Michael Rubin Confirms Ban on Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" During White Party With Drake in Attendance: "It was true"
At Michael Rubin's recent star-studded white party in the Hamptons, Kendrick Lamar's diss track “Not Like Us” was notably absent from the playlist.
This was no coincidence, as Rubin, the billionaire founder of Fanatics, confirmed during his appearance on The Breakfast Club on August 14.
The decision to omit the track was made out of respect for his longtime friend, Drake, who was in attendance.
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Rubin explained his reasoning, stating:
“It was true. Drake’s [been] my friend for a long time, I’m not gonna invite him and then have, you know… Look, he’s obviously going through a little bit of a battle right now. I’m not gonna have him come there and [be in battle mode]”
Michael Rubin Blocks "Not Like Us" From Playing at White Party With Drake Present:
To avoid any tension, Rubin sent a message to the DJ, instructing them not to play any music from artists currently involved in a feud with anyone at the party.
Importantly, Rubin emphasized that the decision to ban Kendrick’s track was entirely his own, and there was no pressure from Drake.
“I didn’t think it was appropriate so I just sent a note that said, ‘Hey, let’s not play anyone’s music that’s feuding with anyone that’s there.'”
Despite Rubin's best efforts to create a comfortable environment for Drake, fans of Kendrick Lamar still found a way to poke fun at the situation.
Social media was abuzz with comments from Kendrick’s supporters, many of whom saw the ban as a sign of Drake being rattled by the ongoing feud.
Kendrick Lamar's “Not Like Us” has been a massive success, dominating the charts and becoming a cultural talking point.
The track, which takes direct shots at Drake, has been praised for its lyrical sharpness and has only fueled the rivalry between the two rap giants.
By not allowing the song to be played, Rubin may have inadvertently added more fuel to the fire, as fans speculated about the power dynamics at play.
Rubin’s party may have been intended as a carefree celebration, but the shadow of the Drake-Kendrick rivalry loomed large, even in the absence of the music that has come to define it.