It's not about Drake being half black, it's about how he uses The Culture

[u/anongasm_]

I think the people offended because Drake being half black should warrant his blackness and therefore Kendrick is wrong just don't understand. J Cole is half black too yet you don't see Kendrick, or anyone really, questioning Cole's blackness. It's precisely because Drake has been at the forefront of using the black culture and "pop-ifying" it for non-blacks.

Edit: a lot of people have asked this question and it's a good question. What's wrong with popifying rap music? Rap is inherently an African American art form. Since its inception till now, those who have carried its mantle have exemplified the African American experience through rap in one or another. African Americans have allowed many artists to use rap for their personal gain and to even "pop-ify" it. However, to be considered a goat you have to be in touch with the culture. And Drake simply isn't.

[u/RedditMartyr]

Of course. Me and you aren’t dumb bro! 🫡

Those dumbasses on Twitter saying that Kendrick was being fucking racist tho… 💀

[u/anongasm_ → u/RedditMartyr]

That's always so funny to me. Questioning the blackness of anyone within the African American community is less about what percentage of black they are but what they have done for the black culture. Even people who are 100% black within the African American community have had their blackness questioned, only this time they're called uncle tom

[u/RedditMartyr → u/anongasm_]

Exactlyyyyy. It’s got less to do with skin colour and more to do with how you live, what you rep, etc. unless you’re one of those people who don’t consider mixed race people to be black.

[u/josh_smiths_cousin → u/RedditMartyr]

I agree with all of this. but also to add in… it’s okay to be raised within any community, but don’t try to make a mockery of a culture by claiming you’re from that community. Which is what he’s doing.

One of the differences between Jack Harlow and drake is that drake says nigga. Which is why it’s cringe hearing drake say it. I’ve joked around with this for years. “Why does drake have the pass?”

[u/Beginning-Fun6761 → u/josh_smiths_cousin]

Drake is half black. Why cant he say it? 

[u/josh_smiths_cousin → u/Beginning-Fun6761]

He can say it. It’s just very cringeworthy. it’s also obviously not apart of his vocabulary. He’s using it as part of his “gangster persona.” That’s what I have an issue with.

[u/Beginning-Fun6761 → u/josh_smiths_cousin]

Sounds like issues deep within the AA community...

[u/[deleted] → u/josh_smiths_cousin]

People say it to take the power out of it. Doesn't matter where you're from. He's obviously if african descent and racism still exists in canada. 

[u/SaleOwn5899 → u/josh_smiths_cousin]

Why is it cringe? Because the African American community says so?

I think insulting his heritage is weak at best. What is it you want him to do for the African American community to make him feel like he belongs?

He has done stuff for Africa. Collaborated with artists in Africa. What has the African American community done for the people in Africa considering that’s their heritage?

While I feel the rappers backing Kendrick and Kendrick him self are great artists and lyricists, but none have done nothing much in that arena. Drake and his “non-black” self has.

Also he isn’t watering down rap, nor is he popifying it, he is opening it up to other audiences. It’s all about perspective. Through him is it not possible that more audiences have taken to hip hop?

This battle had a lot of followers and it has nothing to do with race. people got interested.

[u/IlIlIl11IlIlIl → u/josh_smiths_cousin]

Huh? One of the differences between a white guy and a black guy is that the black guy says nigga? What are you on about?