Perception is a funny thing. In and of itself, it allows each and every one of us to weigh in on certain situations as we see fit. But let’s grab this situation out of the universe and put it into some context, shall we?

Drake vs. Macklemore, Rolling Stone & Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Interesting wrestling match to say the least…

Recently, Macklemore won a Grammy for Best Rap Album.  After his win, he felt it necessary to text one of the other artists up for the same honor–Kendrick Lamar–that he felt that Lamar was “robbed.” Soon thereafter, Macklemore then posted screenshots of those texts to Lamar on Instagram and some, including Drake, felt the actions were self-serving.

      Drake even went on to say that Macklemore’s actions were, “wack as fuck.” And he also said the following:
‘To name just Kendrick? That shit made me feel funny. No, in that case, you robbed everybody! We all need text messages!”
He went on to say, “You won. Why are you posting your text message? Just chill. Take your W, and if you feel you didn’t deserve it, go get better – make better music. It felt cheap. It didn’t feel genuine. Why do that? Why feel guilt? You think those guys would pay homage to you if they won? Own your shit.”

Those are some heavy opinions. Some heavy words to say the least. I found myself wanting to defend Macklemore, but soon thereafter I shifted my thoughts into understanding where Drake was coming from. if one of the other artists had won, would they say the same to him? Probably not. But is there no room for sportsmanship in the music business? Must we all feel like everyone else that isn’t us in coming for us at all times? Or were Macklemore’s actions simply a function of someone who has yet to come to grips with his sudden success? That’s not a question for me to answer, but it is something to think about for sure.

I shift my attention now to a different story that also includes Drake, and also asks very important questions.  This time, those questions involve matters more important than a Grammy:  the questions posed by untimely deaths of entertainers and the expectations of those, both fans and fellow artists, who remain living.

Drake was apparently interviewed by Rolling Stone, and was allegedly promised the cover of the esteemed magazine. But before the magazine and his subsequent story was to run, the talented actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman suffered an untimely death at the hands of an addiction to heroin.

Drake took to Twitter to say, “…they (Rolling Stone) also took my cover from me and ran it last minute.” He added in a later tweet, “”I’m disgusted with that. RIP to Phillip Seymour Hoffman. All respect due. But the press is evil.”

Interestingly enough, the rapper has since deleted those tweets. Hoffman was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on February 2nd after an apparent heroin overdose. Rolling Stone features the late actor’s life and legacy in the cover story for their March issue — the very same issue that Drake claimed that he was promised the cover.

What, then, are we left with? Is this news item to be perceived as the maudlin story of an entertainer scorned by a massive media outlet in favor of a headline-grabbing alternative featuring a tribute to the life and times of a beloved actor? Is Drake’s behavior a product of a society that is so self-involved that people cannot take a moment to recognize the need for a tribute that would prove to be larger than a puff piece or a 5-page album promotion?

Or something bigger than all of that?

I, for one, am not a fan of Drake, but I would be remiss if I said that this story didn’t provoke some need for thought. What if Chevonne and The Fuzz were interviewed for Rolling Stone and then promised the coveted cover, only to be told last minute that we would be replaced by a beloved actor whose addictions and demons took their life?

I am not proud to say that at first I would feel that we lost our opportunity. Like we had worked so hard to get to that point and had our milestone stripped away. But after some thought and better judgment, I think I would recognize that that was his last chance at a cover. Chevonne and The Fuzz would still be alive to capture covers in the future. It is moments like this that remind us that life and art are fleeting, and if we are lucky enough to see tomorrow, we are granted the opportunity to make that day the first day of the rest of our lives. Philip Seymour Hoffman will not have the benefit of tomorrow; let’s celebrate him today. All due respect — chill, Drake.

No matter which side of the fence you sit on, I know that this story has moved me to ask questions and seek answers. I know that it has moved me to feel for those battling addiction, while simultaneously considering the transformation that happens to those seeking fame — as well as those seeking acceptance in their newfound fame. I know that I feel sad for the loss of such a talented man, and I know that existing in this new landscape of media is something no one has mastered, and many have failed trying to master it.

I also know that I don’t profess to know shit, so I ask:  What do you think?

Yours,

Cree