Offset recently sat down for an interview with Ebro Darden for Hot 97’s Ebro In The Morning. During their conversation, the Migos rap star proclaimed “older artists should kiss Migos’ feet” for propelling Hip Hop to forefront.
Lupe Fiasco evidently took issue with his sentiments. Over the weekend, the Food & Liquor mastermind scolded Offset for using the term “kissing feet.” He pointed out it isn’t a symbol of admiration or respect, it’s more like a subservient gesture intended to humiliate the delivering party.
In the lengthy Instagram post, he also called for unity in Hip Hop.
“Firstly let me say that I’m a huge fan of the Migos (specifically Emitt Smith & Fight Night. Also when I go to the club I only really get up and dance dance my little dance to Migos. True story),” Lupe begins. “Secondly let me say that the only visceral problem with brother offsets statement is the use of the cliche ‘kissing feet.’
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“That’s not a sign of respect that’s an act of subjugation of something lower to something higher and as Busta Rhymes told me when it comes to rap there are no classes, or superiors vs inferiors. We are all a team. Each with individual attributes that add their special skill set and energy to the whole.”
Lupe continued by reminding Offset current analytics don’t erase the groundwork laid down by Hip Hop’s pioneers. He also pointed out Hip Hop is a culture and not just about selling albums.
“The metrics of industry don’t successfully define the essence of hiphop nor do they replace its legacy or the efforts of its pioneers who achieved great things with little to nothing in terms of materials (i.e. the internet and massive marketing budgets),” he writes. “From that poverty of capital created a Culture, not a business, a legitimate Culture and were actively combatted by opposing forces from all walks of life.
“Streaming and selling records is only a part of the project that is hip hop. It’s a great feeling and milestone to sell a million records and be celebrated for that achievement. But it is just as great to be an amazing lyricist respected by thousands or just 1 for your abilities to craft amazing pieces of communication that can operate to influence society as a whole not just exclusively on a dance floor.”
Finally, Lupe wrapped up his diatribe by defining what a “true rapper” is to him.
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“Hip hop got its RESPECT from rappers who spoke truth to power and struck fear in the comfort zones of oppression and inspired folks to take a look at their surroundings, analyze and OVERCOME,” he concluded. “Hip Hop isn’t respected because of how many records it has sold or how many dances it has created UNLESS WE TALM BOUT BREAKDANCING. Hip Hop is respected because it’s kisses nobodies feet. And never will.
“Our feet don’t belong on the mouths of our pioneers they belong on their shoulders. The true rapper is the one who continues to do it when it’s no money, no fame, no cars, no jewelry…just the love of the craft that keeps them on that grind. That’s the bar. Everything else other than that is just filler and cap.”
Watch Offset’s full interview below.
