melle mel

9 Hip-Hop Songs That Have Sampled The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Dr

The world has come to stand and acknowledge the 50-year mark of the assassination of a man who is defined as being the most influential civil rights leader in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On April 4, 1968, as he stood on the balcony of Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Dr. King was fatally struck with a bullet by James Earl Ray, an unlawful racist. The striking assassination of Dr. King follows a sturdy 14-year reign serving as a dominant figure in the civil rights movement fighting for the security of legal rights for African Americans. It was a fight drilled with nonviolence and civil disobedience, being burgeoned by the vile acts of racial segregation, disenfranchisement, and exploitation of all hanging from the centerfold of racism.

The powerfully symphonic voice of Dr. King in his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech delivered at the 1963 March on Washington sets the tone for emotional empowerment. It is currently the most sampled Dr. King audio recording in hip-hop history. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his sound legacy. Here are nine hip-hop songs sampled by the legendary leader’s voice.

1. Sadat X “Return of the Bang Bang” (2010)

Reigning from the silver-tongued posse who is bound to their divine blackness is Sadat X of Brand Nubian on the solo tip with “Return of the Bang Bang.” The unorthodox emcee takes to the mic to drop insight about his daily journey as a seasoned vet returning to the game. In his signature abstract style, Sadat uses Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” passage to serve rightful diction in his tunnel of bars. “Return of the Bang Bang” is featured on Sadat’s 2010 sequel gem Wild Cowboys II.

2. Heavy D & the Boyz “A Better Land” (1989)

One of the golden era’s finest, the late Heavy D is pouring his soul out in rhyme in “A Better Land” with his boyz about improving the meager conditions of impoverished communities. The telling track starts with a sample of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech that ends with one of his most acquainted quotes, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men, are created equal.”

3. Edo G feat. Masta Ace “Wishing” (2004)

Donald Trump is not the first President of the United States to be highly scorned by most of his country. Back in 2004, George W. Bush was in office, turning America’s dream into a nightmare with his jest-like measures. Edo G and Masta Ace took to the mic to release their wishes while demanding intrinsic change in the American way. After Masta Ace crops the title of a dreamer, Dr. King’s infamous line about his dream for freedom and justice in Mississippi hoards the track.

4. Cyhi Da Prynce “Ring Bellz” (2010)

Cyhi Da Prynce is honoring his cultural edge through the barrels of black history in “Ring Bellz” a song from his 2010 mixtape Royal Flush. While mixing his braggadocios persona with black excellence, the G.O.O.D. music wordplayer takes it from Fredrick Douglass to Stokely Carmichael, with the profound words from Dr. King’s beloved speech leading the track.

5. Common feat. will.i.am “A Dream” (2006)

Chicago’s renowned poet in rhyme Common teamed up with will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas for a true hip-hop measure that reflects on the progression and condition of blacks in a known racist America, the way Dr. King stood sturdy for titled “A Dream.” Owning the same desire for nation zenith, just as King, it was sensible for the abstract collab to start with King’s pacifying “We gonna work it out” saying.

6. Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five “The King” (1988)

With Melle Mel being heralded as one of hip-hop’s earliest conscious rappers, the lingering legacy of Dr. King has certainly played a role during hip-hop’s infancy. The hip-hop pioneer rocks the mic with delight honoring the deeds of Dr. King by recognizing the Civil rights icon’s brightest accomplishments while calling for the bells of freedom. “He brought hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak.”

7. Wu-Tang Clan “Never Let Go” (2014)

Known for their supremely motivational rap hymns, the Wu-Tang Clan hit the masses with a dream driven tune in signature fashion. Docking off of their sixth studio album A Better Tomorrow is “Never Let Go” an ode to survival during challenging times. Before Masta Killa leads and after U-God anchors the track, a courteous potent chunk of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is heard where the beloved leader makes one of his most bracing points, “For many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.”

8. Boogie Down Productions “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love)” (1990)

Emphasis is something KRS-One has mastered as a lyricist. Amid the prime of Boogie Down Productions‘ fourth studio album Edutainment comes its top single “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love),” a song that serves as a warning about the detrimental lust that comes with chasing after material things. To throw emphasis on “movin’ on,” the voice of Dr. King chanting the phrase from his final speech “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top.”

9. Immortal Technique feat. Chuck D, Brother Ali, and Killer Mike “Civil War” (2011)

Budding off of the musically factious Immortal Technique‘s 2011 compilation album The Martyr is “Civil War” featuring Chuck D, Brother Ali, and Killer Mike, an unapologetic effort to audibly express “trying to survive cultural assassination,” the great PE lead makes it clear in the chorus. The track samples a selection of King’s final speech, where the iconic leader encourages the destruction of fear in exchange for glory.

Dr. King’s call for sound justice fused into a faithful dream for African Americans has thrived its way into hip-hop culture out of the purpose of nature. The infancy of hip-hop culture is a result of movements that brewed during Dr. King’s time. Movements that were centered in the fight for justice and art of freedom such as the Black Panther Party and Black Arts Movement, who all commonly owned a desire to climb the path of racial justice. The youth of hip-hop’s beginnings dreamed of topnotch mobility out of the hood, reversing the culture of police brutality, and several cases of discrimination ceased. Now, since the culture has grown into a universal phenomenon, Dr. King’s dreamy element of justice is emblematic in hip-hop whenever he is sampled on a track.

The post 9 Hip-Hop Songs That Have Sampled The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first appeared on The Source.

The post 9 Hip-Hop Songs That Have Sampled The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. appeared first on The Source.

Breaking Down Eminem & Melle Mel’s Beef

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Eminem has frequently shown love to hip hop’s forefathers, as they inspired him to become the legendary rapper he is today. He mentioned over 100 different hip hop artists in his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech, where he expressed gratitude for the hip hop artists he grew up listening to. While Eminem may pay homage to his favorites, he has been at odds with many notable figures in hip hop. He recently beefed with Melle Mel of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Known for foundational hip hop classics like “The Message,” Melle Mel was one of the many “heroes” that Eminem mentioned in his speech. Today, we are breaking down the short-lived beef between Eminem and Melle Mel.

How The Beef Started

Earlier this year, The Art of Dialogue interviewed Melle Mel, who took issue with Eminem’s placement at No. 5 on Billboard’s list of the 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time. Mel, who appeared on the same list at No. 48, claimed Eminem’s placement was based on his race. He expressed, “If Eminem was another n**** like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list?” Melle Mel continued to discredit Eminem’s placement, saying, “If you was talking about sales, he’s sold more than anybody. If you were talking about rhyme style, okay he got a rhyme style. But he’s white!”

A contentious opinion, this is not the first time that members of the hip hop community have attributed Eminem’s commercial success to his race. Eminem once acknowledged these views in his 2002 song “White America.” He rapped, “If I was Black, I would’ve sold half.” Nonetheless, he still replied to Melle Mel in true Slim Shady fashion on a song.

Eminem Fires Back At Melle Mel

Earlier this month, Eminem teamed up with his latest Shady Records signee, Ez Mil, on “The Realest.” His guest verse consisted of multiple lyrics directly responding to Melle Mel’s comments. He raps, “Guess I’ve really no right to complain much hip hop has been good to me / But when they say that I’m only top five ’cause I’m white why would I be stunned.” Eminem continued by addressing the sentiments that being a white rapper automatically puts him in the Top 5: “My skin color’s still working against me ’cause second I should be to none / Being white ain’t why they put me at five it’s why they can’t put me at one.” Eminem even shouts out Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, joking about Melle Mel’s alleged steroid addiction.

Melle Mel Responds, Hip Hop Reacts

Just a few days later, Melle Mel responded to Eminem’s verse on “The Realest,” with a diss track of his own. Titled “Melle Mel’s Response to Eminem’s Latest Diss,” the hip hop pioneer defended his original claims. The song, which is less than two minutes long, consists of lines aimed at Eminem: “The Top 5 is cap, you the piss that’s on the floor in the elevator of rap.” Listeners clowned Mel’s response, despite his courage to reply to a rapper known for lethal disses. Many took to Twitter to make fun of the response, joking about his simplistic rhyming. One user wrote, “Melle Mel counted to 8 while dissing Eminem.” Since they exchanged disses, it appears that they have mostly settled the beef.

Melle Mel Apologizes To Eminem

After responding to Eminem with a diss track, Melle Mel walked back his original comments last weekend and admitted that his response “fell short.” In light of celebrating hip hop’s 50th anniversary during a performance at Yankee Stadium in New York, he shared a statement on social media to show his change of heart.

Melle Mel both apologized to Eminem and complimented his contributions to hip hop. He also showed gratitude for being mentioned in the rapper’s Hall of Fame induction speech. While Eminem has not yet publicly acknowledged Melle Mel’s public apology, it appears that they squashed their beef just in time for hip hop’s 50th anniversary.

[via]

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Even Melle Mel Knows That His Eminem Diss Track Sucks, As He Admitted It In A Statement

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eminem
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Last week, Melle Mel (of Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five fame) tried to roast Eminem with a new diss track, but the effort was promptly and loudly criticized online. It seems even Mel himself knows the song was a mistake, as he indicated in a new statement.

In a statement reportedly shared with AllHipHop, Mel started, “In light of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, my original intention was to contribute an engaging and enjoyable endeavor to enrich the cultural landscape. Regrettably, my response fell short in its execution, and I accept full responsibility for the misjudgment. I acknowledge that my perspective was ill-conceived and I am prepared to take ownership of this oversight. It has become evident that Eminem’s dedicated and passionate fan base stands unwaveringly by his side, which is a testament to their genuine admiration and loyalty-a truly commendable aspect.”

He also wrote about his perspective on Eminem more generally and his past comments about Em’s race inflating his legacy, saying, “From the onset, I have consistently recognized Eminem’s exceptional prowess as an emcee, without reservation. My unfortunate choice of words, suggesting that his success is solely attributed to the color of his skin, was in no way reflective of my genuine beliefs. It was an attempt, albeit misguided, to engage competitively within the emcee sphere.”

Read the full statement below.

“In light of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, my original intention was to contribute an engaging and enjoyable endeavor to enrich the cultural landscape. Regrettably, my response fell short in its execution, and I accept full responsibility for the misjudgment.

I acknowledge that my perspective was ill-conceived and I am prepared to take ownership of this oversight. It has become evident that Eminem’s dedicated and passionate fan base stands unwaveringly by his side, which is a testament to their genuine admiration and loyalty-a truly commendable aspect.

From the onset, I have consistently recognized Eminem’s exceptional prowess as an emcee, without reservation. My unfortunate choice of words, suggesting that his success is solely attributed to the color of his skin, was in no way reflective of my genuine beliefs. It was an attempt, albeit misguided, to engage competitively within the emcee sphere.

It is important to acknowledge that the dynamics of Hip-Hop have evolved over distinct eras, and it is inevitable that not everyone will resonate with my perspective, just as I may not fully comprehend others. Throughout my involvement in shaping the Hip-Hop landscape, the cornerstone has been built upon a foundation of mutual respect, even when personal preferences may differ.

Moving forward, my paramount commitment is to foster an environment characterized by respect in every facet of my endeavors. With utmost sincerity, I convey my best wishes and extend heartfelt appreciation to Eminem for the recognition extended to me during his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction speech.

In conclusion, I am keenly aware that Hip-Hop encompasses diverse epochs, and my objective remains focused on promoting a spirit of respect, as we collectively celebrate the 50th anniversary of this influential cultural phenomenon.”

Melle Mel Tried To Come At Eminem With A New Diss Track, But It’s Getting Burned To An Absolute Crisp Online

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There’s been a bit of beef between Eminem and Melle Mel of Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five this year. In March, Mel claimed a lot of the praise Eminem receives is because he’s white. Last week, Em and new Shady Records signee Ez Mil teamed up for “Realest,” on which Em raps, “Shout to the Furious Five and Grandmaster Flash but boy / There’s someone who really is furious, stay out his path, his wrath avoid / And I’ll be the last to toy with a juice head whose brain is like half destroyed / Like a meteor hit it, well there went Melle Mel, we lost his ass to ‘roids.”

Mel decided to drop a diss track in response yesterday (August 8), and based on the majority of the reactions to it, he probably shouldn’t have.

The song doesn’t seem to have a name, but the YouTube upload of the track is titled “Melle Mel’s Response to Eminem’s Latest Diss.” The YouTube description of the minute-long song reads in part, “Get ready to witness sparks fly in the hip-hop universe! Join Melle Mel as he fires back at Eminem’s fiery diss, ignited by the explosive ‘Realest’ collaboration with EZ Mil. In this unfiltered video, Mele Mel dives deep into the drama, giving you an informal yet intense glimpse into his response.”

On the track, Melle raps in part, “The Top 5 is cap / You the piss that’s on the floor in the elevator of rap / Why you ducking on The Game when you sh*t on my name? / Why they put Pee-Wee Herman in the hall of fame? / I would give you a pound, but I’d break your hand / I got a lawyer so white, he will take your land / Yo, check your man, come and look at your friend / ‘Cause I think that Eminem is popping pills again!”

The YouTube comments section, meanwhile, is absolutely ruthless. One user wrote, “Damn Mel. You were better off not responding at all. I hope this flies under the radar. I’m embarrassed for you.” Another person commented, “I respect Melle Mel and what he contributed to hip hop. The Message still gets played to this day. Not just the single, the entire album. But… G*ddamn. This sh*t right here should’ve never seen the light of day. Shame on everyone who was involved in making this and encouraging it to be released. The people in your circle aren’t really your friends Melle Mel.”

YouTube commenters and X/Twitter users are united here, as the tweets about the song are in the same vein. Check out some of the reactions below.

Melle Mel Teases Response Diss to Eminem on Instagram

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Melle Mel Calls Nicki Minaj Being Ranked Ahead of Rakim 'Blaspehmy' and 'BS'

Melle Mel is getting ready to unleash his response to Eminem. All Hip Hop reports Melle Mel has a “full-blown diss track” ready for Slim Shady. You can hear a clip of what’s to come below.

In case you missed it, Eminem delivered a new verse on Ez Mil’s new release, “Realest.” Through his bars, Shady seemingly addresses Melle Mel, who once stated Em only got his Top Five rap status because he is white.

In an interview, Melle Mel criticized Billboard’s Top 50 Rappers of All Time list, not because of his no. 48 ranking, but of Eminem’s no. 5 ranking, saying that Eminem is ranked so high because he’s white.

“Obviously, he’s a capable rapper. If you was talking about sales, he’s sold more than everybody. If you were talking about rhyme style, okay, he got a rhyme style. But he’s white. He’s white!” Melle Mel said of the 8 Mile rapper.

“So now, if Eminem was another nigga like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list when a nigga that could rhyme just as good as him is 35? That had records and all that? He’s 35. He’s white.”

He said, “And anybody could be as mad … They could feel how they wanna feel. If you don’t think that race plays a part in the equation of how great he is — I heard one of the dudes that’s down with him, Royce Da 6’9″ [mislabelling Royce Da 5’9″] or one of those – I heard he’s just as good as Eminem. Why he ain’t as big as Eminem? Because he’s Black! Ain’t none of that shit hard to figure out. Eminem gets a top spot because he’s white.”

Em heard the words and offered a response:

“Hip Hop has been good to me, huh
When they say I’m only Top 5 ’cause I’m white, why would I be stunned?
My skin’s color still working against me
Cause second, I should be, to none
Bein’ white being why they put me at five
That’s why they can’t put me at one”

Em would add that he isn’t played in clubs and while he is a guest in rap, he “turned this bitch into a mansion.” That was followed with a direct message to Melle Mel:

“Shoutout to Furious Five and Grandmaster Flash, but boy
There’s someone who really is furious
Stay out his path, his wrath avoid
I’ll be the last to toy with a juice head whose brain is half destroyed, like a meteor hit it
Now with Melle Mel, he lost his ass to ‘roids.”

You can hear the new release below.

The post Melle Mel Teases Response Diss to Eminem on Instagram first appeared on The Source.

The post Melle Mel Teases Response Diss to Eminem on Instagram appeared first on The Source.

Melle Mel Hits Back At Eminem’s “Realest” Diss Track: Stream

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After hearing what Eminem said about him on Ez Mil’s “Realest” single, Melle Mel is finally hitting back. On Tuesday (August 8) afternoon, the hip-hop veteran chiefly shared his response to the Detroit native on YouTube. Beforehand, he shared a teaser with fans on Instagram to generate plenty of buzz. “No apologies, this ain’t a disclaimer / I’m the king of legend, the first hall of famer,” Mel firstly rhymes in the clip. “Makin’ diss tracks, I know you with that / Now everybody get ready for the kickback.” At the end of the brief clip, he asks Em, “Why you hurt?”

As HipHopDX points out, it was only a few months ago that Melle speculated that the 8 Mile actor has only been so successful due to his skin colour. “Hip Hop has been good to me, huh / But when they say that I’m only Top 5 ’cause I’m white, why would I be stunned?” Slim Shady recently rapped before name-dropping his nemesis directly. “I’ll be the last to toy with a juice head whose brain is half destroyed like a meteor hit it / Now with Melle Mel, he lost his ass to ‘roids.”

Read More: Melle Mel: A Hip Hop Icon & Trailblazer

Melle Mel Has a Response for Slim Shady

Upon dropping his video this evening, Mel’s highly anticipated diss for the “Mockingbird” artist was revealed. Unfortunately, it’s left many listeners predicting that Eminem won’t even bother to respond. “Yo, check your man. Come look at your friend ‘cuz I think that Eminem is popping pills again,” he spits midway through the brief video above.

“I never thought it was possible to make a worse diss than Nick Cannon [did] to Em,” one person markedly wrote in the comments. “Today, I was proven wrong. Well done.” If you haven’t already heard Eminem’s initial diss aimed at Melle Mel, you can stream that at the link below. Which of the two rap legends do you think has better bars? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: Eminem Disses Melle Mel On Ez Mil Track “Realest”

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Eminem Disses Melle Mel on “Juice Head” Feature Verse, Suggests Legend is on Steroids

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Eminem

Eminem delivers a new verse on Ez Mil’s new release, “Realest.” Through his bars, Shady seemingly addresses Melle Mel, who once stated Em only got his Top Five rap status because he is white.

In an interview, Melle Mel criticized Billboard’s Top 50 Rappers of All Time list, not because of his no. 48 ranking, but of Eminem’s no. 5 ranking, saying that Eminem is ranked so high because he’s white.

“Obviously, he’s a capable rapper. If you was talking about sales, he’s sold more than everybody. If you were talking about rhyme style, okay, he got a rhyme style. But he’s white. He’s white!” Melle Mel said of the 8 Mile rapper.

“So now, if Eminem was another nigga like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list when a nigga that could rhyme just as good as him is 35? That had records and all that? He’s 35. He’s white.”

He said, “And anybody could be as mad … They could feel how they wanna feel. If you don’t think that race plays a part in the equation of how great he is — I heard one of the dudes that’s down with him, Royce Da 6’9″ [mislabelling Royce Da 5’9″] or one of those – I heard he’s just as good as Eminem. Why he ain’t as big as Eminem? Because he’s Black! Ain’t none of that shit hard to figure out. Eminem gets a top spot because he’s white.”

Em heard the words and offered a response:

“Hip Hop has been good to me, huh
When they say I’m only Top 5 ’cause I’m white, why would I be stunned?
My skin’s color still working against me
Cause second, I should be, to none
Bein’ white being why they put me at five
That’s why they can’t put me at one”

Em would add that he isn’t played in clubs and while he is a guest in rap, he “turned this bitch into a mansion.” That was followed with a direct message to Melle Mel:

“Shoutout to Furious Five and Grandmaster Flash, but boy
There’s someone who really is furious
Stay out his path, his wrath avoid
I’ll be the last to toy with a juice head whose brain is half destroyed, like a meteor hit it
Now with Melle Mel, he lost his ass to ‘roids.”

You can hear the new release below.

The post Eminem Disses Melle Mel on “Juice Head” Feature Verse, Suggests Legend is on Steroids first appeared on The Source.

The post Eminem Disses Melle Mel on “Juice Head” Feature Verse, Suggests Legend is on Steroids appeared first on The Source.

Eminem Disses Melle Mel On Ez Mil Track “Realest”

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Eminem is easily one of the greatest rappers of all time. However, his artistry has oftentimes been questioned over the past few years. Consequently, he has tried to respond in the only way he knows how: through bars. Someone who has been fairly critical of him as of late is none other than Melle Mel. The legend was not super complimentary of Em, and it is clear that he took notice. We know this as Em has issued a formal response on Ez Mil’s new track “Realest” which dropped today.

For those who may not know, Ez Mil is a 25-year-old MC who was recently signed by Eminem and Dr. Dre. There is a lot of hype surrounding him right now, and getting Em to feature on his song is a massive look. Unfortunately for Ez Mil, the bars dissing Melle Mel will likely overshadow the song, at least just a little bit. As you will hear down below, Eminem says that the legendary artist is on steroids. Moreover, he says that this has turned him into a “juicehead” whose brain is “half destroyed.”

Read More: Redman Doubles Down On Eminem’s Best Rappers Of All Time List

Eminem x Ez Mil

These bars are already taking social media by storm. However, it is important to note that the song itself is a great introduction for fans to the music of Ez Mil. He is a focused MC with solid bars and a steady flow. He can rap fast and slow, while also delivering his lines with authority. Needless to say, it is easy to see why Eminem would want to sign him.

Moving forward, it will be interesting to see whether or not Melle Mel decides to respond. Let us know what you think of this new track, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the music world. We will always bring you the biggest releases from the biggest artists.

Quotable Lyrics:

Shout to the Furious Five and Grandmaster Flash, but, boy (Whaddup, though?)
This someone who really is furious, stay out his path, his wrath, avoid
And I’ll be the last to toy with a juice-head whose brain is like half destroyed
Like a meteor hit it
Well, there went Melle Mel, we lost his ass to ‘roids (Damn)

Read More: Who Is EZ Mil? The Rapper That Eminem & Dr. Dre Just Signed

The post Eminem Disses Melle Mel On Ez Mil Track “Realest” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Ja Rule Says Melle Mel Got It All Wrong: “50 Cent Copied Me”

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As hip-hop turns 50, it’s nice to see people like Melle Mel continue to have a say in the culture, even if his takes are polarizing. Most recently, Melle Mel chimed in on the official anthem of New York. Melle Mel reflected on the impact of Ja Rule’s “New York” and Jay-Z’s “Empire State Of Mind.” The latter undoubtedly became synonymous with the Big Apple, and Ja’s anthem is undeniable. However, Melle Mel said the only reason it can’t compete with Jay’s record is that he was “trying to sound hard” like 50 Cent.

“If he woulda just made that record a pure New York record, it would have been a way bigger record,” Melle Mel said on The Art Of Dialogue. “But he went the route of trying to sound hard because 50 Cent sound hard. And it was still a good record, but I’m just saying. If he woulda just made it a pure New York record like how Jay-Z did with his New York record. See what I’m saying? If he woulda went along the same lines as that.”

Ja Rule Reacts To Melle Mel’s Comments

During a recent interview with TMZ, Ja Rule shared a laugh at Melle Mel’s comments. Though he respects Mel’s take, he said that he got it all twisted. “Mel’s earned the right to say whatever he wants but me copying 50 is like the funniest shit ever,” he said. It might seem cocky but there’s no doubt that Ja was on the rap-sing tip before Fif adopted that style on songs like “21 Questions.” With that in mind, Ja Rule thinks that 50 Cent owes him more credit for his success. “50 copied me. I was his blueprint,” he said. 

Regardless of how Mel views Jay-Z’s record vs. Ja Rue’s, the Murder Inc star explained that both records catered to different audiences. “‘Empire State Of Mind’ is a huge record, as well, but their different. Mine is a street anthem and ‘Empire State Of Mind’ is a big, like, commercial kind of record,” he explained. “Mines is me, Fat Joe, Jadakiss. It’s gutter… big shout to KRS-One,” he added, citing the “Hundred guns, hundred clips” bar. 

Melle Mel Believes Ja Rule Tried To “Sound Hard” Like 50 Cent

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His sit down with The Art of Dialogue has stirred many Hip Hop pots, and another clip has Melle Mel back in the center of controversy. For decades, there has been a Hip Hop beef that just doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. 50 Cent and Ja Rule have co-existed within the culture without too many dust-ups, but when they arrive, the spats command attention. Whether they’re trading verbal shots or issuing disses in interviews, Fif and Ja remain foes.

Music legend Melle Mel has seen the ebbs and flows of Rap since its inception. The Hip Hop pioneer is quite opinionated about the genre, considering he watched it take shape in real-time, and in his latest interview, he offered a few thoughts about 50 Cent and Ja Rule. He noted that many rappers could be better if they didn’t attempt to emulate their peers. “What is it that you need to say? You could be the n*gga that made a song about a pool party, but you f*cked around and listened to Meek Mill. And you f*cked around and did some dumb sh*t.”

Melle Mel Uses Ja & 50 As An Example

To emphasize his point, Mel mentioned the two warring rappers. “It’s just like when 50 Cent was doing this sh*t. And then when Ja Rule…and that was probably one of his last big records.” He was referencing Ja’s hit classic, “New York.” Melle continued, “If he woulda just made that record a pure New York record, it would have been a way bigger record. But he went the route of trying to sound hard because 50 Cent sound hard. And it was still a good record, but I’m just saying. If he woulda just made it a pure New York record like how Jay-Z did with his New York record. See what I’m saying? If he woulda went along the same lines as that.”

Elsewhere in the clip, Melle Mel discussed how the street life is a detriment to Hip Hop. He argued that “consciousness does have its place in Hip Hop, but everybody is too scared about not being hard. And that’s the destruction of the whole game.” Watch the video of Melle Mel on The Art of Dialogue discussing Hip Hop, 50 Cent, and Ja Rule above.