On Sunday night, Lupe Fiasco dropped “Around My Way (Freedom Isn’t Free)” from his long-anticipated, improbably titled Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album. Any rap fan worth their salt should immediately recognize the saxophone riff and bass line lazily lifted from Tom Scott’s “Today”, as sampled in one of the most iconic rap songs in the history of time, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s 1992 “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).”
We’re not one to fault a good hip-hop nerd-out, but Lupe’s use of the track — originally cast to mourn the death of Heavy D’s dancer, Trouble T-Roy — seemed a little crass so soon after the death of Heavy D himself. Pete Rock was not pleased and fired off a Twitter rant, aiming for the heads of Lupe Fiasco’s label. Hey, Lupe hates them too!
Pete Rock’s comments in full:
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No disrespect to lupe fiasco and i like him alot but TROY should be left alone. Feel so violated,the beat is next to my heart and was made Outta anguish and pain. When it’s like that it should not be touched by no one!
It’s so hard for folks to make original music, I possess that, but these dudes are scared of that and this is supposed to be HIP HOP? Man I’m a lupe fan and everything but TROY was my homie man. I think about him and Hev every fucking day!!!! Smh
This business can be so lame, sometimes I make beats blindfolded with one hand tied behind my back and still these cats can’t be original to Save their fucking life. #impissed
It’s pure fuckery yo,let’s that fucking song live man. That do over shit is fucking corny!!!! It sounds best just the way the fuck it iz. So untalented and unoriginal. Makes me feel like I’m truly the best that ever did it. Yo hev and t-Roy I love and miss da shit outta y’all. U guys have been violated with no Vaseline. So fucked up this business smmfh!!! And I don’t care who got something to say about it, kiss my Entire black ass. #violationtodafullest
Lame Ducks with absolutely no talent if u can’t make ur own hit. FOH
I’m not flattered @ all. Dat shit is wack, and the producer should be ashamed of his fuckin self. Smh. That record is dear to me yo fuck deez niggas!!!! I’m still Dat nigga out here believe it or don’t. Ur ignorance not mine, lame duck bullshit.
I think lupe is a great artist, I’m that angry with him but it’s a major label idea. I can feel it. And y’all need to stop the childish games, I’m a fan of lupe and he is a great artist and a great person. And let me be clear cuz a lot of y’all don’t know this. But Tom Scott himself gave me an approval for TROY, told me I did a great job!! As did Luther vandross as well spoke to me about how I covered “don’t u know that” and approved!! Goodnight! 😉 #official
Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album is due sometime in 2016 or something. Watch the video for the original “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” below
https://youtube.com/watch?v=FiOcVWQY2bc
