Global music icon and Canadian rapper Drake made headlines Saturday night during his electrifying headline performance at the Wireless Festival in London, declaring that no rappers in the world—not even in the U.S. or Canada—can out-rap their counterparts from London.
The statement, which has since sparked widespread discussion online and within the global hip-hop community, was delivered midway through his set at the Finsbury Park event, one of the UK’s biggest annual urban music festivals. Drake, whose career has bridged both North American and international rap scenes, emphatically stated that the UK rap game currently has the most gifted lyricists worldwide.
“When I talk about my love for London and London rappers — the best lyricists in the world. Mark my words,” he declared to a roaring crowd of thousands. “I don’t care about what anybody says, nobody can out-rap London. Nobody.”
He continued: “No disrespect to America, no disrespect to my country [Canada], but nobody in the world can out-rap London rappers. This is the best, highest level. And this is what I inspire to be.”
The comments were met with thunderous applause and cheers from fans, many of whom took to social media to express excitement over Drake’s support for the UK rap scene. His statement adds fuel to the long-standing debate among rap enthusiasts about whether UK rap—particularly grime, drill, and other regional sub-genres—can stand toe-to-toe with American hip-hop in lyrical complexity, authenticity, and global influence.
Drake’s endorsement comes as no surprise to those who have followed his career closely. Over the years, the Toronto-born rapper has developed strong ties to the UK music scene. He has previously collaborated with a host of British artists, including Giggs, Skepta, Dave, and Headie One, and has consistently expressed admiration for the unique cadence, storytelling, and street-level authenticity that define London rap.
In 2020, he teamed up with Headie One for the track “Only You Freestyle,” where he famously delivered bars in a mix of UK slang and Arabic, further cementing his transatlantic music ties. His 2017 “More Life” mixtape also featured UK grime artists like Skepta and Giggs, bringing London’s urban sound to a wider global audience.
Drake’s Wireless Festival comments appear to be more than a passing compliment—they reflect a growing recognition of UK rap’s influence across the global music landscape. Once seen as a niche genre outside the UK, British rap has in recent years found its way to the top of international charts, while artists like Stormzy, Dave, and Little Simz have earned both critical acclaim and commercial success across Europe, North America, and beyond.
In a post-festival interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra, one of Drake’s close collaborators who wished to remain anonymous echoed the rapper’s sentiments: “Drake’s always had mad respect for London. He’s not just saying it for the crowd. He’s genuinely inspired by what UK rappers are doing with lyrics, flow, and social commentary. It’s real.”
Music industry analysts also noted the strategic weight of such a statement coming from a figure like Drake. As one of the world’s best-selling artists and a tastemaker in modern hip-hop, Drake’s endorsement has the potential to elevate the visibility of UK artists globally and open more doors for collaborations and international tours.
“Drake isn’t just giving flowers—he’s laying a foundation for what might be a new global wave led by British rappers,” said Kwame Mensah, a UK-based music critic and culture analyst. “When someone of his stature says London has the best lyricists, it challenges the long-standing dominance of American rap.”
But while the comments were met with applause from fans in the UK and Europe, they’ve also sparked mixed reactions from some in the American hip-hop community. Critics argue that while UK rappers are undeniably talented, the global reach and cultural legacy of U.S. hip-hop remain unmatched.
“Respect to the UK, but you can’t just erase decades of lyrical legends from the U.S. — from Nas to Kendrick, Jay-Z to Eminem,” one U.S. Twitter user posted, sparking a thread of thousands of responses debating the merits of both scenes.
Still, many UK fans and artists have welcomed Drake’s words as a long-overdue acknowledgment. British rapper Wretch 32 took to social media, saying, “Salute to Drake for always holding the UK down. Real recognize real.”
Rising rapper Central Cee, who has been breaking records on Spotify and Apple Music with his unique brand of UK drill, also reposted a clip of Drake’s Wireless Festival remarks, captioning it with flame emojis and “You know the vibes.”
For Drake, who has consistently blurred the lines between regions and sounds, such praise for London rap is a natural progression in his musical evolution. He’s made it clear that his artistry draws inspiration from across borders—and he’s not afraid to challenge conventional narratives about where “the best” comes from.
As the festival crowd slowly dispersed from Finsbury Park, Drake’s words lingered in the air—powerful, intentional, and likely to echo in rap circles for months to come. His bold endorsement might not end the debate about rap supremacy, but it certainly reignites it with fresh energy and a compelling new perspective.
Whether you agree with him or not, one thing is clear: Drake has thrown his weight behind London, and in doing so, has added another layer of credibility and global attention to a scene that has long demanded the world’s respect.
