Yasiin Bey is now clarifying the comments he made about Drake in an interview when asked about the rapper’s catalog.
In an interview with “The Cutting Room Floor” podcast, rapper-actor Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, was asked if he considered Drake’s music hip-hop.
“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,” Bey said. “Or shopping with an edge in certain instances. It’s likeable.”
Bey drew criticism and praise for his comments, but on Jan. 29 he went on Instagram to clear up any confusion about what he said and also gave Drake his flowers.
“First of all, I don’t hate anyone,” Bey said. “My opinion is mine. It’s legal in all states, as far as I’m aware. It 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. I’m not keen to talk about people or to them through a screen, I prefer to talk to people directly. But I will say this. The young man is very talented, he’s been able to be very successful with that talent, and I have no issue with his success or anything that he’s been able to achieve as a result of his talent.”
Yasiin Bey goes on Instagram Live to address the backlash he's received for saying Drake's music is pop.
Bey reveals he reached out to Drake directly and wants to speak with him.pic.twitter.com/GYIfQDhzfE
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) January 30, 2024
Though Bey sang Drake’s praises, he still mentioned that he wanted more substance in music from not just him, but others as well.
“You are a very talented MC,” Bey said. “But for me, I require more of myself and others than just talent or charm or charisma, particularly in times of urgent crisis. And what I would like to see in terms of creators or creative people in the world, as it relates to our culture, is for people to connect with us beyond the jukebox or the dance floor.”
