Staten Island rapper CJ caught a significant look last summer when he hopped on a New York drill beat for his breakout single “WHOOPTY.” The record catapulted the 23-year-old straight into the spotlight and got him a record deal with Warner and a whole new fanbase. “WHOOPTY” is also steadily rising up the charts as it cracked the Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 this week coming in at No. 19.
Not everyone is feeling the “WHOOPTY” wave, though. Brooklyn rapper and New York drill originator 22Gz gave his thoughts on the rising rapper and his new song. 22 took to Instagram on Friday (January 29) and posted, then deleted, a screen capture of a recent Pitchfork article that called CJ a clear cut rip-off.
“@realcj giving me 69 vibes & boy from staten island the safest borough in nyc heard he ain’t even whoopty fr why steal my sauce and not show love ?,” 22 wrote in the caption of the since-deleted post.
Many people consider 22Gz one of the pioneers of New York drill alongside Fivio Foreign and his rival Sheff G. One of 22Gz’s first singles, “Suburban,” was the catalyst in helping the new sound blow up in 2016, and he hasn’t looked back since. He signed a deal with Atlantic Records and Kodak Black’s Sniper Gang label and recently dropped his second mixtape Growth & Development in April 2020.
In the Pitchfork article, CJ gets dragged with claims that “he doesn’t have anything to say or know a fresh way to say it” and “the raps are borderline 22Gz karaoke.” It’s a pretty strong take on his music, but it’s unlikely that CJ will respond. During his interview with HipHopDX, CJ said he doesn’t pay the critics any mind. As for the haters, CJ said if he had to choose a song that best represented his situation with the haters, the Staten Island native picked a classic 50 Cent record.
Life After ‘WHOOPTY’: How Massive Streaming Numbers & A Busta Rhymes Co-Sign Has NY Rapper CJ Going Into 2021 With Confidence
“I’ve got a lot of haters right now due to my success and everything. I would say probably ‘Many Men.’ Don’t get me wrong, there are people that are happy for me, but there are also people that are hating the situation I’m in. Yeah, I would definitely say ‘Many Men.'”
don’t feed into the hate cj
“Staten Island the safest borough in nyc” ?? Not sure how the wu-tang would feel about that statement…
This dude would get shitbagged in Stapleton
Yes safest borough in the city, the other borough’s are queens, brooklyn, Manhattan and bronx so where’s the argument? Staten island is where most cops go live so yes cop city is the safest or the boroughs
Straight facts.
LMAO! You right! That should be Chicago or Brooklyn!
CJ is well connected with some power players. His Uncle James Cruz and Violator from back in the days. He aint got shit to worry about. if these dudes come at him they gonna make the map smaller then it already is for local artist to do drill and do shows when they do come back. most dudes hating are gonna fuck up they careers. Let CJ live we had Kriss Kross and Bow Wow and other artist that target children….
CJ is trash…. however so is 22Gz. The kid wants to be from the south so bad
Damn New York…
My opinion is they trying to pull a race card. If CJ was black they would show love. But cuz he rican he must be the next 69. I just heard the whoopty recently and it was bumpin, just like gummo was when I first heard it. I just like the music. I dont give a fuck about what they do or dont do on the street. At the end of the day its about escaping the struggle. Fuck that snitch shit. That snitch shit is just hater talk IMO.
CJ did a song with 69 a few years ago. It ain’t his race that’s got people on him. Its how manufactured it comes off.
CJ look mad sus af
CJ giving 6ix9ine vibes?! He should humbled and grateful. He’s walking in the shadow of a giant. Following in the footsteps of King Tekashi is a sure shot way to be set for success in the game! All he need is The King’s blessing and the kid finna blow. The streets is watchin. Watch this space!
He must have a family member in the music biz…
Funny you say that. His uncle is a former president of Bad Boy Records. LMAO
Who gives a fuck the record is dope #GDK
There’s always a crab in the bucket mad about the next man’s success. He’s obviously salty that little homie popped off in the industry off of one joint and is now doing remixes with Busta Rhymes and his name is all over the place. Put out a hit instead of hating!
T R A S H can we stop calling this garbage Hip-Hop it is NOT and has nothing to do with Hip-Hop!
First off no one gives a shtt because we like music coming from pain and reality. I heard his track was feeling it.
But I’m glad you out it in scope because I don’t listen to $ born artist! (too much)
We need more artist we can relate too.