American hip-hop icon and billionaire music executive Jay-Z has denied claims that he took sides in the ongoing rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
In a recent interview with GQ, Jay-Z addressed speculation that his decision to select Kendrick Lamar as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show indicated favoritism over Drake. He clarified that the choice was based solely on Lamar’s outstanding musical year.
“I chose the guy that was having a monster year, it wasn’t in some sort of alliance to a battle,” Jay-Z stated, emphasizing that the decision was about artistic merit, not industry politics.
He also questioned the necessity of hip-hop beef and rap battles, highlighting the negative effects on the music community. Jay-Z noted that rival fanbases often attack artists’ personal lives, including their children, which he believes is harmful and unnecessary.
“The industry gains more when we focus on music rather than beef. Personal attacks and character assassination don’t help anyone,” he added, suggesting that hip-hop could thrive further without the culture of rivalry.
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