Californian rapper Vince Staples is one of hip hop’s fastest rising stars. While his media presence has cooled down some after Staples’ commentary on 90s hip hop kicked up a stir last month, the 22-year-old rapper remains unperturbed when it comes to speaking his mind.
At the invitation of GQ, the rapper has now shared his thoughts on the past recipients of the influential men’s magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ award.
Granted that time has not always treated the magazine’s previous winners with good graces, Staples provided some seriously tongue-in-cheek critiques of the publications past selections.
The rapper seemed genuinely perplexed by the presence of Will and Grace lead Dylan McDermott, alongside Will Smith and ‘Forrest Gump‘ (Tom Hanks) for the 1999’s Man of the Year issue. Failing to identify the prolific actor, Staples simply referred to Dylan simply as ‘some dude I cannot recognise.’
Indulging his usual penchant for controversy, Staples did not hold back when it came to basketball superstar Michael Jordan. Despite professing his love for the celebrity he declared the sports star turned businessman a ‘scumbag’ and likened him to Donald Trump stating that both were ‘the epitome of bad people in America becoming successful.’
Also on the receiving end of the rapper’s quick wit and sharp tongue were Ja Rule, Michael Phelps, Chris Rock and True Detective’s Colin Farrell.
Catch Vince Staples on tour in 2016, where he will be performing at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, and two sideshows:
Tuesday, Feb 9: Max Watt’s, Sydney.
Wednesday, Feb 10: Max Watt’s Melbourne.
Read more: Review: Vince Staples makes an ancient tale ultra-modern on ‘Summertime ’06’