There were plenty of fireworks in the never-not-amusing intersection of politics and hip-hop this week, with Canadian rap behemoth Drake taking swings at former politician Jagmeet Singh for attending a Kendrick Lamar concert in Toronto. It was, and yes, it got a little spicy.
The surprise beef started when Drake caught wind of Singh at Kendrick's Grand National Tour stop in the 6ix last week. In all fairness, the show was a big deal. Fresh off a blistering rap feud with Drake earlier this year, Kendrick Lamar performed with none other than SZA. But for Drake, the image of a Torontonian brother, A FORMER LEADER OF THE COUNTRY, NO LESS showing his face at a rival show, didn't jive.
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He told Singh exactly how he felt, sending him a direct message on the gram in a pithy, cut-to-the-chase message, "You're a goof." Drake didn't stop; he posted a screenshot of the message on his Instagram Story, taking a private jab and making it public. Ouch.
To his credit, Singh didn't shy from the heat. Instead, he addressed the matter directly on his Instagram Story Sunday night (June 15) to make amends and clarify. "I was going for SZA, not Kendrick," he said, in perhaps the most relatable defense ever. But he didn't stop there.
"I was born in this city. I love this city. But real talk, I get it. I shouldn't have gone at all. OVO and Drake have elevated this city and [Canada]. For me it's Drake still over Kendrick."
But Drake wasn't having it. Following the apology, fans noticed that Drake had unfollowed Singh on Instagram. The digital cold shoulder seemed like an official goodbye, and in short order, fans were taking to online forums to argue about what would happen next.
On the one hand, some accused Drake of taking things a bit too personally. "It's just a concert," one tweet said. "Let the man have some live music." Others noted that Singh, a public figure from Drake's hometown, should have been more aware of the optics. Showing up at her rival's show in the middle of the biggest hip-hop feud of the year was sure to turn heads.
However, one thing is sure: The line between fandom and loyalty is blurrier than ever, particularly in the age of social media receipts. And in Toronto, the city over which Drake dominates, picking sides isn't just something one does on a whim but a cultural statement.
Singh probably didn't intend to harm anyone, but in Drake's court, the ruling is final: Unfollowed. Let this be a lesson: if you're from the Sixix, be extra careful when you sing along at the wrong show because Champagne Papi is always watching.
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