Common Seemingly Disagrees w/ Mos Def’s Opinion That Drake Makes Pop Music: ‘To Me, Drake Comes From Hip Hop”

Common, Drake, Mos Def

Common Seemingly Disagrees w/ Mos Def’s Opinion That Drake Makes Pop Music: ‘To Me, Drake Comes From Hip Hop”

Hip Hop vet Common is weighing in on the debate of whether or not rap star Drake should be considered a pop artist.

During a recent interview, “The Light” rapper shared his thoughts about the matter, and seemingly took a different stance than his colleague Mos Def.

Common, real name Lonnie Rashid Lynn, was asked to share his thoughts on the idea that many rap artists today, specifically Drake, are not real hip-hop artists because they’re more focused on making music that appeals to a mass audience for monetary gain over keeping the essence of what the art is. While speaking with celebrity radio host Ebro, the 51-year-old stated about the topic:

“I think now…artists can be artists…If they intention is to just be a pop artist then so be it. I think you know to me…Drake comes from hip-hop. When I first heard him rhyming I was like ‘Yo this dude is rhyming’ and if he goes out and makes songs that are popular, thats what it is.”

He added:

“The dude is an incredible song writer, he’s an incredible artist…This man has touched different aspects of culture and been able to  continue to do it so you gotta have some respect to know that like, yo this dude is a very talented artist.”

After Ebro remarked that Mos Def, also known as Yasiin Bey questioning the role consumerism has in the music culture today is on par for his brand, Common made it clear that he believes his fellow musician is “a genius.” Conversations about the topic first made headlines following an interview Mos Def recently had. The 50-year-old was specifically asked by the interviewer if he believes Drake, real name Aubrey Graham, 37, makes hip-hop music, to which the “Brown Sugar” star responded:

“Drake is pop to me…in the sense like, if I was in Target in Houston and I heard a Drake song… it feels like a lot of his music is compatible with shopping….Or shopping with an edge in certain instances… It’s likable.”

Yasiin Bey(Mos Def) says Drake's music is pop and is compatible with shopping at Target.

(? The Cutting Room Floor) pic.twitter.com/RBQtk77bg7

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) January 13, 2024

Drake responded to Mos Def’s comments shortly after. The Canada native reposted an old interview clip of Method Man sharing what he feels hip hop is where he stated:

“Hip Hop is a culture. It’s a way of life, the way you dress, the way you talk, the way you walk. It’s the breakdancing, rhymes, stage show, DJ, mixing and scratching, the wordplay. That’s Hip Hop.”

With Drake adding as a caption:

“What umi say again? Lemme shine my light king don’t change up now [laugh emoji]” 

Are you more inclined to agree with Mos Def or Common’s thoughts about the matter? Tell us in the comments section below!