Ice-T vs Soulja Boy: What Does It Really Mean?

When Ice-T called out Soulja Boy, I knew it was going to quickly spiral and degrade into something completely unproductive for Hip-Hop. So let us examine briefly and then engage in some productive dialogue.

Earlier in the week, 50-year-old Ice-T boldly released a viral video where he said, “F**k Soulja Boy! Eat a d**k!” The words were in part promotion for a new mixtape with DJ Cisco, but the words rang true for many in Hip-Hop – older and younger.

Between the lines:

“This n***a single handedly killed Hip Hop. That s**t is such garbage man. We came all the way from Rakim, we came all the way from Das EFX, we came all the way from mother f***ers flowing like Big Daddy Kane and Ice Cube, and you come with that Superman s###? That s**t is garbage.”

See the video below:

Here are some things that Ice-T neglected to mention.

-Back in the days, there were scores of “garbage” rap artists and knock-offs. These acts ranged from Run DMC rip offs to MC Hammer splinter acts. Garbage is a long-standing tradition in Hip-Hop as with most art forms.

-The Sugar Hill Gang rapped about Superman in 1979 and frankly their lyrics were quite “corny” too, but the song remains one timeless gem. Also remember, the lyrics from the song were stolen from the well-respected Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers by S.H.G. member “Big Bank” Hank.

-An old head and successful producer named Mr. Collipark (aka DJ Smurf) is the man that really brought Soulja Boy to the masses when he signed him. Collipark has also had a hand in the success of Hurricane Chris (who Ice-T name checked) and other similar artists.

Then came 17-year-old Soulja Boy, with revenge in his eyes and a pocket full of disrespectful jokes.

See the video of Soulja Boy exacting his vengeance on his elder:

Here are the comments that most people are paying attention to:

“This n***a Ice T old as f–k, this n***a old enough to be my grandfather, he’s the forefather of my nuts…we wikipedia’d this n***a and this n***a was born in 1958.”

“Real talk this ain’t no beef, n***a. Hit me, n***a, and your arm gonna break. Real talk, I’ll let you fight my grand daddy, dog.”

Like the Ice-T part about S.B. “killing Hip-Hop,” Here is what I got from Soulja Boy:

“You was wrong for that. Think about it in my shoes. This time last year I was poor as f**k. I was in the hood, I was in the ghetto. If what you [were] living is true, you would understand where I’m coming from…I’m 17 years old, I worked hard for this s**t. Even if I got all this off one song, you should be congratulating me. Real talk, you should be telling me congratulations young brother, get your money. That’s what you should be saying, instead of ‘eat a d**k.’”

Emotions and communication.

For all of their ability to put words together, rappers have yet to effectively communicate with each other. The root of this matter is these are two Hip-Hoppers from two very different eras. Ice-T was correct. Soulja Boy doesn’t come close to the artists he mentioned from a lyrical perspective. Yet, the kid is 17 years old and really, these days, Hip-Hop teens aren’t as engaged in the same ways that they were back in the days. The 80’s and part of the 90’s yielded a certain consciousness. Did Soulja Boy kill Hip-Hop? No.

Does Ice-T’s age really matter? Have you seen the 47-year-old rapper? (Click here for that!) What about a live Public Enemy show for rappers Chuck D and Flavor Flav, aged 47 and 49 respectively. They have a show Soulja Boy can’t compare to even with the cute dance. African Americans and Hip-Hop heads always want to limit an artist’s growth and tell him when to stop. The Rolling Stones, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and other rockers are antiques and relics and yet they fill stadiums to this day, cherished by their fan base.

The older generation can’t forget where they came from. Ice-T was in a video for a rapper named Joe Ski Love, who made a song called “The Pee Wee Herman.” In hindsight, it was fairly “corny” and campy – and we love it. He was also in a wack movie called “Breakin.’” We love it, Turbo and Ozone. When it’s all said and done, we’ll look back on “Crank Dat” with some affection too.

The younger nation has to remember, they will need the wisdom of older heads to maximize their own growth. Ice-T has seen it all, been through it all and has insight on the music game that a Soulja Boy can’t pay for. From the early days, to the life experience to the censorship matters, he’s actually paved the way for these younger rappers.

We can’t make the same mistakes as the “Civil Rights” age group and create an irreparable gap. Let’s respect each other. Fact is, Ice-T has no less than five classic albums (Solo and rock) and a TV and film resume to kill for. Admit it or not, Soulja Boy wants those accolades.

That’s all have to say…now let’s talk about it.

PS: For fun, here is the Joe Ski Love’s Pee Wee Herman video. Classic!