Fatimah Otunsanya
American hip-hop icon and billionaire music executive, Jay-Z, has denied taking sides in the beef between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
In a recent interview with GQ, the HOV crooner debunked claims that he chose sides by picking Kendrick Lamar over Drake for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
He explained that he chose Kendrick Lamar to headline the Super Bowl because he was having a great year, music wise.
I chose the guy that was having a monster year, it wasn’t in some sort of alliance to a battle,” he stated.
Jay-Z said he is unsure if hip-hop beef and rap battles are necessary anymore, stressing that it divides the industry and leads to personal attacks and character assassination.
He also lamented about rival fans attacking artists’ personal lives, including their children.
The Roc Nation boss stated that he believes that hip-hop will gain more without beef and rap battles.
Multiple reactions trailed his comments, formed basis for criticism on X (formerly twitter) while many opposed his statement some agreed with him.
