Drake’s relationship with Houston is quite significant in regards to his career. Besides initially being pushed to rap ears by the son of Rap-A-Lot Records head J. Prince, Drizzy’s Houston Appreciation Weekend has become something of a city holiday within itself. Despite, claiming H-Town as a second home, not everyone cosigns Drake co-opting the culture. That includes current buzzworthy duo The Sauce Twinz who gained traction earlier this year for their single “2 Legited 2 Quited.” Drake failed to jump on the remix as DX originally reported. The Sauce Twinz then posted a video on Instagram bashing the Toronto rapper/singer’s appropriation of Houston culture. From the looks of things, the straw that broke the camel’s back occurred when Mr. Graham performed The Drip dance during a recent performance. With their beef at a boiling point, member Sauce Walka drops “Wack 2 Wack,” a diss track utilizing Drake’s scathing Meek Mill diss, “Back To Back.”
Is “Wack To Wack” The Best Drake Diss Yet?
Justin: All my favorite diss tracks have three things in common: Truth, humor, clarity. What’s the point of dropping a diss track so coded that few can decipher the diss? Lyrical yo’ mama jokes are always entertaining, but how effective, how much replay value does the track have if not lathered in truth? That’s what makes “Takeover” greater than “Ether:” Facts.
Sauce Walka included all three in his searing attack on Drizzy Drake, “Wack 2 Wack.” It’s absolutely hilarious hearing the TSF-member call Drake a “cracker,” “nigga” and “Cambodian” within the song’s first 38 seconds. When’s the last time you met a cracker-Cambodian-nigga?
It’s absolutely hilarious hearing him target Drake for using lyrical and literal performance enhancers, and do so while flipping arguably the best bar on “Back To Back:”
“Damn, creators turn impersonators / You got a whole ghostwriter handing you the paper / What happened to the rap game built off of a greatness / Nowadays this shit built off of fakeness / Since when is it cool to use steroids / Ain’t that the same reason they shook Lance Armstrong / Ain’t that the same reason Barry Bonds Hall Of Fame gone? / And y’all tryna say that this nigga’s a rap god?”
What’s also hilarious about Sauce Walka’s sneak attack is the portrait he paints of pre-fame Aubrey. Let him tell it and Drizzy was tricking off in H-Town strip clubs paying to get his balls wet, recklessly going raw dog, searching for solace after losing his acting career. “Degrassi got cut and put your life on hold / So you came to H-Town and started riding that pole… And I ain’t talking about dancin’ you was paying for pussy / I was pimpin’ so I knew about that shit lil’ rookie.” Who knows if it’s true, but it’s definitely a vivid depiction.
Those “Del Frisco” bars, though are consistent with what’s been coming out of the Houston scene for months. I’ve had several sources tell me that Sauce Walka and team ran up on Drake while he was meeting with his team at the high-end restaurant a month prior to Houston Appreciation Weekend. Allegedly Drake again promised to have his verse for “2 Legited 2 Quited” at that time, but reneged and did so disrespectfully. Then Sauce checked him again at the beginning of HAW. Drake missed several events throughout the weekend, only resurfacing once J. Prince landed back in Houston. So when Walka raps, “I came to the dinner table real urgent / Now all week I had you around the city sneaking / You missed about three shows that weekend,” that’s what he’s talking about.
On the surface, making a diss track because someone stole your dance feels petty. But there’s much more behind “Wack 2 Wack” than just salt and shade. Drake has a direct relationship with the city of Houston and the city has a direct relationship with Drake. He knows that Houston isn’t Hollywood. People don’t say things that they don’t mean reflexively in H-Town, especially when it comes to business—blood and bone, balls and word. TSF had been speaking publicly about the Drake feature since March and suddenly got curbed. Then they turn on the Internet and see Drizzy doing their Drip and call it his dance. Tipping point reached.
Ural: Sauce Walka just provided one of the best diss record no one saw coming this year. If Meek Mill would have dropped something around this caliber, his career would be looking a lot different at the moment. Then again, Drake vs. Meek Mill is long gone and forgotten at this moment. Drizzy’s beef with The Sauce Twinz is more personal than tweets allegedly not being posted. This is over authenticity within Houston’s Hip Hop scene, something that’s almost been the heart of OVO’s career. Walka manages to create a diss track that’s serious, factual, extremely comical and very real. Sure, The Sauce Twinz don’t hold a candle to Drake’s status within pop music. However, Walka does a great job of getting his point across. For “Wack 2 Wack,” ghostwriting allegations take a backseat to Drake relationship with notable stripper and Love & Hip Hop New York cast member Jhonni Blaze, ducking the fade and the best Pokemon reference I’ve heard in years. Most importantly, Walka gives an explanation for those three HAW absences this year which angered many hoping to see the If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late artist. Was Drake scared of The Sauce?
“2 Legited 2 Quited” came and went as just another hook driven single from a Southern artist on the cusp of rap notoriety. Looks like Walka has some serious bars beneath the radio and dance friendly exterior. Taking shots at Serena Williams’ built figure was a sort of cheap shot but, it’s thematically no different than the “is that your girl’s tour” line Drake spit on “Back To Back.” Who exactly knows the overarching repercussions “Wack 2 Wack” will have on Houston’s rap scene. Right now, The Sauce Twinz are making good on their status as H-Town antiheroes. While many artists of their caliber hope and pray someone with the status of Drake graces their single, Sauce Walka and Sancho Saucy are essentially giving the middle finger to music’s establishment. Whether or not Drizzy responds is purely up to him at the moment. Though Mill clearly had more star status, Sauce Walka didn’t sound weak. Agree with the diss or not, you have to respect the effort. Now it’s time for everyone sits back and watch how Houston really reacts to their outside hero being disrespected by their very own.
Ural Garrett is a Los Angeles-based journalist and HipHopDX’s Senior Features Writer. When not covering music, video games, films and the community at large, he’s in the kitchen baking like Anita. Follow him on Twitter @Uralg.
Justin “The Company Man” Hunte is the Editor-in-Chief of HipHopDX. He was the host of The Company Man Show on PNCRadio.fm and has covered music, politics, and culture for numerous publications. He is currently based in Los Angeles, California. Follow him on Twitter@TheCompanyMan.
Rap has gotten so fuckin corny
How much did they pay for this write up?
Let’s be honest their real issue isn’t that Drake didn’t jump on a song noone cares about, their just jealous that Drake is bigger than them even in their own town.
I’ll be honest, you’re wrong. But thank you for the comment and for checking the piece, Steve. A lot of things in modern rap are smoke and mirrors. A lot of beef is contrived or for the show of it. Sometimes it’s just real life trolling, sometimes jealousy. This one is genuine slight.
all due respect to hiphopdx writers…but great diss tracks ridicule the target to the point where you see the person differently. this is what Canibus did to LL Cool J, Dr Dre to Eazy-E, Jay-z to Nas, Nas to Jay-Z, Drake to Meek Mill etc. This song did not achieve that at all. it wasnt horrible but it said everything that has already been said about Drake or thought about Drake. Hes soft. Hes white-washed. Etc. So what? people love Drake because hes underdog and for precisely these weird contradictions. The diss is better than Meek’s but its just Murda Mook. Who cares? we get it. Drake is a soft kid from Canada. Everyone knows this. The fact he is ruling hiphop with these obvious defecits is what makes him interesting. The dis is better than Meek’s but its still not great
Agreed. That’s why I like it. I never think about Drake being disingenuous in his relationships, never thought about him reneging on his promises, never thought about him going ghost on his associations. That’s not consistent with the way those closest and closest to those closest ever describe Drake. It’s a depiction that’s outside of his oft-described character. The rest is just hilarious. Thank you, huh.
@Justin Hunte
If you agree with that sentiment, “great diss tracks ridicule the target to the point where you see the person differently”. Then, how could you possibly say or defend Takeover was a better diss track then Ether?
Jay didn’t get those messages across, with Takeover, to the public at large while Nas song did.
Lame.
Why does Drake sound like he’s from the South?
it’s called being a: CULTURE VULTURE
I stop reading when Justin said “takeover” is greater than ‘Ether’ nigga please stop, this is always bias and hates on other artist a lot e.g chris brown, Nas, 50. you guys ride the wave so much. “Takeover” was a good diss track, but “Ether” was the greatest diss track. son you’ll say “clap back’ was better than ‘Backdown”
“Clap Back” vs. “Backdown” is a non sequitur. See comment above. Thank you for checking the piece, bizz.
Sometimes, I wonder about you guys.
Did Justin serious just say Takeover is better than Ether, as a diss track, because of facts?
Well, if your going to say something retarded might as well go full fucking retarded.
Absolutely. Aside from the fact that “Ether” vs. “Takeover” is immediately a debate between song and verse, all Hov did was mathematically and factually dissect Nas’ first decade, and he did so impeccably. There’s the teck reference with Large Professor, there’s the window in his folks’ pad, there’s the two albums that were due, the “nahhh” album, and Illmatic, which adds up to the one hot album every ten year average reveal. Sure, history has been kinder to “It Was Written” than the present in which it was released, but that album was lathered in ideas from other emcees already (Pac already wrote about a black girl lost, Organized Konfusion already dropped an I Gave You Power). I Am disappointed. Nastradamus would’ve been equally as suspect as a free album. Hov highlighted all of that and it only took a verse. And that’s before the incredible foreshadowing of that ‘don’t make me do it to you dunny ’cause I’ll overdue it’ line. “Ether” had a hard as beat and hard-ass yo mama jokes. Great diss even if it’s less than.
Those are all interesting things and opinions but this is a DISS record correct?
If yes, then everything you stated is irrelevant, if the people at large can’t grasp what was being said.
To excel at writing a diss record you need to able to concisely and quickly reach you audience. History has shown that Takeover was a COMPLETE FAILURE at achieving that goal. Jay Z did not make the audience at large, actually pay attention to what he said. Where on the other hand Ether did just that. Nas used language/verses/beat that appealed to the senses and that didn’t over tax the listening audience, got to the point, kept it moving and grabbed people’s emotion. While Takeover did none of those things and failed spectacularly as a DISS record.
So, while you may claim that Takeover may be more factually correct than Ether. It is irrelevant, if you can’t not make those messages stick with your audience. History has shown unequivocally, that Jay Z was unable to do that with Takeover.
Takeover was okay but it over taxed the listener, couldn’t captivate and thats what makes it a lesser diss that Ether.
Spaz – If Takeover was such a failure then why are we all talking about this topic? That must mean it’s a good debate with strong opinions on both sides. I get it, life is hard and you wish people will agree with you but you should be happy. We can debate this all day long. I think Jay KILLED Takeover and You think Nas KILLED Ether. We are both not wrong.
Clowns. Jay got by on Takeover by lying. Only a jackass would think the “one hot album every 10 year average and thats so laaaame” line is hot. That’s Jay playing into the hands of radio hiphop to perfection. What kind of idiot doesn’t know Nas’ catalog? He released Illmatic, It was Written, and I Am within those 10 years. Far from 1 hot album. Even Nastradamus was decent – Nas just put out the garbage ass title track and trashcan You Owe Me as singles. Now back to Planet Earth… Reasonable Doubt (overshadowed classic), Vol 1 – Trash, Vol 2 (radio garbage, overshadowed by X and Rule on two of the hits), Vol 3 (hot album, critically panned), Dynasty (hot but showcase for other Roc members like Beans). AKA – Jay HIMSELF was the one with ONE hot album in 10 years. Suckers ate up his fake lines and gave him an early victory on Takeover. Do your homework clowns.
DaTruth – Really?
Just because you like something doesn’t change history. There is a reason why heads in Hip Hop universally use “ether” as a verb to describe how badly someone lost a battle.
You can debate all day long but you can’t change history or fact. Popular opinion spoke well over a decade ago and Ether won by a mile, its part of Hip Hop culture to use it as a verb to describe how badly you beat someone.
Just because you can’t get over this fact doesn’t mean your right. It just means you don’t like the fact. There are people that still think the world is flat and will debate you for days that doesn’t mean there right or change the fact.
@Justin Hunter Shit… Not a good look to be taking L’s on your own site. As a diss record, everyone remembers what Nas said and people still listen to that shit to this day. Jay and parts of his crew have admitted that when Ether dropped it was over. To say Takeover was a better diss record because it was more factually leaves out 95% of what makes a diss record good, you should know that.
It would be doper if these niggas wouldnt use that back 2 back beat but instead their own. Im tired of that wack trend there is plenty of beatmakers just to get their own beat for a diss
You’re 100 percent right about that. That’s the biggest knock against the track in 2015. In 2003, much less of a disappointment.
drake isvso fake i h8t that guy using gostwriter meek said it u are fake u are not great drake
Niggas is bitches too! Theirs a difference in exposing someone, and just being jealous. I read the article on these two. And what stood out was, that the STs was everything Houston is NOT! Huh??? Wait!!! From how they dress to, the Atlanta sound. WTF. But, you want to tell another man he can’t rep Houston. When you really don’t Fuck wit the culture.
Niggas is Bitches too.
I’ve been reading the comments below and wonder how many people were actually around when Takeover/ Ether came out. You can’t deny that Jay-Z won that battle if you take a number of facts into account. One, Jay waited for the biggest show ( Summer Jam ) at the time to unleash that Diss track. That was huge deal back then. Also it wasn’t just about Nas, it was also about Mobb Deep and a few other Hiphop artist that were throwing shots at Jay at the time. Jay-Z put up a old picture of Prodigy from Mobb Deep on the Summer Jam screen. A picture known as the ballerina picture. Then he started going in on Nas and the crowd was insane, I know cause I was there. Now I can go on and on about how Jay’s lyrics were overall better but no one wants to read all that. All I’m gonna say is this. Jay-Z wrote Takeover by myself and Nas needed Rondell Turner to help him make Ether. Check the facts.
Was there and I remember and if you were really there you would remember when Ether dropped it was like an atomic bomb, TKO. Ether just instantly connected with the people, there was a feeling that Jay had been completely dismantled. Arguing otherwise is like trying to rewrite history. There is a reason why Ether is part of Hip Hop Lexicon and Takeover is nothing more than footnote.
Spaz – Ether was a bomb, that I agree with. TKO? Nah brother… That’s your history not mine. I live in the real world.
1st off you corny for tryin to steal my name. There is only one truth here and it’s me not this lame fake “DaTruth”
Now that’s off, Ether was obviously the better record. That why cats to this day talk about how Drake “ethered” Meek or any diss record that’s hot. No one says yeah Drake “takeovered” Meek.
Lastly, it didn’t matter. Hip hop heads were talkin bout how pop and soft Jay was with Vol 2, Vol 3 bombed and its only hit was Big Pimpin – a pop tune, and then he picked up Pharrell for his hit on Dynasty. Jay proved he was at top of the rap game with The Blueprint (although Em got him on Renegade and was better selling…)
Nas came back with some classic records but pop rap took over the radio and hip hop wasn’t a massive seller anymore. Rap winner: Nas; $$$ radio winner – Jay
I forgot to add in that of course Nas needed Rondell Turner to make Ether. Nas isn’t a producer so he needed that heater Ron Browz beat. Just like Jay ain’t no damn producer and he needed Kanye for the track. Another reason why Ether is 10x better than Takeover… lyrically, Nas decimates Jay and on the production tip Ron Browz’ Ether beat is 100x better than Kanye’s Takeover. It’s pretty easy to note that that was Ye’s worse beat on The Blueprint although Izzo, Heart of the City, and Never Change are all classics.
Truth- You should be called Jaded Truth. Sounds like your very emotional about everything. A fact, is something that can be proven. I love your passion but you are dead wrong and I’ll tell you why. Rondell Turner is a record producer and RAPPER. He was credited as co-writer on Ether. So learn the facts before you open your mouth. You know nothing about the business side of the industry. I’m pretty sure you also think Drake wrote back to back right? Wrong! Also, one more thing. If Jay fell off then why does every album is number one? Nas which I love can’t say the same thing brother.
Not every Jay Z album went to number one, though. Nas also has number one albums.
Huge hip hop head at the time and was in NYC at the time. When Ether dropped it was like people thought Jay’s career was over after that track. Then super ugly and Jay’s mom making him apologize for that on live radio and then Jay trying to setup a battle competition for charity between him and Nas. I remember that shit like yesterday, no one thought Jay won or had a better track except for die hard Jay fans. Nas just kept his mouth shut like a winner and Jay was acting like a sore loser.
This “DaTruth” is obviously just a troll. I like how he points out that Ron Browz is a rapper and producer who is credited on Ether. Kinda like how Kanye is a rapper and producer that is credited on Takeover. Neither Ye or Ron Browz wrote a line on either track. Sorry troll, Nas doesn’t need a ghostwriter. Second, who cares who writes Drake’s shxt? Not a single damn person cares about Drake as a rapper. His fan base cares about him as an artist because it’s pretty obvious that singing mother#*$(#er doesn’t have rhymes. But then again, you think Drake is equivalent to Jay and Nas. Clown.
Why are you people even paying attention to garbage artists like sauce walka? Drake is a legend. Only no name bums who struggle to put out projects (i.e., Sauce Walka, Jay Electronica), dudes who have fallen out of the spotlight and whose girls are getting more shine than they are (i.e., Jay-Z, Tyga and Meek Mill) and Kenny bum ass Lamar take shots at Drake. Real emcees like Royce Da 5’9, Raekwon and J. Cole respect Drake.
Your whole comment is one big lie.
Your name is OVO Brilliance please get the fuck out with all that biased shit, stop dickriding Drake who doesn’t know you.
The Takeover/Ether comment really made waves I see (reading comments). I understand where you coming from, those were my sentiments back then, yet clearly Ether had more impact. Blueprint came out on 9/11/01, Stillmatic came out 12/18/01. No one waits that long nowadays to hear your response. Takeover was one verse about Nas, anutha about Mobb Deep. Ether was all about Jay, like 3 verses. Ether has more impact on the culture, song is not better. Kanye on one beat Ron Browz on the other, c’mon?! ANYWAY, Wack 2 Wack is without question a good diss record and significant. I think in the long run, Drake’s ghostwriting is gonna take him out of the legend conversation. Only legend in the current class of emcees is likely Kendrick, no others.
No J. Cole, or Krit???
Krit> kdot imo
As a songs both Ether and Takeover suck. However, as diss records Ether take the crown. Nas got his message across, everyone remembers what he said, everyone remembers the beat. Ask any average hip hop what was said in Takeover, they probably won’t even know the name of the song let alone what was said in the song. If no one wants to listen to your diss/song how can you logically say its better?
The purpose of a diss record is to taunt your opponent and get more people to agree with you diss. Jay didn’t do that with Takeover no one listens to that shit. Ether has enduring popularity while only Jay stans care about Takeover.
We knw yall hhdx niggaz kip on hatin on 50, nas and c.b and kip dick ridin jay kanye and drake. Justin u nid 2 c ben carson 4 a brain surgery cuz jay himsef admitted dat he lost d beef woefully on b.p 3 and only made up 4 dat loss by signin nas to def jam.