Controversy is nothing new to Hip-Hop, and its newest lyrical battle of the titans between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has the rap industry on fire. As Kendrick's biting diss track "Not Like Us" gets pointed at the Toronto titan and, for that matter, dubiously calls him a pedophile, many are questioning the ethics of such a strong allegation. West Coast vet Xzibit has now entered the arena to defend Lamar's blunt-force bars, stating that no subject is a forbidden topic in Hip-Hop.
In a recent sitdown on the Club Random Podcast with Bill Maher, Xzibit addressed the controversy showing where he stands on Kendrick's verbal shot, which he believes is no foul. He noted, while aware of the allegations' sensitivity, that rap battles are all about crossing lines.
"I don't know what he's doing with his boy, like, you know , man, that doesn't feel right," he added, knowing that people have been speculating about Drake because of his relationships with younger girls. "But I've never seen anything that showed that he was a pedophile. There's been no court and no cases brought against him."
While falling short of outright statements, Xzibit fanned the flames by alluding to previous viral clips that sparked speculation. One moment he highlighted was Drake's onstage exchange with a teenage girl, which he deemed "suspect." He mentioned the rapper's controversial talks with Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, who many saw as a suspect.
Taking on an opposing viewpoint, Maher wondered if such deep accusations should only be made with substantial evidence. But Xzibit was having none of it, declaring that Hip-Hop isn't just about facts; it's about wordplay, jabs, and lyrical supremacy.
"No. Are you kidding?" Xzibit fired back. "This is a rap battle! This is not evidence or testimony or deposition. This is a f###### rap battle. I'm going to get on your mama, your daddy, your children, your grandma's wooden leg, your missing teeth. It's all a game, right?"
The Pimp My Ride icon went on to contextualize the Kendrick vs. Drake beef as a present-day David vs. Goliath, with Kendrick taking on the industry giant role of the underdog against Drake's widespread reach. Although Maher maintained that Lamar's success puts him far from underdog status, Xzibit countered that Drake's weighty influence sends Lamar's attack to new heights of significance.
And no interview would be complete without discussing Drake's lawsuit against Universal Music over the diss track. Xzibit seemed unbothered and called out the move as an attempt to control the narrative.
"But what he's saying is you did something for another man that you used to do for me, and here's how I know," Xzibit said. "And now I'm blowing a whistle, but that's not true." "No, the world loves that song, you know?
Though Xzibit's statements might have played well with Hip-Hop purists, Maher wasn't sure. Just recently, he fired shots at Kendrick, accusing the Compton rapper of not being authentic to his artistic values. But as for Xzibit, one thing remains: in the heat of battle, all's fair in war and rap.
As this latest chapter of Hip-Hop's ongoing rap feuds settles, only one question remains: will Drake return fire, or did Kendrick win the battle for good? Either way, fans are buckled in for the ride.
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