Kendrick Lamar Needs to “Keep It Real,” Says Drakeo The Ruler’s Father in Style-Stealing Accusation
The debate over originality in hip-hop has reignited, as Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 album GNX faces criticism from an unexpected source, the father of the late Los Angeles rapper, Drakeo the Ruler.
During a recent appearance on No Jumper with Adam22, Drakeo’s father revealed his shock at hearing a song from GNX that sounded nearly identical to his late son’s work.
"I'm not a big Kendrick Lamar person listening to his music, I'm really picky with music just being a musician and all that. But I heard this one song of his, and I'm like 'Wait.' I didn't know if I was listening to a Drakeo song that I just didn't hear yet. I'm like, 'oh, this is one of my son's songs that I haven't heard yet,'" he said.
Drakeo the Ruler, known for his uniquely syncopated flows and icy delivery, was a trailblazer in the modern West Coast hip-hop scene.
His distinct cadence and slang set him apart, and according to his father, those same elements are now surfacing on Kendrick’s new tracks.
"The rhyme pattern, the syncopation, all of that was the same; the flow, everything was the same."
Drakeo The Ruler’s Dad Claims Kendrick Lamar Took His Son’s Style:
“I’m not a big Kendrick Lamar person, listening to his music,” Caldwell Sr. says. “Yeah. I’m really picky with music, you know, just being that I’m a musician and all that, but I heard this one song… I’m like, wait. I didn’t know if I was listening to a Draco song that I just… pic.twitter.com/BGlc8547xs
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) August 29, 2025
The conversation around Kendrick’s GNX has already included chatter online about the album’s inspiration. While Kendrick features several underground L.A. rappers, Drakeo’s absence, despite his massive influence, has raised eyebrows.
"Now, as far as him giving him the props, maybe it was a politics thing, You know what I'm saying? 'I can't be trying to go on that bandwagon right now with what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to make this positive movement, you know, right now with these rappers and this rap stuff. And if I, you know, shout out Drakeo, you know, and just let people know I'm using this flow, that might be bad for what I'm trying to do."