Drake Claps Back at Ebro Darden After Being Called a “Sickness” in Hip-Hop

The tensions between Drake and Ebro Darden have reached new heights after the Hot 97 radio host referred to the Toronto rapper as a “sickness” in hip-hop. The comment, which came amid discussions about Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, sparked immediate backlash, leading to a heated exchange between the two.

Drake, known for his ability to navigate controversy, didn’t stay silent. Instead, he fired back with a mix of humor and sarcasm, mocking Ebro’s remarks in a way that quickly went viral. The confrontation raises larger questions about Drake’s role in hip-hop, his influence on the culture, and whether his dominance is helping or hurting the genre.

Ebro Darden Calls Drake a “Sickness” in Hip-Hop

During a recent episode of Ebro In The Morning on Hot 97, the longtime radio host made a bold statement about Drake’s influence in hip-hop. While discussing Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, Ebro expressed his belief that Drake represents a deeper issue within the music industry.

“Drake is not that important. The reason Drake’s in this is because he is a sickness in the game.”

Ebro explained that while Drake is widely loved, his career has been built on a formula that prioritizes popularity over depth. He contrasted Drake’s approach to that of Kendrick Lamar, who is known for his introspective lyricism and socially conscious themes.

“People love Drake – they love his music, we love his music. He’s beloved. He’s not willing to go rip his soul from the bottom and do ayahuasca and look himself in the mirror as Kendrick had prescribed to him.”

According to Ebro, Drake is symbolic of an industry that rewards commercial success over artistic growth. While his statement divided fans, it reinforced a long-running criticism that Drake is more focused on maintaining his dominance than evolving as an artist.

Drake’s Response: Sarcasm and Social Media Trolling

Drake, never one to ignore a challenge, quickly responded to Ebro’s comments. Instead of engaging in a serious debate, he took a more playful and sarcastic approach.

Drake posted a Photoshopped image of Ebro inside a bowl of ayahuasca on his Finsta (a private Instagram account used for close friends). The image was a direct jab at Ebro’s reference to ayahuasca, a psychedelic plant used in spiritual ceremonies to promote self-discovery and emotional healing.

By turning Ebro’s statement into a joke, Drake effectively flipped the narrative. Rather than addressing the deeper criticism about his music, he made the conversation about Ebro’s dramatic choice of words, shifting the focus away from his own career and onto the radio host himself.

Ebro Fires Back: “Drake is at a Low Point”

Ebro wasted no time responding to Drake’s mockery, using his Hot 97 platform to suggest that Drake’s reaction was proof of his vulnerability.

“If Drake is now mentioning me at this point in his career – which he’s never done before – that tells me he’s at a low.”

Ebro pointed out that Drake has recently responded to several media figures and critics, including Charlamagne Tha God, Joe Budden, and now himself. According to Ebro, this pattern indicates that Drake is feeling the pressure of public scrutiny more than ever before.

He argued that instead of focusing on his craft, Drake has been spending too much time addressing critics, which could be a sign that the rapper is more affected by the backlash than he lets on.

Ebro’s History of Criticizing Drake

This latest clash is just one of many times Ebro has publicly criticized Drake.

1. The “This Is America” Controversy

In 2023, Ebro called out Drake for mocking Childish Gambino’s hit song “This Is America” during his It’s All A Blur Tour. Drake had displayed a message on stage claiming that the song was originally meant as a diss track against him.

Ebro felt that Drake’s dismissal of the song was unfair, given its cultural significance in addressing issues of racism and police brutality in America.

“Drake, who has never shown up, and y’all know I’m the biggest Drake fan on this show, but Drake has never shown up to have anything to say about anything going on in society with Black folks or anything other than himself.”

Ebro further argued that Drake rarely speaks on social issues, making his criticism of “This Is America” seem particularly tone-deaf.

2. The Lack of Social Commentary in Drake’s Music

Ebro has also criticized Drake for focusing too much on commercial success rather than using his platform to address important social issues.

“Drake doesn’t have to say anything about social issues if he doesn’t want to. But if we’re talking about ‘This Is America,’ then he rarely says anything significant about social issues, and Gambino did.”

For Ebro, this is part of a larger issue—Drake’s refusal to engage with deeper themes makes him an easy target for criticism, especially when compared to artists like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Childish Gambino.

Drake vs. Media Critics: A Growing Pattern

Ebro is just the latest in a long list of critics who have challenged Drake’s dominance in hip-hop.

Charlamagne Tha God

• Accused Drake of making “safe” and “predictable” music.
• Mocked For All The Dogs for lacking impact.

Joe Budden

• Criticized Drake for making music aimed at younger audiences.
• Suggested Drake is more concerned with staying relevant than growing artistically.

Pusha T

• Exposed Drake’s secret child in their infamous 2018 beef.
• Claimed Drake’s legacy is built on industry favoritism.

Kendrick Lamar

• Took subliminal shots at Drake’s obsession with status and industry dominance.
• Suggested that Drake lacks the introspection needed for true artistic greatness.

This pattern of media and industry scrutiny suggests that Drake’s overwhelming success has made him a target. As one of the most dominant figures in hip-hop, he is constantly being challenged and questioned, forcing him to defend his place in the culture.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Drake in Hip-Hop

As Drake’s career enters its next phase, he faces more scrutiny than ever before. The question now is whether he will continue to engage with critics like Ebro Darden or focus on proving his worth through music.

No matter the outcome, one thing is certain: the debate over Drake’s place in hip-hop is far from over.