Drake Claps Back at Yasiin Bey’s Criticism with Support from Method Man

Canadian superstar Drake has swiftly responded to Yasiin Bey’s recent critique, enlisting the support of hip-hop veteran Method Man. The exchange began when Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, labeled Drake a “pop” artist during a recent interview. In retaliation, Drake took to his Instagram Stories on Monday, sharing an old interview clip of Method Man, emphasizing the significance of hip-hop culture.

Referencing Bey’s classic track “Umi Says,” Drake wrote, “What umi say again? Lemme shine my light king don’t change up now.” The shared video features Method Man defining hip-hop as a culture, encompassing various elements such as fashion, language, dance, and musical components like breakdancing, rhymes, DJing, and wordplay.

Yasiin Bey’s criticism surfaced during an interview with The Cutting Room Floor, where he categorized Drake’s music as “pop” and suggested it felt suitable for background shopping in places like Target. While acknowledging the likeability of Drake’s music, Bey humorously associated it with commerce, prompting a serious reflection on the potential lack of substance in music designed for commercial appeal.

In response to the critique, NLE Choppa defended Drake on social media, expressing disbelief at the continuous criticism the Canadian artist receives. Choppa praised Drake’s extensive catalog and versatility, dismissing Bey’s remarks.

Notably, this isn’t the first time Drake has faced criticism from fellow rappers. Last year, Joe Budden criticized Drake’s “For All the Dogs” album for what he perceived as a lack of maturity and growth. Budden urged Drake to evolve his music to cater to a more adult audience, expressing frustration at what he considered a focus on younger demographics.

In a peculiar twist, Drake’s response to Yasiin Bey comes after he name-dropped the Black Star legend in his “For All the Dogs” track “Away From Home,” referencing an appreciation for the financial support Bey provided during a performance: “And Mos Def gave me like a rack for performin’/ Crib I got now make me think of when I had to put some money on a mortgage.” The ongoing exchange highlights the diversity of opinions within the hip-hop community regarding Drake’s musical approach.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Silvano Wu-Tang Forever (@silvano_wutangforever)