The hip-hop world is still reverberating from the aftershocks of the intense lyrical war between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, a feud that took center stage in the first half of 2024. While many fans and insiders in the U.S. celebrated the back-and-forth diss tracks as a historic moment in rap — a return to the lyrical battles that once defined the genre — UK rap legend Skepta has stepped forward with a strikingly different take.

In a candid interview with Ebro for Apple Music, Skepta broke his silence on the transatlantic rap feud, offering a thoughtful, industry-focused perspective that questions whether the battle did more harm than good.

“It’s Hurting What We’ve Built”
Skepta didn’t mince words when asked how he felt about the Kendrick vs. Drake beef. Rather than viewing it as a cultural win for hip-hop, he expressed concern over the long-term consequences the battle might have for up-and-coming artists trying to make a living from music.

“It’s hurting what we’ve built. It’s hurting what we’ve all built this whole time,” Skepta said. “You two, man, if you don’t like each other, just link up and speak — or don’t speak to each other. But all this stuff you’re saying to each other… for the rest of everyone else who is waiting in line for the doors that you’ve kicked open, those doors are shutting on us right now.”
According to Skepta, the lyrical attacks weren’t just personal jabs — they sent ripple effects through the industry, impacting the ecosystem of artists who rely on the infrastructure, credibility, and commercial relationships that artists like Drake and Kendrick helped build.

The UK Grime Mentality vs. U.S. Rap Drama
Skepta also drew a sharp contrast between the way rap beefs play out in the U.S. and how they’ve historically functioned in the UK grime scene. In grime, lyrical clashes were rooted in competition, creativity, and often led to bigger opportunities, not lost deals.

“When I was clashing in grime, we never had nothing to lose,” he explained. “You could call me anything in the world — I’m not going to lose a Nike deal. I’m not going to stop putting food on my table.”
He emphasized that in the grime era, public battles added value, leading to packed-out shows and more visibility. But now, with mainstream brands and corporate interests in play, top-tier beefs like Drake vs. Kendrick carry risks that go beyond music.

A Warning for the Next Generation
Perhaps the most sobering part of Skepta’s commentary was his warning to emerging rappers: don’t get caught in the crossfire of elite rap drama. While fans debate who had the better bars, artists on the come-up may face real setbacks — from tightened label budgets to increased industry skepticism about rap’s marketability.

“We’re looking crazy out here,” Skepta said bluntly. “That’s why I didn’t like that. It was good… until they started sounding so crazy.”

Was It Worth It?
While fans worldwide were captivated by the lyrical excellence on display — from Kendrick’s surgical “Meet the Grahams” to Drake’s defiant “Family Matters” — Skepta’s reflection poses an important question: At what cost?

Is it worth sacrificing unity, business progress, and opportunities for future artists in the name of entertainment and ego?

Final Thoughts
Skepta’s perspective is a rare and necessary voice in the conversation. While many focused on who “won” the beef, Skepta reminds us to look at the bigger picture: the artists coming next, the foundations laid over years of hard work, and the sustainability of hip-hop as a thriving global culture.

In a world where diss tracks can trend in hours but trust and opportunity take years to build, Skepta’s message is clear:

Think twice before lighting the match — because everyone might end up in the fire.