The Jamaican dancehall staple disclosed he isn’t exactly a “supporter of Kendrick.”
Drake might have suffered a loss in his rap contest against Kendrick Lamar last year, yet he undeniably remains a fan favorite worldwide.
On Monday (Jan. 6), Vybz Kartel shared his thoughts on the notable exchange in a discussion with Billboard, although he confessed he isn’t a “fan of Kendrick.” The dancehall staple stated, “I don’t actually listen to Kendrick, so I wouldn’t be aware. What does he rap about? “I found it online, but I mean no disrespect to the guy.”
“I can hear him, but I don’t pay attention to him,” Kartel went on to say, adding that Drake is “more connected to Jamaica and its culture.” He stated, “Drake is a superior and larger artist.”
Kartel might have some partiality, given that Drake referred to the Kingston native as one of his “biggest influences” during a 2016 interview with Nardwuar. It’s also important to note that the Canadian artist’s fourth studio album, Views, drew a lot of inspiration from dancehall, especially in tracks like “9,” the incredibly popular “Controlla,” and “Too Good” featuring Rihanna.
Regarding Drake’s conflict with Lamar, circumstances haven’t particularly worked in his favor since the Grammy-nominated “Not Like Us” was released. As previously reported by Rap-Up, the creator of “God’s Plan” submitted two pre-action petitions against Universal Music Group (UMG) for supposedly exaggerating the song’s streams, partnering with Spotify, and numerous other allegations.
Kartel was freed from prison after completing 13 years following the annulment of a murder conviction in August 2024. To celebrate the event, he headlined a New Year’s Eve concert at Freedom Street in Kingston, Jamaica, featuring special guests such as Popcaan, Spice, and others. Additionally, stars such as Nicki Minaj, Busta Rhymes, DJ Khaled, and Cardi B took to social media to welcome him back alongside his fans.
On that note, Kartel mentioned that he and the “Bodak Yellow” star are collaborating on a project. “I adore Cardi!” We have a song releasing next year. “We are currently in the midst of writing it,” disclosed the Kingston Story artist. “Regardless of whether I need to walk, I’m going to sing that song in New York!”
