Lupe Fiasco alleges that Lyor Cohen, the industry executive who has worked at Warner Music Group and Def Jam in addition to co-founding, 300 Entertainment, threatened to stop promoting his records if he refused to sign a 360 record deal. He recalled the alleged conversation during an appearance on Way Up With Angela Yee, last week. He says it occurred after the release of his second studio album, The Cool.
“I tell artists this because I think it’s important to let the artistic community know, this is what you’re really dealing with,” he began, as caught by VIBE. “I’m not making this up. I’m not gassing anything, and I’ll stand on this in the court of law. Lyor was like, ‘Yo if you don’t sign this 360 deal, we’re not promoting your records.’” He further alleged that Cohen told him: “Not only are we not promoting your records, we’re not promoting even the records that we give you.”
Lupe Fiasco Performs During Hip Hop 50 Live Concert In N.Y.C.
US rapper Lupe Fiasco performs during the Hip Hop 50 Live concert, marking the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City on August 11, 2023. A genre, a culture and a lifestyle all at once: hip hop has traveled from the block party to the billionaire’s club, soundtracked protest and celebration, and asserted seismic influence over the course of pop. The reigning music style evolved in rapid, anarchic ways, rocking the industry establishment that long resisted its power, and fully embodying the culture of youth even as it grew. This year hip hop turns 50, an anniversary that’s offered its elders, its fans, and the city that birthed it a milepost to reflect on its cultural weight. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite being willing to negotiate the terms of the 360 deal, it ended up falling through. “I didn’t sign, and my career was like ‘goodbye,’” he said. “My career ended at Lasers.” Fiasco dropped Lasers as his third studio album in 2011. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 after selling 200,000 copies in the first week. He’s since released a total of nine studio albums and none have charted as high.
Lupe Fiasco Discusses His Career
Check out Fiasco’s full comments on dealing with the business side of the music industry below. He dropped his ninth studio album, Samurai, back in June. Be on the lookout for further updates on Lupe Fiasco on HotNewHipHop.
In the high-stakes world of the music industry, clashes between titans are not uncommon but rappers are not the only ones who engage in beef. Now and then, record executives also get down and dirty, starting and maintaining feuds. For example, one long-standing feud between industry giants surrounds the animosity between Dame Dash and Lyor Cohen.
Their beef spans several years and is a testament to the power struggles and egos that often define the business. Despite the passage of time, the feud between the two continues to cast a long shadow over the music industry. Even in 2024, shots have been fired, and it seems their beef won’t be ending anytime soon. Here’s a look at how it began and its timeline over the years.
Before 2004, Dame Dash and Lyor Cohen were friends and business partners with a long history of working together. Alongside Jay-Z and Kareem Burke, Dame Dash founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994. In addition, Dash was also Jay-Z’s manager at the time. Cohen, on the other hand, was in charge of Def Jam Records. While Def Jam was under Cohen’s leadership, Roc-A-Fella signed a 50/50 partnership and distribution deal with the label in 1997. As a result of this partnership, Dame Dash and Lyor Cohen saw a lot of each other in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. However, in 2004, their relationship soured after Def Jam purchased Roc-A-Fella and positioned Jay-Z as the president of the iconic label. Since then, Dame Dash and Lyor Cohen have not been on the best of terms. However, they mostly kept things civil until much later when Dash took a shot at Cohen.
2014: Dame Dash Accuses Lyor Cohen Of Ruining Roc-A-Fella
After the events of 2004, some fans believed there was some tension between Dame Dash and Lyor Cohen, especially because of the eventual fallout between Dash and Jay-Z. For a while, neither Dash nor Cohen did anything to confirm this suspicion. However, that changed in 2014 when Dash took a shot at Cohen. During an interview with Vlad TV in 2014, Dame Dash finally got a few things off his chest about Lyor Cohen. When he was asked about the record executive, Dash said, “I think he’s a fake CEO and I think he’s fronting on my culture but he can’t front on anybody else.”
He further stated, “I’m calling him out publicly and I want him to stop trying to rape my culture. Go make some money with some other people.” Driving home his impression of Cohen, Dash continued, “Never had a beef with Jay. Always with Lyor and his whole crew. He’s the one that ruined Roc-A-Fella. Lyor Cohen.”
During an appearance on the Rap Radar podcast in September 2015, Lyor Cohen addressed Dame Dash and his culture vulture allegations. “It actually doesn’t bother me. It would bother me if it came from a credible source. If it’s a credible source, then we can have a conversation and actually have a discussion. If someone thinks something about me that I may have done to offend them or hurt them or do something they misunderstand, then we’ll have a dialogue. We’ll communicate and get to an understanding and move on, or not. But I can’t give any light to that. It’s a clown right now,” Cohen said.
Subsequently, Dash took to Instagram to respond to Cohen in a now-deleted Instagram post. “Just like a #CultureVulture won’t answer a direct question and gonna have the nerve to try to discredit a good positive man from our culture for telling the truth in an intelligent way… and still trying to convince us that we’re lucky to be getting robbed by him…they always try to make us think we are winning when we losing when they are trying to rob us …and he still can’t get a dollar from his own culture…I’m not credible?…. Who’s the clown?… And he’s like 70 still trying to get money off the rap game…nobody’s checking for that… The plantation game is over my culture is smarter then that these days…#HustleForYourLastNameFirst #CultureVulture the book coming soon @hip_hop_motivator let’s go! It’s time I’ve been waiting for him to speak after 6 months #nerd,” he wrote.
2018: Lyor Cohen Says He Doesn’t Know Dame Dash
At this point, it was clear that Dash and Cohen were not fans of each other. Even during periods of silence and peace, there didn’t seem to be any hope for reconciliation between the two. On August 1, 2018, Lyor Cohen made an appearance on The Breakfast Club where he denied knowing Dame Dash. “Who’s Dame Dash? You brought him up. I don’t even know him. You bring his name up, I don’t even know him. I don’t know him. I don’t know what to tell you,” Cohen insisted after Charlamagne brought up Dash’s culture vulture comments. Subsequently, Dame Dash took to Instagram where he posted a photo featuring himself and Lyor Cohen. It was accompanied by a long caption in which Dash called Cohen a culture vulture once again.
Afterwards, on August 8, during an appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast, Dame Dash spoke further about Lyor Cohen. When Budden asked Dash what a culture vulture is and why Cohen is one, the music exec eagerly answered. “A culture vulture is someone that exploits the culture that he’s not a part of, doesn’t benefit the culture and takes care of his culture, and has no respect for the culture he’s exploiting,” he said. Furthermore, he explained, “And that’s why Lyor is one because he’s been making money off of our culture; he is not part of it, he’s been exploiting it. Never helping, teaching or anything, doing what’s in the best interest of his own pocket over the culture. And to add insult to injury, he is not accepted in his own culture. He cannot get no money in his own culture so he comes to ours, acts like a big cat, pretends we need him when we don’t.”
On October 14, Lyor Cohen appeared on Drink Champs with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN. Addressing Dash’s many accusations, N.O.R.E. asked the executive if he was indeed responsible for Dash and Jay’s fallout. Cohen’s response was, “Absolutely not. If Lyor was the reason, then they never were really together in the first place. Mic drop.” Despite Cohen’s vehement denial of being the reason Roc-A-Fella fell apart, Dash continued insisting that he played a significant part. During an interview on The CEO Show podcast, Dash claimed that Cohen convinced Jay to cut ties with him and Kareem Burke. “He’s the person that told Jay, ‘I’ll do a deal with you or without Dame Dash or Biggs [Kareem Burke].’ And he’s the one that advised him based on what Steve Stoute told me,” Dash said.
Additionally, Dash criticized N.O.R.E. for platforming Cohen without attempting to defend his name. “I just wish N.O.R.E., when he gets a Lyor Cohen and says that he’s necessary for the culture—at least ask him why he would get on a Black platform that caters to us and say I don’t exist,” Dash said. “Just defend me a little, the way I defended him. I appreciate all the accolades he gives me so he always is my brother but when people say they love me, that shit don’t feel like love to me.
2024: Dame Dash Calls Lyor Cohen Out For Allegedly Exploiting Young Thug
On March 2, 2024, Math Hoffa’s interview with Dame Dash on American Nu Network was uploaded on YouTube. In the interview, Dame Dash fired shots at Lyor Cohen again. This time, for allegedly taking advantage of Young Thug. “When I look at Young Thug, I’m like, Lyor and them just made a big check and he’s going to jail. They made money off his music,” Dame said. “So if they made money off that music and he’s in jail for that, then all that money they made off the music should not go to them. How do they get to get all that money and he has to get a jail cell?” he asked.
Dame Dash discussed how the music industry is “toxic” during a conversation with Math Hoffa for his America Nu Network and shared some interesting takes on Young Thug. He claimed Lyor Cohen, an iconic executive and founder of 300 Entertainment, is taking advantage of the Atlanta rapper. He’s currently on trial for his 2022 arrest on gang-related charges.
“[The music industry] only exists because of toxic behavior,” Dash began. “They take advantage of the dysfunction of our culture. For me, if I see a kid that’s making music about shit that’s gonna get him killed because he’s really doing it, I don’t think I’m putting they records out. I’m not gonna enable that child.” From there, he brought up Thug: “When I look at Young Thug, I’m like, Lyor and them just made a big check and he’s going to jail. They made money off his music. So if they made money off that music and he’s in jail for that, then all that money they made off the music should not go to them. How do they get to get all that money and he has to get a jail cell?”
Lyor Cohen and Damon Dash during Ryan Leslie Performs at the Yellow Fever Party at Noel Ashman and Chris Noth’s Nightclub NA at NA in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage)
Dash has been critical of Cohen for over a decade, previously labeling him “a fake CEO” and a “culture vulture.” He’s also accused him of ruining Roc-A-Fella. “I’m calling him out publicly and I want him to stop trying to rape my culture. Go make some money with some other people,” he told VladTV back in 2014.
Dame Dash Criticizes Lyor Cohen
Check out Dame’s interview with Math Hoffa above. Elsewhere in the conversation, the two discuss working with Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, and Currency, among other business ventures. Be on the lookout for further updates on Dame Dash on HotNewHipHop.
Nicki Minaj’s “Big Foot,” the infamous Megan Thee Stallion diss, is doing pretty well commercially… but not as well as the Queen demands. Moreover, she recently hosted a Twitter Spaces conversation with Joe Budden on Wednesday (January 31), during which she made some very wide-ranging claims. One of these was the Trinidadian superstar’s belief that the Houston MC wanted “a Rihanna moment” with her testimony about the Tory Lanez trial. In other words, Megan wanted undue sympathy for abuse, she posited, which stirred up a lot of controversy from fans and detractors alike. Regardless, Nicki thinks much of this negative reception is false.
Furthermore, among many other industry big-shots, she took aim at Lyor Cohen, a music executive who has been YouTube’s Global Head of Music since 2016. Specifically, Nicki Minaj accused him of allowing or implementing bots on her content to sabotage the success of “Big Foot” or paint it in a bad light, perhaps through negative comments or other metrics. “We have screenshots of the YouTube bots, it’s cr*zy,” she remarked during the Spaces conversation. “Lyor, you better not… Lyor, don’t play with me, n***a. I hope you ain’t around that company no more right now.”
Nicki Minaj’s Full Twitter Spaces Convo With Joe Budden: Listen
The First Lady of Young Money didn’t stop there, as she also made similar claims against Twitter and TikTok about how fake backlash and criticism is being amplified as a sabotaging method. While she didn’t provide any direct evidence of this, it’s become a common narrative across her recent rants, particularly directed against Megan Thee Stallion. This is nothing new for Nicki Minaj or her Barbz to reckon with, and part of why it’s a prevailing sentiment is because she finds so much overwhelming support from her fanbase that everything else seems moot. But don’t get it twisted: she’s still the biggest female rapper right now, and one of the biggest of all time.
As such, perhaps these complaints will quickly meet folks’ disapproval or ridicule. Still, as “HISS” builds up momentum for a No. 1 debut on Billboard, its response track “Big Foot” reportedly falls behind. But is that due to “bots” or people’s own reaction to the track’s quality and impact? Unfortunately for us, perhaps we’ll never really know… With that in mind, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Nicki Minaj.
Lyor Cohen, a name synonymous with the music industry’s success, has made a mark on the music industry, resulting in an impressive amount of wealth. He boasts a reported net worth of $150 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential figures in the music business is a testament to his vision, determination, and unparalleled expertise.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK–FEBRUARY 10: Rapper LL Cool J appears with Lyor Cohen at a Grammy Party on February 10, 1997, in New York City. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives)
Born in New York City, Lyor Cohen was raised in a family that cherished music. Moreover, his passion for the art form became evident at a young age, driving him to immerse himself in the industry. Cohen’s early years were marked by an insatiable appetite for discovering new sounds and talent, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors. Furthermore, his entry into the music world began with roles at various record labels, where his keen insight and knack for identifying promising artists quickly set him apart. Cohen’s intuitive understanding of the evolving music landscape became a defining factor in his rise to prominence.
Rise To Prominence & Impact In Hip-Hop
CANNES, FRANCE – JUNE 19: Lyor Cohen speaks onstage during the Youtube session at the Cannes Lions Festival 2018 on June 19, 2018 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Richard Bord/Getty Images for Cannes Lions)
Lyor Cohen’s ascent in the music industry reached new heights when he played a pivotal role in shaping the hip-hop scene. His tenure as the head of Def Jam Recordings marked a transformative period, where he championed and nurtured the careers of iconic hip-hop artists, elevating the genre to unprecedented levels of success.
Moreover, his contributions extended beyond individual artist management. Cohen’s innovative strategies and business acumen further paved the way for groundbreaking deals and collaborations, influencing the trajectory of hip-hop and popular music as a whole.
Cohen’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found 300 Entertainment, a record label designed to redefine the music industry’s landscape. His venture emphasized artist development and creative freedom, reflecting his commitment to fostering talent while adapting to the digital age’s challenges.
Beyond his direct involvement in record labels, Cohen’s advisory roles and mentorship have shaped the careers of numerous artists and industry professionals. Additionally, his enduring impact continues to shape the industry’s dynamics, inspiring a new generation of music executives and artists alike.
In conclusion, Lyor Cohen’s reported net worth of $150 million mirrors the immense impact he has had on the music industry. From his humble beginnings to his influential roles at top record labels and entrepreneurial ventures, Cohen’s journey epitomizes innovation, vision, and an unwavering dedication to the art of music. His legacy stands as a testament to his profound influence on hip-hop and the broader music landscape.
Earlier this week, various big names gathered to attend City Of Hope’s annual Spirit Of Life gala in Pasadena. This year’s even also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization’s partnership with the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI). Among those in attendance were Diddy, Ludacris, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, and more. Jay-Z was even spotted in the crowd, seated next to Swizz Beatz. The duo were seen chatting with Jon Platt, CEO of Sony Music Publishing.
In one clip, N.O.R.E. is seen approaching their table, asking Swizz Beatz to tell the room what he’s grateful for. He thanked everyone for coming out and “helping people to save lives.” When N.O.R.E asked Jay-Z to share a message with the people, however, he was told “I ain’t gonna do that. Get out my face, dog.”
This year’s gala celebrated music industry executive and entrepreneur Lyor Cohen, who gave a heartfelt speech towards the end of the evening. “We came here to help eradicate cancer, but wouldn’t it be great if we could also eradicate hate?” he told the crowd. Cohen proceeded to call on his peers to pray for peace for the people of Israel and Palestine.
“I’m so sorry to hijack this special event to express my feelings as a human,” he said. “Just as I express them when injustices happen to anyone targeted because of their race or religion or sexual identity… My heart goes out to all the Palestinian people in the region that have had to endure unnecessary loss of life. I pray for peace – won’t you join me?” DJ Cassidy also curated a performance featuring various hip hop artists who’ve been impacted by Cohen. Attendees saw performances from Swizz Beatz, T.I., Ja Rule, Public Enemy, and more. Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more news.
If you are a hip-hop fan, you are very much aware of everything that Young Thug is going through right now. Overall, he is currently in the legal battle of his life. Back in May of last year, he was arrested on RICO charges. He stands accused of being a leader of a criminal organization that has killed numerous people. However, Thugger has denied all wrongdoing and he plans to fight these charges to the fullest extent.
The jury selection for the trial began months ago. However, it has been very difficult to find jurors who are impartial. Moreover, this is going to be a long and complicated trial, which makes the search that much more difficult. There are going to be numerous witnesses involved, and in a new report from AllHipHop, it was made clear that Thug’s legal team has a unique strategy. Essentially, big names like Killer Mike, Lyor Cohen, and even T.I. are currently on the rapper’s witness wish list.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 17: Rapper Young Thug performs at halftime during the Boston Celtics v Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm Arena on November 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Those of you reading this right now are probably asking yourselves why would they be included in the trial. Well, the answer is quite simple. These artists and executives have worked with Young Thug on a professional level. Overall, they would be able to speak to Thugger’s character. This could go a long way in persuading a jury about Young Thug’s potential innocence. It may not work, but his legal team is definitely trying everything they can.
Hopefully, the pace of this trial will pick up. Thug has been left in the lurch for quite some time, and it feels like the proceedings will never end. Let us know what you think about all of this, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always keep you informed.
N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN sat down with music industry veteran Lyor Cohen for the latest episode of Drink Champs. Among the topics the group discussed were the career of DMX, Cohen’s role in the success of Def Jam, 300 Entertainment, and his work to fight cancer.
Cohen’s appearance was met with ample praise from fans. “I know a lot of people don’t like Lyor, but as a hip hop fan I’ll always respect this guy for what he did for hip hop from 98-02,” one user commented on the episode. “Grimey lyrical New York rap is my favourite era of Hip Hop, and that def jam roster that HE signed was everything to me.”
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 14: Lyor Cohen speaks onstage at the Music Keynote during S.X.S.W. At Austin Convention Center on March 14, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Sean Mathis/Getty Images for SXSW)
Another user wrote: “Leyor is def one of the top industry people around! His story is super dope!! I didnt know all this Hip Hop history about him! Salute to Drink Champs for giving the people this little peice of hip hop history and future!” Check out Cohen’s appearance on Drink Champs below.
Lyor Cohen Sits Down With N.O.R.E. & DJ EFN
Cohen’s appearance on Drink Champs comes as he is set to be honored at the Spirit of Life Gala, later this week. Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Ja Rule, Memphis Bleek, Swizz Beatz, and more will be present. Chuck D said, as noted by Variety: “Lyor Cohen is a pioneer, and myself and Public Enemy have been beneficiaries of his visionary audacity. Hip Hop’s ride through the music industry has been turbulent, but together with Lyor we’ve grown with it and gone through it and organized what was necessary. Working with Lyor makes you pay attention to everything. And he’ll tell you that.” Be on the lookout for further updates from the gala on HotNewHipHop.
Suge Knight’s disdain for the East Coast apparently resulted in Lyor Cohen getting a loogie to the face. In a recent interview on the Boss Talk 101 podcast, former Death Row executive Reggie Wright Jr., recounted the time Def Jam tried to sign Snoop Dogg to the label. At the time, Island Def Jam Music Group recruited Lyor Cohen as co-president of the label and he tried to bring Snoop Dogg over to the label. However, first, he would have to go through Suge Knight.
Wright Jr. explained that Cohen paid a visit to Suge Knight in prison to negotiate a deal. Suge told Cohen that he would need to pay him $13M to sign Snoop to the label. Due to Columbia’s ownership of Def Jam, Lyor Cohen needed to run the number by the board. While Def Jam began to regain its footing, once again, thanks to Montell Jordan and Warren G, they were trying to flesh out their roster further. Jay-Z, Method Man, and Redman undoubtedly helped but the addition to Snoop was the next step to level up with the addition of a West Coast legend.
Suge Knight’s Response To Cohen
Wright Jr. said Def Jam was willing to enter a multi-million dollar deal to sign Snoop Dogg. However, they weren’t necessarily willing to cough up as much as Suge wanted. “He comes and offers Suge $7 million. ‘Tell Lyor the most that I can get for Snoop is $7 million.’ Suge never really liked the East Coasters or labels or whatever. And I’m like, ‘Okay, Lyor, yeah, we got a deal,’” Reggie Wright Jr. recalled in the interview.
Evidently, Suge wasn’t necessarily feeling the counteroffer. According to Wright Jr., he dished a repulsive response when he declined the $7M proposal. “Suge goes and tells Lyor, ‘No.’ Spits in Lyor face. Spits in his face, because of however the conversation went. At the prison. At San Luis Obispo,” Wright Jr. recalled. From there, Wright Jr. explained the moments leading up to Snoop Dogg inking a deal with No Limit Records following his tenure with Death Row. Check the full interview above.
