“I’m Better Than These N**gas”: DaBaby Says He’s “The Best Rapper” Alive & Deserves Mention Alongside J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, & Drake

DaBaby may have seen his career trajectory derailed by backlash for comments he made at the top of the decade deemed homophobic, but the experience was far from humbling.

His diminished commercial success does not equate or relate to diminished talent, at least that’s a stance he stood on during a recent interview that’s garnered some serious traction due to his admission that his abilities stand toe-to-toe with some of Rap’s biggest names of the day.

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DaBaby – still hot on the promo trail for his January-released ‘Be More Grateful‘ album and the ongoing ‘Be More Grateful Tour‘ – took to Apple Music to discuss the project, tour, and his career overall.

At one point during the interview, the hostess Nadeska Alexis asked the rapper (born Jonathan Kirk) to elaborate on lyrics contained in the LP that see him compare himself to Rap’s “Big 3” – J. Cole, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar.

“A thousand percent. A thousand percent. Like you can go back to when I first started… I always say like — and I know a lot of people say they’re the best — but, like, I’m the best motherf**kin’ rapper,” he told the interviewer. “I feel like everybody should feel like they’re the best, but that’s not — I’m not talking like that — when I say that. Like, I’m better than these ni**as. Like, I really mean that.”

And while the statement ignited some serious social media debates (as expected), Kirk did clarify the proclamation wasn’t delivered in malice.

“I would love to work with these guys. Like it take me saying that type of s**t and then putting it on display with the music and you know putting it out for those doors to open up for these you know for me to end up in the rooms with these guys and on the records with these guys,” he relayed.

Click PLAY on the clip above to hear what else DaBaby said on the topic.

At writing, Drake, Cole, nor Lamar has openly responded to the commentary.