During a private phone call, New York rapper Maino and Atlanta emcee Trinidad James were able to speak to one another directly in regards to comments James’ made about New York rap during a performance last week. In the nearly six-minute long recording, Maino initiates the conversation by speaking on the aggressive tone he feels the “All Gold Everything” rapper took while sharing his thoughts on New York rap.
“What you saying now is different from what you was saying on stage,” said Maino. “When you said—and I studied that whole thing loud and clear, my nigga. When you said ‘Yo, we run y’all musically and I ain’t trying to start nothing, but if you want to do something we can do it cause I don’t give a fuck.’ You took away from whatever your opinion was. Whatever your opinion was, you unvalidated it right there in that spot. You started talking some gangsta shit. You understand what I’m saying? Never in the history of my city has a nigga step foot on a New York City stage and disrespected our city like you did. Like this ain’t about me trying to be a bully or me trying to punk you or none of that. It’s about right and wrong…You need to apologize to my city, my nigga.”
After Maino was able to air out his thoughts on the situation and James’ comments, James gave his take on the matter and even quoted the late Malcolm X as he commented on being passionate about telling the truth.
“You can’t get caught up at how the media puts something out,” said James. “When I went to do my show and I stepped out on that stage, brother, I said a lot of shit. And chose to only show you that part. Because by that time when I was talking and saying what I was saying, it was niggas in Brooklyn, niggas from Brooklyn talking about ‘preach, preach, preach’…I’m passionate about the truth, brother. And sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes that’s a bad thing…Malcolm X said that ‘All I care about is the truth, it don’t matter who tell it.’ That’s what I live by.”
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When questioned by Maino about releasing an apology, James hinted at the release of a video, but didn’t provide any details on the specifics of the visual. The Brooklyn lyricist added that if James does release the video he’ll have his respect.
“What I’m trying to get you to understand is what you saying to me right now makes sense, but what you said on that stage was something different…At the end of the day I been there before,” said Maino. “We all been on stage. We all kinda over-talk sometimes…You went to a different place and I respect if you made that tape because that’s all I want.”
This week’s phone conversation between Maino and James stems from comments the Def Jam signee made during the Converse Rubber Tracks show in New York. During his set, James recalled “when New York rap was the shit” and stated that the South runs New York musically.
Following James’ comments, Maino has remained the most vocal in his response and even criticized those in New York for allowing James to make such remarks.
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Audio from the phone conversation between the two rappers can be found below (via 2DopeBoyz).
RELATED:Maino Threatens Trinidad James; Trinidad James Responds
