"I’ve never seen a battle in which it ends well" — Questlove clarifies his "hip-hop is dead" comments about Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef

In response to recent controversy sparked by Questlove's remarks regarding the ongoing tension between hip-hop giants Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the acclaimed musician has issued a clarifying statement.

On June 25, 2024, in an interview with NPR, The Roots' frontman sought to clarify his recent remarks. He emphasized that his statement regarding the state of hip-hop was not meant to imply a decline in quality. Instead, he highlighted that he has never witnessed any conflict within the genre that concluded positively.

"I've never seen a battle in which it ends well," the record producer said.

This statement follows Questlove's previous remarks on May 8, 2024, which garnered significant attention. Quest wrote on his Instagram post, reflecting on his frustration amid the Drake-Lamar lyrical battle:

"Hip Hip Is Truly Dead."

The lyrical battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been one of the most highlighted topics of 2024 in the hip-hop community, though it seems to have settled now. It began in March 2024 after the release of Like That by Future, Metro Boomin, and Lamar.

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Questlove sets the record straight on 'Hip-Hop is Dead' comments

The record producer (Image via Getty Images)

On Tuesday, during an interview with NPR, Questlove, an American drummer, reflected on his comments made in May. He highlighted the infamous beef between two hip-hop heavyweights, Tupac and Biggie, dating back to 1994, and suggested that no battles end well.

"I was there at the Source Awards when the sh*t really hit the fan in 1995. And I was there in 1997. That was a 'What now?' moment for hip-hop — Tupac and Biggie, embroiled in a battle," the record producer said.

Further adding to the infamous battle, Questlove suggested a pervasive sense of looming conflict, particularly referencing the aftermath of the rap beef.

"We're living in a time where the uncertainty of something jumping off is just in the air. You know what I'm saying? For me, it's like, I've seen this movie before — and I'm triggered. The aftereffect of Tupac and Biggie was just a 30-year travel into darkness," he added.

Questlove continued by saying that he does not "think that hip-hop is dead." Instead, he meant that there is a wealth of exceptional hip-hop that goes unnoticed and lacks the support it merits due to hip-hop lyrical battles or beef.

"And this is not to say that quality has gone down. Look, of course, I don't think hip-hop is dead... There's so much quality, dope stuff out there that just goes unnoticed and unchampioned," the artist continued.

Questlove further added:

"If an MC like Little Simz, which people rarely talk about. I don't think people give enough attention to Griselda: Westside, Conway and Benny. Or even, like, Tobe [Nwigwe], Mick Jenkins, Errol Holden, even Denzel Curry."

Questlove addressed these points in response to widespread attention following his remarks in May 2024, when the Drake-Lamar lyrical battle was widely discussed. He clarified that the interpretation was not accurate.

The record producer posted on Instagram suggesting that "nobody has won the war." Questlove added that it was not a "skill" but rather a wrestling match.

"Nobody Won The War. This wasn't about skill. This was a wrestling match level mudslinging and takedown by any means necessary — women & children (& actual facts) be damned. Same audience wanting blood will soon put up "rip" posts like they weren't part of the problem," the artist stated.

The Roots frontman did not directly address Drake, Kendrick Lamar, or their beef. However, the statement made on Instagram during the time when the two titans were beefing speculated that it was directed at their feud in the hip-hop community.

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Since early 2010, Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been involved in a rap feud. However, the recent beef escalated in March 2024 and ended in May 2024.

During these three months, the duo dropped multiple diss tracks aimed at each other, including Euphoria, Family Matters, Not Like Us, Like That, Family Matters, 6:16 in LA, and more. Drake released the latest track in the lyrical battle, The Heart Pt. 6, on May 5, 2024.