He's got his reputation as being a pop star, but he could've come on with a fire verse that was something to cement his credibility in the rap world--especially among old-ass Gang Starr fans like me. That's not to say that Drake needs anything, but it would've been a cool flex for people who like to shit on Drake and say he's not a good rapper. He absolutely is.

To have had Joey Badass would've been pandering to quote-unquote younger rap fans, which is irrelevant on a Gang Starr album. He's also relatively obscure compared to J. Cole.

All I'm saying is that It would've been nice for the one heavy-hitting newer name on the album to have been someone who could deliver a great verse. Royce definitely came through.