Chuck D. Says Rappers Should Battle It Out On Tour

Chuck D, the iconic voice of Public Enemy, has issued a bold challenge to rap heavyweights Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole. His proposal? Take their lyrical warfare to the stage and turn it into a tour that not only entertains but also raises awareness about pressing sociopolitical issues.

In a recent online discourse, Chuck D emphasized the power and influence these artists hold over the youth. He sees their ongoing verbal jousting not just as a clash of egos but as a reflection of their impact on contemporary culture.

Chuck D. on the Current State of Rap

Chuck D hopped on X (formerly Twitter) May 5 to set the record straight on the Drake vs. Lamar battle. He clarified that he was team Lamar, but felt that both men would be better serving the genre by banding together and presenting a unified front. He included J. Cole in his hopes.

“These fantastic 3 rappers (I’m biased for KL) have songs that never will get this public attention,” he noted. “Hence this low hanging kid sh*t turns casuals heads.” Chuck D felt the best possible outcome for hip-hop fans would be a tour. “Get them all on a TOUR so we can pick seats,” he added.

Chuck D reminisced about the golden era of Hip-Hop, where artists like himself engaged in onstage battles with peers like Big Daddy Kane. He believes such live competitions fostered excellence and camaraderie among artists.

Reflecting on his own career, Chuck D contrasted the era of onstage battles with the current trend of digital diss tracks. He urged Drake, Kendrick, and Cole to follow the footsteps of their predecessors and settle their differences through live performances.

“While I turned 30, I was old in Rap. Same with 40, 50, 60. Now, with all going on in the world, 40-year-olds are asking me about 3 millionaire great rappers beefing,” Chuck D reflected, highlighting the generational shift in the perception of age in rap.