Kendrick Lamar-Drake Diss Tracks Earn?

Since the highly publicized Kendrick Lamar - Drake beef made its way into the mainstream earlier this year, it has had a significant impact on the music industry. According to Billboard estimates based on data from Luminate, the six tracks at the core of this rap battle have generated an astonishing nearly $15.4 million in streaming, digital sales, and publishing revenue in the United States through the week ending Nov. 21.

Uncover the Financial Impact of the Kendrick Lamar - Drake Beef

"Not Like Us": A Streaming and Download Success

Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" has truly been a force to be reckoned with. It has generated an impressive $4.97 million in streaming and download revenue alone. This track has managed to amass almost 6.3 million song equivalents, showing its widespread popularity. The combination of its streaming prowess and digital sales has contributed significantly to the overall revenue generated by the beef tracks.Moreover, the $2.66 million in publishing revenue further highlights the track's value. It showcases the influence of Kendrick Lamar's music on the publishing side of the industry, demonstrating that his creative work extends beyond just streaming and sales.

"Like That": A Masterpiece in Revenue Generation

Future and Metro Boomin's "Like That" featuring Kendrick Lamar has also made its mark. With $3.42 million coming from U.S. streaming and download revenue earned by the track's master recording rights and an additional $1.2 million from publishing, it has contributed significantly to the overall revenue. This track reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying its position as a commercial success.The combination of these two tracks has accounted for nearly 80% of the overall revenue generated by the beef tracks. It shows the dominance of Kendrick Lamar and his collaborations in driving revenue in the rap battle.

Drake's Impact: Despite Lower Revenue, Global Standing

While Drake's "Family Matters" and "Push Ups" only account for 13% of the overall revenue generated so far by these tracks, he remains among the top 10 highest grossing artists globally. Through Nov. 21, his catalog has generated 6.8 million equivalent album units in the U.S. in 2024, according to Luminate. This highlights Drake's enduring popularity and his ability to generate revenue even with a lower share from these specific beef tracks.On the other hand, Kendrick Lamar's catalog has generated 3.5 million consumption units so far this year. Both artists have left their mark on the music industry with their respective catalogs and the beef tracks have only added to their financial success.Source: LuminateAdditional reporting by Ed Christman