Last March in “Family Matters,” Drake infamously said, “Kendrick just opened his mouth, someone go hand him a Grammy,” during their back-and-forth diss tracks. When the Grammys rolled around, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” won five Grammys, including awards for both song and music video. While “Not Like Us” was widely praised, Drake’s comment raises a broader question about how greatness in hip-hop is measured—some artists seem to receive significantly more favoritism from music critics than others. The same debate exists in professional sports: this NFL season, Lamar Jackson outperformed Josh Allen in nearly every statistical category, yet Allen won the MVP award. This begs the question: what truly makes someone the greatest in their field?
Future, born Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn in 1983, is an Atlanta-based rapper, singer, and songwriter known for pioneering modern trap music. His signature blend of auto-tuned melodies, raw lyricism, and dark, hedonistic themes have reshaped hip-hop’s sonic landscape. As 50 Cent, one of the most popular rappers during the early 2000s, once noted, “[Future is] way bigger [than Jay-Z]. There’s consistent music from him that didn’t chart that [are] huge records that people love and appreciate.” When you consider the evolution of Future’s discography—from early mixtapes like “1000,” “True Story,” and “Astronaut Status” to breakthrough projects like “Monster” or “DS2”—you see a blueprint that not only changed the sound of rap but also redefined what it means to consistently innovate.
While modern debates over rap’s greatest artists often include names like Jay-Z, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar, their influence and consistency pale in comparison to Future’s. Jay-Z, for instance, is hailed as one of hip-hop’s greatest businessmen. He has a billion-dollar net worth, yet his musical evolution was largely built on foundations laid by Tupac and Biggie. Jay-Z’s influence on the genre’s sound is minimal compared to Future, whose album “Monster” introduced a new era with hits like “Throw Away” and “Codeine Crazy,” and is considered by Firebird Magazine to be the greatest trap album of all time. This record marked the beginning of an era where melodic, auto-tuned trap music would dominate, a trend that continues today.
In this evolving musical landscape, individual artists have taken distinct approaches to adopt and innovate within this newly established genre. Drake, undoubtedly one of the most commercially successful artists in history, has built his career on adaptability by constantly borrowing from emerging trends and styles, while Future has been responsible for creating and cementing new sounds. His collaboration with Future on “What a Time to Be Alive” illustrates this dynamic perfectly: Future was the trendsetter whose innovative sound propelled the project, while Drake capitalized on its commercial appeal after Future released his greatest album: “DS2.”
DS2, considered one of the greatest trap albums of all time by the rap community, demonstrates a consistent evolution that continues to define hip-hop’s mainstream sound. This album was Future’s first to peak at number one on the Billboard Top 200 and spent 300 weeks in the top 200. Tracks like “Where Ya At,” “Thought It Was a Drought,” and “F*ck Up Some Commas” became trap anthems.
Two years later, Future’s versatility was on full display in 2017 when he released two back-to-back albums that again peaked at number 1 on Billboard’s Top 200, “Future” and “HNDRXX,” just a week apart. While Future leaned into hard-hitting trap anthems like “Draco” and “Mask Off,” his album “HNDRXX” explored a more melodic, R&B-infused side, giving us introspective hits like “Comin Out Strong” and “My Collection.”
While Drake’s sound often follows the trends, Kendrick Lamar takes a different approach—one that prioritizes depth and narrative. Kendrick Lamar is celebrated for his lyricism and storytelling, but his impact on hip-hop’s daily evolution is significantly weaker than Future’s. Lamar releases music sporadically, often disappearing for years between albums. While his projects receive critical acclaim, their influence is primarily felt in intellectual and analytical discussions rather than in the actual sound of mainstream hip-hop.
Future, on the other hand, has consistently delivered music that defines and shapes contemporary rap. His presence in the industry is constant, ensuring his influence is always felt. Lamar’s storytelling is powerful, but Future’s ability to craft both anthems and deeply personal records gives him a more comprehensive grip on the culture.
Lamar’s most recent album, GNX, received mixed reviews with Pitchfork arguing that the album’s authenticity is marred by a “heavy-handed, brand-conscious narrative,” and the production feels “too clean and synthetic.” Regardless, this lackluster performance still landed Lamar the biggest performance of the year—the Super Bowl halftime show. While Lamar’s albums are monumental, their cultural saturation fades between releases. Future’s consistency and the sheer volume of high-quality music ensure that he remains more relevant to rap listeners and hip-hop evolution on a day-to-day basis.
Beyond individual records, Future’s influence is felt across the entire genre. Artists such as Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott, and Playboi Carti all bear traces of Future’s blueprint. His pioneering use of auto-tune, atmospheric beats, and the blending of rapping with singing has changed how hip-hop sounds, adding emotional depth to a genre once criticized for surface-level bravado. Moreover, Future’s role in popularizing the surprise drop culture and rethinking digital distribution has forced the industry to adapt—another testament to his forward-thinking approach.
By developing this culture, where artists or brands release new content, such as albums, singles, merchandise, or sneakers, unexpectedly or with minimal promotion, Future has changed how artists structure albums and mixtapes, making this once unconventional method now a standard practice in the industry. His mixtape-era dominance has made free music an expectation, forcing major labels to rethink their approach to digital distribution.
Future’s career is a case study in redefining an era. His early mixtapes laid the groundwork, “Pluto” announced his arrival, and albums like “Monster,” “Beast Mode,” and “56 Nights” solidified his place as the architect of the modern trap. The landmark album “DS2” set a precedent for how trap music could evolve into both anthemic club hits and introspective records.
Ultimately, the debate over greatness in modern rap isn’t solely about lyrical prowess or critical acclaim—it’s about influence, consistency, and the power to reshape an era. While Kendrick Lamar’s intermittent brilliance and Drake’s commercial adaptability have their merits, Future’s unyielding stream of innovative music, as evidenced by his extensive discography, proves he is the true architect of modern trap. His music not only defines a generation but continues to influence and propel the genre forward every single day.
Luke Wagner ’26 (lukewagner@college.harvard.edu) is the Vice President of the Independent.