Stop Making Excuses for Rappers Like Drake, Jay-Z, and Diddy
It’s #TBT and yes we’re back on this topic because people insist on defending the indefensible. Let’s talk about the uncomfortable truth: we’ve got a problem with accountability when it comes to some of our favourite rappers. Yes, I’m talking about the titans of hip-hop—Drake, Jay-Z, Diddy, and the like. Icons, yes. But saints? Far from it. Yet, time and time again, we find ourselves bending over backward to excuse their questionable behavior. We need to stop making excuses for rappers. We’ve covered why Black Women protect Hip Hop but as the accusations grow so do the people making excuses for rappers.
We know the why. Power and nostalgia are one hell of a cocktail. These men have provided the soundtrack to our lives. They’ve given us iconic beats, lyrics that hit deep, and cultural moments that define eras. So, when their names come up alongside allegations of shady dealings, exploitation, or worse, we’re quick to cover our ears and sing Started From the Bottom at the top of our lungs. But here’s the thing: genius doesn’t excuse bad behavior. And Drake started from the middle and Degrassi Junior High. But I digress.
Drake
Recent Kendrick Lamar lyrics have hinted at not everything being kosher in the Drake well.. For all his talent, the man’s track record with women raises eyebrows. From lyrics that toe the line of possessiveness to some “mentorship” relationships that seem… let’s just say, inappropriate, it’s clear there’s more than meets the eye. He picks them young and appears to groom them through texts.
His defence is that it’s all innocent. The defence is that no woman has accused him directly which links to a lot of people not understanding coercive control and grooming. But instead of calling it out, fans slap on the “lover boy” label and move on. Why? Because “he’s just emotional,” or “it’s part of his brand.” But these side eyes have been happening for more than 5 years now. I mention him in time to date your age. It’s clear that men feel particularly aggrieved by the lack of evidence in these accusations. Remember R. Kelly? Not even a video was enough. It took years!
Jay-Z
Then there’s Jay-Z. The mogul, the businessman, the man who taught us all that 30’s the new 20. And yet, this same man openly bragged about his infidelity in 4:44, framing it as part of his “growth.” Don’t get me wrong, growth is good. But let’s not pretend that apologizing in an album absolves years of betrayal and public disrespect. The double standard here is glaring. Imagine if Beyoncé had done the same—would she have been applauded for her honesty, or dragged for her actions? Also similarly being with younger women. Come on now! It doesn’t even make sense that grown men want children this much. And I dare anyone to say these girls were women just because their boobs and butt had popped. Stop making excuses for rappers and your favourites.
Diddy
And Diddy? Oh, where do we even begin? Allegations of manipulation, abuse, and exploiting artists have dogged his career for decades. Every so often, a story bubbles to the surface, only to be brushed aside with a shrug and a “well, that’s just the industry.” No, that’s just enabling. I honestly thought Diddy would get away with it all but, if you owe the government money they’re going to make sure you feel the pain. So I don’t think it was his crimes against women that made him fall but helped finish him.
Stop making excuses for rappers
The issue isn’t that these men are flawed—we all are. The issue is the way we, as fans and as a society, refuse to hold them accountable. We’ve built pedestals so high that we’re scared of the crash. But maybe it’s time we stopped worrying about their fall and started focusing on the damage they’ve caused along the way.
Here’s the thing: if we really love this culture, we can’t keep letting its leaders off the hook. Hip-hop is about truth-telling, about challenging the status quo. Excusing bad behavior isn’t just hypocritical; it’s antithetical to the very spirit of the genre. Accountability isn’t cancellation; it’s growth. It’s saying, “You can do better, and we expect better.”
That’s why we need to Stop Making Excuses for Rappers Like Drake, Jay-Z, and Diddy let alone all the others (side eye Nelly). So, the next time your favorite rapper’s name comes up in an unsavory headline, resist the urge to defend them blindly. Instead, ask yourself: if it were anyone else, would I still be making excuses? If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to let that loyalty go. Because love without accountability isn’t love at all—it’s complicity
© Chelsea Black ® 2024
