According to Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli, comments fellow artist Trinidad James made about New York rap were very similar to remarks he made on Twitter about New York radio and New York music. While speaking with SOHH.com, Talib says it was just a little while ago when he came under fire on the social networking site for sharing his belief that New York radio doesn’t always support local artists.
The Brooklyn wordsmith, who recently launched his own radio station on Radionomy, further went on to explain that James’ comments were misunderstood and the Atlanta rapper was unable to successfully make his point.
“I think that with the Trinidad James thing, more than anything, it was a misunderstanding,” said Talib. “I think he was trying to make a point and he didn’t quite make it successfully. I got in trouble on Twitter a little while ago for saying damn near the same point and I’m from New York. Trinidad James is right, when you listen to New York radio, New York radio does not support New York music. That’s what he was speaking to.”
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Shortly after Talib’s SOHH.com piece was published, he was met with words from HOT 97 program director Ebro Darden via Twitter. Darden suggested that Talib was “trolling” since he chose to make comments about New York radio days before the release of his Gravitas album, which is scheduled for release next week. In response, Talib suggested that both he and Darden further discuss the topic either on-air or on Twitter.
If u say NY radio doesn’t support you the week ya album comes out that’s “trolling” … When we have & do, just ask for promo @TalibKweli
— Ebro el Viejo (@oldmanebro) December 11, 2013
@oldmanebro we can talk on hot or on twitter just to prove I dont need to ask for radio promo. But u gonna have to qualify that statement.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) December 12, 2013
Talib also addressed the phone conversation, which took place between Trinidad James and New York rapper Maino, an artist who has remained vocal in his disapproval of James’ opinion on New York rap. He says he understood Maino’s point of view, but also commented on Maino making “down South” music, a point James’ briefly brought up as he spoke on New York rappers sounding like Atlanta artists.
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“Trinidad’s my man and Maino’s my man,” said Talib. “I heard their conversation. If Maino is correct in his interpretation of what Trinidad James said, then I get what he was saying. If people know Maino, they know that he doesn’t just do New York music. Maino does music down South too.”
Talib’s comments made in regards to New York radio comes weeks after Trinidad James’ proclaimed that the South runs New York musically during his Converse Rubber Tracks show in New York City in November.
“I remember when New York ran this shit, dog,” said Trinidad. “When Dipset was fuckin turned the fuck up. Oh my God. I gotta wear my bandana on tilt like Juelz. What the fuck happened, dog? What happened? I remember when New York rap was the shit. And us in the South, us bammas, we was like ‘what the fuck’ and we just did our own thing. But now we run y’all musically…And now every nigga that’s really poppin’ out of New York, you might as well tell they from Atlanta.”
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The Atlanta rapper’s thoughts on New York rap have since been criticized from artists including Maino, Hopsin, and N.O.R.E. The latter of which referred to James as “a smart idiot.”
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