In a candid sit-down with Curtiss King, Top Dawg Entertainment president Terrence “Punch” Henderson dissected the making of Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria,” offering rare insight into the track’s surgical edits—and the deeper layers fueling his protracted feud with Drake.
Punch confirmed that Kendrick’s response to Drake’s “Push Ups” was initially more extensive, containing additional and potentially more damaging critiques of the Toronto rapper. When asked about the existence of a longer version, Punch remarked, “I can’t speak to the exact length, but it’s clear that what the audience received was just a fraction of the original piece. A lot of content was left on the cutting room floor.” He elaborated on his role in the editing process, stating, “There were certain elements that I felt wouldn’t serve Kendrick well in the long term. I provided my perspective, and he agreed to remove some of those lines.”
Throughout the three-hour discussion, Punch touched on various facets of the ongoing feud between Kendrick and Drake, including perceived missteps made by the latter. He analyzed the dynamics of the industry and the reactions from fans, emphasizing the importance of context in the world of hip-hop. “The energy had been building up for some time,” Punch explained. “We were keeping things under wraps, but once Kendrick played the record for Top Dawg, I knew we were in for something significant. Despite the high stakes in his hometown, Kendrick’s humor is evident; ultimately, we are discussing music. It’s all in good fun.”
Punch Calls Out Drake’s Missteps, Praises Kendrick’s Precision
Reflecting on Drake’s “Push Ups,” Punch expressed his initial thoughts: “My first reaction was that it just didn’t hit the mark. It was clever, but it lacked the depth needed to make a real impact. It simply wasn’t enough.”
Punch further dissected Drake’s moves, labeling “Taylor Made Freestyle” as a pivotal error. “I perceived it as a mockery of the West Coast. Such a stance has the power to unify the region, especially if there were any lingering divisions at the time.” He continued, critiquing Drake’s “Family Matters” in a similar vein: “I had the same impression as I did with ‘Push Ups’—it lacked substance. The anticipation built around these tracks set unrealistic expectations, and when they dropped, fans were left wanting more.”
When it came to Kendrick’s approach to the ongoing lyrical exchanges, Punch noted the strategic nature of Kendrick’s references and Easter eggs. “It was meticulously planned. While not every line was a calculated move, the majority were crafted with intention and purpose,” he concluded.
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