DJ Akademiks has reignited debate surrounding Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Playboi Carti after claiming that Kendrick’s influence may have played a role in a Drake collaboration being left off Carti’s MUSIC album.
The media personality made the remarks while discussing Kendrick’s involvement with Los Angeles rapper AZ Chike and his work as an executive producer. Akademiks questioned Kendrick’s approach to supporting other artists, arguing that his influence could prevent certain collaborations from reaching their full commercial potential.
During his commentary, Akademiks described Kendrick as a “mood killer,” suggesting that the Compton rapper’s presence changed the direction of projects that could otherwise have included more mainstream-friendly records.
Akademiks Says Drake and Carti Had a Song Together
To support his argument, Akademiks played what he described as an unreleased collaboration between Drake and Playboi Carti. According to his account, the track was intended for Carti’s MUSIC album but ultimately did not make the final release.
Akademiks claimed Carti had concerns about whether Kendrick would approve the song. He used the alleged situation to criticize Kendrick’s influence, suggesting that the rapper’s involvement could affect which records artists choose to release.
However, the explanation remains Akademiks’ account of the situation. The available report does not establish independently that Kendrick directly blocked the collaboration, and neither the alleged decision-making process nor the reasons for the song’s omission should be treated as confirmed.
Kendrick’s Influence Becomes the Center of the Debate
Akademiks also questioned Kendrick’s willingness to collaborate with artists he supports. He argued that Kendrick’s guidance does not necessarily translate into guest appearances or commercially successful records, contrasting the situation with the support he believes AZ Chike could receive.
His comments come amid continuing discussion about Kendrick’s role in shaping other artists’ careers and his preference for maintaining a selective public profile. Kendrick has earned recognition for his own artistic direction, but Akademiks suggested that his influence could also limit creative choices when he becomes closely involved in another artist’s project.
The remarks also reflect the ongoing divide among fans of Kendrick and Drake, whose rivalry has remained a major topic in hip-hop conversations. Akademiks is widely associated with his support for Drake, making his criticism of Kendrick another flashpoint in the wider debate.
For now, the alleged Drake and Carti collaboration remains at the center of Akademiks’ claims. Whether the track will ever receive an official release—and whether Kendrick had any direct involvement in its absence from MUSIC—remains unclear.
