Melle Mel has responded to the backlash surrounding his comments about Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne.
The legendary Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five rapper caused a stir with his recent Art of Dialogue interview, during which he claimed Em isn’t a top five rapper because he’s white, Weezy couldn’t be the best rapper because he uses Auto-Tune and nobody wants to rap like Em or Kendrick.
His comments about Eminem were slammed by 50 Cent, who told Melle Mel to get the “fuck outta here,” while Fat Joe and Papoose also came to Slim Shady’s defence, albeit in more respectful fashion.
Now, Melle Mel has reacted to all the chatter over his response to Billboard‘s Top 50 Rappers of All Time list in a video for his Hip Hop Corner podcast.
“Melle Mel has nothing against nobody in Hop Hop,” he began while lifting weights in the gym. “I’ve been in Hip Hop for 40 years. Very competitive, really have nothing against nobody. I’m not jealous of nobody, I’m not intimidated by anybody or anything, and I’m not bitter. I just come across as I come across ’cause I’m a man and I say what I say, and when I say what I say, basically, I mean what I say.”
He continued: “Everything that I said, that I commented on, it was to comment on what he wrote and who he put on this said list. And I think Billboard is not known for Hip Hop, of course, they’re known for records. So obviously, Billboard is more leaning toward guys that made records, compared to guys like myself that put in all the time in Hip Hop.
“We’re responsible for the genre. We’re the biggest influences in the genre, and if you ask anybody that knows anything about true Hip Hop, they will tell you that. If you ask anybody that calls themselves an MC, they will be the first to tell you that there is no modern day rap or Hip Hop of that nature if it wasn’t for Grandmaster Flash, if it wasn’t for the Furious Five, if it wasn’t for Melle Mel, if it wasn’t for [Keef] Cowboy.”
He added: “Like I said, the word ‘Hip Hop’ came from my crew.”
Melle Mel specifically addressed his comments about Eminem’s skin color, denying allegations that he’s “racist” while referencing Slim Shady’s own lyrics on 2002’s “White America.”
“Onto the white elephant in the room, ‘Melle Mel said that Eminem is only number five on the list because he was white,'” he said. “And I guess that started the uproar. Everybody’s just so angry that I would say that. I’ve even been branded a racist, which is neither here nor there because that’s almost impossible.
“I’ve been playing for all different kinds of people all my life. That is so far off-kilt that I don’t understand. But Eminem made a record, I guess the album was ‘White America’ or the record was ‘White in America,’ where he said he wouldn’t be as popular if he wasn’t white.”
Melle Mel then brought up the fact Eminem put himself behind Redman, JAY-Z, 2Pac, Biggie, André 3000, Jadakiss, Kurupt and Nas.
“Moving on from that fact, he also in another record, ‘Till I Collapse,’ named maybe five or six individuals and he put himself behind these five or six individuals. And I had said that he wouldn’t be in the top five other than the fact that he was white, but then he said that.
“So now my point, and it’s very simple, if he basically said what I said, we said very similar things, how could what he say not be racist but then what I said was racist? In other words, if he’s right for saying what he’s saying, then the only reason that I could be wrong is that I’m Black and I said it.”
Melle Mel went on to clarify he has no issues with Kendrick Lamar or Lil Wayne while reminding fans of his own contributions to Hip Hop.
“I have nothing against nobody, I have nothing against Kendrick Lamar, I have nothing against Lil Wayne,” he said. “I have nothing against any rapper that ever lived because I know what I did for the culture, what my crew and era did for the culture, it eclipses what anybody could ever say they have done for the culture.”
D!(k su(king Stans are still going to have a problem with this.
Your mother should’ve done society a favor and swallowed ur dumb ass
Lol 😂😆
Lol 😆😂
This is not racist it’s a fact I remember back in the day they Vanilla Ice as the #1 rapper
in Hip-Hop. MC Search which white and True Hip Hop said white rappers do
get elevated more than other rappers.
Cool story bro. Only problem is that there’s only been 3 successful white rappers or groups in history. Em, the Beastie Boys and a single from vanilla ice. Besides that, no white rappers have sold many albums… nice try at pulling the race card though
You sound like a half retarded kid who is still in the early stages of learning how to write. I’m gonna give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are a bot.
“I’m gonna give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are a bot.” LMAO
@EWR – so using that logic, Kenny G sold more than Maceo Parker, so Kenny must be the better Jazz musician.
If only this dude did something productive with his time, lol. Angry old man yells at the air again
This is not racist it’s a fact I remember back in the day they said Vanilla Ice was the #1 rapper
in Hip-Hop. MC Search which white and is True Hip Hop said white rappers do
get elevated more than other rappers
Probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever read hahaha Got to love this site.
sounds like dude had a stroke in the middle of typing his comment lol
MC Serch is not white. He is a jew.
So how does Eminem admitting being white has helped with him with his success make him any less worthy of being top 5? Just because it helped him sell more? So what? Isn’t that better than him denying it? Sales isn’t the only thing that dictates whether you’re top 5 or not anyways. What Melle Mel said in the first interview was racist because of how he said it. He didn’t just simply say Eminem sold more because he’s white which again Eminem has admitted himself. Melle Mel flat out said Eminem cannot be in the top 5 because of the fact he’s white. How ironic… when most rappers are always talking about racist cops and being black and poor and how the system is against black people in their songs when the founders of hip hop themselves are racist.
agreed. basically what i was gonna say. look i dont think em is top 5, hes up there tho but what mel was sayin in that first interview is racist. and however hes trying to justify what he said (even tho hes not addressing everything he said) is just sad. “If you were talking about rhyme style, okay he got a rhyme style. But he’s white. He’s white!” its one thing to just say hes sold more because hes white and that he can rap but he just doesnt think hes top 5. He just keeps mentioning the fact hes white and that ends up being the whole focus. his skin color.
Yall Goofy… I can tell Ya’ll R white… He Saying The publication is ran by whites & that’s the main reason they have Em top 5…
What Mel is basically saying is that ‘Em is not nice enough to be considered top 5, and the reason he’s viewed as such is because, although is a dope lyricist- he not top 5 , per Melle Mel. That’s debatable, but there’s no denying that being white changes the lens he’s viewed thru because there just aren’t a history of dope white rappers. Especially new who achieved the level of success ‘Em has. So he stands out in a different way because of that more so than his lyricism.
Eminem isn’t denying why he’s so popular though. It would be one thing if he denied that, but he isn’t. Selling more doesn’t make you top 5. If that was the case, Drake would be #2. So who cares exactly why he’s popular? Why does that matter? I’m pretty sure most aren’t putting Em in their top 5 because of sales.
He did say that. You’re right, but he also was stating his personal opinions about Eminem. One of them being that although he admits he has a “rhyme style”, it doesn’t matter because he’s white. If a white person disregarded somebody’s skill in anything that requires some sort of talent because they were black, there would be millions of black screaming racist on the internet.
Black man crying like a bitch that the white man run hip hop
this is just like saying tiger woods isn’t the best(or in this case top 5) golfer because he’s black. tiger brought a lot new fans to golf, just like eminem.
The ppl who listen to Eminem usually don’t know much about hip-hop. As a white person who grew up on Ice-T, KRS, Missy and Three 6 Mafia, I can tell these artists opened my eyes to others with their originality, great beats and flows. Now I’m into some West Coast underground, like Living Legends, Awol One and Longevity. Can you tell me how many people will listen to Longevity after the influence of Eminem’s radio-ready fake-scandalous pop-rap?
Who the fuck is Longevity?
So you’re saying back in the day.. early 2000s.. that Three 6 Mafia was more original than the Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show? Three 6 were talking about hos, sippin syrup, and money which if I remember correctly was what just about what everybody else was rapping about since forever even to this day. There is no originality with Three 6, No Limit, Cash Money, all of them were saying the same.shit. Still do. Saying Eminem wasn’t original during that era whether you liked it or not and then bringing up Three 6 Mafia to prove your point might be the dumbest thing you could’ve said. I refuse to even come back here to see if you respond because everything you say at this point doesn’t matter. You just proved yourself dumb.
Three 6 Mafia dates back to 1995. Learn some basic hip-hop history before you talk shit. Everybody from the phonk and cloudrap sub-genre had their influence from Three 6. SpaceGhostPurrp to Bones, Ramirez to Black Kray. You are a true Eminem stan, because you know only that’s on airplay. The type of ignorant that thinks Avril Lavigne is punk. GTFOH.
Longevity is a member of the group called Darkleaf. Pretty raw. You won’t see him on Billboard.
ok so let me step in here. cash money dates back to 91 and no limit back to 94. maybe you need to learn some basic hip hop history before talking shit you clown. congratulations. now you even look dumber. when did he ever mention avril lavigne? every time i scroll down to the comment section its always you losing an argument and what do you know? scroll down and its us grant being proven wrong again. please tell me youre trolling
He is a troll. It’s the same Drake fangirl that goes by the name OVO. Ya know the guy who’s always talking about how many albums Drake has sold. I mean of course he will deny it, but ya lol He always comes into Eminem articles and talks shit because he can’t stand the fact Drake will never outsell Eminem. Eminem lives in his head rent free.
Still talking and nothing seems to be coming out your mouth!!
Not to take away anything from Melle Mel, but I think he is overstating his impact on the culture. Yes, he had huge impact in his day, but his impact on the current generation of rappers is fairly limited, especially being that we are multiple generations past his era. For example, I’m alive because of my grandfather, but aside from that, I don’t know him very well and his impact on my life has been pretty limited aside from the fact that I wouldn’t be here without him. However, I’m close with my pops who has impacted my life exponentially, and he was impacted from his father, so in a way my grandfather has impacted my life indirectly. I think that is the only argument Melle Mel has to stand on. No way all these cats coming out now are familiar with his work. They have been inspired by artists that were inspired by him. Eminem has had a huge impact on the last generation (Cole, Kendrick, Big Sean, Drake, etc.) but for this generation has had little impact directly. I wasn’t alive to see Melle Mel in his hey day, bit I grew up watching Eminem. I can;t say who has had the larger impact between the 2, but it’s hard to imagine that he is topping Marshall. Maybe confusing, but my point to all of this is that Melle Mel’s impact on the culture is mostly indirect at this point and the man could use a serving of humble pie.
What a weird rant. In your example you admit you’re only alive because of your grandfather, then go on to downplay his impact on your life. His impact IS your life. Without Melle Mel you probably wouldn’t have had the Ice Cube’s of the world, which means you probably wouldn’t have had the Eminem’s of the world which means you probably wouldn’t have the Kendricks of the world. Melle Mel is the grandfather that gave life to generations of hip hop…. how much bigger of an impact can one have?
Well said
People’s personal Top 5 lists will always be and remain opinion based. Eminem isn’t personally in my Top 5 but if a company is basing their lists off of records sales, then Eminem is definitely in that 5. Em is lyrically a beast and I don’t care what color you are and if you agree or not. The man has skills and that could never be taken away from him.
Not to take away anything from Melle Mel, but I think he is overstating his impact on the culture. Yes, he had huge impact in his day, but his impact on the current generation of rappers is fairly limited, especially being that we are multiple generations past his era. For example, I’m alive because of my grandfather, but aside from that, I don’t know him very well and his impact on my life has been pretty limited aside from the fact that I wouldn’t be here without him. However, I’m close with my pops who has impacted my life exponentially, and he was impacted from his father, so in a way my grandfather has impacted my life indirectly. I think that is the only argument Melle Mel has to stand on. No way all these cats coming out now are familiar with his work, most these kids aren’t even familiar with Tupac and Biggie. They have been inspired by artists that were inspired by someone else who was inspired by him (Mel). Eminem has had a huge impact on the last generation (Cole, Kendrick, Big Sean, Drake, etc.) but for this generation has had little impact directly. I wasn’t alive to see Melle Mel in his hay day, but I grew up watching Eminem. I can’t say who has had the larger impact between the 2, but it’s hard to imagine that he is topping Marshall. Maybe confusing, but my point to all of this is that Melle Mel’s impact on the culture is mostly indirect at this point and the man could use a serving of humble pie.
How in the hell can a BM be considered a “racist” when we don’t have the power to hire/fire or create laws??? This is by far the dumbest shit that I’ve heard of in my life.
Basically you can be a person of color and still be racist racism is defined as the hatred of, aversion to, or prejudice against a specific race or races. Now having power over certain institutions is more or less capitalism. Not to say there’s isn’t a connection but they’re also not mutually exclusive
How in the hell can a BM be considered a “racist” when we don’t have the power to hire/fire or create laws??? This is by far the dumbest shit that I’ve heard of in my life.
Melle Mel or Meek Mell can go eat a dick, he’s nothing in hip hop music today.
I can’t picture a black guy rapping about domestic violence and Vicodin and still getting MTV promotion, even if he had Dre. I feel like a black guy with that content would be an underground horrorcore rapper, wouldn’t even be considered for signing with a major label, and his highest aspiration would be a lane like Esham or maybe tech N9ne, who are both dope but nowhere to be found on the billboard list.
Is Melle Mel the new Lord Jamar for this dying website?
These fellas keep proving one thing: they will remain salty and entitled until they die. I guess that somehow gets applause from idiots for ‘keepin it real’
Who cares about the color of anyone’s skin? It’s how they rap that lands them in what is only considered to be “the best”. Talent has no color.
Who cares about the color of anyone’s skin? It’s how they rap that lands them in what is considered to be “the best” (which in reality is just someone’s opinion). Talent has no color.
White American came out 21 years ago. Eminem has has won Grammys, Oscar, Emmy and been inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame since then. If he believed he was behind those rappers 21 years ago, he don’t now, rather he says it or not. Idc about the top 5 list cause I think he should had been higher, I just hate all the respect Eminem shows the OG’s of the rap game and gets so much hate back.
Dude sounds like he’s retarded.
The message was a good song, but this guy hasn’t done anything in 40 years.
“So now my point, and it’s very simple, if he basically said what I said, we said very similar things, how could what he say not be racist but then what I said was racist? In other words, if he’s right for saying what he’s saying, then the only reason that I could be wrong is that I’m Black and I said it.”
This is precisely the case, just like with the N-word. If you say it, it’s not racist, but if a white guy says it… duh!