When you mix fame, money and a lot of ego, nine times out of ten a rapper is created. Rappers are some of the most interesting people you could meet and their interviews can sometimes be funny, insightful and controversial. Rappers have a tendency of saying whatever it is on their minds and sometimes that may move some people the wrong way. Some artists are known for being in the thick of things and others find themselves unexpectedly pulled into a situation. Interviews with rap stars can often start and perpetuate rap beefs, rumors and all types of controversy. Here are five of some of the most controversial interviews with Hip-Hop artists.
Tupac was no stranger to controversy. Many people will say that being a controversial rapper caused him to lose his life. Tupac was not afraid to hold his tongue. He was a very opinionated person with a platform. In 1992, MTV interviewed Tupac for the first time as a solo artist. He was in the studio recording a song for a Christmas album. During the interview, Tupac was questioned about his life growing up in the inner city. Being the intelligent man he was, Tupac shared his views about society, the rich and the poor. A lot of what he was saying could be interpreted as socialist ideals. Tupac indirectly touched on redistribution of wealth and equality for minority groups in America. He even shares his thought about Donald Trump and his mentality. The interview was banned and the song was dropped from the album. MTV claims that the interview and song was scrapped due to the legal troubles that Tupac got into soon after.
Dame Dash and Cam’ron vs. Bill O’Reilly “You Mad?”
We all know that Bill O’Reilly has been against hip-hop and rappers for a long time. He has invited many rappers and purveyors of Hip-Hop on his show, The O’Reilly Factor to debate different topics. One of the most memorable episodes is when he brought Dame Dash and Cam’ron on the show along with Salome Thomas-EL. The three discussed the timeless topic of gangster rap’s effect on children. Things became a little heated when Bill stated the Terminator “cartoon” has less of an impact than rap music. Cam and Dame did not take that too well and that caused the four men to start cutting each other off. Cam and Dame felt the positive things they do were being overshadowed. This interview didn’t solve anything and pretty much was a waste of time, but Cam on wanted to ask Bill one thing, “You mad?“
Kanye vs. Sway on Shade 45 “You ain’t got the answers Sway”
Kanye West is? (A) a genius, (B) crazy, (C) an a**hole. The answer varies depending on who you ask, but everyone can agree that Mr. West is controversial. From calling out George Bush on live television to interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech, Kanye is one of the most unpredictable artists we have known. An interview with Kanye West never goes normal. Television and Radio personality, Sway realized that when he had Kanye as a guest on his Shade 45 radio show Sway in the Morning. Sway and Kanye have known each other for a long time (Kanye gave Sway his first TV). So when Kanye got buck on Sway it took listeners and the hosts by surprise. When Sway asked about his fashion and business endeavors, Kanye started to spaz out. This is the interview that launched the phrase “You don’t have the answer, Sway.” The verbal tussle between the two didn’t last long and Sway didn’t harbor any ill feelings. He even tried to capitalize off it by printing up t-shirts with the phrase.
Nas disses Jay-Z and others on Power 105.1
The rap beef between Jay-Z and Nas was at its peak in the early 2000s. What people didn’t know was that there were other people involved. It also sparked off an intense rivalry between Hot 97 and Power 105.1. Nas went on Power 105.1 to vent and aired out a few artists and Hot 97 radio personalities. He spoke about Funk Master Flex taking money from artist and labels under the table and artists making garbage music. During the interview he calls out N.O.R.E, Cam’ron, Nelly and most notably Jay-Z. He also shared his discontent with Hot 97 Summer Jam that year, when they hit him with many restrictions that were not there before.
Pimp C Offends Atlanta Ozone Magazine
Once upon a time the South wasn’t the big family many people perceive it to be. Pimp C had some not so friendly words for Atlanta and the rappers that call ATL home in a column for Ozone Magazine. The article came with a disclaimer that read “These are my opinions and my statements. They do not reflect on Bun B or UGK as a group.” That alone let you know he had some strong opinions. In the article Pimp C called the city of Atlanta the gay capital of the world and not even part of the south. That had many Atlanta artists upset. He even said that crunk music started with Three Mafia and not Lil Jon. Pimp C went after Young Jeezy and other trap rappers claiming they were lying about selling drugs in their music. Even Russell Simmons got accused of being gay. Pimp C explained his comments in a radio interview with Hot 107.9 but never apologized for his statements and stayed true to his convictions to death.
