In an interview with Charlamagne Tha God, Lil Baby finally shared his thoughts on being mentioned by Kendrick Lamar in the track “Not Like Us.” The Atlanta rapper shared his unease, saying, “I ain’t really into like that side of Hip-Hop. if you and him [Drake] was arguing, why the hell you gotta say me, you know?” This statement points to Lil Baby wanting to stay out of the conflict between two of the most prominent figures in hip-hop.
Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us” has become a hot topic in the music world, particularly for its pointed critique of Drake. In the track, Kendrick raps, “Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up,” suggesting that Drake has leaned on younger artists like Lil Baby to bolster his credibility. This line not only positions Lil Baby within the context of a diss track but also raises questions about his association with Kendrick’s criticisms.
Even though he mentioned the incident, Lil Baby did not want to ruin his relationship with Drake, so he made it clear he does not want to get entangled in any kind of dispute. He explained, “I don’t want to be dragged into any disputes between other artists,” and showed how much he wanted to focus on his music rather than getting entangled in industry drama.
The reaction by Lil Baby illustrates the sensitive nature of things within the hip-hop world. Being mentioned in a diss track is not a joking matter and could significantly taint the reputation of any artist. Being associated with Kendrick’s stern stance on Drake could be very uncomfortable, especially because of the serious nature with which Kendrick claims Drake colluded to harm him, such as describing Drake’s moves as a “colonizer” – that he appropriates and takes over the work of others in Atlanta without proper collaboration.
The relationship, however, between Atlanta-based artists and Drake has, in fact, been very intricate because while some artists openly embraced Drake, others have their own reasons for not showing much support despite the fact that they also earn from his work. For such an artist as Lil Baby, maintaining this neutrality or staying out of controversy because he wants to deliver with strong lyrics that resonate with his own fan base without getting embroiled in all the conflicts matters.
The public nature of Kendrick’s accusations can lead to scrutiny for those mentioned in his lyrics. Lil Baby may be concerned about how fans and critics perceive his involvement in this feud. Being associated with serious allegations could impact his future collaborations and overall reputation within the industry.
Interestingly, while Lil Baby and Kendrick don’t share a close relationship, their paths have crossed in a world where every action can have ripple effects. The mention in “Not Like Us” serves as a reminder of how interconnected the hip-hop community is; disputes among major figures can inadvertently involve others.
During the interview, Lil Baby also spoke about other aspects of his career. He denied any plans for new collaborations with Gunna and denied negative internet rumors by saying, “The Internet will say anything.” He emphasized that he is focused on creating hits without relying on anyone else.
Lil Baby credited Young Thug with being a mentor to him, someone who has influenced his career quite a bit. This is important in the road to an artist’s success: knowing who their supporters are. In putting all his attention and energy into his music and positive influences, Lil Baby wants to be on his path and not be involved in any outside controversy.
