Rocky weighs in on the biggest rap battle of the decade and DRAGS Drake for running to lawyers!
A$AP Rocky just said what we’ve ALL been thinking! The Harlem rapper recently sat down with ELLE magazine and gave his unfiltered take on the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar beef that dominated 2024 and is STILL making waves in 2025. And honey, he didn’t hold back – especially when it came to Drake’s decision to sue Universal Music Group!
“IT WAS HEALTHY FOR HIP-HOP”
Let’s start with what Rocky got RIGHT. When asked about the legendary battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky said exactly what hip-hop purists have been saying:
“It was healthy for hip-hop. The battle was between Kendrick and Drake, not Drake and everybody else who might have said something at that time, and that’s mainly why I fell back.”
Why Rocky’s Right About This
Rap battles are FUNDAMENTAL to hip-hop culture! This is how the culture was BUILT! Before multi-million dollar deals and streaming numbers, hip-hop was about who had the best bars, the wittiest punchlines, and the most creative disses.
The Drake-Kendrick beef brought that essence BACK. It reminded everyone why we fell in love with hip-hop in the first place:
- Creativity: Both artists pushed themselves to craft clever disses
- Competition: The hunger to be the best drove better music
- Engagement: Fans were INVESTED in analyzing every bar
- Culture: It felt like old-school hip-hop energy
Rocky is one of many figures in hip-hop to applaud the rap battle – a fundamental and foundational element of hip-hop culture that showcases a rapper’s creativity.
BUT THEN DRAKE HAD TO RUIN IT WITH LAWSUITS
Here’s where Rocky’s mood shifted from appreciation to DISGUST. When the topic turned to Drake suing Universal Music Group over Kendrick’s “Not Like Us,” Rocky didn’t mince words:
“I just hate the way it’s turning out with [Drake] suing and all that.”
“WHAT PART OF THE GAME IS THAT?!”
Rocky’s frustration represents what MOST of hip-hop is feeling right now. When you lose a rap battle, you have options:
- Take the L and move on
- Come back harder with better bars
- Focus on making hit records
- Let your success speak for itself
What DON’T you do? Sue your record label claiming defamation and illegal promotion tactics! That’s not hip-hop. That’s not the culture. That’s… well, that’s what Drake did.
WHY ROCKY STAYED OUT OF IT (MOSTLY)
He Almost Got Involved
Rocky wasn’t completely on the sidelines. Back in March 2025, he previewed an unreleased track from his “Don’t Be Dumb” album during his Rolling Loud California 2025 set. And let’s just say the lyrics made it VERY clear whose side he was on (hint: not Drake’s).
But Rocky made a conscious choice to step back. The rapper emphasized that “the battle was between Kendrick and Drake, not Drake and everybody else who might have said something at that time, and that’s mainly why I fell back”.
The Respect Game
This shows MATURITY and respect for hip-hop culture. Rocky recognized:
- This wasn’t his battle to fight
- Jumping in would dilute the one-on-one competition
- The beef was better served as a direct battle
- Sometimes the best move is to watch and let the real competitors handle it
That’s the mark of someone who UNDERSTANDS hip-hop!
📊 THE BEEF THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
How It All Started
The beef escalated in spring 2024 when Kendrick appeared on Future and Metro Boomin’s track and took shots at Drake. What followed was a back-and-forth that had the entire hip-hop world watching:
- Drake responded with multiple tracks
- Kendrick came back with devastating diss records
- The internet picked apart every bar
- Fans chose sides and defended their favorites
“Not Like Us” Ended It
Then Kendrick dropped “Not Like Us” and it was OVER. The song:
- Topped the Billboard charts
- Became a cultural anthem
- Earned Kendrick FIVE MORE GRAMMYS (on top of his already impressive collection)
- Essentially declared him the winner in the court of public opinion
The Pulitzer Prize-winning artist proved once again why he’s considered one of the greatest to ever do it.
THE LAWSUIT THAT EMBARRASSED HIP-HOP
What Drake Actually Did
In January 2025, Drake filed a petition and then sued Universal Music Group (UMG) – which is BOTH his AND Kendrick’s record label – in the Southern District Court of New York. His claims?
- The song was defamatory
- UMG promoted “Not Like Us” using illegal tactics
- The label favored Kendrick over him
Why This Is So Bad for Drake’s Image
Let’s break down why this lawsuit is a TERRIBLE look:
1. You’re Suing Your Own Label The same company that made you a superstar and paid you millions? Yeah, that one.
2. It’s Against Hip-Hop Culture Rap battles are settled on wax, not in court. This goes against everything the culture stands for.
3. It Makes You Look Weak Instead of responding with better music, you’re crying to lawyers. That’s not the move, champ.
4. It Proves Kendrick Got Under Your Skin If the song didn’t bother you, why sue? The lawsuit itself confirms Kendrick won.
5. You’re Fighting Ghosts UMG promoted an artist’s song. That’s… literally their job? What’s illegal about that?
🎭 THE HYPOCRISY NOBODY’S TALKING ABOUT
Drake’s Own Controversial Move
Remember when Drake used AI-generated voices of Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg on his “Taylor Made Freestyle” diss track? That was questionable at BEST and disrespectful at WORST.
He faced MASSIVE backlash for using deceased legends’ voices without permission. But did Tupac’s estate sue Drake claiming defamation? Did Snoop take him to court? NO. They handled it through proper channels and public statements – not frivolous lawsuits.
So Drake can use controversial tactics in his disses, but when Kendrick simply… raps better… suddenly it’s time for legal action? Make it make sense!
WHAT THE CULTURE IS SAYING
Hip-Hop Legends Agree With Rocky
A$AP Rocky isn’t alone in his assessment. Numerous hip-hop figures have expressed similar sentiments:
- The beef itself? Great for the culture
- The competition? Exactly what hip-hop needs
- Drake’s lawsuit? Embarrassing and against the spirit of the game
The Younger Generation Watching
This beef has become a teaching moment for younger artists:
- THIS is how you compete lyrically
- THIS is how you engage in hip-hop battle
- And THIS (the lawsuit) is what NOT to do when you lose
🏆 WHO REALLY WON?
Let’s be honest about the scoreboard:
KENDRICK:
- “Not Like Us” was a smash hit ✅
- Won 5 more Grammys ✅
- Gained respect across hip-hop ✅
- Reminded everyone he’s a generational talent ✅
- Handled it all with music, no lawsuits ✅
DRAKE:
- Made some diss tracks
- Lost in public opinion
- Sued his own record label
- Became a meme
- Lost credibility in hip-hop culture
The winner? CLEARLY Kendrick. And the lawsuit just confirmed it.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HIP-HOP
The Positive Impact
Rocky’s right that the beef was healthy for several reasons:
- Quality Control: Competition breeds excellence
- Fan Engagement: People were INVESTED in hip-hop again
- Cultural Relevance: Hip-hop dominated conversations
- Artistic Growth: Both artists pushed their creative boundaries
The Concerning Trend
But Drake’s decision to sue sets a DANGEROUS precedent:
- What if artists start suing over every diss track?
- Does this mean beef has to be legally vetted?
- Will artists be afraid to compete lyrically?
- Is this the end of authentic hip-hop battle culture?
💭 ROCKY’S WISDOM
A$AP Rocky’s take shows the BALANCE hip-hop needs:
- Embrace healthy competition ✅
- Respect the one-on-one nature of battles ✅
- Know when to step back ✅
- Let the music speak ✅
- Keep lawyers OUT of rap beef ✅
This is what hip-hop OGs mean when they talk about respecting the culture. Rocky gets it. Kendrick gets it. Even the fans get it.
Drake? Not so much.
🎬 THE BOTTOM LINE
A$AP Rocky said what needed to be said: The Drake-Kendrick beef WAS healthy for hip-hop… until Drake decided to handle it like a corporate lawsuit instead of a hip-hop battle.
The culture needs competition. It needs artists pushing each other to be better. It needs fans debating who has the best bars. What it DOESN’T need is rappers running to court because they got outrapped.
Kendrick Lamar proved he’s one of the greatest to ever touch a mic. Drake proved… well, he proved he knows some good lawyers.
Hip-hop will continue to thrive on competition and creativity. And hopefully, future beefs will be settled where they belong – on wax, not in court.
🗣️ YOUR TAKE!
Do you agree with A$AP Rocky? Was the beef good for hip-hop? Should Drake have handled it differently? Is suing over a diss track the weakest move ever?
Drop your thoughts in the comments! Let’s discuss!
And remember: In hip-hop, you respond with BARS, not BRIEFS!
