American hip-hop icon and business mogul Jay-Z has dismissed claims that he took sides in the ongoing rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
Speaking in a recent interview with GQ, the Roc Nation boss addressed speculation that his decision to select Kendrick Lamar for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show was influenced by the feud.
According to him, the choice had nothing to do with any allegiance, but was purely based on performance and impact over the year.
“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 also questioned the relevance of rap beefs in today’s music landscape, suggesting that such rivalries may do more harm than good.
He pointed out that these conflicts often deepen divisions within the industry and sometimes escalate into personal attacks and character criticism.
The music executive further expressed concern over how fan rivalries can spill over into artists’ private lives, even dragging their families and children into unnecessary controversies.
In his view, the hip-hop industry stands to benefit more from unity and collaboration than from ongoing feuds and battles.
