Melle Mel’s had a whole lot to say about some of hip-hop’s most cherished MCs in recent times. The Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five member's interview with the Art Of Dialogue led to hot takes. Artists like Eminem and Kendrick Lamar felt the wrath of his criticism the most. Despite Em’s high ranking in Billboard and Vibe’s top 50 greatest rappers list, Mel said the Detroit rapper wouldn’t have been as big if he wasn’t white – a comment that earned a response from 50 Cent.
Shortly after, he said that Kendrick Lamar wasn’t an influential rapper – another take that many disagreed with. Chuck D later came to his defense. He explained Mel’s been critical of the rappers that came after him, it seems as though the rap pioneer has a few artists he appreciates in modern rap. Pusha T, who recently remixed Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five’s “The Message,” is apparently one of the few rappers in the game who’ve earned Mel’s respect.
Melle Mel & Scorpio Applaud Pusha T
Pusha T debuted his remix of “The Message,” titled “White Lines,” for the Cocaine Bear soundtrack. Though Push is an embodiment of the antithesis to the iconic 1982 anthem, Melle Mel praised the Clipse member for flipping the song. “I think it’s just a great testament to the legacy of the group and myself to make a record that’s 40 years old that can still be relevant,” he told All Hip Hop. “Mobb Deep used it, too. Even up to right now with it being in Cocaine Bear and Pusha T doing the remake, it’s a testament to how powerful our music was and the imprint that it left and is still leaving within the music business.”
Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five member Scorpio echoed a similar sentiment. He explained that it’s “an honor” to see so many artists take influence from them forty years later. “To see this after all of the years is just incredible,” Scorpio added. “We’re talking 40 years. For it to stand the test of time and to see all the artists like Duran Duran, Mobb Deep, and Pusha T who keep recycling it is just an honor.” What are your thoughts on Pusha T’s record? Press play above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
