Mos Def Explains Why He Won't Battle Lupe Fiasco

[Town Bidnezz]

Yasiin Bey, known to many as Mos Def, has spoken out on why he won't battle Lupe Fiasco or any other rapper in the Hip-Hop hemisphere.

In an interview with A Country Called Earth's Ferrari Sheppard, the rapper breaks down the origins behind the now infamous battle challenge video, his thoughts behind the Drake and Meek Mill beef and how he views hip hop today. The rapper wasted no time addressing Lupe Fiasco, who responded to his alleged battle rap challenge. Bey respectfully declined the challenge, citing how he believes the point of battling has become trivial with the latest beef between Drake and Meek Mill.

From his point of view, today's rap fans wouldn't take lyrics and punch lines said in a battle with him and any rapper seriously. "I see certain people and I have a private opinion on them," he said regarding the video. "It was a private opinion made public. The video was released without my consent so that right there is violation. I stand by what I said, but I'm not trying to rearrange an exhibition of that reality. I do a lot more than rap so I'm not stressing."

He called his comments recorded in the video "barber shop, around the way talk" and says he's aware that his comments can be deceived as hypocritical or contradicting. He breaks down the premise of battling by explaining how today's listeners are just intrigued by the beef or "gladiator" view of it all.

He says he decided to speak out on the video so people can understand the bigger picture of the "circus" acts recently created in Hip-Hop, a scenario that isn't seen in any other genre. "Lupe, go do your thing," he said. "There's no conflict over here. There's no bonanza or spectacle that I'm going to provide in that way. I'm not interested in that at all. But much success to you."