Two Birds, One Stone

"Two Birds, One Stone"
Single by Drake
from the album More Life
Released	October 29, 2016
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2016
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:58
Writer(s)	Aubrey Graham Noah Shebib Kanye West Jon Castellani Joewel Francis
Producer(s)	40 Kanye West
Drake singles chronology
"Sneakin'" (2016) "Two Birds, One Stone" (2016) "Used to This" (2016)

"Two Birds, One Stone" is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake for his upcoming playlist, More Life. The song was released on October 29, 2016.^[1] Drake uses "Two Birds, One Stone" to diss Kid Cudi, Pusha T, and Meek Mill.^[2]

Background

Drake disses Pusha T (left) and Kid Cudi (right) in "Two Birds, One Stone". Meek Mill could be also be interpreted as a target in the song.

In 2015, Meek Mill sparked controversy by his revelation that Drake was the recipient of a reference track from Quentin Miller, as Drake appropriated the track onto Mill's song "R.I.C.O." without giving Miller any songwriting credit.^[3] This would label Miller as a ghostwriter for Drake, and the duo would engage in a feud as a result. Despite Drake and Mill responding to one another via diss tracks in 2015, additional replies to one another, either subliminally or through diss tracks, can be seen on Drake's 2016 album Views, as well as Mill's mixtape DC4.^[4][5]

While Drake and Kanye West were on the Summer Sixteen Tour and the Saint Pablo Tour respectively, former GOOD Music artist Kid Cudi criticized both Drake and West on his Twitter, stating that "[both men] are fake and cannot be regarded as legends", due to their use of ghostwriters.^[6] Drake and West both responded during their live shows, with many dismissing Cudi's action as a "desperate cry for attention".^[7][8] Meanwhile, GOOD Music signee Pusha T dissed Drake on the song "H.G.T.V.", further referencing Drake's usage of ghostwriters throughout the song.^[9]

Lyrics

Drake primarily seeks to diss both Pusha T and Kid Cudi during the song, although some lyrics can be interpreted as toward Mill.^[10]

Drake criticises Pusha T for promoting false stories of drug dealing in his songs:

Drake was criticised for mocking Cudi's depression.

But really it's you with all the drug dealer stories
That's gotta stop, though
You made a couple chops and now you think you Chapo
If you ask me though, you ain't lining the trunk with kilos
You bagging weed watching Pacino with all your niggas
Like, "This what we need to be on," but you never went live
You middle-man in this shit, boy, you was never them guys
I can tell, 'cause I look most of you dead in your eyes
And you'll be tryna sell that story for the rest of your lives

— Drake, "Two Birds, One Stone"^[11][12]

Drake also disses Kid Cudi, that leads to controversy.

You were the man on the moon
Now you just go through your phases
Life of the angry and famous
Rap like I know I'm the greatest
Then give you tropical flavours
Still never been on hiatus
You stay xanned and perked up
So when reality set in, you don't gotta face it

— Drake, "Two Birds, One Stone"^[13][14]

Controversy

Drake received criticism in the manner in which he dissed Cudi, who checked himself into psychiatric rehabilitation for depression and suicidal urges a few days prior.^[15] Despite West appearing to squash the beef between him and Cudi by labelling Cudi as "his brother" and "the most influential artist of the last decade",^[16] Drake's remarks would remain, later responding on his Instagram with the notion of continuing the beef between the pair.^[17][18] A few days later, however, Cudi would responded to Drake on his Twitter, saying "Say it to face, pussy. You think it's a game. I wanna see you say it to my face. I'll be out soon. Promise."^[19]

Charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20]	64
US Billboard Hot 100[21]	73
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[22]	31

References

1. "Drake new music - Fake Love and Two Birds, One Stone". Teen Vogue. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
2. "Drake - Two Birds, One Stone lyrics". Genius. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
3. Angela Stephanou (July 22, 2015). "Meek Mill Says Drake Doesn't Write His Own Raps In Twitter Rant". Retrieved July 22, 2015. Stop comparing drake to me too.... He don't write his own raps! That's why he ain't tweet my album because we found out!
4. "Drake Fires Back at Meek Mill on ‘Charged Up’ | Rap-Up". rap-up.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
5. "Meek Mill hits back at Drake with diss track 'Wanna Know'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
6. "Kid Cudi Lashes Out At Fakes and Haters". HipHopEarly. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
7. "Drake Wastes No Time Responding To Kid Cudi During 'Summer Sixteen' Tour". Vibe. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
8. "Kanye West Hits Back at Kid Cudi Over Damning Twitter Comments". highsnobiety.com. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
9. "New Music - Pusha T's H.G.T.V.". Rap-Up. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
10. "Drake - Two Birds, One Stone lyrics". Genius. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
11. "Drake - Two Birds, One Stone - Note 10710053". Genius. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
12. "Drake - Two Birds, One Stone Lyrics". exposedlyrics.com. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
13. "Drake - Two Birds, One Stone - Note 10710012". Genius. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
14. "Drake - Two Birds, One Stone Lyrics". exposedlyrics.com. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
15. "Twitter reacts to Drake's Two Birds, One Stone". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
16. "Kanye West Makes Peace Offering, Calls Kid Cudi 'Most Influential Artist of the Past 10 Years'". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
17. "Drake responded to criticism on Instagram". Genius. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
18. "Drake want to apologize for his diss to Kid Cudi". Genius. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
19. "The Choosen One - Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
20. "Drake – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Drake. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
21. "Drake – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Drake. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
22. "Drake – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Drake. Retrieved November 8, 2016.