Oakland rap veteran Yukmouth isn't feeling the Bay Area's reaction to Drake's latest embrace of the region's music culture.
During a recent livestream, the former Luniz rapper criticized fellow Bay Area artists and natives celebrating Drake's song "2 Hard 4 the Radio," arguing that the region has become too accepting of outside artists borrowing its sound.
"Check this out, man. The Bay Area has officially became groupies over this Drake shit, bro," Yukmouth said. "I hate to say it. I don't know when the fuck n***as became groupies, my n***a."
The comments stem from the track, which appears on Drake's latest album Iceman, and features production by Bay Area artists P-Lo and Karri. The song also samples the late Mac Dre's classic, "Too Hard for the F***in' Radio."
While many Bay Area figures praised Drake for spotlighting the region's sound and legacy, Yukmouth argued that local artists have historically reacted much differently when others adopted Bay Area-inspired production and flows.
According to Yukmouth, there was once significant backlash whenever artists outside Northern California borrowed from the region's musical blueprint without what fans felt was proper recognition.
"We was mad at n***as stealing our shit," he said during the stream. "They ain't giving us our props. They stole our shit. They sound like this. They sound like that. And then another n***a do it, and it's all gravy."
The rapper specifically referenced past criticism aimed at producers whose music was accused of drawing heavily from Bay Area influences, questioning why Drake's record has largely been embraced.
Yukmouth also suggested that Mac Dre himself may not have approved of the circumstances surrounding the record, arguing that the late Vallejo icon prioritized unity across the West Coast.
"I know that Mac Dre wouldn't have agreed to [it] for the fact that he dissed Kendrick Lamar and Mustard on that song," Yukmouth said. "Mac Dre was about unity."
His remarks arrive amid an ongoing debate about Drake's relationship with Bay Area rap. Earlier this month, Oakland rapper Kamaiyah pushed back against claims that Drake had never supported the region, pointing to their collaboration on YG's double-platinum hit "Why You Always Hatin?" and crediting the Toronto superstar for showing her love before much of the industry did.
Meanwhile, producer and rapper Ovrkast., who contributed to Iceman, defended Drake's decision to reference Bay Area culture, noting that local fans are naturally protective of their sound and artists.
