In the grand arena of rap rivalries, where the stakes often rise higher than a teenager on TikTok, the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar saga has captivated fans worldwide. Yet, amidst this lyrical tit-for-tat, Ice-T seems less entertained and more like a grumpy uncle at a family reunion, scowling at the kids playing tag in the yard.
On a glorious Friday (May 3), the Iconic Ice-T—who might be the only person ever to successfully transition from gangster rapper to law-abiding TV detective—took to X (formerly known as Twitter), to announce that he’s not particularly invested in this ongoing rap match. Apparently, his busy schedule revolves around accumulating wealth rather than getting dragged into a verbal sparring match between two of hip-hop’s biggest names. Maybe he has some wise investments to manage?
“I’m sorry if I’m not interested in current Rap Beef or random Male Gossip…I’m a HUSTLER,” Ice-T quipped, showcasing a flair for drama that would make daytime soap stars jealous. “I’m only focused on the bag.” The ‘bag’ here presumably being a metaphorical treasure chest filled with coins from his decades-long career, rather than an actual bag of chips.
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The spat between Drake and Kendrick has been simmering like a pot of grandma’s secret chili for over a decade—just enough tension to keep it flavorful. This year, things boiled over when Kendrick dropped bars in “Like That,” possibly addressing Drake’s pointed comments in their collaboration “First Person Shooter.” You’d think we were watching a soap opera with all the plot twists.
Drake, not one to back down from a booming voice—or a chance to drop yet another single—clapped back with “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made,” the latter of which was yanked offline thanks to a cease-and-desist from Tupac’s estate. Yep, even in the world of rap, the ‘homework excuse’ is alive and well—‘I swear, my dog ate my track!’
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Kendrick didn’t take the hits lying down, of course. His response? A nearly 7-minute diss track titled “Euphoria,” where he dished out lyrical burns reminiscent of an overzealous BBQ. His subsequent tracks ramped up the tension, leading to an exchange that could only be described as a lyrical game of catch—except the ball is set on fire, and nobody wants to play anymore.
Meanwhile, Ice-T remains unfazed by the melodrama unfolding. He recently flexed his wisdom on the pitfalls of interviews, warning artists about how the wrong words can become clickbait. “They will talk to you for hours hoping you say one thing they can TWIST and hype up,” he cautioned, echoing a sentiment only a true veteran could convey.
In this ongoing theatrical performance we call hip-hop, where even the music can sometimes sound like background noise in a crowded cafe, Ice-T stands out by hushing the chaos. While others seem consumed with beef and bluster, he’s simply counting stacks—because let’s be honest, the only real hustle is making money while everyone else is busy shouting at each other.
