"I absolutely love Drake getting his a** kicked"— Joe Budden reveals he was thrilled to witness the rapper lose to Kendrick Lamar

Media personality Joe Budden revealed he is thrilled to witness Drake lose his recent rap feud with Kendrick Lamar. The 43-year-old broadcaster explained in Wednesday's, June 26, 2024, episode of his namesake podcast that the beef was never about Drizzy or K. Dot as individual artists but rather about what they represent.

While discussing the rap feud, one of the panelists brought up Budden's bias against the Hotline Bling rapper, to which he responded:

"I absolutely love Drake getting his a** kicked."

He pointed out that his opinion did not stem from his personal bias but rather from the broader themes within the hip-hop industry that each rapper reflected: those who prioritize culture and artistic authenticity and those who prioritize commercial success. He explained:

"Drake is being used as shield for what the real conversation is lying underneath... which is culture people versus numbers people. It's not really about Drake for me, he was just the person on the cross."

Drizzy and Lamar have been feuding since 2013. Recently, it escalated, with both rappers dropping diss tracks after another, aimed at each other's work and private lives. This includes the Toronto native's Taylor Made Freestyle and Family Matters and Kenny's Euphoria and Not Like Us. It is the latter being the song that many assert won Lamar the feud.

---

"I'm just not a fan of the Drake that Kendrick mutilated"- Joe Budden on why he did not support Drake

The discussion began after one panelist pointed out Joe Budden's recent controversial comments made on the JBTV After Hours show on X. The broadcaster stated that Drizzy's loss was a group effort, adding that he passed the baton to Pusha T, who passed it to Kenny.

To be noted, both Budden and Pusha T have also beefed with the One Dance singer.

Joe defends his comments, saying he laid the "foundation," which Push built on during his feud, and later Kendrick used "remnants of all of that sh*t" and "added his layer(s)" to it. He stated that in no way he was taking away the credit from either of them, adding that "(he) can hear the remnants of the foundation laid by (him)."

Budden here referred to K Dot's Not Like Us, where Lamar accused the Toronto-born rapper of exploiting Atanta's music and culture for financial gains. Kennu compared him to "colonizers," adding that he is insensitive to black history.

During their discussion, one panelist questioned Joe Budden if he thought Drizzy came into the rap scene "looking for numbers." To which he replied that he wasn't sure but added that the rapper was "blessed" enough to get it from the start.

The broadcaster elaborated that he doesn't want to take away from all the work Drake's put in, but he was "set up" for success (referring to being signed on to Lil Wayne's Young Money very early into in career).

He adds:

"Part of the problem with this sh*t also is (that) 99% of people are Drake fans... But there's so many different Drakes; Which one are you a fan of? I'm just not a fan of the Drake that Kendrick mutilated. Like what that person stands for and represents is the exact opposite of what I stand for and represent."

At this point, one panelist questions Budden about Drizzy's career and struggles before being signed by Young Money. The broadcaster remarked it was "mythical," adding that "every artist who comes in the culture" needs a "sob story." He then reiterates his initial views by bringing up Kenny's Not Like Us, stating:

"Kendrick's point was f*ck numbers. N*gga did you (referring to Drizzy) ever play football in the street and the pole was your touchdown... the car was the touchdown? Did you have a nickname growing up that your hood gave you? Kendrick was leaning into that specifically and that kind of won him the battle."

He concluded by stating that those who are "blessed enough to win tremendously" should be able to "take a loss gracefully." Adding to that, he explained his comment was not on Drizzy as a "person," but what he represented "musically."