News

Drake’s New Freestyle: “Fighting Irish”

By Talmage Garn

Posted on January 3, 2025

Shutterstock

Drake’s Freestyle Takedown: “Fighting Irish” Sparks Controversy Over Kendrick Lamar Feud

Drake is starting 2025 with a bang—and the freestyle is already causing waves. On January 3, producer Conductor Williams briefly uploaded “Fighting Irish,” an unreleased Drake freestyle, to YouTube before it was swiftly removed. But in the age of screen recordings and social media, the track spread like wildfire, keeping fans buzzing and reigniting chatter about the 6 God’s rocky 2024. For more on Drake’s recent controversies, check out this article. Listen to the freestyle below.

“Gimmicks and Betrayal”

Rapping through a grainy TV screen in the freestyle’s visuals, Drake takes a reflective tone, dissecting the fallout from his public feud with Kendrick Lamar. Over Conductor’s lush production, Drake calls out those who turned their backs on him during his struggles.

“The world fell in love with the gimmicks, even my brothers got tickets, seemed like they loved every minute/ Just know the s–t is personal to us and wasn’t just business/ Analyzing behavioral patterns is somewhat suspicious,” he spits, leaving listeners wondering if he’s addressing former allies, including NBA stars DeMar DeRozan and LeBron James. Learn more about how this feud has escalated in this breakdown.

The title Fighting Irish seems to hold layered significance, possibly nodding to LeBron’s high school mascot from St. Vincent-St. Mary in Ohio—a detail fans were quick to connect to the lyricist’s pointed tone.

Drake vs. Kendrick: The Saga Continues

The track also rebuffs Kendrick Lamar’s claim on his diss track Meet the Grahams that Drake has a drinking problem. “I don’t have a drinkin’ problem, I got a subtle addiction/ I got my father’s habits and I got my mother’s permission,” Drake raps, addressing the accusation with his characteristic wit and precision.

Further stirring the pot, Drake seems to reference his ongoing legal spat with Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging the label manipulated streams to boost Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us”. “I hate to see their empire crumble on judges’ convictions,” he declares, hinting at his distrust of the industry’s inner workings. UMG has previously dismissed Drake’s claims, labeling them “offensive and untrue.” For more insights into their legal drama, read this detailed piece.

Conductor Williams: A Master of Gritty Production

Known for his evocative and cinematic beats, Conductor Williams has steadily built a reputation as a sought-after producer in hip-hop. He’s a key figure in Griselda, the influential rap collective comprising Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, and Benny the Butcher. His work with Griselda is synonymous with the group’s gritty, sample-heavy aesthetic that’s revitalized the underground scene.

Notable tracks include Westside Gunn’s “Julia Lang” and Benny the Butcher’s “War Paint,” where Conductor’s production has helped craft a raw, soulful soundscape. His collaboration with Drake, which began with songs like “8am in Charlotte” and “Stories About My Brother,” reflects his versatility and ability to merge the underground ethos with mainstream polish. For more on Drake’s ongoing evolution, explore this tag.

The Fallout

As speculation swirls about why Fighting Irish was removed, neither Drake nor Conductor Williams has commented. Fans, however, are keeping the song alive online, analyzing every lyric for clues about its targets and implications.

With the freestyle’s release—and swift takedown—Drake has once again positioned himself at the center of hip-hop’s ongoing narrative. Whether Fighting Irish becomes an official release or remains a fan artifact, its impact is undeniable, proving the 6 God’s words still resonate deeply across the culture. To understand the broader context of his relationship with Kendrick Lamar, visit this tag.