A$AP Rocky is weighing in on the latest development in the ongoing fallout between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, particularly Drake’s surprising legal maneuver against Universal Music Group over Lamar’s chart-topping diss track, “Not Like Us.”
The Harlem rapper, whose cover story in ELLE was published Tuesday (Sept. 23), reflected on the lyrical clash that dominated spring 2024, producing standout tracks like Kendrick’s “Euphoria” and Drake’s fiery rebuttal “Family Matters,” which included digs at Rocky himself.
Still, Rocky chose not to jump into the fray.
“It was healthy for Hip-Hop,” A$AP said of the rivalry, noting that the duel reinvigorated rap’s competitive spirit. “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.”
But Rocky admitted his respect for the battle soured once Drake chose to take legal action over “Not Like Us,” a diss that went from a viral anthem to a cultural juggernaut, dominating charts and airwaves.
“I just hate the way it’s turning out with [Drake] suing and all that,” Rocky said. “What part of the game is that? What type of sh*t is that? That’s none of my business, I guess.”
Rocky’s critique carries an added weight considering his complicated history with Drake. Once collaborators and tourmates, their relationship has since fractured, reportedly accelerated by Rocky’s romance with Rihanna.
Drake and Rihanna’s on-again-off-again relationship had long been a fixture in pop culture, punctuated by musical hits like “Work” and “What’s My Name.”
But by 2018, Rihanna told Vogue that the two no longer maintained a friendship, citing the fallout from Drake’s public profession of love at the 2016 MTV VMAs.
“Waiting through that speech was probably the most uncomfortable part. I don’t like too many compliments; I don’t like to be put on blast,” she said at the time. “We don’t have a friendship now, but we’re not enemies either. It is what it is.”
Now, Rocky and Rihanna are partners and parents to two children, RZA and Riot, with hopes for more in the near future. RiRi is currently pregnant with their third.
Read A$AP Rocky’s ELLE cover story here.