Questlove has opened up about how a certain rap legend’s decision not to join the ‘Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop’ special he executive produced was a huge disappointment to him.
On Sunday (December 10), the same day the event was aired on television, the Roots drummer said on X/Twitter answered questions about the show,
Of all the people who said no to being a part of the TV special, Quest said that MC Hammer‘s response “hurt the most.” “We begged him to open,” Quest explained. “We really wanted him to have his flowers.”
You can see the response below:
Hammer has not responded directly to Questlove’s message as of this writing. However, he has previously explained his reluctance to appear in any events celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop.
“You ain’t hear me go to none of these Hip Hop 50 — and just for the record, I got invited to every one,” he said at a street naming ceremony for 2Pac in Oakland last month.
“But I really don’t have the patience for the fakeness. I’m really 60 years old. I can’t get with the fakeness of it all. I could do it with a young cat, but I can’t go around old cats and still be pretending.”
He joked about a hypothetical scenario of running into a veteran rapper at a commemorative event: “What you want me to call you? Six Shooter? Come on, man. Ain’t none of your bodies turned up yet!”
In addition to his Hammer regrets, Questlove responded to a question about the lack of Ice Cube, 50 Cent, Run-DMC, and the Wu-Tang Clan in the tribute by saying, “Not like we didn’t ask.”
‘A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop’ featured, among others, Queen Latifah, Common, Public Enemy, Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, Rick Ross, Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri, YG, Too Short, E-40, De La Soul, Akon, Black Thought, Nelly, Gunna and Chance The Rapper.
It was capped off by a reunion of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, who performed a medley of group and Will Smith solo hits including “Brand New Funk,” “Miami,” “Summertime,” and the theme to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Its a cycle, the young never gets respected by the old. then it turns into hate, both ways. It happened to Hammer and now everyone wants to give him flowers but he cant forgive how he was treated when he was coming up. its like that today. Change gotta come
Its a cycle, the young never gets respected by the old. then it turns into hate, both ways. It happened to Hammer and now everyone wants to give him flowers but he cant forgive how he was treated when he was coming up. its like that today. Change gotta come
I don’t think he was respected by any of his peers back then, young or old. He was “safe” rap for middle America to let their 8 year olds listen to. Which while made him sell millions, it also turned the hip hop community against him.
Ephesians 4:31-32
I love MC Hammer. His comments about fakeness are about the other people (rappers), though.
Him being the man of God he is he knows forgiveness is only about him.
Me being a fan wanted him to forgive those folks and have “Got it Started” on the show.
His concerts were amazing!
In other word, he’s 10 years older than hip hop so he doesn’t have to do shit.
There or not the show was Epic! My Fav was there Rakim so I’m so happy. It was good to see everyone. I still be rocking wit the OGs. Pharcyde, Cypress Hill, and the list goes on and on. Definitely a Masterclass!
Hammer said he was an entertainer. Hammer dissed Run-DMC and LL Cool J for no reason. Hammer actually partnered up with KFC to make commercials about a Blackman dancing for chicken during the Public Enemy/ Boogie Down Productions Era. Hammer was the original mumble mouthed rapper. Dude could dance and dude did a lot of great things for the people of Oakland. But son did a lot of shit as to why people turned on him or didn’t fuck with him in the 1st place. I do respect that he snubbed TF out of MC Serch , who’s still butt hurt to this day about that. But overall, Hammer is in no place to act indignant and offended. He did some goofy shit.
Facts
I truly was dissapointed that either the opening or closing didn’t include
the Sugar Hill gang with the 1979″
Rapper’s Delight, 1980″ Kutis Blow That’s the Breaks or 1982″ Grandmaster Flash The Jungle. It’s these 3 songs, that put the early imprint song and dance of Rap music.
It was clean sounding and really brought a proud unity to black music.
SAY THAT, DEE!!!
Never a fan of mc hammer but i don’t hate the dude either.