Drake’s assertion, delivered with conviction, rapidly set off a firestorm on-line. While followers at Finsbury Park roared in help—particularly as Skepta launched into his 2015 anthem “Shutdown”—social media reactions elsewhere had been divided. Many pointed to Drake’s personal lyrical battles, together with his current loss to Kendrick Lamar, as grounds for skepticism.

“Drake said U.K. rappers are better lyrically than U.S. rappers but couldn’t even get past the guy in L.A.,” one X person posted, referencing the scathing diss tracks that dominated hip-hop discourse earlier this yr. Another person sarcastically added, “All those U.S. rappers who were riding for Drake, go ahead and step up now. Defend your boy.”

Drake’s remarks didn’t come out of skinny air. The debate was initially sparked by Skepta himself, who not too long ago asserted that British emcees don’t get sufficient credit score for his or her lyrical depth. His feedback reignited a cultural dialog that’s been lingering for years: whether or not U.Okay. lyricism is neglected in favor of its flashier American counterpart.

If Drake was making an attempt to dealer peace by exhibiting respect to London’s rap scene, he might have inadvertently stoked aggressive fires. His declaration has drawn contemporary battle traces throughout the Atlantic, particularly as British and American artists proceed to spar by lyrics.

The timing additionally feels deliberate. Just in the future prior, on Friday, July 11, Skepta fired lyrical pictures at Massachusetts rapper Joyner Lucas on the observe “Friendly Fire.” By Sunday, Lucas had hinted at a attainable response, writing, “Say less, my boy,” on X, implying that he may take the bait.

As rap followers brace for a brand new spherical of lyrical jousts, one factor is evident: Drake’s phrases have added gas to a transatlantic rivalry that reveals no indicators of slowing. Whether the most effective rhymes come from Brooklyn or Brixton stays up for debate—however for now, London has the ground.