JPEGMAFIA has never been one to mince words. Known for his unapologetic approach and provocative album titles like All My Heroes Are Cornballs (2019) and SCARING THE HES* (2023), the rapper once again pushes boundaries with his latest release, I Lay Down My Life for You. While the album’s experimental sound remains a signature, it’s the blistering lyrical attacks on Drake that are grabbing headlines.
On tracks like “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot” and “New Black History,” JPEGMAFIA doesn’t hold back, delivering sharp disses aimed at the Toronto rapper. In “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” a track that takes its name from DMX’s debut album—a known critic of Drake—JPEGMAFIA weaves in jabs not just at the rap industry, but specifically at Drake. He flips Drake’s 2018 track “No Friends in the Industry” and alludes to the allegations of Drake’s interactions with underage girls, rapping, “I can count all of my industry friends on my hands. And my n**gas, they be in demand. Obviously, rappers, they know what it is. If I show you a Drac’, I ain’t playin’ with kids.” Here, he uses “Drac’,” a slang term for a firearm, as a double entendre aimed at “Drizzy,” Drake’s nickname, echoing Kendrick Lamar‘s “Euphoria” diss.
The venom continues on “New Black History,” where JPEGMAFIA collaborates with Vince Staples. Over a glitchy beat, the two exchange verses, with Peggy landing a particularly stinging blow: “‘Specially when ya’ll cashing out for PDF’s and rapers (No Drizzy).” The “No Drizzy” line recalls the “No Diddy” meme that took the internet by storm earlier this year, a phrase used to call out questionable behavior while referencing serious allegations. By equating Drake with Diddy, JPEGMAFIA delivers one of the most pointed criticisms outside of Kendrick Lamar’s own infamous disses.
JPEGMAFIA’s disdain for Drake is well-documented, having mentioned in a 2019 interview with DJ Booth that he’s been dissing Drake for years “just because he’s big as f*ck.” However, the intensity of the attacks on his new album suggests there’s more to the story than just internet trolling. Following the release of Kendrick Lamar’s “Meet the Grahams” diss in May, JPEGMAFIA tweeted, “I’m no longer the biggest Drake hater. Kendrick Unbelievable.” Despite the self-proclaimed shift, Peggy’s new album proves he’s still very much in the running for that title.