West Coast rap icon Xzibit has added his voice to the ongoing conversation surrounding the high-profile feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake — and he’s giving props to both artists in very different ways.
Appearing on Johnny James’ YouTube show, Xzibit praised Lamar’s fierce lyricism and strategy in the beef, warning that the Compton rapper isn’t someone to take lightly.
“I love what Kendrick is doing,” Xzibit said. “You don’t pick a fight with someone who really likes to fight.”
Drake Isn’t Done Yet, Says Xzibit
Although Kendrick seems to have dominated the rap beef in the public eye, Xzibit believes Drake is far from finished.
“Drake isn’t done. He’s not dead. Kendrick did not kill the man,” Xzibit explained. “He’s one song away from being back where he was.”
As a fellow California MC, Xzibit naturally leans in Kendrick’s corner, but he acknowledged that the Canadian superstar still holds massive influence and talent.
The Dream of Reconciliation
Xzibit also shared hopes for peace between the two rap heavyweights someday — comparing a potential sit-down to the reconciliation between basketball legends Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan.
“The perfect ending of this story is maybe they have a sit-down and talk about it… getting clarity on where their mindsets were and coming to peace.”
Reminded of Hip-Hop’s Dark Past
The tension between Kendrick and Drake sparked flashbacks for Xzibit — specifically to the East Coast vs. West Coast beef that tragically ended with the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
“In our era, we lost Tupac, Biggie, and countless others,” Xzibit reflected. “So whenever I see something of that magnitude happening, the first thing I think of is who’s gonna die.”
On Kendrick Calling Drake a Pedophile: “It’s Fair Game”
In a previous appearance on Bill Maher’s Club Random Podcast, Xzibit addressed Kendrick’s bold allegations in the track “Not Like Us” — and stood by them as part of battle rap’s anything-goes mentality.
“This is a f**king rap battle! I’m gonna talk about your mama, your daddy, your children, your grandma’s wooden leg, your missing teeth. It’s all a game, right?”
He argued that unless there are actual criminal charges, lyrical jabs shouldn’t be taken as factual evidence.
“If something weird was going on, people would come forward and testify. But if I give you a line that hurts your feelings — don’t try to fight me because it was a good joke.”
