Jay-Z has said that the Drake-Kendrick Lamar rivalry has crossed a line and is no longer just about music.
The music record executive also distanced himself from the ongoing tension between the superstars.
Speaking in a recent interview with GQ, the hip-hop mogul said that while competition is part of the culture, the personal turn of the feud raises concerns.
“Now, people that like Kendrick hate Drake, no matter what he makes. It’s like an attack on his character. I don’t know if I love that. I don’t know if it’s helpful to our growth where the fallout lands, especially on social media,” he said.
Jay-Z was particularly critical of how the conflict has extended beyond lyrical exchanges. “It’s too far. It’s bringing people’s kids in it. I don’t like that. I sound like the old guy wagging his finger, but I think we can achieve the same thing,” he said.
“I could stand it before because there was no social media. You had the battle and it was fun and then you moved on. Right now, I don’t know if I could stand it with the technology that we have,” he added.
Jay-Z’s comments come on the heels of speculation around his role, particularly in selecting Kendrick Lamar as a 2025 Super Bowl performer. He, however, clarified that he chose the better artiste at the moment.
“I chose the guy that was having a monster year. I think it was the right choice. What do I care about them two guys battling? What’s that got to do with me? Have at it. They drag everybody in it, like everyone’s part of this conspiracy to undermine Drake, I guess,” he clarified.
While acknowledging the creative output the rivalry produced, he questioned its overall impact on the culture.
“I love the idea that we got so much music in such a short period of time. Just everything around it was like, ‘Man, this is taking us a couple steps back,’” he said.
“We’ve just grown so much that — I guess I’m going to say it — I don’t know if battling needs to be part of the culture anymore.”
For his part, Kendrick Lamar maintained that his focus remains on artistry. “I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling through all my catalogue and my history of music.”
Drake and Lamar’s feud dates back to 2013, when the former responded to the latter’s verse on Big Sean’s song ‘Control’. It escalated in 2024 with Lamar’s lyrics in the song ‘Like That’.
