JAY-Z denies choosing Kendrick Lamar for Super Bowl to undermine Drake: “I’m f—ing Jay-Z” [VIDEO]

The hip-hop mogul pushes back against conspiracy theories linking his halftime show selection to the 2024 Kendrick-Drake battle.

JAY-Z has finally addressed the conspiracy theories that have followed his decision to select Kendrick Lamar for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. In a new interview with GQ published this morning (March 24), the hip-hop mogul dismissed claims that the choice was part of a calculated effort to undermine Drake amid their 2024 rap battle.

His response was characteristically blunt: “I chose the guy that was having a monster year, it wasn’t in some sort of alliance to a battle… Like what? I’m f—ing Jay-Z.” The clip, shared by @kurrco on X, has since racked up hundreds of thousands of views across social media, arrives nearly 18 months after conspiracy theories first took root—and lands squarely in the middle of a fanbase war that shows no signs of cooling off.

The laugh that follows his punchline says more than the words themselves.

What JAY-Z Said in the GQ Interview

The 1-minute-50-second clip from the interview shows JAY-Z seated in a neutral studio setting, speaking directly to the camera with the ease of someone who has fielded these questions before. The interviewer, GQ editor Frazier Tharpe, raises the topic by noting how the Kendrick-Drake beef “extended to you” because observers framed the Super Bowl booking as JAY-Z “choosing a side.” The rapper’s response is immediate and dismissive.

“I chose the guy that was having a monster year. I think it was the right choice,” he says, framing the decision in straightforward business terms. He then pushes back on the idea that he would involve himself in the feud: “What do I care about them two guys battling? What’s that got to do with me? Have at it.” He calls the narrative that “everyone’s part of this conspiracy to undermine Drake” nonsensical.

The clip’s most quoted moment comes next. JAY-Z lets out a rhetorical laugh and delivers the punchline: “But, it’s like, what the f—? I’m f—ing Jay-Z! [Laughs.] All due respect to him. I’m f—ing Hov. Respectfully.” The delivery is equal parts amusement and dismissal—a reminder of his stature in an industry where he has little to gain from picking sides in a battle between two artists he has worked with over the years.

The Conspiracy Theories He’s Shutting Down

The speculation JAY-Z addresses did not emerge from nowhere. When Roc Nation announced Kendrick Lamar as the Super Bowl LIX halftime performer in September 2024, the decision arrived at a charged moment. Kendrick and Drake had spent the spring and summer engaged in one of the most high-profile rap battles in recent memory, with Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” becoming an anthem that dominated radio, streaming, and cultural conversation.

Drake’s camp and his fanbase viewed the selection as a slight. Birdman, co-founder of Cash Money Records, posted on X at the time: “hatin s— 4real” and “these n-ggaz pussi.” Nicki Minaj also weighed in, referencing the NFL’s history with Colin Kaepernick and suggesting grudges played a role. The OVO faction pointed to past tensions between JAY-Z and Drake dating back to 2015, when Drake chose Apple Music over Tidal, JAY-Z’s streaming service, a decision that many believed created lasting friction.

The selection also carried hometown drama. Lil Wayne, a New Orleans native, was seen by many as the natural choice for a Super Bowl in his city. When Kendrick was chosen instead, Wayne’s supporters—including Drake, who posted imagery of Wayne—framed the decision as another slight against the OVO/Cash Money ecosystem. All of this fed a narrative that JAY-Z had used his influence to elevate Kendrick while sidelining Drake and his allies.

JAY-Z’s Defense: Kendrick’s ‘Monster Year’ by the Numbers

In the interview, JAY-Z points to concrete metrics to justify his decision. He describes Kendrick’s 2024 as a “monster year,” and the numbers support that description. Kendrick released his album GNX in late 2024, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 319,000 first-week units. The album spawned multiple hits, and “Not Like Us” became a cultural phenomenon that transcended the rap battle that produced it.

Kendrick also won multiple Grammy Awards during this period, further solidifying his status as the dominant force in hip-hop at the time the Super Bowl selection was made. In the full GQ interview, JAY-Z notes that Kendrick was the “number one streamed artist in the world” during that window, a fact that made him an obvious choice for the NFL’s biggest stage.

JAY-Z also defends the artistic merit of Kendrick’s performance, calling it “brave.” He acknowledges that Kendrick performed new GNX material to a massive audience, noting that “even if 10 million people know some of these songs, there’s 120 million people that’re like, ‘What is he doing?’” For JAY-Z, the decision was about cultural impact and artistic risk, not settling scores.

Social Media Reacts: Divided Loyalties and Skepticism

X reactions to the GQ clip were split along predictable lines. Drake supporters immediately challenged JAY-Z’s characterization of Kendrick’s “monster year,” pointing to Drake’s cumulative streaming totals in 2024. @hurryupnance wrote, “Lmfao why is he lying? Drake outstreamed him in his ‘monster year.’” @Skeenz_ added, “AKA ‘I chose the guy who made a dance song calling Drake a pedophile.’ Jay Z used Meek… now used Kendrick… Hov tried to knock Drake down ever since he didn’t sign w Tidal.”

OVO-aligned accounts also resurrected the Tidal-Apple Music rivalry as evidence of long-standing animosity. @WescottAmerica posted, “Cap. Jay is the biggest hater. Drake chose Apple over Tidal.” @yzyszn23 argued, “You chose someone who went on the biggest stage… and accused another person of being a pedophile. That doesn’t happen by accident; he used your platform… You definitely have an alliance.”

Kendrick supporters, meanwhile, framed the response as JAY-Z shutting down baseless speculation. @BoogieXde posted GIFs with captions reading “The Ovo conspiracy theorist right now” and “Drake fans spent 2 years building the conspiracy narrative just to get destroyed by hov.” @RappMaddd wrote, “Owls will claim it’s ‘part of a bigger scheme’ when in reality Kendrick was just the more profitable and well known artist…” Others praised the interview itself, with @Siphesihle_Mash noting, “He’s basically saying, ‘I don’t play petty games, I move with impact.’”

A third group expressed skepticism regardless of allegiance. @MidgetToast commented, “‘What do I care about these guys battling’ lying ass ngga.” @jniz4president added sarcastically, “He definitely doesn’t have his own well-documented issues with Drake… definitely isn’t insecure. Case closed, guys.” Even among those who believed JAY-Z’s explanation, some noted the irony of a man who built his career on rap battles now claiming neutrality in one.

How JAY-Z’s Response Fits Into the Larger Kendrick-Drake Narrative

JAY-Z’s comments do more than defend a Super Bowl decision; it adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about rap beef and its place in hip-hop culture. In the full interview, he reflects on his own history with Nas, expressing regret that their feud became so contentious. “I actually regret that because I really like Nas. He’s a really nice guy,” he says, positioning himself as someone who has grown beyond the need for public conflict.

He also critiques the modern iteration of rap battles, noting that they have become more personal, involving “people’s kids” and amplified by “stan armies” on social media. He questions whether “battling needs to be part of the culture anymore,” while acknowledging the irony of making that statement given his own past. The subtext is clear: the Kendrick-Drake feud, whatever its merits as entertainment, represents a version of hip-hop conflict that JAY-Z has moved past.

In situations such as these, every party has their own opinion. Given the accessibility to the stars, most fans feel as though they have a personal interest in matters such as these. Because of how things turned out, fans of Drake and his supporters are not likely to buy what JAY-Z has had to say. Meanwhile, fans of Kendrick Lamar and his supporters are likely to be pleased with that JAY-Z has said in this interview.

Conclusion: A Mogul’s Dismissal of a Narrative That Won’t Die

JAY-Z’s GQ interview is unlikely to settle the debate among fans who have spent months constructing elaborate theories about his motives. The reality, as with most things in the culture, will depend entirely on which side of the fence a listener occupies.

What is undeniable is that JAY-Z used the platform to assert his independence from the narratives others have tried to attach to him. By framing the decision around Kendrick’s achievements rather than Drake’s perceived slights, he reinforced his role as a businessman who operates above the fray. Whether that is truth or spin is secondary to the fact that he said it with the confidence of someone who knows his words carry weight.

The beef between Kendrick and Drake may have faded from the headlines. However, its aftershocks continue to ripple through hip-hop. JAY-Z’s response ensures that one of the lingering questions from that period—why Kendrick got the Super Bowl stage—now has an official answer. That some fans will never accept that answer is simply part of the culture he helped build.

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