What began as a disagreement over an interview has turned into N.O.R.E. questioning DJ Vlad’s entire relationship with Hip Hop. The Drink Champs host fired back after Vlad publicly called him selfish and a “snake,” arguing that he simply changed his mind about appearing on VladTV and owed no one an interview.
“I don’t front everybody. I fronted on you,” N.O.R.E. said during Drink Champs. He acknowledged that he had initially intended to sit down with Vlad before reconsidering. “Guess what? I’m a grown man. I have a right to change my mind.”
Vlad gave his version of the dispute during DJ Akademiks’ Off The Record. He said he appeared on Drink Champs expecting N.O.R.E. to later return the favor with a VladTV interview. Vlad ultimately characterized N.O.R.E. as someone whose “word don’t mean ish” and called him a “snake.” Vlad’s Drink Champs appearance aired in March 2024, with N.O.R.E. introducing him as an influential figure in Hip Hop media and praising the reach of his interview platform.
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Hip Hop Media Beef?
Moreover, N.O.R.E.’s response went well beyond whether he broke an informal agreement. He accused Vlad of profiting from conflicts involving Black artists and compared his interview style to that of The Jerry Springer Show. “You benefit off of Black drama,” he said. “You are Jerry Springer now!” N.O.R.E. argued that refusing the interview amounted to giving Vlad a taste of the same treatment he believes the media personality has used throughout his career. “I played the game that you been playing for years,” he added. “Welcome to the motherf*ckin’ party.”
Rick Ross became part of that criticism as N.O.R.E. accused Vlad of trying to have the Miami rapper jailed. However, the history between Vlad and Ross is more complicated than that. Vlad sued Ross in federal court after alleging that members of the rapper’s entourage assaulted him at the 2008 Ozone Awards in retaliation for VladTV’s coverage of Ross’ past as a correctional officer. A jury found Ross liable in the civil case in 2010 and awarded Vlad $300,000 in damages. Technically, the lawsuit itself was not a criminal case and did not carry the possibility of incarceration.
Neither side appears interested in repairing the relationship for now. N.O.R.E. made his position on the abandoned interview particularly simple. “I don’t like you,” he told Vlad from the Drink Champs set. Whatever professional understanding that once existed between the two Hip Hop media veterans appears to be off the table.
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