Veteran rapper Styles P has added his voice to the ongoing feud between hip-hop heavyweights Kendrick Lamar and Drake, expressing his belief that the escalating tension could reignite a competitive spirit in the genre that has been missing for years. In an Instagram post shared on Saturday, Styles P shared his candid thoughts on the situation, suggesting that the feud has the potential to bring back the era of competitive emceeing.
“Not that anyone asked me. But it’s pretty simple whoever can be the pettiest and most disrespectful and not worry about crossing boundaries while being witty and applying pressure will win,” Styles began in his post. He expressed his anticipation for the unfolding drama, likening it to “verbal warfare” and stating, “Let the games begin im in the audience with the popcorn.”
Styles P, known for his candid and unfiltered opinions, didn’t shy away from acknowledging the potential for controversy in the feud. However, he emphasized his belief that the verbal sparring between artists is unlikely to result in any physical harm. “I would bet a fingernail no one is gonna get hurt,” he remarked, highlighting the non-violent nature of the competition.
The rapper’s comments sparked a flurry of reactions from fans, reflecting the divisiveness of the feud within the hip-hop community. While some echoed Styles P’s excitement for the return of competitive emceeing, others expressed disappointment at the negative turn of events in the genre. One fan lamented, “Smh this is sad what hip-hop has turned into. It was started as a way to uplift the ppl and y’all decided to use it as a weapon against each other.”
Another fan questioned the sincerity of J. Cole’s recent apology, suggesting that the feud may have influenced his decision. “You think that’s why Cole apologized? He for the people and growth for real,” they speculated, alluding to J. Cole’s reputation for advocating social consciousness and personal growth through his music.
As the feud between Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and now Rick Ross, The Weeknd, and others continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether it will indeed spark a revival of competitive hip-hop or further fuel division within the community.
The Lox may not have reached the universal acclaim or brand recognition of rap groups like NWA or the Wu-Tang Clan yet, but they serve as one of hip hop’s most iconic influences. The Yonkers, New York-based trio has been commonly referred to as your favorite rapper’s favorite rap group, making the lyrically focused iconoclasts some of the most revered performers in the genre. As recently as 2021, the rappers made history in their landmark Verzuz event against the Diplomats and landed a prominent placement on Kanye West’s Donda album.
The trio has continued to make music as a group to this day, though each of the members has gone on to a host of solo projects and extracurricular ventures. The group even received the keys to the city of Yonkers in 2021 after opening a series of public parks, workout stations, and other thriving local businesses. Here’s a look into what Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch have been up to in the last several years.
Jadakiss
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 25: Jadakiss attends the Starter x MLB Bronx Bubble Jacket Unveiling at the MLB Flagship Store on July 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/WireImage)
Arguably the most recognizable member of The Lox, Jadakiss’ scratchy vocals and harsh delivery can be heard in a host of feature verses with prominent rappers such as Kanye West, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Westside Gunn, and ScHoolboy Q. The rapper has released 6 albums and 6 mixtapes as a solo artist since 2001. Jadakiss released his most recent solo venture, the album Ignatius, in 2020.
After performing alongside his Lox brothers in the 2021 Verzuz match against The Diplomats, Jadakiss and his bandmates scored massive streaming increases. Some sources claim The Lox’s streaming numbers rose by over 215 percent after the live event, with many fans referring to the outing as the best Verzuz battle committed to the stage thus far. In 2022, Jadakiss presented Sheek Louch and Styles P with their own personalized Lox championship rings while the trio shared the stage at LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells festival.
As a revered member of his community, Jadakiss has founded a number of local businesses. One such venture includes the Kiss Cafe, which the rapper launched in late 2022. The cafe serves as a multi-generational family business and is run in collaboration with Jadakiss’ father, Bob Phillips, and the rapper’s son Jaewon.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 02: Styles P speaks onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 02, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Like his associates, Styles P serves as a founder and co-owner of D-Block Records. D-Block has served as the home of The Lox’s music since the brand’s release from the Diddy-owned Bad Boy Records in 1999. Styles P serves as the busiest member of the group musically, releasing a staggering 15 solo albums, as well as a wide array of collaborative projects and mixtapes since 2002.
In his personal life, Styles P is a vegan and has partnered with Jadakiss to run the Bronx-based juice bar Juices For Life. The first location opened in 2011 and has since expanded into 6 stores across New York. Styles also started a local health food store called Farmacy for Life in collaboration with his wife in 2018.
Despite his many career successes, Styles has been eyeing the laid-back retirement lifestyle in recent years. Reports indicated that the rapper plans to step down from his position at Juices For Life in October 2022. Likewise, Styles P has made plans to conclude his prolific solo career with two final albums, before shifting his focus to running Farmacy For Life full-time. Though Styles has announced the end of his solo career, he has assured fans that he’s still on board for all future shows, albums, and features alongside The Lox.
Sheek Louch
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 22: Sheek Louch attends the DJ KaySlay Album Listening Party at Quad Studios on June 22, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage,)
Sheek Louch seems to be the least outgoing member of the group, with very little information on his personal life available to the public. Like many rappers, the Lox artist has a somewhat shady past, including an appearance on the reality television series World’s Wildest Police Videos. Sheek Louch has released 6 solo records since 2003, along with a wide array of mixtapes. The artist has also prominently worked alongside Wu-Tang Clan members such as Ghostface Killah.
As one-third of The Lox, Louch has created some of the hottest hip-hop music known to man, with plenty of legendary rappers citing the influence and scope of the group as nothing short of revolutionary. Sheek has continued to perform with The Lox, including a recent Hip Hop 50 celebration with special guest Mary J. Blige on December 16, 2023.
NY crime rhyme vet David Styles, better known to the Hip Hop world as Styles P, turns 49 years young today.
The L.O.X.(Living Off Experience) co-founder along with Sheek Louch and Jadakiss began their careers with platinum honors, appearing on Puff’s No Way Out album and selling a million copies of their debut LP Money, Power and Respect. Styles has put out seven full length solo projects along with a host of mixtapes and callabos throughout his career, establishing himself as one of the top lyricists in the rap game. “The Ghost” has also made a proactive contribution in keping the hood healthy by opening all natural juice bars in NYC as well as his natural supplement and vitamin company built along with his wife Adjua Styles called Farmacy For Life.
From everyone here at The Source, we send a “Super Gangster And A Gentleman” salute to Styles on his born day and we hope that he enjoys today and many more!
Get ready for a night of pure hip-hop magic as iconic rapper Styles P takes the stage to celebrate his 49th birthday at Irving Plaza on November 27, 2023, hosted by none other than the legendary Jadakiss. This highly anticipated event promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans of the legendary rapper, and it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop music, adding an extra layer of significance to the celebration.
The concert will feature opening sets by Smoke Dza and Steel Sessions, featuring the incredible talents of Oswin Benjamin, Iman Nunez, and Katt Rockell. Adding to the excitement, Willie J Peso and Messiah will serve as support acts, ensuring the crowd stays hyped all night long.
Styles P, known for his remarkable contributions to the world of hip-hop, has a surprise in store for his fans. He will perform with a live band with special guest Brady Watt of Bass Bars. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to witness the fusion of live instrumentation and Styles P’s iconic rhymes.What sets this celebration apart is the exclusive collaboration announcements by Styles P. The first collaboration, “The Ghost,” is with Doja Pak, Mechanics Farm, and Strain Gang, promising a unique blend of artistry and style. A complete line of flowers, hashholes, and rosin will be available at select retailers, providing fans with a tangible piece of this momentous occasion.
“I wanted to make my 49th birthday unforgettable for my fans, so we’ve got some special surprises in store. It’s going to be a night of hip-hop, celebration, and great music,” Styles P shared.
After a prolific career that includes 15 solo albums and six collaborative projects, Styles P, the veteran New York rapper and one-third of the legendary Rap trio The LOX, is preparing to retire from his solo rap career. His latest album, “Penultimate: A Calm Wolf Is Still A Wolf,” released on January 27, 2023, has marked a high note in his journey.
Before bidding farewell to his solo rap career, Styles P is hitting the road for the ‘Respect My Legacy’ Tour, announced on October 20, 2023. The U.S. tour will span eleven cities through February, commencing at Irving Plaza in New York City on November 27, just a day before the emcee’s 49th birthday. The tour will feature support from Harlem’s own Smoke DZA and a headlining performance by Styles P alongside a live band. Brady Watt’s Bass & Bars ensemble will accompany Styles for the special birthday celebration show in New York, and Ramakhandra will join the emcee for the remaining tour dates.
The tour news comes on the heels of Styles P’s sold-out ‘Respect My Legacy’ concert in Toronto on October 12, marking his first-ever solo show in the Canadian city. As Styles P prepares to say goodbye to his solo career, the ‘Respect My Legacy’ Tour promises to be a memorable and emotional journey for both the artist and his fans.
On Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, renowned New York rapper Styles P’s nonprofit organization, Farma Cares, joined forces with the Yonkers Family YMCA to introduce their inaugural ‘Plant-Based Community Dine-In Night.’ The event, which took place at the local YMCA’s gymnasium in Yonkers, New York, was a tremendous success, providing nutritious meals to over 200 Yonkers residents, including families, seniors, and young individuals.
Styles P, who has dedicated more than a decade of his career to promoting community health through ventures like Juices For Life and Farmacy For Life, launched Farma Cares as an extension of his commitment to bringing the benefits of fresh produce to underserved communities. This collaboration with the Yonkers Family YMCA marks the beginning of a series of monthly Plant-Based Community Dine-In Nights to serve Styles P’s hometown community.
The Yonkers event follows the recent unveiling of a mural in the South Bronx, dedicated to Styles P’s group, The LOX, highlighting the rapper’s impact on the community.
Styles P has revealed the late Notorious B.I.G. wanted to squash the beef between The LOX and Diddy before he was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1997.
A lot of rappers enter the rap game with minimal understanding of the business side of things. Oftentimes, this leads to complications down the line. Some of our favorite rappers of all time have been stuck in bad contracts (i.e. Lil Wayne & Kanye). There are far more resources now than ever before. Still, there are many artists who find themselves trapped in terrible contracts. According to Styles P, this is an unfortunate cycle that’s bound to repeat in the future with younger generations of artists.
During a recent interview with I Never Knew TV, Styles P explained that artists often face few other options. When asked about why he thinks young artists continue to ink these types of deals, he responded, “What are they going to do? Not sign a deal?” In his opinion, there are two avenues for a rapper to go. “It’s really simple, you’re going to sign a deal or you’re not going to sign a deal. You’re going to take your shot or not take your shot,” he explained. Though he acknowledged the number of changes in the industry, such as the value of going independent, he related the issues with signing contracts to the early days of The LOX.
Styles P Details Bad Contracts
Ghost said that The LOX would’ve been “idiots” had they not signed a deal at the beginning of their career. “The time we came up, we would’ve been f*cking idiots to not sign a deal. You take the deal, you do what you gotta do and you move on. You know, you make the best of it,” he explained. He compared signing a contract with a label to landing a new job. “Everyone doesn’t start at a high level,” he explained.
Regardless, Styles P said that taking the risk can be worth it down the line. He explained that The LOX already had better money coming in from their advance compared to the annual salary of a police officer or the average citizen. “Do you not do that and just say, ‘Nah, it’s not good enough,’ and then wait for another window of opportunity to come when you may have seen 20 windows of opportunities already? Now, that bad deal’s there but you have a chance to get in front of things. You just gotta take the bad deal,” he said.
at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 02, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
