Verified archive entry

Afraid (Drake Diss)

By Joe Budden · Targeting Drake

Afraid (Drake Diss) is a diss track by Joe Budden targeting Drake. The 2016 Joe Budden–Drake dispute began after Budden publicly criticized Views and interpreted Drake records and guest verses as replies. Budden's sequence attacks Drake's authorship, changing personas, alliances and reluctance to answer him by name.

Released2016

Annotated4

ExplicitYes

Addressable transcript

Lyrics & breakdown

Demo lines only. Select a line number to copy a stable deep link.

01
[Hook]
02
What am I afraid of?
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This is supposed to be what dreams are made of
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But people I don't have the time to hang with
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Always look at me and say the same shit
06
They say you promised you would never change
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[Verse 1]
Multi-line diss block
08
I just feel like you broke a promise to me
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Only hurt cause I thought you were being honest with me
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So I’m gon' try and do this honorably
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Without the sponsoring fee what’s most alarming to me
Block noteTurns money and possessions into leverage
TargetDrake
MeaningWhat it means: In “I just feel like you broke a promise to me,” Joe Budden contrasts financial power or possessions with Drake's alleged lack of money, access, or control. Why it was said: The 2016 Joe Budden–Drake dispute began after Budden publicly criticized Views and interpreted Drake records and guest verses as replies. Budden's sequence attacks Drake's authorship, changing personas, alliances and reluctance to answer him by name. The comparison converts status into material evidence and is meant to make Drake's success claims look hollow beside something listeners can picture and measure.
ContextThe 2016 Joe Budden–Drake dispute began after Budden publicly criticized Views and interpreted Drake records and guest verses as replies. Budden's sequence attacks Drake's authorship, changing personas, alliances and reluctance to answer him by name.
12
This so emotional for you, robust such the calm in me,
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Easy to put off notes in thugs harmony
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Speak to his insecurity, acting so irresponsibly
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And it's further impacted by the fact that you respond to me
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See some of us know you as Jimmy barely old
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He had the baby belly fro, nigga was frail up in his clothes
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Barely got a hold and it’s seeming very outta control
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Wish we could go back and grab the blackberry with the scroll, oh
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Yeah Aubrey that’s the one we trusted
Multi-line diss block
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Not this new Aubrey with his stomach sculpted
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I'm disgusted, you're such a fuckin' incumbent
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Can't govern, trust in the public becoming a fucking puppet
Block notePortrays the target as controlled by others
TargetDrake
MeaningWhat it means: In “Can't govern, trust in the public becoming a fucking puppet,” Joe Budden depicts Drake as dependent on a label, executive, crew leader, or gatekeeper rather than acting independently. Why it was said: The 2016 Joe Budden–Drake dispute began after Budden publicly criticized Views and interpreted Drake records and guest verses as replies. Budden's sequence attacks Drake's authorship, changing personas, alliances and reluctance to answer him by name. The accusation attacks autonomy by suggesting that Drake's career choices and even the feud itself are being directed by somebody with greater power.
ContextThe 2016 Joe Budden–Drake dispute began after Budden publicly criticized Views and interpreted Drake records and guest verses as replies. Budden's sequence attacks Drake's authorship, changing personas, alliances and reluctance to answer him by name.
24
It’s bigger than rap battles, a word for the digital cash castle Don’t let a glitch in the Mac crash you
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Unrelaxed wearing political straps tackled
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Now clash paths with dad, the original bad apple
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I know where you at, shit I was there too
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When shit was happening fast, word, I got scared too
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Impossible feats, impossible to sleep
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Making promises impossible to keep like
31
[Hook]
32
What am I afraid of?
33
This is supposed to be what dreams are made of
34
But people I don't have the time to hang with
35
Always look at me and say the same shit
36
They say you promised you would never change
37
[Verse 2]
38
Listen, alert the niggas that handle you
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You fill up tour seats but you raw meat to the animals
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Doggy to cannibal, morning coffee and sandal shoes
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Can’t get this energy off me, it isn’t tangible
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This shit is greater than me, Pitchfork and Fader agree
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Complex I’m waiting to see, this between us, A and B
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You on the cusp Rated G, film I ain’t paying to see
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I’m patiently waiting with please
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Thought you would take it in, breathe
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Blatantly seein' his whole channel real A&E
48
Hard to sound empty inside and fill a vacancy
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Get some advice, come over kick it and vibe
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I’m here with hotels, strippers, Odell, all that shit that you like
Multi-line diss block
51
We'll light some candles and some hookah
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Hookers flickin' the lights
53
We'll play Aaliyah's greatest hits, you'll get all tickled inside
Block noteContests who deserves the top position
TargetDrake
MeaningWhat it means: In “We'll play Aaliyah's greatest hits, you'll get all tickled inside,” Joe Budden turns rank, legacy, or leadership into the issue and argues that Drake's claim to the position is undeserved. Why it was said: The 2016 Joe Budden–Drake dispute began after Budden publicly criticized Views and interpreted Drake records and guest verses as replies. Budden's sequence attacks Drake's authorship, changing personas, alliances and reluctance to answer him by name. The line identifies the prize behind the feud—control of reputation—and asks whose record supports the title rather than whose claim went unchallenged.
ContextThe 2016 Joe Budden–Drake dispute began after Budden publicly criticized Views and interpreted Drake records and guest verses as replies. Budden's sequence attacks Drake's authorship, changing personas, alliances and reluctance to answer him by name.
54
My nigga, It's no wonder you're losing all your friends
Multi-line diss block
55
Poster child now for all that you had a wall against
56
And tell your mans I’ll be seeing him soon
57
He marched you right into this madness I got reason to assume
Block noteShrinks the target into a dependent
TargetDrake
MeaningWhat it means: In “Poster child now for all that you had a wall against,” Joe Budden recasts Drake as a child, student, or minor-league figure who depends on a more powerful adult or senior artist. Why it was said: The 2016 Joe Budden–Drake dispute began after Budden publicly criticized Views and interpreted Drake records and guest verses as replies. Budden's sequence attacks Drake's authorship, changing personas, alliances and reluctance to answer him by name. The hierarchy denies equality before the battle is judged: if Drake is treated as a dependent, the target's challenge can be dismissed as imitation, immaturity, or ingratitude.
ContextThe 2016 Joe Budden–Drake dispute began after Budden publicly criticized Views and interpreted Drake records and guest verses as replies. Budden's sequence attacks Drake's authorship, changing personas, alliances and reluctance to answer him by name.
58
I creep in his room, sweeper consumed
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Now his region of doom ain’t the legion of boom it's just me with a broom
60
Afterward I’m thinking we can resume a lesson in speaking too soon
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How is it too late if I’m reading ya tomb
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It's not, boys inordinate, ploys and ornaments
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Show up at party next door with a noise ordinance
64
So off the hook of me, maybe y'all should be shook of me
65
Should know I’d kill him at even the slightest push of me
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And when his team press up shirts, I’ll help 'em push a tee, Should it read, he pressed buttons but wouldn’t push a tee
67
Gotta be buggin', maybe he dunno where Pusha be
68
Or when Pusha push the agenda he isn’t pushed to see
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If pushed to the streets, I see wood in your physique
70
Thinking you misunderstood my hood, this isn’t Meek nigga
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This ain’t a standard that you couldn’t meet
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Just from your views, you prolly couldn’t see
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That's cool, that kind of success you could never plan for it
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Heard the question nigga, I’ma help you answer it
75
[Hook]
76
What am I afraid of?
77
This is supposed to be what dreams are made of
78
But people I don't have the time to hang with
79
Always look at me and say the same shit
80
They say you promised you would never change
81
[Outro]
82
What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I afraid of?
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What am I?