Gary Owen, the well-known comedian, is no stranger to controversy, and this time, he’s stirring up a wave of social media backlash after reacting to a lyric from Kendrick Lamar’s new project “wacced out murals.” While the track’s line, “Don’t let no white comedian talk about no Black women that’s law,” was aimed at Andrew Schulz, Owen seized the moment to inject himself into the sparked conversation.

In a post that quickly gained attention on Instagram, comedian Gary Owen joked, “If that’s law, that makes me a criminal,” referencing his history as a comedian and his past marriage to Kenya Duke, a Black woman. What he meant to be a light-hearted humor quickly spiraled into a social media firestorm of criticism. One Instagram user @realruebenwood remarked, “He probably shouldn’t have said anything since his name wasn’t mentioned.” Others dismissed the comment as “tone-deaf,” with one saying, “This ain’t the flex he thinks it is.” @sarkimberly echoed the sentiment and didn’t hold back, stating, “Gary Owen truly believes because he married a Black woman, he gets a FREE PASS, and that’s worrying.”

The incident underscores the layers of complexity in Kendrick Lamar’s lyricism, which often challenges societal norms and sparks dialogue beyond music. This time, however, the focus shifted to Owen’s attempt to center himself in a narrative that wasn’t about him, a move that seemed to backfire.

Meanwhile, Lamar’s surprise album drop, GNX, is making waves for reasons beyond the drama. Tracks like “Luther,” “TV Off,” and “Squabble Up” have dominated charts and social media discussions since the surprise release. Fans and critics are dissecting the project’s sharp lyricism, bold themes, and cultural critiques. From Lil Wayne’s Super Bowl snub to Nas’s subtle acknowledgment, Lamar’s album doesn’t hesitate to stir the pot.

Even McDonald’s hopped on the buzz, responding to Lamar’s reference to producer Mustard in the track “TV Off” with a cheeky social media post. The GNX rollout has dominated Apple Music charts and set the tone for Kendrick’s continued influence as a thought-provoking artist ahead of the Grammy Awards. Owen’s reaction to the “wacced out murals” audience reminds us that humor is subjective, and sometimes, staying silent might be the wiser choice.

The internet spotlight is buzzing after Drake, the Toronto-born rapper, appeared to slyly reference Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking “Euphoria” in response to comments made by popular streamer Pokimane. Even though Kendrick’s latest album has dominated headlines lately, it seems Drake remains unfazed, focusing instead on his orbit of controversies, this time involving an upset Canadian fan-turned-critic. On Saturday (November 23), Pokimane, a longtime admirer of the 6 God, expressed dismay over Drake’s endorsement deal with the controversial betting platform Stake. In a heartfelt video clip, she said, “When I heard Drake was involved with Stake, my heart broke.” “I’ve been a little Drake fangirl…but now, I don’t love him as much as a person.”

Enter Drake, never one to let criticism slide quietly. During a recap stream hosted by Los Pollos, he addressed Pokimane’s comments with a seemingly cryptic jab: “I watched the clip. What’s she mad about? Is it the braids??!” Fans were quick to dissect the comment, drawing parallels to “Euphoria,” Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping track where he raps about misunderstandings in the industry, “Cutthroat business, you got shit twisted / What is it? The braids?”

Whether Drake’s comment was intentional or not, it has sparked speculation about whether he was teasing both Pokimane and Kendrick at the same time. The timing is interesting since “Euphoria” has been extremely popular since its release in April, breaking streaming records and becoming one of the top rap songs of 2024.

Reactions among fans vary: some see Drake’s comments as a light-hearted way to dismiss the criticism, while others think it could be a sly dig at Kendrick, especially given their history of competing through music. Drake has previously responded to “Euphoria” with his songs.

Meanwhile, Kendrick is enjoying the success of “Euphoria,” referenced by the popular HBO series of the same title, starring Zendaya and executive produced by the 6 God. He also stood out during his electrifying Pop-Out concert opener. Even though “Euphoria” didn’t receive Grammy nominations, Kendrick’s album “Not Like Us” earned seven nominations, showcasing he still greatly influenced the music scene. On the other hand, Drake’s talent for stirring the cultural pot remains unparalleled. Whether it’s about his Stake deal, his rivalry with Kendrick, or the heartbreak of popular streamer Pokimane, the 6 God thrives in the chaos he leaves in his wake. And honestly, that might be the enduring allure that keeps people fascinated by him.