Dee-1 explains why his Lil Wayne-inspired Separated at Birth mixtape was banned to Sway’s Universe.
“Literally, right before the tape came out, I got a call, you know I’m in a record deal, so I got a call just saying, ‘Yo, there’s issues pertaining to the tape, potentially legal issues, potentially your physical safety is in danger if you put this out,'” Dee-1 says.
The project was slated to release Tuesday (September 15), but the rapper posted on Instagram that the tape was banned.
Several years ago, Dee-1 was offered to sign with Cash Money, but did not meet Lil Wayne when he was talking to the label’s CEO Birdman about a contract.
“I think that cats were really nervous about if I might have been exposing some secrets or some truths that cats didn’t really want out there on the tape,” he says. “I’ve been told that there’s possible lawsuits that were pending if I put this out or my physical safety might be in danger, but I already live my life everyday like Ima die. I already do that because I operate out of love and truth, so I don’t really bite my tongue for anybody ’cause I know I don’t have a hateful bone in my body.”
Dee-1 signed to RCA Inspiration in 2013. The label commented on the banned mixtape saying that the rapper needs to focus on his album. The rapper explains that being part of a label requires an artist to use more discretion than an independent one.
“The truth is at this point is like I am signed to a record label,” he says. “I realize that I’m representing more than just myself at this point, so if other people have different opinions than I do, I realize that unless I don’t wanna be signed, I have to understand and play team ball. My thing is like, I really disagree. I don’t bite my tongue, especially when it comes to speaking love and truth. But if it’s disagreement in the camp about if stuff should come out or not, it’s tough.”
For additional Dee-1 coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
Fucks wayne, fuck cash money. As a man I respect him to the fullest.
dee-1 needs to go solo. if you cant release music of any subject matter you are with the wrong people. I would never sign my freedom of speech away to any human/systematic machine corporation. I don’t really listen to him but i know he’s in a bad contract.
I like when he said they love to put negative stuff out but they hate the positive….I been telling my folks this for years… It’s sad how ppl rather see other ppl in crazy situations… I agree to him going independent