Two San Francisco-based hip hop companies are calling out rapper E-40 for falsely claiming the region’s hyphy movement on his new Lil Jon-produced album, My Ghetto Report Card.
HyphyTV.com and Hyphy Inc. released a joint statement in which they claim E-40 and Lil Jon have "not one Hyphy artist on their roster and tour." Responding to the claims in an interview with SOHH.com, 40 says: "Ain't nobody ever heard of no Hyphy Inc. ever!"
A spokesperson for the two companies stated:
The statement goes on to note that 40’s relatives – sister Suga T, brother D-Shot and son Droop-E – are all in the process of putting out projects. The companies also single out Lil Jon as "the mastermind behind the plot" to exploit the Hyphy movement.
"Lil Jon never intends to put a Hyphy artist on; he’s just using the name to keep himself in the spotlight," the statement read.
After expressing that the companies are virtually unknown throughout the Bay Area, 40 told SOHH: "The hyphy movement started in Oakland for one. So can't nobody from San Francisco be talking about that. I love Frisco, that ain't got nothing to do with the city of Frisco, but I'm not gonna affiliate that with these suckers, whoever these cats is."
In response to the companies’ claims that 40 lacks respect in his hometown, the rapper says: "First of all, my respect in the Bay is to the extreme my dude. If the Bay didn't love me, I wouldn't be at 60,000 units just in the Bay area alone. The love is there. As far as street credibility, I got that. That's a plus. That's straight A's across the board. Don't get it ‘twited’."
"Overall, the hyphy movement, I helped birth that thang, man, I ain't the one who made it up. All I do is endorse it, smell me? Like I said, I was on the first song 'Hyphy.' I got the utmost respect for Mac Dre, Keak Da Sneak and the Federation and whoever else is about the Hyphy movement, it's all gravy. At the same time, cats like me and [Too] Short all we're doing is trying to represent our soil. What I'm supposed to do, talk like I'm from New York, rap like I'm from New York? If I didn't say nothing about the hyphy. It'll be like 'he done went South. He won't say nothing about the Hyphy.'"
"What have they done for the movement or whatever else," he added. "That's a hate group if anything. They're probably a rap group trying to get some exposure. Ninety-nine out of 100% gonna love me. There's probably one percent out there that hates me cause they ain't on, bullshitting."
HyphyTV.com and Hyphy Inc. released a joint statement in which they claim E-40 and Lil Jon have "not one Hyphy artist on their roster and tour." Responding to the claims in an interview with SOHH.com, 40 says: "Ain't nobody ever heard of no Hyphy Inc. ever!"
A spokesperson for the two companies stated:
Lil Jon and E-40 brought some much needed attention showcasing the new and distinctive culture and lifestyle that’s taking place in the Bay Area. But neither artist is in fact a real member of the movement. Since bringing the attention to the movement the pair has been accused of using [it] for their on personal selfish financial gain. E-40, who is not even a Hyphy member, is being accused of using the new found fame and clout to put his family members and label mates in key positions at the expense of Hyphy.
The statement goes on to note that 40’s relatives – sister Suga T, brother D-Shot and son Droop-E – are all in the process of putting out projects. The companies also single out Lil Jon as "the mastermind behind the plot" to exploit the Hyphy movement.
"Lil Jon never intends to put a Hyphy artist on; he’s just using the name to keep himself in the spotlight," the statement read.
After expressing that the companies are virtually unknown throughout the Bay Area, 40 told SOHH: "The hyphy movement started in Oakland for one. So can't nobody from San Francisco be talking about that. I love Frisco, that ain't got nothing to do with the city of Frisco, but I'm not gonna affiliate that with these suckers, whoever these cats is."
In response to the companies’ claims that 40 lacks respect in his hometown, the rapper says: "First of all, my respect in the Bay is to the extreme my dude. If the Bay didn't love me, I wouldn't be at 60,000 units just in the Bay area alone. The love is there. As far as street credibility, I got that. That's a plus. That's straight A's across the board. Don't get it ‘twited’."
"Overall, the hyphy movement, I helped birth that thang, man, I ain't the one who made it up. All I do is endorse it, smell me? Like I said, I was on the first song 'Hyphy.' I got the utmost respect for Mac Dre, Keak Da Sneak and the Federation and whoever else is about the Hyphy movement, it's all gravy. At the same time, cats like me and [Too] Short all we're doing is trying to represent our soil. What I'm supposed to do, talk like I'm from New York, rap like I'm from New York? If I didn't say nothing about the hyphy. It'll be like 'he done went South. He won't say nothing about the Hyphy.'"
"What have they done for the movement or whatever else," he added. "That's a hate group if anything. They're probably a rap group trying to get some exposure. Ninety-nine out of 100% gonna love me. There's probably one percent out there that hates me cause they ain't on, bullshitting."
