Jay-Z Gets Candid in GQ Interview, but He Doesn’t Address 2 Major Controversies

Jay-Z is certainly taking this year by storm. After it was announced that he’ll be headlining 2026’s Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, followed by two special concert dates at Yankee Stadium in celebration of the anniversary of his legendary albums Reasonable Doubt and Blueprint, on March 24, GQ released an interview with the GOAT rapper. 

The Grammy-winner sat down with GQ’s Frazier Tharpe and discussed a variety of topics and was remarkably candid. Right out the gate, Jay-Z talked about the 2025 sexual assault allegations hurled at him under the direction of attorney Tony Buzbee. The rapper claims he was “heartbroken” and “angry” by the accusations, knowing they weren’t true. 

In another moment of the interview, Jay-Z was also quite open about the criticisms he received that he picked a side in the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef when he chose Lamar for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show. While standing firm in his choice to pick Lamar, recognizing him as having a monster year in music at the time, Jay-Z noted, “What do I care about those two guys battling. What does that have to do with me? Have at it, have fun.” 

With all that being said, and while the “Empire State of Mind” rapper came off very forthcoming, he didn’t discuss arguably two other big controversies that he’s found himself at the center of in recent years. Although, to be fair, he’s justified in not addressing them. 

Jay-Z Doesn’t Address Nicki Minaj’s Constant Social Insults

For a while now, Nicki Minaj has arguably been Jay-Z’s biggest critic in the public sphere. She’s poured a barrage of insults on him across social media platforms, accused him of owing her millions, and even highlighted the rapper’s perceived proximity to disgraced hip-hop mogul Diddy, questioning what Jay-Z knew about Diddy’s indiscretions. Well, during Jay-Z’s sitdown with GQ, he opted not to address anything coming his way from the Minaj camp. 

Now, to be clear, the “Lost One” artist was never asked directly about Minaj. Additionally, purely speculating here, but it’s very possible that Jay-Z also didn’t feel the need to address Minaj’s accusations, given her recent “misteps”. Despite her talent still being widely regarded as legendary in hip-hop, her reputation and credibility were “called into question” in 2025 after she expressed some unpopular views and reignited her ongoing feud with Cardi B. So Jay-Z could have felt there’s no need to address things if many people outside of Minaj’s standom may not believe them. 

Jay-Z Doesn’t Talk about Diddy Directly

Although GQ’s Frazier does subtly ask Jay-Z about that Tony Buzbee situation, Frazier never directly questions Jay-Z about Diddy, and in turn, Jay-Z never brings Diddy up. This only becomes a point because over the years, photos of Jay-Z and Diddy in spaces together would have you believe that the two were friends, and to my knowledge, Jay-Z has never really addressed Diddy’s conviction and heinous acts. 

That being said, I get why Diddy didn’t become a topic of conversation in the interview. The interview was about Jay-Z and his career and legacy. There were moments where Beyoncé was brought up, but it was more so done in a way where Jay-Z is speaking about his wife and less about the global superstar. 

On a final note, Jay-Z has already denied that he’s participated in any nefarious and illegal sexual assault activity, so again, why bring up Diddy? 

You can catch the full interview in the YouTube clip below. Outside of all that was mentioned, a take-away gem worth listening to from the GOAT rapper is his perspective of life happening to you vs life happening for you.

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