Rubi Rose didn’t hold back during a recent appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast. When confronted about whether she writes her own lyrics, the rapper and model was refreshingly honest.
Without missing a beat, Rose answered, ‘No,’ to the surprise of everyone present. Her straightforwardness earned a round of applause from Joe Budden and his crew, showing respect for her candidness. When asked if she plans to write her own bars in the future, the 26-year-old was clear that she’s content with her current setup.
‘People know how to make shit sound cool, y’know?’ Rose explained, referring to the team of writers who craft her lyrics. ‘Everybody uses writers, though, like realistically. Like when people say they don’t—I don’t know, maybe you [Joe Budden] really don’t, but like literally, I feel like everybody uses writers.’
This revelation comes amidst swirling rumors about other artists in the industry. A few months ago, speculation arose that Kendrick Lamar had used a ghostwriter for his 2022 track ‘N95.’ An alleged demo of the song, performed by Quentin Miller associate CJ Francis IV, appeared online, suggesting Francis had a hand in the creation of the track. Social media buzzed with claims: ‘Quentin Miller associate CJ Francis IV ghostwriting for Kendrick Lamar. This is his demo of N95 (2022). I’d say this is a collab, but his name isn’t on the credits.’
However, CJ Francis quickly denied the rumors, stating he had no involvement with the song. He clarified on his Instagram Stories, ‘I had nothing to do with that song. Nor do I have anything to do with it being posted online.’
Further investigation debunked the ghostwriting claims. A Reddit thread revealed that ‘N95’ originally started as a collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem back in 2019. The final version of ‘N95’ was reportedly a merger of two different songs by Lamar.
Rubi Rose’s admission may shed light on a common practice in the music industry. Her willingness to be upfront about using writers highlights an ongoing conversation about authenticity and creativity in hip-hop.
Rubi Rose’s candid confession has sparked discussions about the norms within the rap industry. Whether you support the use of ghostwriters or not, her honesty is a refreshing take in a world where image and authenticity are often at odds.
