Kendrick Lamar’s scorching (and insanely catchy) Drake diss “Not Like Us” has rung out everywhere from basketball arenas to bar mitzvahs all summer, but one event where it wasn’t played was Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin’s annual July 4th All-White party.
In a new interview with The Breakfast Club, Rubin confirmed the song was banned at his request, showing the downtrodden Canadian rapper has at least one good friend left. Watch the full clip below.
“It was true,” Rubin said when asked about the rumor. “Drake’s my friend for a long time. I’m not gonna invite him — and look, he’s obviously going through a little bit of a battle right now — I’m not gonna have him come there… I just didn’t think it was appropriate.”
He added, “So I sent a note and said, ‘Hey, let’s not play anyone’s music that’s feuding with anyone that’s [at the party]’.”
When interviewer Loren LoRosa asked if Drake made the request himself, Rubin insisted, “That was a ‘me’ decision. I just thought it was the appropriate thing.”
Not done sharing yet, Rubin revealed he had a close call at a BBQ the day before when Spotify’s Rap Caviar playlist was playing in the background and “Not Like Us” came on. Realizing Drake was “pulling up soon,” Rubin scrambled to skip the song.
While Rubin is clearly a good friend, this story isn’t a good look for Drake, whose many haters are probably coming up with punchlines about needing a safe space away from the Kendrick beef.
Meanwhile, ScHoolboy Q strongly hinted in July that Drake had some involvement with Canadian police canceling his Toronto show.
Editor’s Note: Read why “Not Like Us” is one of the best songs released this year.
