Pete Rock Is Pissed That Lupe Fiasco Sampled His Sample… Really.
posted in: Music News
When Lupe Fiasco dropped “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free),” the first single off his upcoming album Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album, we doubt he expected the type of backlash he’s receiving now. The single is a return to form for the socially-conscious Chicago MC, but features a recognizable beat from one of hip-hop’s greatest songs, 1992’s “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” by Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth.
Legendary producer Pete Rock took to Twitter last night to express his opinions on the clear similarity between the two beats:
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
” TheRealPeteRock (@PeteRock) May 21, 2012
Outta anguish and pain. When it’s like that it should not be touched by no one!
” TheRealPeteRock (@PeteRock) May 21, 2012
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?
” TheRealPeteRock (@PeteRock) May 21, 2012
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
” TheRealPeteRock (@PeteRock) May 21, 2012
Speaking of totally original music, we feel the need to point out that Rock himself took the sample from a Tom Scott tune.
Although he claims to have gotten permission…
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!!
” TheRealPeteRock (@PeteRock) May 22, 2012
And just for the sake of fair reporting, Tom Scott was actually covering this Jefferson Airplane song from their 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow:
Music is confusing.