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Caught in the Kendrick Lamar-Drake Beef
Baka Not Nice, a longtime OVO affiliate, found himself in the crosshairs of the explosive 2024 feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. On Kendrick’s chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us,” he took a direct shot at Baka, rapping, “Baka got a weird case, why is he around? Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles.” That line sent shockwaves through the hip-hop world, reigniting scrutiny of Baka’s 2014 arrest in Toronto. Fans on X quickly picked up the lyric, with some questioning why Baka remains in Drake’s circle. Baka didn’t stay quiet—he clapped back on Instagram, posting “PAPERWORK. FACTS. OVO” after Drake’s response track “The Heart Part 6,” showing his loyalty to the 6 God.
Hot Freestyle Podcast: Baka Fires Back
Fast forward to April 2025, and Baka opened up on the Hot Freestyle podcast about the beef. He revealed he was ready to go hard at Kendrick, saying, “Where I come from, you can’t just call out a man without paperwork to back it up. It’s ludicrous.” Baka admitted the diss fueled his anger, especially seeing fans treat Kendrick’s claims like gospel. But Drake stepped in, messaging him to let it go, saying, “I know how you get down, but don’t listen to the noise—it’s just bots.” Baka called Kendrick’s accusations “ridiculous,” urging fans to do their own research and highlighting the impact on his family, including his kid.
Who Is Baka Not Nice?
Born Travis Savoury on March 6, 1979, in Toronto, Canada, Baka grew up in a tough environment that shaped his gritty outlook. He started as Drake’s security guard, a loyal friend who had Drizzy’s back during beefs like the one with Sauce Walka. Baka transitioned into music, contributing vocals to Drake’s tracks like “From Time” on Nothing Was the Same (2013) and “Free Smoke” on More Life (2017). In 2017, he signed to OVO Sound and Warner Records, dropping his debut single “Live Up to My Name,” which peaked at number 77 on the Canadian Hot 100. Despite his rise, Baka’s past includes convictions for armed robbery, assault, and drug trafficking, adding layers to his controversial persona.
Baka’s Music Journey and OVO Role
Baka didn’t stop at being Drake’s muscle—he carved out his own lane in hip-hop. His early contributions to Drake’s catalog, like the outro to “Free Smoke” with the line “Baka, yeah, we live,” showed his raw energy. After signing to OVO Sound in 2017, he released projects like the 2018 EP 4Milli, featuring tracks like “Money in the Bank,” and the 2019 EP No Long Talk, with songs like “My Town” paying homage to Toronto. Baka’s music reflects his street life, blending gritty bars with trap beats that resonate with OVO fans. He’s also a symbol of OVO’s street credibility, bringing a different flavor to a roster with artists like PartyNextDoor. In a 2023 MuchMusic interview, Baka explained his name’s origin, saying, “If you go at Drake, you’re going to see ‘not nice,’” but clarified it doesn’t extend to women, showing a softer side.
The “Weird Case”: What Really Happened?
Let’s unpack the line that sparked it all: “Baka got a weird case, why is he around?” In June 2014, Baka was arrested in Toronto, charged with forcing a 22-year-old woman into prostitution, assaulting her, and taking her money. The woman, an escort in an on-and-off relationship with Baka, told police he pushed her to the floor during an argument after she found him passed out drunk with food burning in the oven. She called the cops a week later. In 2015, Baka pleaded guilty to assault and firearm violations, but the prostitution and trafficking charges were dropped when the woman refused to testify. Sentenced to six months, he walked free after ten months in custody. Drake celebrated his release, posting on Instagram, “Baka finally home!!!!!” and rapping about him on “Know Yourself.” Kendrick’s lyric reignited debate, with some fans on X calling Baka’s OVO presence a red flag, while others argue the dropped charges clear him. The question lingers—why is Baka still around?
A Toronto Tale of Loyalty and Drama
Baka Not Nice’s story is a raw slice of hip-hop’s intersection with street life. He’s a Toronto native who turned his loyalty to Drake into a music career, but his past keeps casting a shadow. Is he a misunderstood artist trying to rise above his history, or does his rap sheet tell a different story? We want to hear from you—should Baka still be in OVO after all this? Is Kendrick’s diss a fair shot, or is he reaching? Drop your thoughts in the comments below
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