News : DeMar DeRozan Reveals His Stance On Drake And How Kendrick Lamar's "The Pop Out" Was Bigger Than Just Beef

DeMar DeRozan spoke at length about his relationship with both Drake and Kendrick Lamar during an interview with The Sacramento Bee published on Wednesday. The Compton native, who spent years in Toronto playing for the Raptors, returned to his hometown for Lamar's The Pop Out - Ken & Friends, last month. The appearance quickly sparked rumors that he and Drake had a falling out. He's since clarified this isn't the case. Instead, he says the concert was far more important than just the beef.

“It was fun to be a part of (‘Not Like Us’),” he said. “For that moment, it was so much bigger than what people look at it as a beef between (Lamar) and Drake. It brought our whole city together in a different type of light where there wasn’t no issues, no violence. Everybody was coming together in a peaceful manner and that was the beauty out of those moments.”

As for his feelings towards Drake, he added: “Drake’s still my man, still my man, none of it changed. It’s so easy to get overlooked and look at it for what it looks like, but at the end of the day it’s music, entertainment. Two of the biggest rappers in the world went at it from a competitive standpoint and they battled it out. That’s what you want to see as a fan: Kobe (Bryant) playing (Michael) Jordan 1-on-1 and see who wins, see the trash talking, and whoever wins out of that, you’re still going to have the debate, so that’s all that is.”

DeRozan joined the Sacramento Kings after a sign-and-trade deal that also involved the San Antonio Spurs, earlier this month. He'll be turning 35 years old in August. Be on the lookout for further updates on DeMar DeRozan as well as Drake and Kendrick Lamar on HotNewHipHop.