Why Drake's Claim That UK Rappers Are Superior Lyricists Should Be Taken With A Grain Of Salt
On Saturday night (July 12), during the second night of his headlining performance at the Wireless Festival, the 38-year-old made the bold assertion while bringing out British rap legend Skepta to grace the stage.
'No disrespect to America, but nobody in the world can out‑rap London rappers,' Drake said, eliciting a raucous response from the crowd, as well as chagrin and dismissal from Hip-Hop fans in the U.S. and beyond.
This statement, delivered to a roaring U.K. crowd, follows closely on the heels of Skepta's latest single, 'Friendly Fire,' on Friday (July 11), in which the grime legend takes shots at the likes of A$AP Rocky and Joyner Lucas.
The record arrived days after Skepta issued a challenge for the top American rappers to go against the best from the U.K.
'I wanna clash an American rapper anyway, finally get this US/UK rap debate sorted,' the rapper said in response to doubts regarding U.K. rappers' lyrical ability in comparison to their stateside counterparts.
Drake's public alignment with the U.K. camp, especially after his well-documented tensions with A$AP Rocky — the same rapper Skepta has openly challenged to a battle — seems deliberate. Many fans deemed Drake's take as sour grapes from rivalries with Kendrick Lamar and others.
However, the move is further underscored by Drake's ever-strengthening ties to the British rap scene. His Wireless sets included appearances from U.K. heavyweights like Skepta, Dave, and Central Cee, with whom Drake has cultivated a brotherly rapport in recent years.
Despite featuring a star-studded international lineup that included Lauryn Hill, Sexyy Red, 21 Savage, Yeat, Latto, Bryson Tiller, Giveon, and even Vanessa Carlton, it was the London energy that Drake seemed most inspired by. His statement wasn't just a casual compliment — it was a direct endorsement of a scene he's openly championed in recent years.
Whether a genuine belief or a strategic alliance, Drake's claim places him firmly in the heart of a cultural tug-of-war. And with Skepta ready to settle the score in the booth, the U.S./U.K. rap rivalry might just be heading toward its most lyrical chapter yet.
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