Jay-Z's opinion on the Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud
JAKARTA - Musician and founder of Roc Nation, Jay-Z, gave his response regarding the heated feud involving two hip-hop giants, Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
As is known, the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, which peaked in 2024 and 2025, not only gave birth to a row of dis (diss tracks), but also led to a complex defamation lawsuit.
Jay-Z, who through Roc Nation was involved in the selection of the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show performers - where Kendrick performed the song "Not Like Us" - highlighted how the impact of this conflict on the pillars of hip-hop.
Beyoncé's husband explained that hip-hop is built on four main pillars, namely breakdancing, graffiti, DJ, and battling. However, he saw a worrying shift in the last pillar, amid technological and social media advances.
"The last pillar is battling. We all love the excitement and I love the training of the fight, but in this day and age, there are so many negative things attached to it that you almost wish it didn't happen," Jay-Z said in a recent interview with GQ.
Furthermore, the musician with the real name Shawn Corey Carter revealed his concern about the extreme polarization of fans due to the conflict. According to him, this feud has shifted from just a musical competition to a personal attack that damages one's character.
"Now, people who like Kendrick will hate Drake, whatever he does. It's like an attack on his character. I don't know if I like that. I doubt if the impact that is happening, especially on social media, is beneficial for our growth," he added.
Jay-Z also emphasized that the boundaries in battling have been exceeded when personal and family affairs are dragged in. He assessed that in the past conflicts could end quickly because of the absence of social media, but today technology actually extends the negative narrative.
"This has gone too far. It involves children in it. I don't like that. I may sound like a parent who is pointing fingers, but I think we can achieve the same thing through collaboration, instead of destroying everything," said Jay-Z.
On the other hand, the legal dispute between Drake and Universal Music Group regarding the song "Not Like Us" is still ongoing. Although the judge had rejected the lawsuit on the grounds of freedom of expression, Drake's party still appealed.
Meanwhile, Jay-Z is currently preparing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his classic album, "Reasonable Doubt" and the 25th anniversary of "The Blueprint", through a two-day concert at Yankee Stadium, New York, on July 10 and 11. He is also scheduled to be the main performer at the Roots Picnic festival in Philadelphia in May 2026.