Is it healthy competition between two very similar artists, or is Kanye West legitimately threatened by Drake‘s meteoric rise?

Their musical lanes are similar. Their lyrical content finds them pining over personal issues while dealing with fame. Both have tried their hand at singing, with a little help from AutoTune. Both artists are hip-hop heads who appreciate talent. They both give respect to the underground. Kanye and Drake are also cut from the cloth of educated emcees who enjoy the finer things in life. Although they’re entirely different people, they both occupy and cater to a certain demographic.

Hip-hop’s a competitive sport; one where every artist wants to be the best and competition is the name of the game. Whether it be subliminal or overt, competitive juices sometimes overflow and result in verbal sparring over record. That isn’t the case here. There are other means of which artists compete that are much more subtle. In the case of these two talents, there has been a growing conspiracy as to whether or not Kanye West and Drake are having a healthy competition or if it is something the fans are drumming up out of their own imagination.

What are the grounds for this conspiracy theory?

- Kanye directed Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” video. The video—which featured bouncing breasts in a basketball game—was considered a failure on many levels for a song that was such a huge smash. A week later, Kid CuDi‘s “Make Her Say” video was released to great praise. Kanye was at the helm again, but this video was praised for its excellent imagery and colors. Cudi’s signed to ‘Ye’s G.O.O.D. Music label and both CuDi and Drake began their rise at roughly the same time.

- In the midst of the past week of Drake leaks, Kanye released the buzz single off his upcoming album Good Ass Job titled “Power.” Many viewed it as a strategic leak to prove he’s still the big dog on the yard.

- The day Drake’s debut album Thank Me Later hit the net in its entirety, Kanye “officially” released the mixed and mastered version of “Power” on his website. Again, it was viewed as a move to eclipse Drake.

In most spirited confrontations, the term ‘There Can Only Be One’ is often the mantra. This isn’t to say Kanye is out to extinguish Drake’s career. He may be merely trying to reinforce to Drake and the general public that he’s the big attraction in hip-hop. Drake’s the new kid on the block with a ton of hype. He has a long way from establishing himself like Kanye has over the years with an extensive portfolio. But perhaps Mr. West is snuffing out a potential threat before it actually begins to cut into his fan base.

If you remember, Kanye West felt Jay-Z was giving him the little brother treatment and addressed it on the song “Big Brother.” Although there’s a mutual respect between both artists, you know deep down inside ‘Ye wanted to surpass his “big brother.” It appears Drake’s in a similar position as Kanye was a few years ago. Maybe Drake doesn’t have aspirations to immediately surpass Kanye, but there are some who see Kanye as putting Drake in his correct place—behind him.

But without any hardcore facts, it’s merely a conspiracy. Nothing more and nothing less.

Here’s what Twitter had to say about the proposed conspiracy:

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