"Family Matters" is a diss track by Canadian rapper Drake, released on May 3, 2024, amid his feud with Kendrick Lamar alongside an accompanying music video. The song debuted at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the chart published May 13, 2024. With the entrance, Drake adds his record-padding 78th Hot 100 top 10, and “Family Matters” is also his record-extending 331st entry on the chart overall.[1]
Music critics noted that the content of the song marked an intensification of the feud between Drake and Lamar, with lyrics alleging Lamar engaged in domestic abuse against his wife, cheated on his wife with white women, and that one of Lamar's children is actually fathered by Dave Free.[3][2] Lamar responded to "Family Matters" within an hour, with the release of the song "Meet the Grahams".[4]
Drake posted a remix of "Buried Alive Interlude", a song off his 2011 album Take Care which features Kendrick Lamar, as a promo for "Family Matters" on his official Instagram. In the short snippet Drake parodies Lamar performance on the original track and further disses him.[5]
The single was released by Drake on May 3, 2024, on all streaming platforms along with an accompanying music videoonYouTube.
The "Family Matters" music video by Drake is laden with symbolism, beginning with Drake's homage to 50 Cent with a vintage G-Unit spinner chain and his response to Lamar's mention of FUBU in "Euphoria". The video features a third generation Plymouth Voyager, reminiscent of the third generation Chrysler Town & Country featured on the cover of the deluxe edition of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, being crushed in a junkyard, symbolizing Drake's intention to bury Kendrick. Drake then flaunts jewelry from Pharrell's collection, including Tupac's ring, suggesting the ongoing narrative of their feud. References to Lamar's personal life emerge with cakes inscribed with "Happy Divorce" and "Happy Co-parenting," implying a split from Alford due to infidelity.[citation needed]
Scenes of Drake in the studio, a Michael Jackson action figure highlighting "Black and White," and Drake wearing a ringed chain hint at deeper meanings, such as speculation about Lamar's engagement to Alford.[5] The music video also shows Drake visiting the New Ho King Chinese restaurant referenced by Lamar in Euphoria.[citation needed]
Lamar released his response song "Meet the Grahams" 20 minutes after the release of "Family Matters".[1] Writing for Complex, Peter Barry characterized the initial response to the track to be positive, stating that "fans rejoiced and took their victory laps, noting the sharp wordplay, the disrespectful easter eggs, and even the spinny G-Unit medallion".[4]
