Andre 3000 Also Wasn’t a Fan of Kendrick vs. Drake Beef

“I got a little sad, at a certain point,” he said when asked about the highly-publicized feud. “In early rap battles, you had kids in the park rapping against each other. But it’s not just people rapping now. You got people with 100 employees. You have livelihoods, empires, companies, deals — all of it can be jeopardized. If you don’t have anything to lose, sure, go for it. But if I already made it, I’m not sure it’s even worth it anymore.”

Battling has always been a part of hip-hop, but as Andre points out — the stakes can be much higher than just an emcee’s bragging rights and lyrical supremacy. Sometimes it’s much bigger, much more personal and much darker. It’s also worth noting that, while many legends in the game had to spar during their heyday—rap beefs are not mandatory for hip-hop greatness. Sometimes the thing that makes the entire world tune into an interview where Katt Williams trashes fellow comedians is the same thing that made K.Dot vs Drizzy endlessly entertaining for so many. It doesn’t feel like hip-hop so much as it’s the spectacle of modern popular culture.

Andre 3000 was never known for feuding — even though he revealed that he may have written an unreleased verse or two aimed at haters back in the day. “You have feelings,” the legend admits. “If n*ggas say some slick shit, lines will come to your head immediately.”

At this stage in his career, Andre 3000 would most likely pick his flute rather than engage in any rap feuds. But whenever the icon voices his opinions, we’ll always stop and listen.