Chicago rapper Rhymefest
has addressed comments he made on a mixtape and in a recent issue of U.K. Hip-Hop
magazine Hip-Hop Connection, regarding the U.K. based group, S.A.S.
Rhymefest allegedly made
comments about the group on a mixtape circulating and in the Dec. issue of Hip-Hop
Connection.
The magazine published comments
Rhymefest made about the group stating “those UK rappers who signed with
Damon Dash…they aint even f**king representing the UK!"
mixtape aint dissin nobody,” Rhymefest told AllHipHop.com of the former
allegations. “The Mixtape is giving props and credit to the UK artists
that I appreciate. I had a choice between whether or not to sign with Kanye
West or to sign with Mark Ronson. I signed with a guy who’s from Britain,
Allido Records [Ronson’s label]. One thing that Mark did for me, instead
of giving me like a spinning chain, he took me on a tour around the world.”
Rhymefest explained that
he visited a number or European countries, learning the various Hip-Hop scenes.
He said the road helped
him develop an appreciation and understanding of Hip-Hop music and culture outside
of the United States.
He said that he had a fondness
for UK Hip-Hop in particular, having entered into several battles in the country
and noted various collaborations with UK hip-hop artists.
Of the latter comments published
in Hip-Hop Connection, Rhymefest said he offered his opinion on the UK Hip-Hop
scene in general and that the magazine published his comments about S.A.S. out
of context.
this magazine called Hip-Hop Connection interviewed me, they asked me who do
I like and I started naming artists,” Rhymefest told AllHipHop.com “Then
they asked me what I thought about the group S.A.S. I was like you know they
alright but to me it wasn’t like UK hip-hop. I gave my opinion and by
the time it was published in the magazine it was exaggerated. Like I said something
about S.A.S., but that was not the case. I just gave my opinion.”
Hip-Hop Connection, which
has been published since 1988, denied printing the rapper’s comments out
of context.
“Rhymefest unilaterally
raised the topic of S.A.S. in the interview,” HHC’s Deputy Editor
Phillip Mlynar told AllHipHop.com. “His words were published per verbatim
and in a box-out to the main article – HHC added no editorializing to his words
whatsoever. Since then S.A.S. has been offered their chance to respond to Rhymefest’s
words in the first issue of Hip-Hop Connection in 2006 and the title continues
to support both Rhymefest and S.A.S."
The North London rappers
spoke with AllHipHop.com days after the comments ran in Hip-Hop Connection and
claimed Rhymefest dissed them on a previous mix tape making the rounds.
"Rhymefest has been
told to say what he said because of marketing,” group member Mayhem told
AllHipHop.com. “He doesn’t realize what he says will get him f**ked up
in the UK. This is not a game. When I see him next time, I’m gonna f**k him
up!”
Rhymefest reiterated that
he was giving his overall opinion on various artists in the UK and that he wasn’t
interested in a physical altercation with the group.
“I aint interested
in fighting nobody in the club, I aint interested in going back in forth on
mixtapes,” Rhymefest said. “If you listen to my music, I don’t
make music based on beef. I have nothing but love and respect for the UK Hip-Hop
scene and the states could learn a lot from the brothers over there. They still
breakdancing, they still battle and they are still about having the art of trying
to have substantive lyrics. I appreciate that.”
Rhymefest, who
snagged a Grammy for co-writing “Jesus Walks” with Kanye West, is
preparing to release his debut album Blue Collar.
The album features guest
appearances by Mario, Twista, Common, Q-Tip, the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard
and others, with production handled by DJ Mark Ronson, NO ID, Cool & Dre,
Just Blaze and Kanye West handle production duties on the album, which hits
stores Jan. 24, 2006.
“I don’t think
I can get a foothold in the UK based on beef,” Rhymefest stated. “I
plan to continue using my passport and if somebody approaches me I have to handle
myself appropriately, but I’m not interested in causing any harm to another
black man.”
