Rapper 2 Chainz has issued an apology following public backlash over his comments about celebrity entitlement and restaurant service standards during a heated exchange with food critic Keith Lee on Kirk Franklin’s “Den of Kings” podcast. The discussion centered on Lee’s negative review of Esco Restaurant and Tapas, a business owned by the rapper, whose real name is Tauheed Epps. During the conversation, 2 Chainz argued that celebrities should receive special treatment, including skipping lines and receiving priority service, as a reward for their success and hard work in the entertainment industry.

Lee pushed back against the rapper’s position, explaining that he deliberately has family members visit restaurants ahead of him to ensure his reviews reflect the experience of an average customer. He maintained that restaurants should provide consistent service and quality regardless of a guest’s celebrity status. The exchange quickly sparked debate across social media, with many users criticizing 2 Chainz for his remarks. The rapper also questioned whether Lee’s background as a former professional MMA fighter qualified him to evaluate gourmet food.

Following the controversy, 2 Chainz took to social media Tuesday to address the criticism and apologize for how he expressed his views. He also revealed that he had spoken directly with Lee after the podcast and that there were no hard feelings between them. “I know my words offended some people and I apologize for that. What I said and what I meant were two different things. I could’ve done a better job getting my point across,” he stated. His apology appears to signal a desire to put the disagreement behind him as the debate over celebrity treatment, restaurant standards and the growing influence of social media food critics continues.