Given the name of our publication, we love when personalities from different industries’ crossover in their commentary and connect the cultural dots. Cue in Stephen A. Smith.
Most recently, ESPN’s beloved personality, Stephen A. Smith spoke about Kendrick Lamar’s “Grand National Tour” with SZA and how the tour dates revealed a stop in Toronto, on his own show. As you all know, Kendrick’s recent Hip Hop adversary, Drake, is from Toronto, and Smith had two drop his two cents on the modern day beef. If you recall, Smith had some words about Drake on his YouTube show, and is certain Drake heard what was said — but was perceived negatively.
“I did not say or echo a single negative thing about you. You’re a phenomenal artist. You’re big time. What I said was—fact—Not Like Us got you.” – Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Goes elaborates further and explains why he believes Kendrick was the winner of the battle/beef after. He eludes that “Not Like Us” was a display of pure lyricism and should not have prompted Drake to consider legal action. “You don’t go the lawyer route in Hp Hop over something like this,” stated Smith. And respectfully, we agree! Imagine if Benzino took Eminem to court over “Nail In The Coffin?” Or if Jay Z served Nas with legal documents over “Ether.” It’s just not, well, Hip Hop like.
Smith elaborates further, “You take it to the studio. You take it to the streets. That’s all I said. I didn’t sit up there and say you can’t answer Kendrick Lamar. I said ‘You better figure out a way to do so,’ meaning you have the capability, I think, to pull it off. That’s all.” He doubles down on his belief that the feud will always circle back to Drake getting back in the studio and handling matters there.
“The point is Kendrick got you with that song. Come back with one of yours.”