(AllHipHop News) Five years ago, Drake debuted the most influential mixtape of the past five years on his personal website Octobers Very Own. Five years after that release and he is once again posting on the blogsite, this time to clarify and elucidate his feelings towards the controversy around his Rolling Stone comments.
After news of his Rolling Stone comments about Yeezus, Drake sent a series of critical tweets at the magazine and called them “pure evil” for replacing his scheduled cover for that of the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman. According to Drake’s statement, he was not perturbed with Rolling Stone replacing his cover with that of the late legendary actor but because he was not given the option to release it later:
They ran the issue without giving me a choice to be in it or not. I would have waited until it was my time because I understand the magnitude of the cover they chose but I just wasn’t given that option and that made me feel violated.
Drake has deleted the tweet referencing Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s cover replacing his and apologized later in the statement. Drake did not address his comments about Kanye West’s Yeezus, Macklemore or Fabolous in the statement.
Rolling Stone has not released a statement regarding Drake’s comments.
Check out Drake’s full statement below:
With today being the 5th anniversary of So Far Gone I figured it’s fitting to return to it’s place of its origin in order to clear the air about an extremely emotional day. I completely support and agree with Rolling Stone replacing me on the cover with the legendary Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He is one of the most incredible actors of our time and a man that deserves to be immortalized by this publication. My frustration stemmed from the way it was executed. The circumstances at hand are completely justifiable (on the magazines behalf), but I was not able to salvage my story or my photos and that was devastating. They ran the issue without giving me a choice to be in it or not. I would have waited until it was my time because I understand the magnitude of the cover they chose but I just wasn’t given that option and that made me feel violated. I apologize to anybody who took my initial comments out of context because in no way would I ever want to offend the Hoffman family or see myself as bigger than that moment. I am still the same person. Today I was forced out of my character and felt the need to react swiftly. These days are the worst ones. Waking up after a great night in the studio and it’s your day to be picked apart. After dwelling on it for a few hours or days you will come to the conclusion that you brought it on yourself almost every time. So here I am having that moment. I once again apologize to everybody who took my cover comments the wrong way. I respect Rolling Stone for being willing to give a kid from Toronto a shot at the cover. I guess this is a day to learn and grow.
It looks like Lil Kim’s baby daddy has revealed himself to be none other than:
This dude is apparently Lil Kim’s ex-boy friend, Mr. Papers. I thought they would have still been together if they were going to make a baby. Anyway, they have history.
And here is a video they did.
CONGRATS TO THE COUPLE….
I smell a great reality show.
“They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!” -illseed.
Epic The Future unleashes his latest project, City Of Action. With appearances from Raven Sorvino, Thr33zy, Joe Budden, and more. Jhalil Beats, Hit-Boy, The Chromatix, and GMB handle the production on this fourteen track offering. Enjoy!
Stream and download City Of Action down below…Hulkshare D/L link: http://old.hulkshare.com/f2b5q80axmgwBio:Don’t let anyone tell you that west coast hip-hop artists are only made in Los Angeles. Fontana, California’s own, Epic The Future, has been sparking a steady buzz with smooth raps of his everyday encounters. With recognition from XXL Magazine’s “The Break”, MTV’s “Rap Fix Live”, and Hip-Hop Weekly‘s “Unsigned Hype” The I.E. native continues to work hard and expand his brand even further. He has a story to tell, and people are listening.
(AllHipHop News) Nicki Minaj has expressed her views on the brewing controversy of the album art on “Lookin’ A** N***a,” which presents Malcolm X as the featured picture.
On Instagram, Nicki said the following:
What seems to be the issue now? Do you have a problem with me referring to the people Malcolm X was ready to pull his gun out on as Lookin Ass N#####? Well, I apologize. That was never the official artwork nor is this an official single. This is a conversation. Not a single. I am in the video shooting at Lookin Ass N##### and there happened to be an iconic photo of Malcolm X ready to do the same thing for what he believed in!!!! It is in no way to undermine his efforts and legacy. I apologize to the Malcolm X estate if the meaning of the photo was misconstrued. The word “n####” causes so much debate in our community while the “n####” behavior gets praised and worship. Let’s not. Apologies again to his family. I have nothing but respect an adoration for u. The photo was removed hours ago. Thank you.”
It might be a case of too little too late, as a new boycott has arisen over Nicki Minaj’s use of Malcolm X’s image.
The image, which has offended thousands, was on Nicki Minaj’s Instagram account, but the situation continues to draw ire.
Eventually, the image was taken down, but not before thousands of disparaging comments were posted on a number of social media outlets.
Now, Kevin Powell’s BK Nation and former U.S. vice presidential candidate Rosa Clemente have jump started separate boycotts that takes the Young Money rapper to task.
Clemente said in a statement, “Let’s stop Nicki Minaj, Young Money and their record labels from dishonoring the life and contributions of one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. I am asking anyone who is a lover of HIP HOP culture and who respects Black history to please sign this petition and force Nicki, Young Money and their record levels to take this down immediately. We cannot allow this to happen. As well please pledge not to buy ANY of their products and or work with them.”
Her letter was posted at the following link with a petition for fans to sign.
Kevin Powell’s BK Nation protest spoke similar sentiments, but also spoke to the content of the song as well.
“The song is bad enough: a berating assault—laced with the n-word, in hideous quantities—on men who don’t spend money on her; complaints about men staring at her assets even as her whole video is a pathetic display of such assets; a reduction of all male-female relationships to dollar signs.”
In the statement, he also took time to educate fans on the real reason Malcolm X was looking out of the window in the iconic image.
“Malcolm X carried a gun as he feared for the safety of his family and himself, and was aware he would some day be killed by political opponents. The image of Malcolm X looking out the window highlighted that fear. Nicki Minaj’s use of guns in her new music video speaks to the gun culture in our society today where gun violence is an acceptable norm.”
A number of op ed pieces have been written, most of which raise questions on whether or not the rapper is disrespecting the famous activist leader.
Get Loaded- Doughbeezy, Paul Wall, Fiend, Mookie Jones (P###. By Rapid Ric ) is the newest release from Intervention Episode 2 from Rapid Ric, TrakkSounds, and Thafixx.com. IEP2 drops March 4th and a new track will be released every week until the drop date.
(AllHipHop Interviews) Six years ago a rapper, drug dealer, and pimp named Mark Felder hit rock bottom when he found himself sleeping in his car. It was at that point that Felder says God broke him down and then eventually put the pieces of his life back together. The result of that experience was a man who was willing to turn his life completely over to the Lord, and the faith-based emcee named Bizzle was born again.
Bizzle has released numerous projects since 2008. His 2013 album The Good Fight included production by Boi-1da and a guest feature from No Malice, but it was his recent response to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ pro-gay rights song “Same Love” that started a firestorm.
People on both sides of the gay marriage debate strongly voiced their opinion about the God Over Money founder’s single with some championing his right to freedom of speech and others calling the song homophobic, hateful, and disturbing.
Bizzle connected with AllHipHop.com to speak about his controversial “Same Love (A Response)” and the reactions it has received. He also addresses religious imagery in Hip Hop, what he views as rappers being used to promote the gay agenda, and whether homosexuality is a condition that can be cured.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released their version of “Same Love” in 2012. Why did you decide to release your response last month?
I know the song is old. I thought it would fall off and disappear once they put out new material, but I saw the media keep trying to breathe life into the record and turning into a “gay anthem.” I think [Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’] Grammy Awards [performance] was the last straw.
I feel like we have conversations behind closed doors, but everybody’s afraid to speak, because nobody wants to be labeled a bigot, homophobic, or full of hate. I got tired of walking on egg shells. There has to be an opposing side. The media can’t make people afraid to disagree.
What’s your response to those people who say your “Same Love” response track is homophobic?
I’d ask how? As far as I see, disagreement automatically means homophobic. I don’t believe that. You would have to really show me what I said that leads you to believe that I’m scared of you which is what a homophobe is.
You made a reference in the song about rappers that promote the “gay agenda.” Which rappers do you feel are doing that?
The biggest one who co-signed gay marriage was Jay Z. I would say he’s at the top of Hip Hop, and if you wanted to push something to Black people that would be who you’d take anything through. Just because he’s powerful. Also, anybody you’ve seen in a skirt – A$AP Rocky. Anybody who they’ve put on a platform and made them say, “this is just like what we went through.”
That was another point you made in the song, the idea that the gay struggle should not be compared to the Black struggle. Do you dismiss the entire idea of equal rights for the LGBT community?
No, not at all. They should get the rights that married people get as far as tax breaks, but if your right to marry violates the pastor’s right to not marry you because of his religion, then I can’t be for this right against that right.
Also, I know that gay people suffered. A lot of people seem to think that I’m just disregarding any of gay people’s struggle, and that’s not what I’m doing. What I’m saying is don’t compare them. I don’t compare slavery to the Holocaust. Don’t compare this to that, because the moment you start comparing similarities, then you make it okay for me to compare the differences. I do believe there are differences.
Which would be what in your opinion?
I don’t believe people are born gay, though I do believe we all are born with temptations. But, a child born Black in that time period, from day one had the world against them. If a child is born gay, we won’t even know until about six or seven. At this point now, the punishment is far worse if you commit a hate crime. Back then not only was it not a hate crime, you could murder us for fun. It was in the law that we were only three-fifths of a person. I think that the level of oppression was a lot different.
You said that you don’t believe people are born gay. Do you think it’s a condition that can be fixed? Do you think someone can stop being gay?
I know a few people who’ve been delivered from homosexuality. The thing is, if I tell a homosexual that they say, “they’ve just been brainwashed or tricked into believing that it’s not normal.” I know a good three or four people who’ve been fully delivered, and it was by God so if you’re not a Christian you probably won’t believe it.
There was another part of your song that got a lot of reaction. That’s when you made the comparison between homosexuals and pedophiles. Do you believe that a gay sexual act between consenting adults is the same as a pedophile having sex with children?
What I’m saying is, before the pedophile ever touches a child his desires are already disgusting to the homosexual. They hit me like, “I’m disgusted you would compare me to that.” I have yet to meet anyone who could give me a reason that the pedophile cannot use. Whether it’s “born this way.” Whether it’s “I didn’t choose this.”
If you’re not a Christian, a lot people say the Bible’s outdated. They throw our laws away. Well, if that’s the case the pedophile can say, “your laws are outdated, and girls are having sex at twelve these days, so let’s throw your laws away.” I’ve yet to hear anybody use an excuse that the pedophile can’t also use. I’m talking before he’s even touches a child he’s still disgusting to you, but if I say your desire is disgusting to me I’m wrong. My obligation is to not only love the gay person. It’s to also love the pedophile even if I don’t agree with what he does.
I think some would argue that the difference is that one is between two consenting adults and the other is an adult taking advantage of a child.
There are pedophiles who don’t act on their desires, but if he told you that he wants to, even if he doesn’t, you still look at him with disgust. At that point the argument for him touching a child is irrelevant, because he hasn’t done it. Even if he’s sought help, he’s still disgusting to you.
I’m talking at the desire level, not on the acting level. At the desire level I feel like they’re in the same boat. You say one is between two consenting adults, well, there are different countries that have different laws where 16 might be the consenting age. I’m not for the pedophile. What I’m saying is how do you get to throw out the Bible and say that law is outdated, but he has to stick to your law that says 14 is not old enough? That’s the argument he can make, based on the argument you’re making.
You have Kanye West’s Yeezus. You have A$AP Mob about to drop their L.O.R.D. album. There have been a lot of religious references in Hip Hop recently like J. Cole’s Born Sinner and The Game’s Jesus Piece. What is your take on Hip Hop’s use of religious imagery?
I don’t rock with it when it’s used out of context. I definitely can’t support it. Sometimes people use it and have a righteous thought behind it, but when it’s used for mockery I don’t rock with it at all. If I decide, when I’m writing, to put in a rhyme about something that you feel mocked by, then they should honor that same freedom of speech that gave them the right to do that with the Lord’s name.
Would you ever consider collaborating with an openly gay artist?
It depends on what the topic is about. If he’s pushing a message that’s contrary to mine – that would be for anybody – I wouldn’t rock with any artist I feel stands for everything I’m against. But, if he wanted to talk about his struggle, I’d get on there and talk about mine. Of course I’ll pray on it like I do anything else.
Ultimately, what would you like to see happen as far as the gay community’s role in the media and entertainment?
I’d like to see an opposing view be honored and respected. I want to see the manipulation come to an end. I always say when a dude tells a female if you don’t have sex with me you don’t love me; that’s manipulation. Of course when a dude is telling a female that, he doesn’t feel that way, but if a dude was telling his daughter that he would definitely feel that way. I feel the same when the media pushes: if you don’t agree with me then you hate me, but if you love me then you have to agree with what I do. That’s manipulation as well, and I’m not with the manipulation.
Bizzle is currently working on the God Over Money compilation LP. 100% of the profits from the album’s sales will go to fund water well projects in Africa.
For more information about God Over Money visit their website godovermoney.com.
