Veteran hip-hop journalist Elliott Wilson played a pivotal role in mending fences between the 'Hotline Bling' hitmaker and the hip-hop artist after their mid-2010s feud.
- August 13, 2024
AceShowbiz - Elliott Wilson, the Editorial Director of Hip Hop Journalism at UPROXX Studios, has revealed how he facilitated the reconciliation between Drake and Jay-Z following their rift in the mid-2010s.
Early in their careers, Drake and Jay-Z had a close relationship, collaborating on songs like "Off That" and "Light Up". However, a friendly competition emerged when Drake alluded to challenging their dominance on "I'm On One".
Tensions escalated when Drake criticized Hov's art references in a Rolling Stone interview, prompting Jay-Z to counter on Soulja Boy's "We Made It". Yet, Wilson intervened, encouraging the pair to communicate. "I got them back together, I got them to talk," Wilson said on The Bigger Picture podcast. Drake confirmed the reconciliation, saying, "We're figuring it out."
Their subsequent collaboration on Drake's "Talk Up" marked their most recent song together, suggesting a resolution to their differences.
Despite an early fallout between Wilson and Drake, Wilson remains an influential figure in hip-hop journalism. He was an early supporter of Drake, having interviewed him in 2020. However, their relationship soured following Wilson's criticism of Drake's tracks against Kendrick Lamar.
The reconciliation between Drake and Jay-Z is a testament to Wilson's ability to navigate conflicts within the hip-hop community. It also provides insight into the dynamics between prominent artists in the face of competition and public scrutiny.
