Key Takeaways
- 2 Chainz defended celebrity perks during a Den of Kings conversation with Keith Lee about restaurant reviews, saying, “I done work my ass off to do this.”
- Lee argued that his reviews should reflect ordinary diners’ experiences, recalling how Atlanta restaurants struggled to serve his mother-in-law but offered him immediate seating.
- Lee also defended his food knowledge and honest criticism, stressing that followers travel and spend money based on his recommendations.
2 Chainz and Keith Lee had a candid conversation about celebrity privileges and restaurant reviews during an appearance on Den of Kings, where the Atlanta rapper questioned the food critic's approach to evaluating restaurants.
The discussion began when 2 Chainz brought up Lee's negative review of one of his restaurants, Esco Restaurant & Tapas, and acknowledged that the popular TikTok reviewer was entitled to his opinion.
"I saw you do my restaurant. I saw you do other people's restaurants," 2 Chainz said. "And I really can't judge it because it's your opinion."
However, the rapper also emphasized Atlanta's thriving Black-owned business community, suggesting that restaurant owners in the city are working hard to establish themselves.
Lee explained that his reviews aren't simply about whether food tastes good. Instead, he wants to highlight the experience regular customers receive when visiting an establishment.
"If you Mojo Brookzz, you 2 Chainz, you Desi Banks, you Kirk, if you go in, you going to get a completely different experience than if my mama go in or my wife go in or if anybody in the crowd go in," Lee said.
Lee recalled sending his mother-in-law to several Atlanta restaurants, where she struggled to receive service. Once he arrived, however, the treatment changed.
"I sent my mom-in-law into 10 different restaurants. She couldn't eat nowhere," Lee explained. "I go in table ready right now."
Lee added that he takes his influence seriously because his followers travel considerable distances and spend their money visiting establishments he recommends.
"I don't ever want to put nobody in a situation that they get a different experience only because they not Keith Lee," he said.
That's where 2 Chainz pushed back, arguing that celebrities naturally receive privileges because of their success.
"I'm an entertainer and obviously we get perks that other people don't get," he said. "I don't stand in line at the airport. I don't do none of that because I done work my ass off to do this."
The rapper also questioned whether Lee's background as a professional MMA fighter influences his food reviews, suggesting that years of strict dieting and weight cutting could affect his expectations.
Lee defended his knowledge of food, explaining that his athletic career introduced him to nutrition and eventually sparked his passion for cooking.
He also pointed out that restaurants invite him to review their food, meaning they should be prepared to receive his genuine opinion.
"You ask me to come get my opinion, but then you get upset because my opinion not what you wanted to hear," Lee said.
Despite their disagreement, the two maintained a respectful exchange, with the conversation highlighting their different views on celebrity treatment and the responsibility that comes with influencing customers.
