The Al Green Sample on Kendrick’s “6:16 In LA” Has a Connection to Drake’s Family

This isn’t the first time Kendrick has alluded to Drake’s family. On “Like That,” the song that kickstarted the beef, Kendrick alluded to Michael Jackson and Prince’s feud, which was aided by Drizzy continually comparing himself to MJ.

“Motherfuck the big three, n***a, it’s just big me / N***a, bum, what? I’m really like that,” Kendrick rapped in the track. “And your best work is a light pack / N***a, Prince outlived Mike Jack’ / N***a, bum, ‘fore all your dogs gettin’ buried / That’s a K with tall these nines, he go’ see Pet Sematary / N***a, bum.”

Drake’s uncle Larry Graham, who was a vocalist and bassist and performed in both Sly and the Family Stone and Graham Central Station, worked with Prince multiple times. Before his death, Prince said he loved Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly. It should also be pointed out that the cover art for “6:16 in LA” features a black glove, which could be another reference to MJ. The closing line makes another reference to the King of Pop, too: “Before you figure that you’re not alone, ask what Mike would do?”