Writer and cultural critic Touré stirred conversation online with a video titled “The 7 Biggest Reasons Why I Hate Drake”. While his personal feelings toward the Toronto star are his own, one of his arguments leaned on a striking Eminem quote that gets to the heart of hip hop’s competitive spirit.
Touré referenced Kendrick Lamar’s legendary 2014 verse on Big Sean’s “Control” – the one where Kendrick declared lyrical war on nearly every rapper of his generation, from J. Cole to Drake himself.
I’m usually homeboys with the same niggas I’m rhymin’ with
But this is hip-hop, and them niggas should know what time it is
And that goes for Jermaine Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Wale
Pusha T, Meek Millz, A$AP Rocky, Drake
Big Sean, Jay Electron’, Tyler, Mac Miller
I got love for you all, but I’m tryna murder you niggas
Tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you niggas
They don’t wanna hear not one more noun or verb from you niggas
Most MCs took it in stride as the competitive hunger that defines the culture. Drake, however, reportedly did not.
That is where Eminem’s words came in. In an interview clip Touré played, Em explained Kendrick’s mindset:
“You cannot really get mad at him because that’s what every MC should be thinking. At least every MC who competitively raps. As an MC, you already should have been thinking that. So, he only said what every other rapper is already thinking. The fact that he had the balls to say it is what’s incredible to me. I think it’s a genius move what he did”.
By the way, Eminem was not on Kendrick’s “murder list”. Instead, he was grouped with Nas, Jay-Z, and Andre 3000 in the “GOAT conversation”, and their respect is mutual. But the point stands: every great rapper should want to be the best. However, Drake was offended and dumbfounded because it “didn’t feel real”, and Kendrick continued to be friendly with him and did not show any hostility in their social interactions.
Touré used this quote to argue that Drake’s discomfort with the verse shows a lack of understanding of that core hip hop ethos.
The video, which quickly racked up three times more views than Touré’s own subscriber count, clearly struck a nerve and reignited debate over competition, artistry, and authenticity in rap.
