Rising rapper and YouTube star DDG broke his silence this week—not by addressing his ongoing personal matters with ex-girlfriend Halle Bailey, but by launching a sharp critique against veteran artists Soulja Boy and Ray J for dragging themselves into his private life.
During an intense livestream, DDG condemned both artists for what he described as exploiting his personal issues for their own online gain. Calling the music industry “fake,” he accused Soulja Boy and Ray J of opportunism, using his relationship drama as a platform to boost their fading relevance.
“Pick a new hustle,” DDG told Soulja Boy bluntly, questioning the success of their current online antics.
Ray J’s Role: Defending Bobby V and Throwing Shade
Ray J’s involvement stemmed from his defense of singer Bobby V, whose early 2000s hit “Slow Down” was sampled in DDG’s latest single, “what i prefer.” Ray J took issue with what he claimed was a lack of proper clearance for the sample.
In the livestream, Bobby V himself chimed in by phone, revealing he wasn’t aware the sample had been legally cleared. Following the conversation, Ray J doubled down on Instagram by throwing subtle insults at DDG’s first-week album sales and the sample clearance controversy.
DDG, however, fired back, insisting all legal channels had been followed to clear the sample. He called out Ray J’s hypocrisy, noting that Ray had recently reached out to him for a collaboration on livestream content—a request DDG saw as clout chasing.
Halle Bailey’s Silent Strength Amid the Feud
Meanwhile, Halle Bailey, Grammy-nominated singer and DDG’s ex, appears unfazed by the online drama. Recently granted custody of their infant son, Bailey is spending the summer in Italy, focusing on filming a new movie. Her silence has been interpreted by fans as a powerful contrast to DDG’s very public battle.
Legacy vs. New Wave: The Feud Highlights Industry Tensions
The spat between DDG and these hip-hop veterans symbolizes the larger clash between hip-hop’s legacy figures and the new generation of influencer-rappers. For DDG, the fight isn’t just about defending his reputation—it’s about reclaiming control over the narrative he feels others are distorting for clicks and attention.
As social media spectacles continue to dominate the music scene, the question remains: will DDG’s candid response help him regain respect and sway public opinion, or will it get lost amid the endless noise of online drama?
