Mal was discussing Drake and Jay-Z on New Rory & Mal when he was asked whose side he would take if they went head-to-head.
Mal’s brother Kareem “Biggs” Burke helped build Roc-A-Fella Records with Jay-Z and Dame Dash, and Mal’s family history runs deep through the Roc era, but some listeners were shocked to hear that Mal would side with the Canadian rapper.
“I might have to ride with my man Drake,” he said.
His cohosts immediately reacted, noting that Biggs is not only his brother but also one of Jay-Z’s most important longtime business partners.
“Yeah, man,” Mal said. “I gotta go with my man,” going on to explain that his answer was not a rejection of Jay-Z, whom he still described with affection and respect. “That’s big bro, that’s family,” Mal continued. “But [Drake’s] my man. I gotta ride with my man.”
Jay-Z’s Roots Picnic freestyle is still trending online after he rapped, “A rapper can’t be my opp” and “The jig is up.” Some listeners believed the bars were aimed at Drake, who used the phrase “the jig is up” on “Janice STFU.”
On the podcast, Mal said that any possible clash would most likely be a “friendly little fade.”