Lil Uzi Vert and Lil Yachty have inadvertently become the poster boys for all that’s wrong with Hip Hop. But for the legions of listeners who love them, the criticism seems like blind hate. Despite veterans such as 9th Wonder defending them in the past, the attacks continue to pour in on a daily basis. One man who is clearly sick of the constant bashing is R&B singer Tank.
Tank, who has collaborated with everyone from Busta Rhymes to Wale, spoke out against the hate on Friday (May 19) via Instagram. The rant was targeted at black men criticizing the two rappers for being different. He also compares them to innovative artists like Prince and Michael Jackson.
“I’m utterly disgusted!!” he wrote. “I’ve never seen so many grown black men speak out against young black kids fighting to earn a living in this already difficult world! Yes they’re different but so was MJ and Prince! Y’all still celebrate those men highly with no thought to their differences. The crazy part is that these kids actually represent positivity. They give a voice to those who feel like outcasts and may even have a hard time fitting in. These kids make being different ok and give hope to those who may feel like their life has no value. Maybe you’d feel better if these kids ran up on your car high and tooled up with extended clips and told you to ‘get down, lay down, or be found!’ That would make more sense to you huh?”
Tank was particularly frustrated by the idea of music becoming stagnant. He pointed out how people want music to stay the same, yet desire innovation in other aspects of their lives.
“You definitely don’t want them to live their dreams and have fun entertaining the world,” he continued. “You definitely don’t want them to feed their families and get they mama out the hood. You niggas kill me wanting your music to stay in the 80s and the 90s but gotta have the 2018 Benz! Everything changes! Everything evolves! It may not be for you but it is for the millions that stream it and show up to be entertained by it! Let these kids live!!.. #RnBMoney #RnBSoldiers #TheGeneral #savagecomingsoon #musicislife.”
Tank capped off his defense of Uzi and Yachty by further comparing them to Mick Jagger and Prince. He centered his argument around their similarities in bold fashion choices and being regarded as “different.”
The music of Uzi and Yachty will continue to bother some people. Uzi’s dancing, as seen in the viral video below, may provoke strong reactions. But in the end, both men are leaving an undeniable mark on Hip Hop.
ill just think it to myself then, that his opinion is fuckin retarded
Tank is lowkey right…..why the hell did i read this?….now im forced to kind of like these mumble rappers…
These people need to cut the fucking shit. Wack ass little boys with no respect for the art form. Method man where u at?! This new school boys need to hear that old thang back!
Only difference is MJ was extremely talented along wit Mick Jaggers ,Prince all had talent to compensate for gender bending wardrobes they wore , Now these cock roaches Lil Uzi Vert Lil Yachty are pure fads that pass thru music on its way to the grave yard! Tank cant fill up a phone booth today his music is just ok nothing spectacular about his music any grown man saying its ok for little boys to put kool aid in their hair and dress up in women clothes is sick
I can’t believe this blithering idiot just compared these bums to those legendary talents of music. What a disgrace.
You can be right and wrong, he is right but wrong with to compare them to the artist he compared them to. I don’t like their music but I’m not about to sit around and hate on them or anybody listening to them. They aren’t messing up hip hop or rap either some of our favorite artist are to blame for what’s going on for not taking control and ownership of hip hop, because if they did we could control the majority of content on radio/tv/internet. All the blogs, hiphop sites, fans we give them more attention but constantly talking about them we talk about who we don’t like more than who we actually listen to and enjoy. Let’s start talking about who we actually like and why and praise them instead of giving negative energy. I’m bumping freddie gibbs, big krit, bone thugs, nipsey hussle, a little fab and G. perico.
guys, calm down… these “rappers” are just fads. Before you know it, there will be a few others here to replace them. The content of their music is non-existent, therefore people won’t replay their music. So enjoy it now and wait till they fade and go bankrupt 🙂
Tank fell off hard. He’s just trying to regain relevancy by feeding off the young fanbase and riding Yachty and Uzi’s coattails.
Notice the “#savagecomingsoon” hashtag? He’s got a new song or album on the way and needs to dickride new wack rappers for promotion. That’s how you know someone fell off.
He has had that on there for like a year in a half, I don’t think he is doing it for promo Tank has never been that kind of guy
he has never done anything just to get extra attention etc, He just came off playing a role in one of the biggest TV movies of the year with that New edition movie, he makes good money touring and doing plays, I would say maybe it’s just the way he feels, it is irritating that some many people hate, I think those mumble rappers suck but I’m not going to spend the majority of my time talking and discussing someone when I don’t like their music.
what makes them HIP HOP???? This isn’t RAP music or even necessarily hip hop…. is it that because they are BLACK??? Also….the MAJOR DIFFERENCE between Prince and Lil Yachy / Uzi is that PRINCE WAS A TALENTED MUSICIAN WHO COULD PLAY MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS AND COMPOSE MUSIC! MICHAEL JACKSON COULD DO IT ALL. MICK JAGGER CAN SING WITHOUT AUTO TUNE! THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE PEOPLE… TALENT!!!!!!!
o shut up Tank this is about musical ability not style
LOL!!! When was the last time Tank had a hit? #irrelevant #washed
First of all dickhead! He is relevant! He is a great songwriter, which still writes for several artists today! Watch your fucking mouth!
Tank, that you?
Yeah that’s him. So emotional.
Prince and Uzi aren’t even in the same universe. This is not a conversation.
They are if you want a set of panties on every puppet you own.
Prince and MJ dressed differently but their music wasn’t shitty so they get a pass
not sure who tank is, but he’s right. all you old heads and backpack nerds hating on yachty and uzi need to step back. they’re the voice of my generation and those open minded people respect their greatness. they will be remembered forever.
Fuck outta here…
comparing talented musicians with idiots, tank is gay as fuck
It’s a lot of dudes doing their thing with internet radio shows and shit these days that you can get up on if you want to hear your kind of hip hop, whatever that be. But for real, turn that traditional radio shit that’s corporate owned off. You’ll hear some new shit that is out there.
More like a bunch of ignorant no-talent queers.
Is this the same Tank who sang “Tonight I’m Yours”?
Tank trolling for attention
Who has a bigger bulge, Lil Yachty or Lil Uzi Vert?
This the same guy whom manage siya and still didn’t get her anywhere in her career so empty tank shut the fuck up because as soon as another lil slave ship and lil oozing herp come along their careers will be shattered focus on ur wack ass career and stop comparing these mumble mouth muthafuckas to legends that u can understand #mush mouth rappers
Why Future get a pass?