Jay-Z is opening up about some of his most personal and controversial moments in a new GQ interview. From addressing past allegations to weighing in on the Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud, he also speaks candidly about fatherhood and defending Blue Ivy’s place onstage. Watch the full video for all the biggest takeaways from his revealing interview.
The “99 Problems” emcee admitted he loves the “excitement” and “sparring” that comes with rap beefs, but now, there’s too much negativity that comes with it “that you almost wish it didn’t happen.”in a newly released cover story.
“It’s like an attack on his character. I don’t know if I love that. I don’t know if it’s helpful to our growth where the fallout lands, especially on social media.”Jay-Z was concerned about the “negative stuff” that came from the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.“Now, people that like Kendrick hate Drake, no matter what he makes,” Jay told GQ. “It’s like an attack on his character. I don’t know if I love that.”Jay-Z finally addresses sexual misconduct allegations, lawsuit: ‘That s–t took a lot out of me’The 25-time Grammy winner believes the “stans armies” aided in making the rappers’ beef become a bigger issue. “I sound like the old guy wagging his finger, but I think we can achieve the same thing, as far as sparring with music, with collaborations more so than breaking the whole thing apart,” the “Empire State of Mind” emcee, 56, added. “It could stand it before because there was no social media. You had the battle and it was fun and then you moved on. Right now, I don’t know if it could stand it with the technology that we have.”The billionaire rapper said he didn’t like people’s kids and families being brought into rap beefs.Jay said he doesn’t know if rap battles “need to be part of the culture anymore.”The billionaire hip-hop mogul said social media has aided in tearing down people’s lives during rap battles and may not need to be part of the culture anymore. “I don’t know if it’s worth it at this point. I love the idea that we got so much music in such a short period of time,” he told GQ. “Just everything around it was like, ‘Man, this is taking us a couple steps back.’ We’ve just grown so much that — I guess I’m going to say it — I don’t know if battling needs to be part of the culture anymore,” Jay added. “We grew from breakdancing. We love graffiti. Before, the MC’s job was to bring attention to the DJ … I want to hear what the rapper is saying. Now the last pillar is battling, and these are all the things that come with it. I hate that I have this point of view on it. I do. Because I know what it sounds like. It’s just how I feel about it.”The “Empire State of Mind” rapper shut down claims he was part of a “conspiracy to undermine” Drake by choosing Lamar to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show last year.“I chose the guy that was having a monster year. I think it was the right choice,” Jay told GQ.Jay also shut down claims that he was part of a “conspiracy to undermine” Drake by choosing Lamar to year. I think it was the right choice. What do I care about them two guys battling? What’s that got to do with me? Have at it,” he said. “They drag everybody in it, like everyone’s part of this conspiracy to undermine Drake, I guess. But, it’s like, what the f–k? I’m f–king Jay-Z! All due respect to him. I’m f–king Hov. Respectfully. It doesn’t make any sense,” he added.The “Degrassi” alum accused Lamar of beating his fiancée and cheating on her.Though the feud had been slowly brewing for years, the “Humble” rapper reignited the drama by dissing the “Hotline Bling” hitmaker, 39, and J. Cole on Future and Metro Boomin’s hit “Like That.” “F–k sneak dissin’, first-person shooter / I hope they came with three switches,” he rapped, adding, “Motherf–k the big three / N—a, it’s just big me.” Lamar also shaded then threw shade at Drake’s “For All the Dogs” project, rapping: “For all your dogs gettin’ buried / That’s a K with all these nines, he gon’ see ‘Pet Sematary.’”longtime fiancée“Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young / You better not ever go to cell block one / To any bitch that talk to him and they in love / Just make sure you “Not Like Us” dominated the 2025 Grammys, winning the coveted awards for record of the year, song of the year, best rap performance, best rap song and best music video.Drake filed a lawsuit against UMG, alleging the label defamed him by suggesting he had sexual relations with minors and used bots to make the song viral.To put a nail in the coffin, Lamar took the stage during halftime of the 2025 Super Bowl to perform a mashup of his hit songs such as “Squabble Up,” “Humble,” “DNA,” “Euphoria” and “Not Like Us.”In January 2026, Drake’s legal team filed an appeal, arguing that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent for interpreting rap lyrics as protected opinion rather than potential libel.Kathy Hilton on her ‘trademark’ pleated hats and what she bought with her first credit card Jennifer Lopez called this mascara the ‘most important’ step of her beauty routine — and it’s 15% offMeghan Markle and Prince Harry getting the cold shoulder from Montecito neighborsStarbucks’ Hannah Montana Drink Flavor Fail Sends Fans Into Furious Frenzy: “Did We FORGET In The Show She HATES Raspberry”Nicole Kidman parties in lace and leather for Reese Witherspoon’s 50th birthdayMore Page Six Style"Now, people that like Kendrick hate Drake, no matter what he makes," Jay told GQ."It’s like an attack on his character. I don’t know if I love that."The billionaire rapper said he didn't like people's kids and families being brought into rap beefs.Jay said he doesn't know if rap battles"need to be part of the culture anymore."The"Empire State of Mind" rapper shut down claims he was part of a"conspiracy to undermine" Drake by choosing Lamar to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show last year."I chose the guy that was having a monster year. I think it was the right choice," Jay told GQ.The"Degrassi" alum accused Lamar of beating his fiancée and cheating on her.Drake filed a lawsuit against UMG, alleging the label defamed him by suggesting he had sexual relations with minors and used bots to make the song viral.Stream It Or Skip It: 'Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special' On Disney+, Where Miley Cyrus Brings The Best Of Both Worlds As She Revives The Character That Made Her A Star
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