Jay-Z Questions Rap Battles' Role in Hip-Hop

0:00On March 25, Jay-Z is questioning whether rap battles still have a place in hip-hop today, especially after the heated feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar last year. In a GQ interview released on March 24, the hip-hop icon opened up about the good and bad sides of these rivalries. He enjoys the energy they bring and the strong tracks that come out of them, but worries the backlash and drama create too much harm in the current. Jay-Z doubts these clashes help the culture advance and wonders if it's time to leave battling behind, even though he hates thinking that way, himself. His own legendary face-off with Nas back in the day adds some irony to his view, as he prepares for three major performances later this year.