Drake Addresses Being Called A Culture Vulture In His Latest Interview
For years, Drake has explored sounds outside the typical hip-hop and R&B lane. He’s touched on dancehall, UK rap, pop, and even slid into patois on multiple tracks. That move has been celebrated by some, but criticized by others who claim he’s not honoring the roots of the culture. It’s why the “culture vulture” label keeps getting thrown at him.
In this latest sit-down with Bobbi Althoff, Drake made it clear he feels that tag is unfair. “I think I get real sensitive about that,” he admitted. The Boy explained that while other artists get praised for crossing genres, he often gets hit with backlash.
This isn’t the first time he’s spoken up about it either. Back in 2019, he fired back at grime legend Wiley when the same accusation was tossed at him. “I hate that people think that me being into music from these kids that are trying to make it and trying to build a name for themselves is like, ‘Oh, that’s some culture vulture.’”
For Hollywood Unlocked readers, this ties into Drake’s long history of defending himself against narratives that often don’t get attached to white artists who borrow from Black culture.
Drake Opens Up On Feeling Misunderstood
The Toronto rapper didn’t just brush past the criticism—he got vulnerable about how it actually makes him feel. “I experience a lot of guilt tripping in my life where people are like, ‘No this is your fault,’ essentially… My intentions are pure. It’s the same way even in music. People will be like, ‘You’re a culture vulture.’
People will describe the collaborative efforts that I have put forth and the artists that I’ve picked up or shined a light on as me taking. They’ll put a negative spin on it and try and tell me it’s a self-serving thing and I think I get real sensitive about that.”
That moment showed a rare side of Drake. He usually laughs off the critics, but here, he opened the door to how those comments stick with him. He explained how he views his work as collaboration and platform building, not exploitation.
By framing it as a matter of intention, Drake reminded fans that he sees his involvement in other genres as a way of giving shine, not taking it away.
The History Of Drake Being Called A Culture Vulture
This conversation isn’t new. The debate over Drake’s role in different genres has followed him for years. Whether it was UK grime, Caribbean dancehall, or Latin-inspired hits, critics often pointed fingers. Yet, Drake has consistently argued that collaboration and respect are at the center of his music-making.
Take his “More Life” project, for example. It was packed with features from UK artists and dancehall vibes. Fans loved it, but some critics still questioned whether he was borrowing too heavily. And then there’s “Wah Gwan Delilah”—a track that had people talking about appropriation all over again.
Still, Drake points out the double standard. While other stars get applauded for versatility, he gets boxed in with negativity.
Drake And Bobbi Althoff’s Viral Connection
Drake’s interview with Bobbi wasn’t just about defending himself. It was also a reunion moment that came with its own storyline. The two first went viral in 2023 after their “bedside interview” took over social media. That video later got deleted, fueling speculation and even messy rumors about their connection.
Now, Bobbi is launching her new podcast, Not This Again, with Drake as the debut guest. The conversation ran for an hour and 22 minutes, and Bobbi says fans can expect fresh episodes monthly. She even admitted this sit-down was about patching things up.
“Drake flew me to Manchester, then Belgium, and finally Switzerland, where this episode was filmed, to make amends. Over two years ago, we filmed an interview in bed that was later deleted. This one is staying up, probably.”
The reunion added another layer to Drake’s comments. It wasn’t just an interview—it was part of a bigger moment of making peace, clearing air, and showing fans that their connection still runs strong.
Why Drake’s Response Matters To The Culture
The “culture vulture” conversation is bigger than Drake. It taps into long-standing frustrations about how Black culture gets borrowed and remixed without acknowledgment.
Drake finds himself at the center of this storm because of how deeply he pulls from global Black sounds.
But unlike others who get called out, Drake argues that he’s giving credit and creating opportunities. He sees his collaborations as pathways for smaller artists to hit the mainstream. Whether fans believe that or not, his words shed light on how he views his role in the music ecosystem.