Mos Def is taking the time to clarify his recent comments on fellow rapper Drake and his music. As The Shade Room previously reported, the 50-year-old went viral after referring to Drake as an artist who makes “shopping” music earlier this month.
Mos Def recently took to Instagram Live in footage chronicled by Instagram user @livebitez. During his stream, the rapper explained that he wanted fans to hear what he had to say about some of the “comments” he recently made about Drake.
“First of all, I don’t hate anyone. My opinion is mine — it is legal in all states as far as I’m aware,” he said. “That was not an opportunity to try to slander him or to clown on him. I have reached out to him — I have no responses yet but, you know, I’m not keen to talk about people or to them through a screen. I prefer to talk to people directly.”
The rapper went on to say that Drake is “very talented,” and “has been able to be very successful with talent.” Therefore, he has no issue with Drake’s success.
Additionally, Mos Def said some of the past criticism Drake has received has been “mean-spirited” or “unfair.” Furthermore, he does not want his comments about the rapper to be perceived the same way.
Before concluding his thoughts on the matter, the rapper even shared a message to Drake.
Social media users entered The Shade Room’s comment section to share their reactions to Mos Def’s latest sentiments.
“He didn’t say anything bad anyway 🙄 ppl are allowed to have opinions”
“He did not have to explain himself. Real ones know he wasn’t hating. I applaud him though👏🏾👏🏾”
“Why can’t someone speak freely. Damn. Mos a legend, Drake a pop star.”
“He didn’t need to do this.. I’ve always been taught you shouldn’t apologize for something you’re not sorry for”
Instagram user @theflybohemian wrote.
“His answer was grown and honest. I’m not sure he needed to make this apology.”
“I missed when the world was allowed to have opinions and we could respect it or not and move forward 💯”
“Mos def was my favorite rapper at one time frfr for sure a hip hop legend in this thang but the question could have been answered better and his comments did come off as slander but he is entitled to his opinion drake is one of the most versatile artist of our time. He wouldn’t receive this much criticism if he wasn’t on his way to being in a class all by himself! Drake his hip hop but Drake can make hip hop songs pop (POPULAR) he can go bars, catchy record, R&B, Dancehall…he can do it all! This is not something we have seen before and we won’t understand until he’s done and refused to put out music! Appreciate Drake before it’s too late!”
As The Shade Room previously reported, Mos Def’s recent appearance on ‘The Cutting Room Floor’ podcast went viral earlier this month. At the time, he was asked if he felt Drake was hip-hop.
However, he disagreed.
“Drake is pop to me, in the sense like if I was in Target in Houston and I heard a Drake song. It feels like a lot of his music is compatible with shopping,” he said.
A few days later, Drake seemingly responded to Mos Def, telling the elder emcee to let him “shine” his “light.”