1. The Seeds (2023 Prequel)
2023 planted four seeds: Jim Jones publicly declaring Pusha T “not top 50”; Drake dissing Pharrell & Pusha on Travis Scott’s “Meltdown”; Clipse previewing their rebuttal “Chains & Whips” at Pharrell’s Paris runway; and Drake/Cole’s “First Person Shooter,” which re-framed the pecking order and set Kendrick’s fuse. Tory Lanez’s August sentencing for shooting Megan Thee Stallion added fresh outrage that would resurface in the Nicki-versus-Megan battle.
Apr 8, 2023
Jim Jones on Rap Caviar
Jim Jones on Rap Caviar: “They don’t play Pusha’s s** outside.*” HipHopDX
Frames Pusha as irrelevant; aligns Dipset with Drake
Jul 28, 2023
Travis Scott
Drake on Travis Scott’s “Meltdown”: Drisses Pharrell’s LV era, taunts Pusha. The FADER
Provokes Pharrell-loyal Pusha; seeds future Travis/Pusha tension
Jun 21, 2023
Chains & Whips
Clipse debut “Chains & Whips” at Louis Vuitton runway. Pitchfork
First lyrical shot back at Jim Jones
Aug 8, 2023
Tory Lanez
Tory Lanez sentenced to 10 years for Megan shooting. The Sun
Fuels conversation that will flare in Nicki ↔ Megan feud
Oct 6, 2023
First Person Shooter
Drake & J. Cole – “First Person Shooter” tops Hot 100; coins the “Big Three.” The FADER
Direct trigger for Kendrick’s 2024 response
