50 Cent on Drake, Kendrick, and Meek Mill: “Defending Yourself Looks Guilty”

During a recent interview with Michael Saparona, 50 Cent, a legendary rapper, shared his thoughts on the current dynamics of hip-hop feuds, referencing notable figures like Drake and Kendrick Lamar. The hip-hop community has been stirred up by the two heavyweights throwing subliminal shots and direct disses against each other over the years. Saparona pointed out during the discussion that Drake seemed to lose his balance in this battle by overly defending himself. In contrast, Kendrick’s more laid-back and calculated approach seemed to give him the upper hand.

According to Saparona, Drake’s efforts to defend his image may have caused a backfire, saying that the Canadian superstar may have tried too hard to refute Kendrick’s claims, leading him to lose credibility in the process.

50 Cent, who is known for his insightful and sharp commentary, agreed he shared his thoughts on how the current social media-driven climate amplifies the scrutiny put on public figures, particularly when they respond to criticism, with this assessment.

“When you say something that isn’t true, and the person wants to defend themselves, they encourage — the public likes that you’re vulnerable,” 50 explained. “Because it matters to you that it wasn’t true, and they jump on you.”

He continued by comparing Drake’s situation to Meek Mill, who was ridiculed in public due to his defensiveness after multiple accusations and memes.

50 Cent brought up the case of Meek Mill being accused of having a romantic relationship with Puff Daddy, a rumor that quickly spread across social media. Meek’s response, according to 50, only worsened the situation.

“When they say Meek is fruity or gay with Puff in the situation now, it’s how he responds to it that makes people talk about it more. It gets bigger and bigger and it turns into a thing going on out there.”

According to 50, this phenomenon is a result of the public’s craving for vulnerability and drama. The audience is more inclined to expose potential weaknesses when an artist tries to clarify or deny an accusation.

In 50’s words, “It’s the way they respond to what people say about them publicly. They feel like, ‘That bothers you?’ If you say anything, then they start harping on that harder. They want the fight to continue.”

As a seasoned professional in the rap game, 50 Cent understands the impact of an artist’s response to controversy on their public image. He demonstrated this point with the example of French Montana, who has often been associated with the same social circles but has managed to avoid the drama.

“You don’t hear one thing about French Montana. And French was in that circle and around that a lot. Not one thing, and Meek’s s–t is all over the place.”

The lesson for 50 Cent is clear: if artists defend themselves excessively, they run the risk of making things worse. It’s possible to prevent rumors and accusations from spiraling out of control by silence or a more composed reaction. In today’s fast-paced media environment, knowing when to speak and when to stay silent is crucial for maintaining one’s public image.

The 50s perspective reveals the evolution of modern-day hip-hop battles beyond music, with public perception playing a equally significant role in determining who wins and loses a feud. As evidenced by Drake, Kendrick, and Meek Mill, the appropriate handling of allegations can have a significant impact on an artist’s standing with fans and critics.