Michael Rubin Confirms His All-White Party Playlist Was a ‘Not Like Us’-Free Safe Space for Drake

Michael Rubin, the billionaire owner of Fanatics, arguably did not do his good friend Drake any favors when he confirmed the rumor that he banned Kendrick Lamar’s diss track (and arguable song of the summer) “Not Like Us” from playing at his annual July 4 “All-White” party.

Rubin was asked about the rumor during an interview on The Breakfast Club today, Aug. 14, saying, “It was true. Drake’s my friend for a long time. I’m not gonna invite him — and look, he’s obviously going through a little bit of a battle right now. I’m not gonna have him come there… I just didn’t think it was appropriate.”

Obviously, that was very kind of Rubin, to go out of his way to make sure his friend had a good time and wouldn’t be reminded of his evisceration at the hands of his long-time rival at one of the biggest parties of the year. 

That said, Rubin, you absolute sweetheart, keep it to yourself. In the cutthroat world of rap beef, where opponents and haters look for any morsel to pounce on, one of the last things Drake probably wants is for the whole world to know his billionaire buddy made sure his party playlist was a personalized, safe space. Rubin could’ve gotten away with not addressing the rumor, too, with interviewer Loren LoRosa tacking the probing query onto a question about responding to social media chatter in general. 

Instead, Rubin stated plainly:  “So I sent a note and said, ‘Hey, let’s not play any one’s music that’s feuding with anyone that’s [at the party]’.” 

And when LoRosa asked if Drake had made the request himself, Rubin took full responsibility. “That was a ‘me’ decision. I just thought it was the appropriate thing.”

Amazingly, Rubin kept going. He said the day before the big white party, he had a BBQ, and when someone put on Spotify’s Rap Caviar playlist, “Not Like Us” started playing. When Rubin realized it, he started shouting, “Get that off! Get that off!” When asked if Drake was there at the time, Rubin said he was “pulling up soon.” 

Rubin also dismissed the memes and speculation that Drake looked deep in his feelings at the party, saying the musician “had a great time.” He continued: “You gotta be built for social media, you gotta be tough, you gotta take shit from people… Drake is an iconic artist that we all have tremendous respect for. What I said to Drake — and I honestly believe this — is this is a great test for him. You can’t get to where he’s got to and not have people coming for you.”

Aww, how sweet.