Phonte Weighs in on Fiascogate
So Lupe fucked up the lyrics to the Phife verse on “Electric Relaxation” during the tribute at Hip-Hop Honors on Thursday night. Since the above clip hit Youtube, the internets have been in an uproar over the flub and the whole situation recently earned itself a coveted “gate” suffix.
If you recall, long before the HHH show, Lupe famously said that he had never even heard the Midnight Marauders album. So why is he taking part in a Tribe tribute you ask? Well apparently Q-Tip personally asked him too.
So Lupe responded to critics’ assertion that he disrespected Tribe by basically arguing that he isn’t familiar with their work and he didn’t want to do it in the first place. On the Okayplayer message boards, he talks about how he came up on gangsta music, not “backpack” rap and goes so far as to type in all caps.
That particular post has now prompted a response from Phonte of Little Brother which you can read here. Here’s an excerpt. Cap statements are Lupe’s the rest is Tigallo.
>HAVE I LISTENED TO MM IN ITS ENTIRETY?…NO!!!…(Sorry
>Quest)…This statement is nothing but pure arrogance. I wonder how your friend Q-Tip would feel about you ‘having no interest’ in hearing what many consider to be his landmark album….especially after you forgot his lyrics during a tribute and your only defense is, “hey, shit happens……but I still ain’t listening to the album tho…”
Lupe, I fucks with you my dude, but you were wrong here. After watching the video, you really didn’t even fuck up that badly, so you should’ve just kept your mouth shut when the criticism came. But like Phonte said, now you’re coming off as arrogant and disrespectful to people like myself who hold Tribe in the highest possible regard.
At the end of the day, I’m still gonna fuck with you, but I think you should take a close look at how this whole situation played out and what went wrong and use it as a learning experience. To me, it’s unacceptable that any professional rapper could have never heard Midnight Marauders. Particularly one whose work is so Tribe-esque.
That’s like Beanie Sigel saying, “I’ve never heard a Kool G Rap Record and don’t care to.”
October 8th, 2007 at 10:43 am
uno
October 8th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Here we go
October 8th, 2007 at 10:45 am
“To me, it’s unacceptable that any professional rapper could have never heard Midnight Marauders”
—————-
Co F’ing Siggiddity
October 8th, 2007 at 10:45 am
KingSien!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Gillie da kid > Willie the kid
October 8th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Pa-honte, u mad Q didn’t ask you to cover it?
October 8th, 2007 at 10:46 am
….ROOM 2Cents….
…whats the stance on women over 27 who wear sneakers more then heals? what about baggy sweats??
October 8th, 2007 at 10:47 am
co-signature
October 8th, 2007 at 10:47 am
eskay Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Gillie da kid > Willie the kid
^^^
Philly Murder rate @ like 320 for the year.
Gillie da kid by defalt.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Q-Tip vs. Lupe???
HMMMMM
October 8th, 2007 at 10:49 am
THE-XFACTA Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Q-Tip vs. Lupe???
HMMMMM
^^^
those 2 sound more like lovers, AYYYO!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:51 am
I used to like mondays….
October 8th, 2007 at 10:53 am
smh.. and this kid wonders why no one cops HIS shit
October 8th, 2007 at 10:53 am
cmac Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:51 am
I used to like mondays….
^^^
Nerd.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:53 am
eskay Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Gillie da kid > Willie the kid
^
Hell no…..wanna be lil wayne looking ass nigga
October 8th, 2007 at 10:53 am
whats the stance on women over 27 who wear sneakers more then heals? what about baggy sweats??
——-
either she’s gay, a tomboy, or
you don’t need to mess with those little girls.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Good Morning Nah Right! *Hugs and daps for all*
After watching the video, you really didn’t even fuck up that badly, so you should’ve just kept your mouth shut when the criticism came.
^co-sign…you could barely tell that he even messed up. Sounds like somebody was just in the back ground lurking…waiting for him to slip up..hmmmm
October 8th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Q-Tip has 2 classic albums
Lupe has 2 skateboards
Lupe Lost!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:55 am
cmac Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:53 am
whats the stance on women over 27 who wear sneakers more then heals? what about baggy sweats??
——-
either she’s gay, a tomboy, or
you don’t need to mess with those little girls.
^^^
Like’em YOUNG fresh and Green! wit’no hair inbetween, know’what’i'mean….(c: NO-TO-RI-O-US, u just, lay down, slow)
October 8th, 2007 at 10:59 am
New SAT Question:
Phife is to ATCQ as:
1. Sole is the Ginuine
2. Ray J is to Brandy
3. Vinny is to Treach
Note:
Picking no answer is better then picking the wrong answer
Getting your name right gives you 400 pts
Don’t look at your homies paper, he’s a dumbass
October 8th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Fuck it. Lupe lost.
Midnight Marauders = Bonafied CLASSIC
October 8th, 2007 at 10:59 am
THE-XFACTA Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Q-Tip has 2 classic albums
Lupe has 2 skateboards
Lupe Lost!
^
He’s a loser
October 8th, 2007 at 11:01 am
This is some bullshit…
So now in order to rap, niggas need to have listened to certain albums? The fuck?? I’m not saying Lupe isn’t arrogant, because he’s somewhat in the wrong for how he handled it after the fact. But that nigga kept it real when he said he didn’t wanna do it in the first place because he didn’t grow up on them.
That nigga Phonte (a.k.a. Mr. “The Industry Owes Me Something Because I Can Rap Good And I Still Listen To Tribe Like It’s 1993″) needs to fall back too. Aren’t those two supposedly “friends” anyway? smh…
October 8th, 2007 at 11:01 am
@ crazy
I was at this 18 and older, bowling alley called “300″ last night and the DJ mixed nothin but B.I.G. for a good 30 minutes.
I love that place, its like a lounge/club/bar/ bowling alley
October 8th, 2007 at 11:02 am
amen
October 8th, 2007 at 11:03 am
cmac Says:
I was at this 18 and older, bowling alley called “300″ last night and the DJ mixed nothin but B.I.G. for a good 30 minutes.
I love that place, its like a lounge/club/bar/ bowling alley
———
Bowling Alleys are dangerous places (c) A.I.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
snort_snortCrazy88since88 Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:55 am
cmac Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:53 am
whats the stance on women over 27 who wear sneakers more then heals? what about baggy sweats??
——-
either she’s gay, a tomboy, or
you don’t need to mess with those little girls.
^Or she just has no sense of style. I know a few females like that…that are just “sneaker chicks”…
October 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
*YELLS* Goooooodd Morning Viennnnnnnnnammmmmmm
*runs around high fiving with the jump*
Yo So this little Lupe Fiasco thing is getting blown up but Phonte should fallback and play his position. Anybody seen that youtube clip of Eskay or do I need a late pass
October 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
On the real, an emcee shouldn’t have to know every classic album that ever came out. BUT…. as Hip Hop is a culture and not just a genre of music, knowing the history should be important.
Unless dude would rather skateboard than understand the history of the 4 disciplines of Hip Hop.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
That’s like Beanie Sigel saying, “I’ve never heard a Kool G Rap Record and don’t care to.â€
^^^
co-sign., still coppin the cool though…he didnt mess up that bad, but his b.s. statements is where he really fucked up for real.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:08 am
cmac Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 11:01 am
@ crazy
I was at this 18 and older, bowling alley
^^^
cHUUUURCH! Nothin better than a fresh pair of 18 yearold Kibbies.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Ya I know girls who are into sneakers but they were high heels when necessary, she probably needs to get her shoe wear game up
October 8th, 2007 at 11:09 am
lol I’d of figured Lupe was a fan of backpack rap and Pusha T was the fan of gangsta rap but I got it backwards.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:10 am
*reads Phonte’s post*
smh…
October 8th, 2007 at 11:10 am
…1…
October 8th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Babydoll Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
snort_snortCrazy88since88 Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:55 am
cmac Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 10:53 am
whats the stance on women over 27 who wear sneakers more then heals? what about baggy sweats??
——-
either she’s gay, a tomboy, or
you don’t need to mess with those little girls.
^Or she just has no sense of style. I know a few females like that…that are just “sneaker chicksâ€â€¦
^^^
Co-Sign w/ B.G. (no NoliaKlap)
(muffled voice)
…let me delete this hos number…
October 8th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Soul Clapper Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
On the real, an emcee shouldn’t have to know every classic album that ever came out.
^^ agreed. fully. HOWEVER, if youve been asked to perform their song at a tribute to them, dont be an asshole– take a few hours on a plane or while your skateboarding and familiarize yourself with it. thats where the arrogance comes in.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:10 am
E AKA THE REAL NORIEAGA Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 11:09 am
lol I’d of figured Lupe was a fan of backpack rap and Pusha T was the fan of gangsta rap but I got it backwards.
^^^^
for real though. shit is funny.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Phonte and everyone else is full of shit!! I aint the biggest Tribe fan either, nor could I recite ANYTHING off that album verbatim. Lupe gave an honest answer and people are catching feelings. Ive done plenty of favors for people on the strength that I didnt want to do.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:16 am
green eyes Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Soul Clapper Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
On the real, an emcee shouldn’t have to know every classic album that ever came out.
^^ agreed. fully. HOWEVER, if youve been asked to perform their song at a tribute to them, dont be an asshole– take a few hours on a plane or while your skateboarding and familiarize yourself with it. thats where the arrogance comes in.
^ He had to have listened to it some to even memorize what he did. Its like people dont like the truth. If he wasnt a fan and didnt listen to them so be it. That aint arrogance, thats honesty!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 11:16 am
>>To me, it’s unacceptable that any professional rapper could have never heard Midnight Marauders. Particularly one whose work is so Tribe-esque.
^^
LOL…somebody warn Soulja Boy
October 8th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Lupe in real life is one of the most egotistical people I ever meet. He more full of himself then jay or puff or any Gangster rapper I ever been around,.
Lupe openly squirms at the persona he created, …He should try and be himself more on records and interviews.
If ytou are not a back packer or a underground head at heart…dont pretend to be one ….
It like if a new york rapper was asked to do a twista song… you take three hours and you at least learn the bounce and flow so you can do it on stage naturally. .
October 8th, 2007 at 11:34 am
MM is a classic. It’s one of two albums I give to folks who are trying to be introduced to Hip-Hop music. The other is “The Sun Rises In The East”/Jeru da Damaja. You can excuse Lupe because his Hip Hop experience is different than alot of East Coast catz. Plus, how old was Lupe when MM came out in 93/94? He shoulda just kept his mouth shut. (NO Star Jones’ Husband)
October 8th, 2007 at 11:46 am
tell em eskay!
Srsly when he said he never heard of that album i was like wtf?!!
im 27 shit i was in the park on the swings at 11 yrs old reciting scenario..fuck outta here with that shit..i like lupe too but yeah he shoulda kept his trap shut
October 8th, 2007 at 11:46 am
He listen to gangsta rap? Not Back pack? He is a backpack rapper.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:46 am
I never heard a tribe called quest album. I tried to listen but I just don’t be feelin it.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I dont see the point of what some of ya’ll niggas and crakkers is saying. If he fucked up the words then he just fucked up the words. People are making a big deal of this for no reason.
You dont have to listen to certain rap albums just to rap. Some people take this hip hop shit too seriously, and people are beginning to take this blog shit wayy too seriously too. Remember its just the internet. This is not fam or family, its the internet.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I knew this kid was useless….
October 8th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
tOTALLY Blown out of proportion..
still copping the album though..
October 8th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
blown out of proportion is right, wtf how is dude not about to listen to mm though, he is just missing out
October 8th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
why ninjs always gotta front like that?…..just do whats right and keep it moving. Oh well.
October 8th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Soul Clapper Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
On the real, an emcee shouldn’t have to know every classic album that ever came out.
^^ agreed. fully. HOWEVER, if youve been asked to perform their song at a tribute to them, dont be an asshole– take a few hours on a plane or while your skateboarding and familiarize yourself with it. thats where the arrogance comes in.
^^^
CO-SIGN. how hard is it to memorize one fucking verse? 13 year olds do it every day.
October 8th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Son acts like he can’t memorize ONE VERSE. That’s pure laziness. Even if he never heard that song in his life, how long does it take to memorize ONE verse? Not even the whole song…SMH. He should apologize for that alone, on some ‘Damn, I should’ve actually rehearsed’.
October 8th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Fuck Lupe.
October 8th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
>> to people like myself who hold Tribe in the highest possible regard.
this is the first time you’ve ever mentioned Tribe
>> That’s like Beanie Sigel saying, “I’ve never heard a Kool G Rap Record and don’t care to.â€
or like eskay’s aggressive comment never listening to a N.W.A. record
October 8th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Lupe makes dope music but every time he opens his mouth outside the booth he says some stupid shit (see: “People are bootlegging my shit?!?! Fuck this I’m done rapping!”) and Phonte just makes his music that much more enjoyable when he speaks on some shit because I have yet to see him wrong.
Shit’s still blown out of proportion, ironically, BY Lupe.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
[…] I could give a fuck about Lupe messing up A Tribe Called Quest lyrics. Stop focusing on the negative you media whores. Even I have never heard Midnight Marauders in it’s entirety (eskay… I need that Tribe list), although I will spit on anyone who denies A Tribe Called Quest, period. But seriously, it’s just a few words. And at least he’s being honest about it. Some people will get on camera and talk about people who influenced them or who they grew up listening to but they have no fucking clue what the fuck they’re talking about. And anyone who says Biggie or Tupac influenced them is a damn liar. When you hear Big rap you feel like damn, no one is ever gonna rap like that again… not really the same case for Pac, but I digress. Just in case you do give a shit about what happened at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors show, you’re best bet is to read Nah Right’s run down of the events or to peep the iNTERNETS CELEBRITIES manifest voyeurism at it’s finest. The rest is just filler. […]
October 9th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
[…] Between this, this and this… Lu stays losing. Even this and this is not a pretty sight. I feel bad, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. […]
October 10th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Lupe sonned him, son! On the son tip! Q-Tip should get out his burner and…ah, you guys finish it for me. Thanks.
October 20th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Who Gives A Fuck? He Fucked Up 2 Bars.
Nas Forgot More Than That When He Performed Dear Mama In ‘04, No-One Complained Then.
What Is It With Backpack Cats, They Think Unless U Know Every Fucking Album Of That Genre, Ur Not A Hip Hop Fan.
I Ain’t Even A Lupe Fan, But Give Him A Break. He Forgot The Lyrics To A Song By A Group Who Was Last Out When He (Lupe) Was 16, And The Song In Question Was Released When He Was 11.
Y’all Backpack Niggas Need To Realize Ur Not God’s, Just Emcees