When it comes to younger rappers supposedly not paying proper respect to the generation of greats that came before them, Pete Rock isn't having it.
The record producer/DJ/rapper took Waka Flocka to task yesterday via his Instagram page, calling him out for his comments about the genre's elder statesmen not passing history down to the next ones in line for musical popularity. "That's not our generation's fault," said Waka in that interview. "That's the older generation's for not informing us and keeping us up to date. It's a lot of s**t I be seeing the older generation [say] 'This ain't hip-hop' 'Y'all n****s killin' hip-hop.' But y'all n****s ain't save it! Y'all was supposed to save it!" He also went on to compare his standing in rap's current crop of emcees to that of figures from the 1990's who have attained legendary status.
"All these old n****s that's poppin' like they legends," he continued. "F**k it—Imma go right at your jugular. Cuz y'all at my generation. N****, I feel like I'm the Jay, the Nas, of my generation. F**k it. I can't rap better, but my credibility in my generation is just as good as you was in your generation." Strong words from Flocka, and ones that certainly didn't go unnoticed by Rock, who promptly put the younger artist in his place with a long Instagram caption.
"Im gonna defend my older heads and tell you your(sic) not equal," Rock responeded. "Be as disrespectful as you want. Your not doing what we did,havent accomplished what we accomplished." He later questioned how long Waka Flocka's shelf life would be if he continued to make those kinds of comments. "Lets see how long you can last in this business doing what you doing. You been quiet until you startED running your mouth about old school n****s. Thats corny bro. Just make better music and spit like an MC."
Upon seeing this Instagram post, Waka responded to Pete Rock, stating that the reaction was "uncalled for" and that he ought to "slap the s**t" out of the old-school hip-hop figure.
Who's side are you on? Pete Rock's? Or Waka Flocka's? Have your say in the comments.
