Kendrick won but we lost

[@deepeyton]

It’s crazy that you came with this video. I woke up today and said man, I’ve been too distracted with this bs. Let me get back to learning or healing content. Truthfully all of this is much a do about nothing in terms of how we grow as a collective. So I totally understand why you say this.

[@ITISKONY]

If this could make lose focus, then it's more to do about you than the rap.🤦🏾‍♂️

[@rasaanshakur9491]

Lmaooo you scared

[@christinagbor]

Tupac shot 2 cops.... Drake has no hands on any kind of trigger. Chill.

[@qdontae6]

I just commented on that my theory is tweak the backgrounds and morals and it’s the same thing!! Think about it

[@rasaanshakur9491]

Dude either not black American or work for the government lol. This really a wild take

[@MonteYRM]

hip hop started with freestyle battles it's a competitive genre it's not "bloodlust"

[@wnttalk]

Are the two things mutually exclusive?

[@MonteYRM]

@@wnttalk No, but they're not one in the same either so you can't just contribute it to the latter.

[@wnttalk]

@@MonteYRM So you can appreciate both points without insinuating that I think that our bloodlust is a result of hiphop right?

[@MonteYRM]

@@wnttalk I wasn't insinuating anything. You said in your video that the reason why hip-hop culture craves battles is "bloodlust". I simply disagreed with that and told you why citing the history of the genre.

[@Drealistalive]

I appreciate your take as someone who is from the motherland. Keep in mind that your take on the state of hip hop is, though valid, a very old one. One of the first to talk about hip hop dying was Nas over 20 years ago. But even though it's been used, abused and defiled by white execs, it still remains resilient and the dominant genre nation wide. That's because it's tied to a resilient, respected, and dominant culture. Our culture. And we simply need to take back control of it. So we can police it properly like we did during the days of its inception. Dispite many people's best efforts, hip hop isn't going anywhere anytime soon and no genre before it or after it (right now anyway) has what it takes to over take it. The fact that many of the most popular afrobeat artists are rapping tells you everything you need to know.

[@MrBrown2.7]

Agreed. It will not die. However it does need to be recalibrated from the violence.

[@Drealistalive]

@@MrBrown2.7 exactly, away from the senseless violence. That's us taking back control and policing it like we used to, as I mentioned before.

[@justinwebb01]

Kendrick is preserving the culture.

[@rollingwithchuckg]

Kendrick wasn’t shielded from the streets

[@rasaanshakur9491]

No such thing in Compton 💯

[@SammyIvories86]

I gotta disagree, respectfully. Competitiveness in Hiphop is not a re-brand of negative behavior. You brought up 1.) attention to detail, 2.) defining culture by productive things, 3.) gate keeping the culture, 4.) being strategic… 1.) Attention to detail in this battle was everything. All the reaction and prediction videos dissected every detail as a collective from every song on each artist. 2.) The economy surrounding this beef helped boost a lot of YT, Rumble, and TikTok channels. Those channels were working and being productive. 3.) Isn’t this entire beef predicated on Kendrick “othering” Drake? Not to mention other bonus commentary that came from this such as what happened to Vlad 4.) Kendrick by example has shown the entire world what strategy looks like and how using strategy against a machine like Drake (industry fave) is beneficial. So I’d then ask you… The productivity you say American Hiphop lacks, where is it present anywhere else, and if present is there an absence of influence from American Hiphop from among that populace?

[@RCCrosby]

Drake is more like R. Kelly than Tupac

[@vcreed79]

Definitely r. Kelly

[@singingchef23]

As a long time subscriber, not sure how well you thought this out, nor am i truly that deeply interested. But as someone born at the end of the 70s, hip hop for my generation was defiance, a voice, and an outlet. We got tired of only seeing David Bowie on MTV and getting Rakim, KRS 1, represented our voice. The need to be "real" csme from being able to identify with the artist. I was never the hardcore or gangster rap and flowed towards Arrested Development, PM Dawn, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Gangstar, XClan, Del the Funky Homosapien, OG Ed and the Bulldogs. But like anything is has flavors for everyone. My larger issue is acting as if Grown Folks, Bus Driver, Tobie Nwigwe, MF DOOM dont exist. Mainstream isnt the ONLG option

[@justinwebb01]

This is my story.

[@runwaygina]

Rakim, KRS 1 and the like were reflecting the times. Their art was art imitating life and reflecting life. I agree with what he said, now we’re in the era where life is imitating art. True there are artists now that challenge this narrative, but the majority of mainstream rappers now are actors. They don’t live the life they rap about, or are using a persona to make money.

[@singingchef23]

How is hip hop any different from any other genre of music? NIN I wanna eff you like an animal? Johnny Cash i shot a man in reni, i can run down the list. Hell "Youre so vain" by carly simon is a diss track about Warren Beaty, I cant Go for that by Hall and Oats a diss track to the record label. We are not the flag bearers pf beef nor will i aceept constant bashing all things black American ​@@runwaygina

[@roshodsingleton1615]

2pac didn't graduate high school. And was homeless with a mother on Crack. But OK

[@libraalibaba]

J Cole graduated high school and college but grew up with a mother addicted to Crack. Drake also grew up with his mother the difference is his mother's side of the family had alot of influence and pull on his upbringing.

[@t.murchison]

While I get your overall point and I concede that you are right in your intentions, but... Kendrick is attempting to gatekeep and keep this artform somewhat pure by holding those accountable who exploit and vulturize it for profit and fame. It was not intended to be the glamorization of hood culture but the explaining and expounding which equates to empathy and understanding and ultimately in some cases a healing mechanism for those who carry baggage from the lifestyle. All set to a dope beat, "Healing frequencies"

[@t.murchison]

@willih830 The jab at anyone claiming to be the best was friendly competition. Which is healthy for the sport/Art.

[@quindaniels5149]

I wanted to let you know your channel is appreciated man. I started watching when Kevin Samuels was a wagging his peak and I was a BIG redpill guy then. It’s been some years and I’m in a much more grounded place than before so I’m out of that community but your channel has had a huge impact on my weekly life going through long work hours. Appreciate you doing what you’re doing and God appreciates you using what you’ve been giving to contribute to humanity.

[@ITISKONY]

Dude, you're out of your mind. Drake is Tu what? 😂😂

[@E.P.7131]

DaBaby can rap! He has talent, not just controversy.

[@mrt094]

I was confused by that. Didn't he shoot that dude when he was already famous?

[@jaefreeman3086]

I'm not a big Tupac but this comparison doesnt hold much weight. Tupac was born into a pan-african revolutionary family. He got into fights and was involved in brawls and shootouts. But his content and philosophy was always consistent. He wasnt just that character in the studio. In the streets, in the club or wherever else he was true to that character. How you compare that to Drake is baffling, honestly. Outside of both rapping and acting they really dont have anything in common. Pac was raised pan-african and black panther. Drake was raised euro-canadian jewish.

[@joejett5084]

😂😂😂😂😂 you guys make up and select ideas to fit your cult of personality or what I like to call the ghetto Zeus and this is why drake has made it this far in hip hop and my man is right for the comparison. The best way to fit or embody a role is to be of it. Pac has roots within the black experience and fight to better that black experience but the culture has decided long ago that we don’t care about being black, it’s about the money and the glamour, enters drizzy. Pac is absolutely not loved because of his black empowerment talk but because of his drama and vitriol towards other blacks and his self righteous and hypocritical actions packaged as love for his black people. Pac didn’t become popular until he became gangsta, this is the culture. Nobody and I absolutely mean this and you know this, nobody cares about no damn black panthers, ask a blood and crip about that. Have you started any community services to continue the legacy of the black panthers? Has anybody? We have to distinguish the difference between the talent and who the individual is. Pac could have changed as he aged but he was definitely using his talent to hustle the people just like Umar Johnson and many other pro blacks. It’s 2024, being pro black is a hustle. How does this relate to drake? What really matters to blacks is being cool and having the ability harm other blacks subjugated by a system that marginalizes them. Instead of fighting that system and understanding the spiritual battle that we’re engulfed in, we are focused by visceral, worldly forces and blinded by its great deception. We are moved by the spectacle and not principle. This comes from a lack of identity which ties into a lack of purpose. Men have to cultivate and uphold cultural standards by any means necessary or we will allow curses to run rampant amongst the people. If anything isn’t healthy for our life then it has no purpose within the culture. Beef rap shouldn’t be moving the culture. If we were really moved by Pac then Lupe Fiasco would be as big as Drake.

[@Chris1200923]

@@joejett5084 nobody reading all that. drake is not pac and will never be. sorry not sorry

[@rasaanshakur9491]

@@joejett5084 Kendrick is better than Lupe and as big as Drake.

[@tg-ol7nx]

@@joejett5084 I respect your thoughts and i agree with your second to last paragraph. However Pac was admired because of his pro black stances as well his persona, it could be argued that had he not had pro black foundations would not have been relevant today.There were tons of gangster rappers who were killed in the 90s, who's names we don't remember. The Bloods and Crips admire the legacy of the panthers greatly , The new black panthers does exist and was active when Pac was alive as well as today . Many organization including the new black panthers have implemented community actions programs ect. I must emphasize how much the black panther party is respected in los angeles, Bunchy Carters contributions, and the unique history of that chapter is storied and many. Lupe Fiasco is a personal favorite of mine, however your being disingenuous. Had Lupe Fiasco got the push of drake or Pac by the industry he would be Huge. I mean to you point what other rapper got two albums held back from release and the public outcry was so bad that the execs had to release it ? Lupe was so moving that public demanded him. The label wanted to shelf him. In this way he is one of if not the greatest accolades of all time. No other rapper can say they had albums shelved by the label and the demand was so great that the label had to release the album not once but twice.No to little promotion, bad mouthing their own artist and cutting songs from the album that he made music videos for and still the public wanted him. Lupe may be the most effective at moving people more than any rapper in history .

[@joejett5084]

@@tg-ol7nx people say that they loved Pac because is his pro black talk but it’s really was his death row run and dissing other rappers. If it was about black love then the early 90s rappers would get just as respect as him because he wasn’t the only one. Queen latifah would be as loved as pac if that was the case. Latifah rapped, she acted, she played the thug in a movie and has a love for black people but nobody thinks about her even if we’re just talking about great female rappers. If tupacs draw was his love for blacks then his passion would continue to grow through us but people are lying and don’t want to appear as childish monsters. 2pacalypse now would of outsold all eyes on me if this was the truth. People love drama and to watch black men self destruct. They’ll give pac all the praise in the world but nobody said hey brother, stop, this ain’t it. I not too familiar with Cali is doing with their hood politics but a vast majority of people don’t know what the panthers were about. I remember a black guy was trying to tell me that they were the black kkk.

[@kenzam5537]

5:39 excellent point brother. As black people we are way to attracted to dysfunction. As-salaamu alaikum

[@dwaynelowe1675]

Did he put drake in the same category as 2pac no tupak was himself and his mother was part of the panters disrespectful at the highest

[@niledunn1542]

You can’t make people care about the things you care about.

[@camwhite4015]

da faq you need to be cancelled for even saying some dumb shit like that! wow outta touch anybody? im sorry bro but comparing drake to tupac means you have no clue about tupac or the culture

[@libraalibaba]

You're this offended my guy get a grip. He didn't compare them as activists he compared them partly by upbringing.

[@MrByrdis]

I don’t think this young brother needs to be cancelled for making an awful take. Give him some grace. People make mistakes

[@VoughnDutch]

Tupac was raised as a black panther from the original black panther party. Tupac was a well rounded person who had knowledge of self, please do not compare or confuse Drake and Tupac.

[@MrBrown2.7]

Respectfully. Hip hop will never die and DaBaby does actually have talent. But I get your point, however competition is within the foundation of our art form.

[@jeremiahgiles3593]

I see what bro was trying to say. I would not have guessed that a lot of these female rappers fans were male. I legitimately turn the radio off every time i hear a cardi b or Meg the stallion or that godforsaken sexy red come on

[@karatekoala4270]

Not done yet 2:45 but wanna put this down while its on my head. As an Oakland native i am very familiar with Tupacs background. But regardless, he actually was homeless and in these streets for a time in life allowing him to see such aspects of life. It isn't about Drake being lightskin or Canadian. Its about him treating Black American culture the same way an Iggy Azalea would. As a costume to put on and have fun with. A reason why i dont rock with 21 savage either. If you're an immigrant, thats cool, but dont appropriate a culture you were never a part of. Same as Lil Wayne deciding while rich and in his twenties that he was gonna be a blood.

[@Hennybear600]

Drakes half blk

[@rashaddavis92]

@weneedtotalk good talk brother great subject matter for people to think about. looking forwards towards the next ride.

[@themofomayor]

Uninformed.. the worst part is the stereotyping/typecasting from a supposed brother who would be quick to say "black people aren't a monolith". As per usually, give a KZbinr enough time to talk and no matter how smart/educated they are, some goofy ish is gonna slip out. You do know (you def don't know) that Prodigy from Mobb Deep is a well known ballarino? Not as if he was so good at it he became famous, he's just infamously known as a ballarino. Because he is. You remember Omar from the Wire. He is actually a well known dancer in real life. Also, a well known real life gangster. Method man played lacrosse in HS. Mos Def went to an acting HS, not a school with acting in it, but a HS that had acting plus other sh*t, maybe. 3000 also went to HS for acting. You finna call the Dungeon Family soft to they face? Just wanted you to know that, well, black people aren't a monolith. "Beef" doesn't keep "black folk down and distracted" any more than Lakers v Celtics or Hatfield's v MacCoys. There are far greater reasons than current mainstream urban music (cuz Redd ain't hip hop) that keep FBAs back. More like the whole integration thing is way more at fault. We can start there. Before I go, I'd like to suggest a good piece of black entertainment that shows black people are NOT a monolith while being quite possibly the funniest TV show ever. It's called South Side and there has never been a better representation of black Americans anywhere else ever! Stay blessed.

[@ITISKONY]

Anyone who took this beef seriously needs help. This is just arts and entertainment. Stop making something out of nothing. If this rap battle can dustract you as an adult, especially a man then you need help.

[@Chris1200923]

? thats an insane conclusion to jump to lol. and extremely condescending too, i make great money at 25 with an amazing girlfriend of 6 years. i dont think i need “help” brody. stop the grandstanding, it looks bad. some people just actually care about hiphop culture, you dont and thats fine! im not bashing you for not caring though🤦🏽 get a grip and grow up.

[@Wolfwindblade]

Follow the model of martial arts institutions in guiding Battles IF you want to curtail the harmful aspects. This requires the building of institutions and some level of control and power in employment, finance and real estate. If not then those 'outsiders' who have the resources to orchestrate beef will continue to do so.

[@serrahighsfinest]

Yes, they both have theater backgrounds. The difference is, Pacs mom was a Panther, who later got strung out on crack, she also hid her son from his father...A tale as old as time for the black American experience...Pac grew up in the streets as a result, and Hip-Hop is the voice of those streets, and Pac is the embodiment of that. Even if Pac wasn't from the "culture" he still spoke on and stood for Black people. Drake himself has said he cant relate to our problems. Bad take my brother.

[@blacksoul2410]

he is way off base. This is going to fuel the ados/fba crowd bc this youngsta doesnt have a clue on what hes referring to. The comparison of drake to 2Pac is egregious. This topic is too far below my intelligence to expound on. Ill just chalk it up to he's a young buck and he a 1st generation migrant whos looking at an established culture from an outside perspective. This young buck knows not of what hes speakin' on.

[@knighthonor44]

Yeah as FBA this take was off put

[@andremiller1566]

Tupac was a warrior and completely authentic. His biggest beef was him claiming people copied his style. He would've hated Drake.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

Like Tupac is on the album Kendrick won the Pulitzer Prize with lol did dude hit his head?

[@triplezeroxz5875]

Thank you for your take If you haven't already, I recommend listening to The Heart Part 5. I think you'll enjoy it, and it echoes everything you're saying If you have followed Kendrick's body of work up until this point you can see he is trying to move in a direction of integrity and self reflection, trying to turn around many of the generational curses he and his family have been burdened with, and he challenges his listeners to do the same. This beef was a culmination of many things, but it was a faceoff between someone trying to move in a more positive direction vs someone who ultimately wasn't. And the more positive person won. It may not have been pretty or perfect, but that's what happened. And it may have revealed a lot of things that needed to be revealed. I am writing this comment as someone who's been following both artists very closely. You start recognizing patterns after so long. And I'm writing this as someone who recognizes a very astute take from someone who may not be as informed. All the same I appreciate your honest take on this. I love this style of video from you. Thank you so much for your content. I look forward to your next video

[@quiznos247]

The true winner in your example is Cole.

[@triplezeroxz5875]

@@quiznos247 I agree! I have info that makes me think Cole was told what it was, and he decided to bow out.

[@JLynnDsMyoosik]

@@quiznos247I disagree. This wasn’t Cole’s battle. But it was a battle that needed to be done. I think that this battle perfectly signifies a much needed changing of the guard, of sorts. For a plethora of reasons, it needed to be done, and it had to be done by Kendrick and in the manner in which it was accomplished. I think sometimes, we live in such a privileged existence, we forget that real, lasting revolution comes by force and by VIOLEtNCE (purposely misspelled) and doesn’t look pretty. This was a huge “win” for the culture - a proverbial, undeniable and brutal dethroning of the “establishment”. There are layers to the symbolism behind this that haven’t even been tapped into yet.

[@quiznos247]

@@JLynnDsMyoosik I understand and see your point however I have to respectfully disagree. This imo was theatre at the highest level. This battle made zero sense to me, it don’t see how it moved the culture forward at all. We as a people like to put on a front about being gatekeepers of a culture that truly hasn’t benefited us in 20 years. I love hip hop but in the last 20 years white executives have inundated the genre with hyper aggressive / hyper sexualized content that in reality has done more harm then good for our community. It’s made our young men constantly have to keep up a facade of bravado to be considered a “real one” and turned a generation of women hyper-sexualized to the point where the prevailing thought across the globe is that black and brown women are easy to seduce and sleep with . Like Vince Staples said when asked this was just niggas arguing over nothing.

[@KeepitOneHunnedGrand]

While everybody gets offended like Pac is Jesus, I’ll just say I don’t think that Drake does enough thug posturing for the comparison. The overall point tho, is valid.

[@JMacc-gw6rg]

Yea bro you way off on a number of things .....this is an example of turning on the camera and talking.

[@kingtchala6832]

😂😂😂 cmon dawg.

[@qdontae6]

Nah it makes sense switch Drakes upbringing and ideology and it’s Pac they both were actors in school only difference is Pac was raised by panthers and Drake by white Jews I been watching him since Degrassi and he’s always been like Pac was at 17 now caught up in the Drake character and Pac bought into the hype and did too much and I’m a 2pac STAN

[@E.P.7131]

"We have to stop being preoccupied with nonsense.." ..while making a video about said nonsense. I understand the challenge you offer, I would just like to see more solutions & alternatives for those that may not be immersed in intellectualism.

[@kellyreed2307]

I have to disagree with you. Any man who puts a kid on a man's name without absolutely definitely knowing that's true suffers the loss

[@ElevationNationCONVERSATIONS]

YOUR DEFINITELY WRONG ABOUT THIS ONE.......... most ARTIST were NOT in theater or the arts etc....... I'm a former artist from chciago and this is not correct

[@rajuansharief]

You’re way off topic. This is culture vs the vulture. That’s it. That’s all.

[@kingnyame2119]

As much as I enjoyed the music, I also pondered in why we always celebrated beef. You have beef when you and someone else see eye to eye. It’s not just mental/lyrical jousting, it’s actual issues and problems. Two men who have not even sat down to understand each other and sit there going “I ain’t got nothing to say to that guy.” The smoke we have for each other is still too high. And as much as we like to think we are so above the BS, we still dabble in it

[@JMacc-gw6rg]

Street beef is different from rap beef.....if you say you're the best on the mic your going to have to prove that against somone in that same art form.....this was a health battle of good music from both sidees. Just dont confuse beef with murder rap or gang bangers rapping about crimes they commited.

[@themofomayor]

Their beef is inherent and it does deal with actual issues and problems. One is mainstream urban music and the other is actual hip hop. The problem is, they both rap, and they both feel that what they're doing is true to hip hop. Only one of them is correct. Only one of their fan bases is correct. And nobody is going to bow out and say it's the other. Mind you, I had to word it that way because due to biases, if I put a name in either category, it changes the premise of the whole argument. This is where beef fixes all of that. You can't sit and talk about this. You have to be a man and stand on the two words that prove true manhood.. PROVE IT! Knicks v Pacers tonight if Drake/Kenny wasn't enough beef for you, or is basketball beef also keeping black people behind?

[@j.liddell558]

In general, I would agree, rap beef is normally some b.s. but this is different. In the video, you speak about beef being a degradation of hip hop but in this situation you have a pop star who is playing a major role in the bastardization of hip hop and you have another artist who is attempting to bring cleansing to the art form. Mr Morale was a serious critique of the culture and an attempt to bring sanitation to it. I think this beef with Drake is a furthering of that attempt. Kendrick is actually critiquing much of the negativity that goes on in hip hop through this "beef." Therefore, it's necessary and a good thing.

[@lhbnlb]

THIS DUDE DONT MISS!!!

[@afrolore7462]

I agree with most of your points. But Drake had to go. All the rumors about him are crazy

[@sbrooks904]

kanye pre 2017 was the closest to pac. i stand by that

[@TonyQuest404]

The media created the e-vs-w bs... Over the year, the media not correcting the mistakes they have made has caused so much confusion. Now we have tmz.

[@oceanb7164]

I am noticing a lot of dismissive comments on this video that seem to be provoked mainly by the 2Pac comparison, which I found surprising but considered thoughtfully. The primary valid comparison may be that both were "theater kids," a trait shared by many artists, rendering this point relatively weak. However, the video made several other strong points unrelated to 2Pac or Drake. I encourage everyone not to dismiss the video due to disagreement with one minor aspect of the entire video, as constructive dialogue cannot thrive under such conditions. Keep up the good work. Appreciate your content.

[@jasonbirchoff2605]

Sorry there are no strong points in the video. He is pretending as if Battling is not a core part of Hiphop. As a now old head. I get the point he is trying to make he just does a horrible job of making it. He should stick with the gender war commentary.

[@oceanb7164]

@@jasonbirchoff2605 He made many more points than just the 2Pac comparison and Battling. Do you think the point made at 5:29 is the wrong take?

[@jasonbirchoff2605]

@@oceanb7164 Its a surface level point that he makes because it jives with the narrative he is trying to construct. How is it Chuck D is still able to tour today? He attempts to build a narrative around hiphop degeneracy. When Literally Kendrick Lamar's entire hiphop career has proven that you can make money and get accolades without making degenerate music. There are a number of mainstream artists that dont make degenerate hiphop music and make money. This is why I personally do not think there are any strong points. Becuase for me the point has to be more than surface level. Using Cardi B and Meg Tha Stallion as examples for his narrative doesnt work when you have Women like Rapsody. And I know a criticism of my point is they dont do mad numbers. But the issue with the music industry is in order to do mad numbers you need to tap into a trend or your label needs to manufacture a trend. Thats always been the truth. Cardi and Meg cannot do concious music because they didnt build a concious music audience base. They built an audience around ratchet degenerate music. Their labels amplified them and now they are stuck in the box they helped build. Of course when you try to leave the box your numbers are going to crash. The same thing happens to any artist that tries to move outside of their box. If they really wanted to do concious music, they would have to invest the time to rebrand.

[@iNVaDeRtEmp]

@@oceanb7164 Nah his take right here is spot on. We dont highlight enough positive things.

[@karatekoala4270]

Finished strong, well said sir

[@karatekoala4270]

6:00 i hear you absolutely, heres the oroblem with that. Black americans make up 13% of the population, there's no way those tour numbers and soundscans would get that high with African Americans alone. Numerically impossible. But we do influence the masses cause like it or not k pop and Afro beats are derivative of hip hop and r&b.🤷🏾‍♂️

[@winloseorrug7099]

great video brother 100%. one thing nihilistic talking points like this make me think is"how many Black people are you really interacting with?" The largest majority of Hip Hop consumers are not Black people. this situation opens a window to a larger conversation: when you allow people with money to come into the community they set the standard on what's hot and what's popular. how we reclaim that isn't going to be pretty but we men ain't we? Drake was a necessary casualty. this set a president for policing Black culture amongst ourselves. i highly disagree with the "we love drama" it's a lot to break down and learn from a character standpoint considering Kendrick's goal was character assassination. Also not to mention the amount of non-Black creators who would have done reviews and slaughtered the interpretation of the songs, again allowing someone else to set the narrative WE should be in charge off. personally i don't know a lot of degenerate, dysfunctional people but if i did i would break down the behavior and characterize it so it's easy to point out not label it as a Black thing. no hate tho brother you have a great mind and deserve another 100k subscribers 100%

[@terrelljackson.]

I’m not sure I’m understanding you. What did we lose??? I feel like great conversations have been pushed into a greater context. Specifically the conversation of non-Black Americans participating in the commerce of Black American culture. And labeling that as contributing to Black American culture. I understand some of what you’re saying but what did we lose. And who is we???

[@themofomayor]

Damn.. bro asking the tough questions. I'd like to hear those answers tho

[@terrelljackson.]

@@themofomayor I hope he answers too because there’s an ambiguity to this video.

[@HumptyMcFly]

Drake is equal to Tupac…yeah I was this close to clicking off but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. You wrong though

[@Chris1200923]

you better than me i clicked off expeditiously brotha

[@ronteriobrown7641]

He was an actor a character

[@rasaanshakur9491]

You cooked bro.

[@franch1se2308]

I aint saying you wrong, just off. Competition is always good, which is why we have monopoly laws. Andre 3K aint been in a beef and still held in high esteem. Part of hip-hop/rap is battle. Supremacy. I aint saying that it should result in speaking about families (living/dead) or a death of the participants but who rnters any realm and not wnat to be the best? You dont do KZbin to chronicle your life, you feel like your perspective needs to be heard. And as someone who promotes thought provoking content I'm sure you want to be at the forefront of that space. That doesnt mean you have to undercut another person but when break it down bar for bar, you feel your material is a cut above the rest. Its a reason why GOAT debates exist. The simple fact of there being a "Big 3" and there's more than 3 MCs is a testament to the skill of those 3

[@noahcrockett9641]

I see, drake and Pac started acting as rappers in their startup years. One thing for sure is that drake wouldn't have made it in the days of Pac even in his Digital Underground days. Mos Def is right, drake is pop and the garbage response drake made no sense. Beef? Nah but it definitely was an exposing distraction.

[@chimaubabuike9774]

Every rapper has made some "trash" or subpar at some point in their career, but Drake has way more good than bad. That part isn't even debatable, now if his type of music isn't just for you then just say that.

[@lobopro1805]

Nigerian voice: “ Why is your hair so long, remove everything “😂😂😂

[@w.phantxm7234]

Idk this wasn’t it. Art mimics life and you can have qualms with the uglier sides of the black experience but even negative emotions prompt the most prominent and consistent change. Also Drake is the furthest thing from our generations Tupac. If he was raised in the aftermath of the downfall of black panther party we could maybe talk about it but until then mehhh.

[@ChocolateBunni2187]

All I hear is "Give him a participation trophy "but if it was the other way around...Ken gotta take his L

[@rasaanshakur9491]

Dunce

[@ChocolateBunni2187]

@@rasaanshakur9491 Ya momma...Now go lay down in the corner.

[@philipjones484]

Nah, u reaching

[@infamouseli92]

lol

[@lovethyselfknowthyself8788]

Until the melanated, are willing to take back their land, this form of battle is an enjoyable victory. The reality of this maybe known to some but the threat for change is futile. Divide and conquer has worked well in their favor

[@InspirationalTruth]

Yeah, it’s a celebration of Disfunction. The Kendrick v Drake Beef presents negative stereotypes of Black men on each side. Predator Trope and DV Trope

[@knighthonor44]

Bad take bro.

[@ChocolateBunni2187]

Furthermore, he called the guy a clown(whomever he gave the so-called false information to.)Why diss the person if it was false information? And he co-sign sexy red out of all the artist he could have put on.

[@JLynnDsMyoosik]

Respectfully, this seems like a very tone deaf, out of touch, condescending and solipsistic interpretation of what just happened. Everything you just said the culture needs (strategy, gatekeeping, positivity, etc.) was exactly what this battle embodied (particularly from Kendrick’s perspective). So maybe it’s just because you don’t appear to really value, like, or understand hip hop culture (and I’m talking about the TRUE, authentic, lyrical consciousness, let’s move the community forward style of hip hop, not what passes for it these days) you’re not understanding on a layered level what the implications of this battle really are. Imagine a scenario where Nigerian culture was somehow “discovered” by foreigners who, under the guise of “elevating” it, began to exploit, destroy and bastardize it, only to heavily market this new bastardized version of it (to the world and back to Nigerians) as the authentic thing. Imagine the inauthentic, toxic, and exploited monster version becoming the calling card for what it means to be Nigerian. Then wait a generation or two, and watch actual Nigerians start conforming to this bastardized image because of the way it’s been portrayed synonymously as the _real_ culture. But also imagine that there is a segment of Nigerians who know the true culture, and when given the opportunity to fight for the _true_ representation, they do so successfully, all without compromising the culture’s true identity. _This_ is what just happened, on a LARGE scale. In front of the world. And that’s just scratching the surface. This battle and the overly unanimous verdict of a Kendrick victory represents a changing of the guard. Like when King Saul (wicked ruler) was dethroned for King David (righteous ruler), this matters for hip hop, and black culture as a whole. Because as goes hip hop, so goes the culture. This should in every respect be celebrated for the culture, by the culture. Again, this is very layered. I’ve barely scratched the surface.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

He showing he really a buster

[@_basedperry]

Of course he doesn't #TheyNotLikeUs

[@JLynnDsMyoosik]

@@rasaanshakur9491 Choosing to give him the benefit of doubt, I want to believe that this is simply one of those things where cultural blindness is in play. I don’t expect a 1st generational black transplant who migrated here to understand everything about the black American experience and what shapes our culture (and even our anti-culture). I despise using terms like ADOS and FBA because I typically see these terms weaponized against the black diaspora to “otherize” them in disingenuous ways that allow us to deflect from taking accountability for some of our dysfunction. But ironically, this is one of those FEW instances where that distinction makes a world of difference. It’s the difference between theory (having head knowledge) and practice (having to experience being a black American from a multigenerational descendant of slavery standpoint). And this is why he feels that way - he’s speaking from an outsiders’ (head knowledge) perspective. It’s the equivalent of attempting to give someone legal advice based off of what you learned from years of watching Law and Order. You may mean well, but you don’t have the depth of knowledge or experience to see things the way you need to effectively help their case.

[@MrByrdis]

Co-sign everything you said. I saw someone comment that #WNTT needs to be cancelled. I totally disagree. This brother has proven he is worthy of grace for making the mistake of an awful take such as this. To me, he doesn’t understand or listen to Kendrick, know the history of this beef coming to this point.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

@@MrByrdis you can’t make mistakes like this. What it means is he’s a spectator to our culture. He’s a immigrant or second generation American. #NotLikeUs

[@ka9202]

I hear what you're saying about turning attention away from the more violent aspects of music but it's against a back drop of the wider American culture that is way more violent. Like rapper Fat Joe was saying, they're not going after Brian DePalma, Oliver Stone, Tarantino and the movie directors, they're on the golf course discussing their next projects meanwhile the movies are way more violent than anything a rapper has ever come up with. Just look at the language: send a response: you're "fighting back, "hitting em where it hurts", "looking for weaknesses and striking when they least suspect." I'm saying we're in too deep now.

[@big_t_dynasty]

I've been saying this about Tupac.

[@mra.4466]

I’m pretty sure Drake ain’t manufacturing a beef of him being called a pedo on a basic level. It could be some career sacrifice stuff.

[@TrayMillsOfficial]

Facts tho! It was fun but definitely a distraction smh

[@donneyhanchard457]

Sir, I respect your views!!!!!!

[@mrt094]

This beef invovled two rappers (Cole and Kendrick) who are primarily known for their lyricism and probably the two most successful rappers of 2010s and 2020s. Lyricism might not well with Women hence why Cardi B and Nicki cant pop doing a more lyrically focused but it definitely sells with men. Are we going to sit here and say when Cardi B is talking about "Broke boys" its men flocking to those lyrics? Come on.

[@akachikieta]

You know I love you bro… but your take on this is the take of an immigrant. You’re not ADOS and your spirit is different. ADOS men are warriors. And the dozens is part of our coming of age ritual. We compete we battle. It’s that spirit and that fortitude that we nurture that motivated us to fight for the America we have today. Kendrick is incorporating the sentiment of the ADOS movement in the Beef and we see the general public cleaving to it. You’re missing it cuz you’re not ADOs. You’re missing it cuz just like Drake…. You’re not like us!

[@kiriende3691]

Well, I’m not an immigrant and he’s right and there’s a whole Lotta other non-immigrants who think the same way so he’s status means squat.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

He exposed himself

[@rasaanshakur9491]

@@kiriende3691you cappin

[@themarathoncontinues4211]

Warriors are everywhere bro. I respect all of that but this seems to be a shot. Igbos as 15% of the Nigerian population literally took up arms and went to war against the rest of the country a few decades ago, against the backing of the UK, US, etc. As a similar percentage I’m sure you can understand that doesn’t come from weak spirit, imagine waging independence from America at 15% back in the 70s/80s, going to war over it etc. At same time, your traditions are your traditions.

[@bluewave3417]

The problem with the whole ADOS warrior thing is most of blood we shed is from our own. So I wouldn’t start there.

[@plato1273]

Where is the MTR video?

[@JamesPennJr]

I knew they wasn’t gonna like this one in the comment section. Mental contortion, cognitive dissonance, and shallow comprehension is rampant to hold on to and defend the delicious poison of this rap beef.

[@brhyno926]

Ignoring the 2Pac part (absolutely wrong), I agree with the message your conveying.

[@hesangasong82]

Brother, you are right, 100% agreed.

[@Chris1200923]

if pac was alive right now he would say drake is corny, dont even lie. unsubbed. horrible comparison man💯

[@libraalibaba]

That's a lie

[@Chris1200923]

@@libraalibaba look up that drake video with him getting salty at his mom for not getting him a “tuna sandwich bagel” and come back here homie. its okay to be wrong🥴

[@callmejay8193]

U trippin

[@Chris1200923]

wonder why this video is the only one of his that has likes hidden? this is pure engagement bait, and it backfired BADLY. stick to the gender war stuff my boy, thats your lane🤦🏽

[@user-nd8is6ey4t]

It’s not the same and you’re breezing beyond his actual life. Secondly, attending the Baltimore school of Arts doesn’t take away from his environment. Are you aware of the environment in Baltimore? Your comparison wrong on so many levels. Try again bro.

[@TheMePercent]

Based.

[@Blackout300]

You’re wrong my brother. Tupac spent time in jail behind his music and ideology. This ain’t that !!

[@KCdatdude1]

LOL rumors? Willing to bet you still support anti black kooonye, still wear yeezys, dont have ANYTHING to say about kodak black or the other 1 million problematic rappers wreaking havoc on the black community but your bias points to Drake which tells me you're nothing short of another hypocritical liar thats willing to ignore all things besides what you like. Yea ok

[@jamarkellum1370]

I ain't saying he did it, but 2pac was in jail for a sex crime. How have u rewritten the past to come to that conclusion?

[@Blackout300]

@@jamarkellum1370 He was in jail because he was a black entertainer. He did not bend the knee. I was there unlike you.

[@jamarkellum1370]

U were in the hotel room?

[@bluewave3417]

@@Blackout300He was in jail because he let his entourage SA a groupie. Stop acting like he was Geronimo Pratt.

[@afroogs2354]

I don't mind that it's fictional, we all learn from fiction and that's ok-- great, even. If anything I love the fact that Kendrick won because it shows that someone who has prioritised artistry over commercial success can also be championed. I also don't mind the bloodlust, to a certain degree. I think rap is a beautiful artform, and if for the sake of its survival, i think all this back and forth was worth it. So, I don't think we lost atleast, not for me. But thank you for your thoughtful critiques. Edit: I also love HOW Kendrick won. For the most part, it seems to me that the strategic release and creativity of "Meet the Grahams" is what swayed most people into Kendrick's camp. So, if anything, it feels like a W for the culture. Perhaps from this, more rappers will be encouraged to pursue cerebral rap with positive values instead of cosplaying (and maybe encouraging) the gangsta lifestyle.

[@djrchlfmusichead2703]

A very interesting take on the parallels between 2 Pac and Drake. I agree with your thought process and where your going with it. 2 Pac comes from a performing arts background as well as Drake and although they grew up in 2 different lifestyles, they both ended up taking on different personas to be accepted into the Hip-Hop space.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

PAC went to preforming artists only his sophomore year. I’m disappointed so many of you learned about Pac clearly from KZbin.

[@stephenfoster1257]

I remember your video about not building tents for clowns if you're tired of the circus. So i will not build a tent for rap beefs. 2pac and Biggie died behind beef.

[@themofomayor]

Actually.. neither one of them died over their rap beef. They just happened to die DURING their rap beef. Nobody from "the East Coast" killed Pac, although he was hit a few times. And nobody from "the Westside" killed Biggie. It was a gang retaliation for what happened earlier. Not because he's an East coast rapper. Pac was killed by Cali dudes.

[@rickeyharris178]

2Pac was raised in Baltimore to family members and mother of Black Panthers! This is a terrible take, and I actually expect better from you

[@d-1beats]

What did he say about Tupac that was inaccurate?

[@rasaanshakur9491]

@@d-1beats he ignored half of Tupac life. He only went to “theater school” for a a year. Liking Pac to Drake is a wild take. Literally opposites.

[@themarathoncontinues4211]

⁠@@rasaanshakur9491Pac definitely grew up in rougher than Drake, no doubt. And Pac was realer than Drake, we know he shot 2 undercover cops for pulling some racist sh! on a brother. But Pac was also young and confused, that’s truth. He wasn’t a gang member in his teens, when most people get involved. That’s ok to admit too.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

@@themarathoncontinues4211 young people are supposed to be confused. But the fact that he’s still the current bar for work ethic of a black male to the point he’s the most mentioned rapper even in drake vs Kendrick tells you alot.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

@@themarathoncontinues4211 I think y’all get caught up with what y’all think a gangster supposed to look like. I know soft bloods and men on solo missions that’ll bring street sweepers. Gangs don’t make you real or tough. Lack of gang means you moved around too much it’s a sign of poverty.

[@Truestratusx]

You have a point and I can see what your talking about but your kinda off in some things. The industry is pushing this lackluster music that is going on right now. Once we lost control of the art form we lost control of how it was gonna grow and flourish positively. The ratio of good music with substance started to lessen over the years. I'm an 80s baby. 90s music has the best variety of music in my opinion. Something for everyone. Black empowerment and all.

[@HumptyMcFly]

Afro beats will never reach the height of Hip Hop because it’s a limited art form. The sound is repetitive. Kind of like reggae music.

[@VoughnDutch]

This is very ignorant statement. You are wrong for the record.

[@ifareaged]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 you're comparing Afrobeats (a fairly recent genre) to Hiphop (A 51 year old music genre)??? That's such a limited view. Afrobeat will evolve as it's exposed to more African countries with different tribal influences. Mumble rap & various sub genre of Hiphop are fairly recent so pretending like Afrobeat isn't going to evolve is just hilarious

[@HumptyMcFly]

@@VoughnDutch You are ignorant about the definition of ignorant

[@HumptyMcFly]

@@ifareaged Say you didn’t listen to video without saying you didn’t listen to the video. I didn’t compare Afro beats to Hip Hop. Alan did. I was responding to it. However, if you think Afro beats will evolve we shall see. Reggae fans thought the same thing. Just like reggae, if you’ve heard 3 or 4 Afro beats songs, you’ve heard all of them.

[@HumptyMcFly]

@@ifareaged The funny thing is if Afrobeats did evolve to hip hop’s level then you’d start to hate it because then you’d think it was too mainstream and lost its way.

[@logic0057]

' When you say, "we need to do a better job defining our culture by productive things". I agree, it might even be helpful to give solutions/specific examples of productive things that would better define our culture, ie DR. T. Hasan Johnson.

[@ronteriobrown7641]

Bro you didn't miss at any point I fill that same we as a people have a lot of self reflection to do but I honestly don't see it happening in my generation 😔

[@jameskent8165]

More research is needed. More music to listen to

[@kingjay1524]

Facts especially the latter segment

[@chucksl21]

Bruh, whenever someone says, I have an unpopular opinion, I tune in. Since I been in my thirties, I've had a lot of unpopular opinions. A lot of us are tired of this mess and it kills me that we as a culture define ourselves through classless trash. As if that's something to behold and to aspire to. But you know how it is, you go saying that kinda stuff and you're a sellout. Funny, because the very idea that being black means being connected to things that are truly counterintuitive to our culture is actually what sells us out. The accuser becomes the accused.

[@E.P.7131]

As someone raised by rap, I stopped listening to rap when Nipsey Hussle was killed. It's been Afrobeats, amapiano, Reggae, Reggaeton, West African Blues, etc. since then. Basically, if I can understand the language, I'm not listening to it.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

Check out Big KRIT and Payroll Giovanni.

[@E.P.7131]

@@rasaanshakur9491 You think I haven't heard Big K.R.I.T.? Maybe I wasn't clear, I'm done with rap and hip-hop, the culture eats it's young or feeds them to the lions.

[@blacksoul2410]

What is "west african blues"?

[@E.P.7131]

@@blacksoul2410 Blues originated in West Africa. Boubacar Traore, Ali Farka Toure, etc.

[@AngelInAHoodie]

The loss is a win bro your simply not accounting the collateral beauty 😏 once you comprehend the integrity behind it that's now being pressured your about to see an explosion of character(s), your about to have people on their Best behavior 😂 trying to hide their indictments.. the meek who have lived humbly are about to call out all the bullshit like a "Good villain" 🤣 I'm here for it.

[@qdontae6]

Sexyy Red having mostly male fanbase is WILD 😂

[@vcreed79]

It makes perfect sense. Don't you play music that you normally wouldn't so the ladies can enjoy themselves?

[@Truestratusx]

It's likely because she over sexual with her songs and sexual acts that got leaked. It's like hip hop porn in a way. She talks about getting eat out or whatever. Very sexually explicit lyrics I would imagine. I don't listen to her songs so I don't exactly know. Not my type of thing.

[@StefIsCold]

Ten seconds in this is the silliest video of all time lol

[@Chris1200923]

i unsubbed so fast mf, and i never am the type to do that but nah, just hearing that made me make a stank face. tupac was raised by black panthers. drake was raised in literally the richest neighborhood in all of canada. you cannot make ts up man. no comparison AT ALL. even subject matter is complete opposite. AWFUL take.

[@donneyhanchard457]

DMX was my last one. Everything after is assclownary.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

Learn about Nipsey Hussle.

[@chuckdz7251]

Rap beefs today aren't as authentic as they were in the 90s. Exception to that would be O block and Tookaville. But that's on some gang bangin ish. But when mofo's had beef back then.. It was real real serious. Another one I think that was orchestrated was Eminem and MGK. Rap beef today is like the WWE. 😆

[@qdontae6]

Man nah it’s better just to stay on wax, by your logic Nas and Jay would’ve been outta here a long time ago if u wanted it to stay real Personally I think the 90s was petty af niggaz really died over MUSIC 🙄 the goat era of rap but still senseless af

[@chuckdz7251]

​​​@@qdontae6Are you referring to PAC and biggie? PAC Was killed tryin to gang bang. Biggie? Ok, that I'll concede. But when you look at some of the real beefs that stayed on wax: Quik vs MC Eiht, Cube vs NWA, Canibus vs LL, Nas vs Jay Z, TI vs Flip, 50 vs Ja Rule, Eminem vs Benzino, kurupt vs DMX, Westside connection vs Cypress Hill, etc, etc etc. Nobody got killed in those beefs. I said 90s, but I forgot to add the 00s. Those were real beefs between rappers that had problems with one another. Wasn't anything orchestrated with those beefs. You can tell these are kinda in the realm of WWE. hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Drake and K Dot were over there telling each other how to diss themselves. I sometimes wonder if Eminem wrote that diss track by MGK. 😂

[@rasaanshakur9491]

Tupac interview in the Gun range as a cool shot. Clearly well studied in guns. In 1993. You cooked yourself my brother. Now we know you ain’t never jumped off the porch.

[@S.Sibiya_]

Tupac's whole persona changed when he came into the industry. He was a theater kid, loved poetry, very introspective, self aware, wholesome and knowledgeable as a teenager (you can check out the interview when he was a teenager) He took on this gangster persona the minute he became a rapper in a industry. Overall he was a good kid who grew up in a mad city.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

@@S.Sibiya_ that’s called puberty bro

[@Godsecs]

What!

[@gzno2948]

I was sure about to click off. Although I see your point, those two and most in the industry are not the same. Most of use has forgot what rap music was about. And drake does not even understand the culture. Most have lived it and fit in like an Eminem. And it’s not we like bullshit. We lack guidance. Grown kids raising kids. Most don’t get what the hell is going on. It’s starts at home. And it gets worse every year. The one thing I 💯 % agree on is being better at gate keeping which is why Drake NEEDS TO GO!

[@DJ_BROBOT]

I was just about to click the hell off, but you made your case and I am glad I heard you out. You right...and Drake lost. But I disagree that Kendrick never said he was gangster or put on a life he never led in Compton of all places

[@d-1beats]

I don't think he ever said Kendrick was he said he was sheltered away which I think is accurate

[@vcreed79]

There are so many wrong things with this video brother. For starters afro beats is bootleg reggae. k pop and just watered down R&B. The standard of dress, vernacular, pride in ones self, economic engine and trend setter for the globe has been and will be hip hop. Its cool yall got different versions of what we do here but be for real whos looking to bruna boy for style or verbage? What r&b group sounds like k pop? What we do in hip hop in terms of rap battles is ingrained in the culture. Have there been some bad situations, yes but it shows you dont really know hip hop like that and thats fine. You has roots outside the culture. As far as that pac and drake comparison ill make it simple. People loved pac not because of the gangsta image but because of the man. The man who would stop in Atlanta and shoot 2 cops for harming a black man. The man that made dear momma and brendas got a baby. He was born in new york. Hell his first rap name was MC New York. His mother was apart of the panther 21. I strongly suggest you do a bit more homework on pac before you compare him to drake.

[@ITISKONY]

You're out of your mind to think afrobeats is bootleg reggae. afrobeats existed before reggae. 🤣🤣🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️ Educate yourself next time. The fact that afrobeats just got popular doesn't mean it's a new genre.

[@vcreed79]

@ITISKONY you don't know how old reggae is just say that. Afro Beata will NEVER EVER EVER replace any part of hip hop.

[@themarathoncontinues4211]

⁠be respectful bro. Afrobeats has nothing to do with reggae, just because it’s both other black groups with non-American accents doesn’t mean that at all. The other thing Id add is the world is alot bigger than America. Afrobeats is primarily for Africans, which is 1.2 billion people. Many people from across the continent are adopting the Nigerian/west African slang, it’s now apart of UK slang (international too) etc. it’s also in its infancy, this is something that hasn’t been around for too long. Rap definitely cannot and won’t be replaced by Afrobeats or anything else because it’s two completely different lanes. They aren’t competing, two completely different vibes. And both provide great music, so let’s support each other as black ppl rather than trying to denigrate.

[@vcreed79]

@themarathoncontinues4211 the content creator said he kinda agrees with his friend that things like afro beats and k pop were surpassing hip hop and they are most certainly not. Slang from anywhere else is built off of black American slang and I will not let the main contributor to the black identity to be diminished in any way bro.

[@themarathoncontinues4211]

@@vcreed79 I was 5 minutes in the video and they won’t surpass hip hop, they are simply different lanes. Hip hop is here to stay and isn’t going anywhere + is extremely influential. While you are influential, you cannot say slang from anywhere else is built off yours. Nope, not true. When East Africans or east londoners are speaking pidgin English phrases, that’s because of Nigerian culture spreading across the continent and globally. When people say wagwan, that’s not your culture, that’s Jamaican culture. When Afrobeats artists go to Holland and those white ppl can sing line for line in a foreign language, that’s from an African culture. Keep in mind, Afrobeats is new on the scene. Afrobeats has already been performed at World Cup ceremonies with 2 billion viewers at one time, you aren’t going to diminish that either respectfully. There’s a balance between not allowing your culture to be diminished and attempting to do that to others. Black people have existed for tens of thousands of years and everybody is contributing in different aspects, it’s not a competition.