The Gram

Social media was up in arms after the airing of the November 1 episode of ABC’s Nightlinewhich featured an explosive interview with Lil Wayne. During the six-minute segment, reporter Linsey Davis asked him about the Black Lives Matter movement and he went on an angry rant about how it has nothing to do with him. “I’m a young, Black, rich motherfucker,” he said. “Don’t come at me with that dumb shit. My life matters.” After the interview aired (to Lil Wayne’s disapproval), he fired his publicist and blamed it on being “disoriented.”

Naturally, people were furious at his blatant disregard for such a glaringly sensitive topic, including longtime friend and collaborator T.I. In a lengthy Instagram post shared on Saturday (November 5), the Atlanta superstar wrote, “I don’t know what you goin thru, or what you are attempting to avoid but this sh*t is absolutely unacceptable You’re disrespecting yourself, bringing shame on your family name and tarnishing your legacy.”

@liltunechi This is my son & daughter showing me this for the first time & asking me what you mean? I'm at a complete loss of words here. Wayne I've known you over a decade. Our daughters grew up together practically. Reginae' spent countless times at my house with Niq-Niq when you were in prison & you extended my daughter the same courtesy when I was in the same position. Our relationship outside of music is what makes me sensitive to your disposition. I KNOW you wired a bit different than most other responsible adults, but still nigga U TRIPPING!!!! I don't know what you goin thru,or what you are attempting to avoid but this shit is absolutely unacceptable!!!! You're disrespecting yourself,bringing shame on your family name & tarnishing your legacy. You have children (including mines prior to now) that have looked up to you. You have sons & a daughter that depend upon your leadership. Bro if you don't stand for something out here,all the money,jewelry,cars,mansions bandannas & hit records don't mean shit!!!! Our people are being oppressed!!! We are being hunted,captured & slaughtered out here daily!!! You have to get outta that bubble that you've been living in & get out here & educate yourself on what's going on around US!!! I'm always here to share whatever knowledge or understanding I may have to assist your growth & development,but u MUST STOP this buffoonery & coonin' you out here doin. You looking like somebody who has something to gain or lose by pretending like it's not as bad as BLM making it seem & you're not aware of an issue that needs to be addressed. That's what would be considered "Uncle Tom Shit"…. I know U,YOURE BETTER THAN THIS!!!!! I've been proud to call myself a fan & a friend of Lil Wayne ,but if that must end in order to stand up for those who can't do it for themselves…So be it. If you're not prepared for a question in an interview,say No Comment Bro. But stop embarrassing yourself & everyone out here who's been supporting you. There is no middle ground. Oppression knows no neutral party,either you're part of the oppressed,or you with the oppressor. There is no such thing as oppression not affecting you. It's #USorELSE out here

A video posted by TIP (@troubleman31) on

He goes on to point out, “Our people are being oppressed!!! We are being hunted,captured & slaughtered out here daily!!! You have to get outta that bubble that you’ve been living in & get out here & educate yourself on what’s going on around US. I’m always here to share whatever knowledge or understanding I may have to assist your growth & development, but u MUST STOP this buffoonery & coonin’ you out here doin.”

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T.I. has released a handful of politically-charged projects this year, including the Us Or Else EP, which he cleverly hashtagged at the end of his post. Whether or not this was a publicity-seeking stunt, genuine concern for his friend or a combination of both is debatable, but whatever the case, T.I. certainly made his stance obvious.

There is only one tweet posted on Wayne’s account a few hours after T.I. went on his Instagram rant. While it’s unlikely he was directing the tweet at T.I., Weezy definitely felt the burn of criticism on Twitter and felt propelled to respond.

lil wayne fk ya
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Check out T.I.’s Instagram video above and the original Lil Wayne interview below.