Hip-hop is no stranger to beef between artists, and one of the more intriguing conflicts in the genre's history was between MC Hammer and Q-Tip. In a recent interview, Q-Tip reflected on the controversy, shedding light on the motivations behind the shots fired.
It all started when Q-Tip took aim at Hammer in a song, questioning his place in the rap world. Q-Tip saw MC Hammer as more of an entertainer than a true emcee, especially with his commercial success and mainstream appeal. The line that really got under MC Hammer's skin was when Q-Tip rapped, "Rap is not pop if you call it that, stop."
According to Q-Tip, the issue stemmed from the corporate co-opting of hip-hop culture. As MC Hammer became more of a pop culture icon, he was labeled as a "pop star" rather than a genuine emcee. Q-Tip felt the need to defend the integrity of hip-hop and ensure that its roots were not lost in the commercialization of the genre.
Q-Tip's criticism of MC Hammer was not meant to be disrespectful but rather a reminder that rap is a distinct art form that should not be watered down for mainstream consumption. He highlighted the importance of owning the narrative of hip-hop and resisting attempts to pigeonhole artists into categories that do not accurately reflect their music.
Source: Youtube
