Michael Eric Dyson is apologizing to Jay-Z after sharing details about a private exchange between the two men.
The author and scholar posted a video on Instagram explaining why he felt the need to address the situation publicly. Dyson admitted that he spoke about text messages Jay-Z sent him regarding the recent feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
“I talked about a private exchange between us that should’ve remained between us,” Dyson said in the video. “So I want to apologize to him here.”
Dyson said the decision to apologize publicly was intentional because the conversation became public through his own comments.
Michael Eric Dyson apologizes to Jay Z for sharing their private conversation on the internet about Drake & Kendrick Lamar pic.twitter.com/om8njpeCtp
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) March 6, 2026
“Where you messed up is where you fess up,” he said. “That’s what I’m doing here.”
The situation began after Dyson discussed Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” and criticized the idea that Drake’s identity was being questioned in the lyrics. During that conversation, Dyson revealed that Jay-Z had reached out to him and disagreed with his perspective.
According to Dyson, the rapper expressed his views respectfully during their text exchange.
“He said it with dignity,” Dyson recalled. “We went back and forth for a minute.”
Despite their disagreement, Dyson said he continues to admire Jay-Z’s approach.
“He’s gracious, clear and transparent,” Dyson said.