Jay-Z returned in force, and with a new Afro, to Roots Picnic this weekend.
During his headlining set at Roots Picnic in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 30, the rap icon used a fiery freestyle to take aim at several A-list names, including Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Kanye West.
Attended by his wife Beyoncé, the surprise performance was one of Jay-Z’s most direct public responses in years, with the rapper addressing recent criticism and controversies involving some of hip-hop’s biggest stars.
One of her sharpest lines seemed to be aimed at Nicki Minaj and her registered sex offender husband, Kenneth Petty. Jay rapped: “This lady’s back on the stuff, she look like she’s in love with them/ Her Ken can’t even… Take these kids… Tch enough of them.”
He followed up with another apparent jab related to Minaj’s recent political views: “A rapper can’t be my opponent, I got the MAGA republicans / These jabs came from the highest level of government, good luck with them.” »
Jay-Z also appeared to respond to Drake, who recently referenced him in his song. Janice STFU from his new album Icemanwhere Drizzy raps, “We already know how much you OGs rock, my nigga, the template is up.” »
Hitting back, the Roc Nation founder (who also goes by the name Jigga) said: “The jig is up, nigga, I’m up 10/bad chart champ, niggas looked up to Hov, I never looked up to them.”
The more personal remarks seemed reserved for the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Earlier this year, Ye sparked outrage after making comments about Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s youngest children. Referring to the controversy, Jay rapped, “You ever heard of the Wonder-Kin? My kids in them / Do you niggas have no shame? You really wanna get under my skin?”
Jay-Z is also scheduled to perform on the second and final night of Roots Picnic on Sunday, May 31.
