Drake has been exchanging disses and jabs with former collaborator Jay-Z all throughout 2026, although nothing has escalated into a full-on battle just yet. That's because there aren't any super direct tracks, callouts, or name-drops yet. Joe Budden is one of many fans who wants Drizzy to take the first swing at Hov to settle all this.
Budden debated about this with his cohosts on his self-titled podcast. During their most recent episode, they talked about a potential new Jay-Z album and other things fans expect from this era.
Marc Lamont Hill was talking about Jay's commercial dominance before Joe chimed in. "Drake, bait him. Come on. Let's have some fun," he remarked, as caught by CY Chels on Twitter. "Get him... It's fake tug of war where the other team give a strong tug in the front. But now it's a little tussle. No clear winner yet. You want to show n***as you tough?"
The Slaughterhouse MC referenced Drake's "pen isn't dry" comments during his recent livestream, positing it was against Rick Ross. However, he said the Hov album rumors indicate the comments are more about being ready to rap at any moment.
Jay-Z & Drake's Beef
"If you want to get to talking tough about 'the pen isn't dry,' take the bait," Budden added. "Jump out there... Fire on that senior citizen. Kendrick [Lamar] and Drake was years ago. Now, let's turn it up. Get him out that cubby hole... Enough of that 'wrong chart, champ.' Who the f**k he think he talking to, Aubrey? [...] We barking at h*es. Let's bark at some n***as, too..."
Ice brought up Drake's previous shots at Jay-Z and how there's a lot of history here, but Joe thinks they mostly ran in circles around each other. "Swing. A real swing. Throw a punch," he added. The JBP asked for "the hardest beat we've ever heard in our life" on a new timestamp track dissing Jay.
Then, the cohosts debated about whether or not other rappers would salute Drizzy's efforts. But some believe it would be impossible to "kill" Hov. We'll have to wait to find out what goes down...
