Reflections on Cultural Criticism and Authenticity
/I unmuted Kendrick, Lamar, Drake, NFL, and Super Bowl and now I see why I muted them in the first place.
Many of you are deep in confirmation bias,
the tendency to search for and interpret information in a way that confirms your pre-existing beliefs while dismissing evidence that challenges them
This has become particularly evident in the ongoing discourse around certain artists.
THE EVOLUTION OF A DISCOURSE
& I've found myself increasingly troubled by the intensity of criticism directed at Drake, particularly in the context of this recent "rap battle" with Kendrick Lamar. What started as typical rivalry evolved into something far more complex; a referendum on cultural authenticity, racial identity, and the unspoken rules of belonging.
Kendrick’s early work had a rawness that felt more personal, like you were hearing someone process their world in real time. Once he transitioned to major label albums, the messaging became more polished, more grand in scope—almost like he was positioning himself as a voice rather than just being one. Some people love that shift, but I can see how it might not resonate the same way, especially if it starts to feel more like a performance of consciousness rather than an organic expression of it.
This Drake line “You Always Rapping Like You Tyna Get The Slaves Free” yeah, people were mad, but it wasn’t wrong. It captured a feeling that a lot of people weren’t willing to articulate, probably because Kendrick had become so revered. Most people just disengaged rather than turning it into a crusade. The way people are picking apart Drake right now feels more about proving a point than genuine critique, like they’re trying to win something rather than just say they don’t like the music.
I’m not writing to defend Drake, but to question the way people are using their intelligence to push narratives that often miss the mark. The level of energy directed at him feels disproportionate to what he’s actually doing. We should be using that same intelligence to have more nuanced, more meaningful conversations rather than engaging in this performative critique that ultimately distracts from real issues.
The Disproportionate Nature of Drake Criticism
What strikes me most is the question: What's the issue? Why does disliking Drake's music seem insufficient for so many? Why the need to actively and constantly disparage him online? The vitriol is everywhere; from trending hashtags like #FakeDrake to elaborate YouTube essays dissecting his "inauthenticity" that gain millions of views. If I don't connect with an artist's work, I simply don't listen. I don't feel compelled to broadcast my dislike across social media platforms. This observation has led me to believe that the Drake discourse isn't really about music at all; it's about what Drake represents culturally.
The "culture vulture" accusations are particularly interesting given Drake's own Black identity. These criticisms imply there's some authentic core of Black culture that Drake somehow exists outside of, despite being Black himself. This raises uncomfortable questions about who gets to define cultural authenticity and belonging.
The Mixed-Race Double Standard
The inconsistency in how mixed-race artists are treated within hip-hop culture is telling. J. Cole, for example, is also mixed, yet doesn't face the same scrutiny or questioning of his authenticity. This suggests that the criticism isn't simply about racial identity but about how certain artists position themselves within cultural spaces.
Drake's particular constellation of identities; Canadian, Jewish, and Black along with his commercial success and stylistic versatility seems to have made him a target where cultural anxieties are projected. His willingness to explore different sounds and aesthetics is reframed as "culture vulturing" rather than artistic exploration.
The Hypocrisy of Cultural Gatekeeping
There's a certain hypocrisy in how cultural authenticity is policed. The same voices criticizing Drake often celebrate the NFL and Super Bowl performances despite the league's treatment of Colin Kaepernick and his protest against racial injustice. This selective outrage suggests that these conversations aren't really about principled positions but about in-group signaling and the performance of certain cultural values.
Even more disturbing is how serious allegations like those of pedophilia are casually thrown around without evidence. This demonstrates how divorced from reality these cultural battles have become, where winning points against a perceived cultural opponent justifies even the most serious and unfounded accusations.
Beyond the Social Media Noise
As someone who mostly observes rather than participates in social media discourse, I've noticed how these platforms reward and amplify extreme positions. Nuanced takes don't generate engagement; provocative, absolutist statements do. The Drake discourse exemplifies how social media has transformed cultural criticism from thoughtful analysis into team sports, where the goal is less about understanding and more about defeating perceived opponents.
What's lost in this dynamic is the space for genuine appreciation of art across supposed cultural boundaries. It also denies the reality that culture has always been fluid and hybrid. The history of hip-hop itself is a testament to cultural exchange, sampling, and transformation.
I will continue to treat music as a personal preference rather than a cultural battleground. To recognize that an artist's work can resonate with some and not others without this difference becoming an identity marker or moral position.
In a cultural landscape increasingly defined by tribalism and performative outrage, perhaps the most revolutionary act is to simply enjoy what you enjoy without the need to tear others down. To find meaning in art without requiring it to affirm your identity or worldview. To recognize that the richness of culture comes precisely from its capacity to transcend the boundaries we try to impose upon it,
I Remain.