JAY-Z Reacts to Kanye West’s ‘Drink Champs’ Interview and ‘Copycat’ Comments About Just Blaze

Kanye West is not only taking aim at Big Sean and Drake, he also had words for Just Blaze.

During his infamous “Drink Champs” interview, N.O.R.E. asked Ye to choose between Swizz Beatz and his fellow Blueprint producer.

“Swizz Beatz definitely because Just Blaze is a copycat,” Ye responded. “He gets credit for The Blueprint and I did the first half of The Blueprint and he just copied my half. Look where I’m at today, look where he at today.”

While promoting Netflix’s The Harder They Fall on Twitter Spaces, JAY-Z reacted to Kanye’s explosive interview.

“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion and everyone can see things through their own lens, some of it could be true, some of it may not be true, but that’s the lens that you see it through, so you’re just speaking to your truth,” he said.

The Roc Nation boss said he saw “a couple pieces” from the interview, including Ye’s “copycat” comments about Just Blaze, who produced Blueprint hits including “Song Cry” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.”

“The Just Blaze thing was a bit unfair ’cause if you’re making an album, if you’re creating an album, and the assignment is soul samples, everyone’s coming with soul. You’re trying to make a cohesive piece of music. I don’t think anyone was copying off anyone.”

Added Hov, “The baby was The Blueprint and I think everyone should be prized for what we created… It’s something we should all be proud of.”

Just Blaze also responded to Kanye’s “copycat” allegations in a statement on Instagram.

“Well that was unfortunate. I’m only addressing this publicly because it was stated publicly. I’m not here for the mudslinging, I’m just a bit confused and disappointed,” he began.

“None of what was said tonight regarding me fits with any of our history or our previous interactions – particularly in light of very recent attempts to work together again. Through recent years he has reached out to collaborate on various projects, including a much rumored collaborative project that he was looking for me to handle a good amount of. It unfortunately never saw the light of day due to reasons unrelated to me. Most recently, a couple of months back I woke up to a literal red alert from his people that he was looking for me for his last album in the 11th hour. We tried to pull something off but it was way too last minute.”

“Regarding that one comment: respectfully, I’m happy for him and the fact that he has succeeded in the ways he wanted to, but not everyone wants to be where he is. Everyone’s definition of personal success is a bit different. I’m quite happy where I am creatively, with my family, and my life in general. We were a part of history together and I wish him well and continued success.”

During his “Drink Champs” interview, Ye was also asked if he would do Verzuz against JAY-Z. “Nah, ’cause that’s my boss,” he said. “I would never go against JAY.”