Jack Antonoff Wins Producer of the Decade, Roasts Drake
Acclaimed Super Producer Jack Antonoff playfully jabs at Drake during his acceptance speech for the prestigious Variety ‘Producer of the Decade’ Award, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the music industry, particularly surrounding the Universal Music Group lawsuit.
Reflecting on the future, music enthusiasts will undoubtedly view the Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud, particularly the release of the track “Taylor Made Freestyle,” as a pivotal moment in hip-hop history. In this freestyle, Drake employs advanced AI voice filters to impersonate legends like Snoop Dogg and Tupac, teasing Kendrick for his anticipation of Taylor Swift‘s forthcoming release.
Just a few days later, Kendrick responded with the release of his track “6:16 In LA,” produced by none other than Antonoff, known for his collaborations with pop icons, as reported by Billboard. Prior to this, Antonoff had not ventured into the rap scene, primarily recognized for crafting chart-topping hits for various pop artists. His transition into hip-hop production signifies a noteworthy shift in his career.
The mention of Taylor Swift appears to have inadvertently sparked a collaborative relationship between Kendrick Lamar and Jack Antonoff. Antonoff produced every track on Kendrick’s latest project, GNX, which made a remarkable debut at the top of the Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart. Additionally, Kendrick’s single “Squabble Up” soared to the number one spot on the Hot 100 songs chart, further solidifying the impact of this unexpected partnership.
Over the weekend, Antonoff attended Variety’s Hitmaker Brunch, where he was honored with the ‘Producer of the Decade’ award. Seizing the moment, he humorously targeted Drake, who has faced a wave of jests since the release of his summer hit “Not Like Us.”
In a light-hearted yet pointed comment during his acceptance speech, Antonoff quipped, “I’d like to announce that I’m suing Universal… that’s a pretty good joke you f*ckers…” This moment captured the attention of the audience, showcasing the ongoing rivalry and playful banter prevalent within the hip-hop community.
In the wake of this hip-hop clash, Drake has initiated two legal motions: one alleging that bots were employed to artificially boost the performance of “Not Like Us” and another claiming defamation. While he has not formally filed a lawsuit yet, a court date has been scheduled in relation to these legal matters, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
Moving forward, it may be wise for Drizzy to reconsider his approach to name-dropping in future rivalries, especially after witnessing how Kendrick transformed his “Taylor-made” taunts into a chart-topping album.