Drake has found himself at the center of a new playful jab from his ex-girlfriend, tennis legend Serena Williams. Hosting the 2024 ESPY Awards, Serena brought up Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar in her opening monologue.
The award show turned into a memorable night as Serena made witty remarks about Drake and even danced to Kendrick’s diss track, adding a layer of humor and drama to the event.
Opening Monologue
During the 2024 ESPY Awards, hosted by tennis superstar Serena Williams, the sports legend took a playful jab at rapper Drake. In her opening monologue, Serena humorously addressed Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, bringing a light-hearted moment to the award show.
Serena’s Performance
Serena Williams didn’t just stop at the monologue; she took it a step further by breaking into a Crip Walk while Kendrick Lamar’s diss track ‘Not Like Us’ played in the background. The bold move heightened the playful troll, and Serena added, ‘He will make your hometown not like you. The next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, they’re gonna Forrest Gump him. Seats taken!’
Past Relationships
Rumors have circulated that Drake and Serena were an item back in 2011. The Canadian rapper was often seen attending Serena’s tennis matches during that period. Although neither of them confirmed the relationship, the speculation gave rise to much media attention.
Kendrick’s ‘Not Like Us’
The Kendrick Lamar track ‘Not Like Us’ became a major talking point as it contains a reference to Serena. Kendrick rapped, ‘I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither/ From Alondra down to Central, n-gga better not speak on Serena,’ making it clear that their connection influenced his lyrics. Serena herself revealed she is a fan of the track, calling it the ‘hit of the summer.’
Drake’s Response to Serena and Kendrick
The dynamics of Drake’s relationships have often spilled into his music. In 2022, Drake took a shot at Serena’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, in his song ‘Middle of the Ocean.’ He rapped, ‘Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie/ He claim we don’t got a problem but no, boo, it’s like you comin’ for sushi/ We might pop up on ’em at will like Suzuki.’
Ohanian’s Clapback
Serena’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, didn’t take the diss lightly. He responded via social media by writing, ‘The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the best at whatever I do — including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter.’ Ohanian’s clapback went viral, showing he could hold his ground.
Previous Feuds
Drake’s history of high-profile feuds includes a notable beef with rapper Common, which also revolved around Serena. Common and Drake exchanged diss tracks like ‘Sweet’ and ‘Stay Schemin’,’ allegedly due to their mutual interest in the tennis star. The Chicago rapper mentioned on ‘Drink Champs’ that ‘wars happen over women.’
Impact on Social Media
This whole incident has created a buzz on social media. Fans of both Serena and Drake have taken to platforms like Twitter and Instagram to share their thoughts and memes. Some find the entire situation hilarious, while others feel it’s a bit too personal.
Celebrity Reactions
Several celebrities have also chimed in with their reactions. Many found Serena’s actions amusing and bold, while others appreciated the playful side of the 2024 ESPYs. Kendrick Lamar, though not publicly commenting, has seen a spike in streams for ‘Not Like Us.’
Future Implications
The playful yet pointed jab at Drake could reignite old tensions or simply be taken in stride. Either way, it’s clear that Serena knows how to command attention. The 2024 ESPYs will be remembered for more than just sports awards, thanks to this memorable moment.
Serena Williams’ humorous jabs at Drake during the 2024 ESPYs showcased her playful personality and ability to command attention. Combined with her dance to Kendrick Lamar’s track, the night was filled with memorable moments.
Whether this playful troll will lead to more drama between Drake and Kendrick Lamar remains to be seen, but it undeniably added an entertaining twist to the award show.
