Fans of battle rapping, lyricism and all-around #BARS rejoiced yesterday when it looked like Lupe Fiasco and King Los were about to jump into the ring with Mos Def (AKA Yasiin Bey), who had issued a challenge to other rappers to battle him. After Lupe and Los responded on social media, seeming up for it, Mos was interviewed by Ferrari Sheppard, and explained the aim of his challenge in more realistic terms.
“I stand behind the statement,” he said, “but at the same time I’m not trying to arrange some sort of exhibition.” When asked about his thoughts on Drake and Meek Mll's beef, he spoke to the larger issue of rappers "battling" each other: “We are the only culture that this atmosphere has been constructed around... It’s threatening to turn a fair portion of the thing into a gladiator tournament.” “There’s a lot of people out here who’s asses I think I could kick," he continued, "but I’m not out here trying to arrange fights with them.”
He also took the time to shout out a piece of criticism on the whole Drake/Meek debacle, an essay called "I'm Breaking Up With Drake" that should be required reading for rap fans everywhere.
Are you disappointed that Mos seems to have backed down from his initial challenge?
[via]
