Yasiin Bey (f.k.a. Mos Def) took to social media to clarify his recent critique of Drake‘s music, explaining that his comments weren’t a personal attack but rather his own opinion and expectations of other artists.
In a lengthy video on Instagram, the Black Star rapper shared, “First of all, I don’t hate anyone. My opinion is mine. It’s legal in all states, as far as I’m aware. It was not an opportunity to try to slander him or to clown on him.” He added that he prefers talking to people directly rather than “a screen,” and that he has reached out to Drizzy but has not received a response at the time of making the video. Bey also revealed that asked comedian Dave Chappelle to reach out to the Toronto rapper.
“I will say this — the young man is very talented. He’s been able to be very successful with that talent, and I have no issue with his success or anything that he’s been able to achieve as a result of his talent,” Bey added, further noting that his intentions are not to “participate” in the “mean-spirited or unfair” criticism of Drizzy. “I’ve never had no issue with you personally — I don’t know you well enough to have any sort of issue with you in that regard. Nonetheless, it’s not sacrilegious to have a critique or opinion of a public figure, particularly one of that magnitude in current, modern culture.”
“You are a very talented MC. But for me, I require more of myself and others than just talent or charm or charisma — particularly in times of urgent crisis,” Bey said. “What I would like to see, in terms of creators or creative people in the world as it relates to our culture, is for people to connect with us beyond the jukebox or the dance floor.”
“A fair-weather friend can hardly be called a friend at all,” he continued. “The people that party with you, that’s cool, but will they show up if you at the triage, or you in a crisis situation?”
Bey’s message stems from the comments he made on The Cutting Room Floor podcast earlier this month, where he called Drake’s catalog mainstream pop instead of hip-hop. “In the sense like if I was in Target in Houston and I heard a Drake song… It feels like a lot of his music is compatible with shopping… You know, shopping with an edge in certain instances,” he stated.
