Metro Boomin says he has “love and respect” for every artist he’s collaborated with across his acclaimed and hits-stacked catalog, though he believes present-day “stan culture” has changed the way people talk about rap beefs.
As you might have guessed, this insight from the frequent 2024 chart-topper came about after a question in which both Drake and Kendrick Lamar were mentioned. Specifically, Matt Craig hit Metro with an inquiry into how diplomacy plays a part in the role of a producer during a recent Forbes panel for the publication’s 30 Under 30 Summit.
“I feel like the competition is great for the game,” Metro, whose No. 1 hit with Future, “Like That,” kicked off Drake and Kendrick’s historic back-and-forth in earnest earlier this year, said during the Cincinnati event. “Hip-hop has always been more of a competitive genre, even if just keeping it on music. And it’s not serious how everybody tries to make it. Because also with hip-hop, there’s a lot of ego involved. You’re supposed to feel like you’re the best. Everybody from the highest to the lowest guy, you’re supposed to at least feel like you’re the best.”
While Metro didn’t mention Drake or Kendrick by name in the clip below, he did note that “two of the top dogs in the game” both feeling as though they’re the current best means “a showdown” is in order, citing Jay-Z and Nas’ past beef as a classic example. That aforementioned “stan culture,” has now made such moments in hip-hop “kind of weird,” at least according to Metro.
“Back in the day, Jay-Z and Nas went at it but I was a fan of both of ‘em,” he said. “Most people were. And it’s like, okay. It’s okay. It’s not like I hate this side, I hate this side. The internet just makes it a little too wild now. But I feel like it’s good for the game and as far as me being diplomatic, it’s just entertainment at the end of the day. I have love and respect for all my collaborators. I just wanna see everybody do the best and continue to help push this forward because we’re all here to deposit in and uplift this genre and push it forward. This is our era so it’s really our responsibility to keep pushing it forward for the next one.”
Back in June, Complex’s Jordan Rose took a look at the winners and losers of this year’s marathon of beef, with named victors ranging from Kendrick to Brazilian butt lifts to, yes, Metro. Take a look back here.
The larger conversation surrounding Kendrick and Drake, specifically, has continued in subsequent months, thanks in large part to another surprise-dropped Kendrick track (this time right at the start of the MTV Video Music Awards) and the announcement that he would be the next Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner.
Earlier this month, Metro was announced to be joining the lineup for ComplexCon Las Vegas. Metro is set to perform on Nov. 16, the same day as Playboi Carti and Opium’s previously announced headlining performance. Sunday, Travis Scott and Cactus Jack will take the stage. See here for more info.
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