During the BET Awards on Sunday night (June 25), the network paid tribute to Prodigy of Mobb Deep, who died on June 20 , a mere five days before the show. On Monday (June 25), rap mogul Master P took to Instagram to slam the network for their tribute he deemed insincere.
The Instagram video shows the Ice Cream Man standing outside of a BET Experience event in Los Angeles and talking to the camera. “Prodigy, last week, couldn’t even get in here. Couldn’t get backstage, couldn’t have a pass,” he said to the lens. “All of a sudden, when you die, you this big superstar. Why couldn’t we give the man his flowers while he here?”
The rant, which lasts a full minute, talks about how other fallen entertainers have received similar treatment. He ended the rant with: “It’s sad. They did the same thing with Prince and Whitney Houston. C’mon, man. Give the people they flowers while they still here.”
He continued with a lengthy caption that read: “The Truth Hurts…BET Would Have Never Changed Their Show For Prodigy If He Was Still Alive!! It was a great thing acknowledging and celebrating the life of Prodigy and all of his accomplishments. But It’s a shame that none of these artists are told how great they are while they’re alive. Why can’t they get their flowers and tokens of appreciation while they’re still living? I know the truth hurts. I just have one serious question… Was Prodigy or Mobb Deep on BET’s radar last week… were they invited to the red carpet event, offered guest passes or an invite to perform at the awards show in the last 10 years?
“I’m willing to bet the answer is NO,” he continued. “I came to support my daughter today on the BET Experience stage but I decided that my family and I will not participate in the red carpet or awards events this year. I love my people and I support them but we really need to do better by each other. We lost a very talented brother, Prodigy. I send my condolences to his family. Hopefully, one day we can start appreciating the talented sisters and brothers while they are still alive. I know that what I am saying may ruffle a few feathers but the truth needed to be heard.”
The tribute to Prodigy ended up being a smaller spectacle than what viewers likely expected. Havoc, the other half of Mobb Deep, and Lil Kim both paid their respect prior to presenting the Kendrick Lamar with the award for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
“His pen painted vivid pictures of street life,” Kim said. “He made what was ugly sound beautiful.”
“I’m going to miss my dude,” Havoc added. “This loss is painful. But the lyrical legacy he left us will impact the culture forever. Rest in peace, Prodigy. My brother.”
Reports obtained by TMZ say the tribute was originally supposed to involve performances, but was changed at the last minute to avoid interfering with performance contracts already signed.
So TRU
Nate Dogg didn’t get shit
I ain’t gonna lie. I watched BET bc of the NE biopic (growing up listening to them) and hearing about the reviews. But other than that, I haven’t hit the channel up since forever. But to each their own. I’ll catch BET on the Boondocks DVD unreleased episodes;)
He said everything right there#FACTS?
if prodigy would have died back in march b.e.t wouldnt even had brought it up but u kno how it go its a dirty game u see how they just did that 2pac movie after his mom pass smh
From one P to the other, lol. Mad respect for Master P, always appreciated his hard work and hustle for No Limit Records. And he’s speaking some true (pun intended) shit here. People will only love you when you’re dead and gone. Can’t please everybody. But best believe the real heads had much love for Prodigy and Mobb Deep when he was walking the earth. BET has been on some bullshit for over a decade now, so that’s nothing new. Forever Infamous!
prodigy passing is like camron or fat joe or ghostface or redman passing …sh!t make u wonder how other artist will be remembered after they time…
Somewhat agree, but Reggie doper than any of those you named and to me is on a different level
A lot of what he had to say was truth. But truth be told, he’s a smart businessman and he said what he said only to shine light on him, his business and his family so I don’t respect it. He said B.E.T didn’t invite Mobb Deep to perform in the last 10 years…were you vocal about them inviting Mobb Deep to perform within the last 10 years? Why wait til now? Cause prodigy passed away and you want some attention off of that? Move around Clown. U get no clout or respect from this move my guy.
fucked up thing he prolly 100% right too
Back in 2004 De La Soul released an album and got snubbed by BET, but back then Mobb Deep was still played, fast forward 13 years and they were pretty much off the radar too. Master P only brought it up because he’s probably been out of the loop himself, and starting to realize that hip hop culture doesn’t really show appreciation to its vets the same way other music genres do. Master P is kind of the reason hip hop sucks now though, tbh. He was the first, along with Cash Money, to really do the whole formula of non-lyrical idiots rap about their money and push a ton of crap to the masses without really trying to create art, and showed higher ups at the labels how to really commercialize rap, and that led us to where we are now. But hey, that’s all the more reason for these kids to show him respect.
That was deep
you clearly didn’t listen listen to No Limit back then. You probably only heard the radio song and judged from that
If you ass wholes would do your research then u would understand where he is coming from .. Master P is a real mutha fucka & he gets mad respect for standing up for this brother prodigy…
Dead people speak through us alive people if you knew prodigy he wouldn’t be there either.. All u fuck people finish sucking dick & swallowing balls because one day you’ll be fucked in your own ass … Be smart & wake yo ass up see the world for what it really is…..xoxo
Got nothing but love for Master P, but my boy is an opportunist. Remember back in 2007 when Oprah wanted rappers to clean up their lyrics and stop using profanity, P jumped on that shit quick. Fast forward a few years later, P releases an explicit album along with his all his new artists….lol
I really don’t recall P ever paying homage to Mobb Deep or Prodigy while he was still alive either. But I haven’t really listened to any of his music since the old No Limit camp broke up.
You dont have to pay homage in your music to respect another rapper or have an opinion. P is right. Prodigy never been nominated and he had good albums. The awards show rather nominate people to get ratings… Cue the drake nominations (except this year)
Fucc kendicc g4ymar. Bullchit fa66ot trynta git browni pointz off his piggybacc off a legend gizzone doe. Forced a55 chit “shout out” frum a corny fa66ot doe real spot doe. Rip all da real onez we done lost doe. Rip 2pac biggie mixmaster hussein kadafi syke crazy toones kmg eazy nate Prodigy proof (fucc femeienm doe).
A lot of letters on your keyboard broke? I think its irresponsible your carer lets you anywhere near a computer to be honest.
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Not to forget that Mobb Deep got called out by Tupac on ‘hit em up’ which led to them being blackballed in the industry…it really hurt their image both locally and globally. What is even most hurtful is the fact that we all just realised that Prodigy was someone we all should have known and appreciated.It doesn’t just end with a tribute from BET, his legacy should be preserved.
How were they blackballed when probably their biggest mainstream hit, Quiet Storm, came out after Pac died? Some of you dudes just throw out some ignorant shit.
Thats blacks for you. They did the same with Michael Jackson, none of the blacks cared OR played his music on their radio station. Now that hes dead they play his songs all the time. BET and Hip Hop is a joke nowadays, it all went backwards
Viacom owns BET. So I’m pretty sure that’s white people pulling the strings. When black people were directly involved in up top decision making, it wasn’t the black division of MTV, and shit like this didn’t happen.
P is right and hell truth be told where is master p’s tribute ceremony or achievement award? Tv special? He ain’t been appreciated enough. P was the first to do a lot in music and entertainment. On top of that p sold dope had a rap career and played in the NBA who else you know made it out the hood all 3 ways?
Spoken like a G. Respect. P, we love you dun.
Sensaye, Rochester NY.
THE SAME PEOPLE ON HERE TALKING DIDN’T BUY MOBB DEEP MUSIC OR SUPPORT THEM . THAT’S THE REASON THEY FELL OFF SINCE THE 90’S . MOBB DEEP WAS DAMN NEAR HOMELESS BUT NOW YOU WANT TO ACT LIKE YOU ROCKED WITH THEM .
Look at EAZY-E for example. He died in 1995. He didn’t get no props til the movie of N.W.A. LOOK AT PIMP C. PIMP-C was a Rapper Singer and Producer. No props. Btw shout out to Joe Button for not entertaining the Cover Girl Gangstas!!!!! We need more of those antics.
The last few years BET awards show has fallen off bad and this last show was one of the worst ive seen
FREE C-MURDER!!!