Drake praised London’s rap scene, calling UK lyricists the best in the world and bringing Skepta onstage at Wireless to prove his point.
Drake caused a stir at Wireless Festival 2025 in London with a surprising declaration and appearance by Skepta, throwing his full support behind the UK’s top rap stars and reigniting the ongoing UK vs. US debate.
“The best lyricists in the world. Mark my words, I don’t care what nobody says,” Drake said while bringing Skepta onstage. “Nobody can out-rap London, nobody. No disrespect to America. No disrespect to my country. But, nobody can out rap London rappers. This is the best, this is the highest level. This is what I aspire to be.”
DRAKE ENDS THE UK VS US DEBATE 🚨
“London rappers are the best lyricists in the world”
“No disrespect to America but nobody in the world can outrap London rappers”
“This is the highest level, this is what I aspire to be” pic.twitter.com/GPQSabUE06
— UK Rap Daily (@UKRapDaily) July 12, 2025
The Toronto rapper’s comments came during his headlining set on Sunday (July 7), where he also brought out the likes of Central Cee, Dave, J Hus, Headie One, K-Trap and more.
The transatlantic debate was recently ignited by Skepta, who released a diss track titled “Friendly Fire” earlier this week.
The track took aim at Joyner Lucas and A$AP Rocky, calling out perceived differences in lyrical skill between UK and US rappers. Skepta had previously asked his followers which American rapper he should lyrically challenge, prompting Joyner to step up.
The Wireless Festival lineup also featured American acts, including Latto, Sexyy Red, 21 Savage, Yeat and Vanessa Carlton, but it was the UK artists who took center stage during Drake’s set.
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