Drake on Whether He Will Respond to Common and His Shots at Vanessa Bryant [Exclusive]

Back in November when Common dropped “Sweet”, the second single from his most recent full length, a couple of lines that sounded suspiciously like shots at Drake immediately caught people’s attention. Com beat around the bush for a while, as rappers are known to do, before eventually admitting that those shots were in fact aimed at the young superstar. Strongly worded statements were then exchanged between the two on the original version of Rick Ross’ “Stay Schemin” and a subsequent remix before the conflict appeared to fizzle.

Common told Rolling Stone last week that he’s finished with the beef and Drake has had ample time to record a response if he felt the need to do so. I recently caught up with him while he was on the set of his video for “The Zone” with The Weeknd and asked him about another “controversial” line from “Stay Schemin”, whether we should expect a second Common response and if there was any truth to the rumor that he fired his entire staff.

So people want to know: will you respond to Common?
No. Because despite how it’s been worded by him that situation is not a “hip hop moment” or a “battle for the sake of musical integrity”…it’s a ploy for attention around the release of an album. More than anything it was just disappointing cause what kid isn’t a fan of what Common has done for our genre. A guy who made such an incredible career for himself based off expressing genuine feelings about life and love is now targeting me for sharing my story.

There’s a line from your “Stay Schemin” verse about Kobe’s soon to be ex-wife Vanessa that has gotten some negative attention. Can you speak to what you were trying to express with that line?
That line came from a conversation about being this young and making this much money and the fear of losing it all. I just used his potential situation to address my own life. I never intended to offend Vanessa or anyone else. That line had everything to do with me and what goes on in my head as a 25 year old man with this much income flowing in. Kobe is and always will be a friend and an icon to me.

Following the release of Take Care, rumors started to circulate that you had fired your entire staff, was there any truth to that?
No my team is stronger than ever and ready for 2012. I’m excited for what this year will bring.

What are your plans for OVO/XO?
OVO and XO will grow immensely both separately and together this year. The Weeknd is about to hit the road and come perform all that incredible music for his fans. I’m looking forward to piecing something together where we can share a stage and give people the full experience.

What’s next for you, besides the tour?
I have begun working on new music already and I’ll be recording during the whole college tour with 40. Making better music and building myself as a business is all that’s on my mind. Hopefully some acting as well.

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