Elliott Wilson
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Charley Gallay / Getty
Jay-Z and Drake ended their intense dispute in the 2010s with the help of Elliott Wilson, as he revealed in a recent interview.
The back-and-forth between Jay-Z and Drake was one of Hip-Hop’s most notable scenarios for close to a decade, and veteran journalist Elliott Wilson revealed he helped squash their beef. “I got them back together, I got them to talk,” Wilson said during a recent appearance on The Bigger Picture podcast. “Around the time when Drake was doing the tour with Lil Wayne and they had a show in Queens, Drake came backstage and hugged me and was like, ‘I spoke to Hov. We’re figuring it out.’ He was excited that they had finally talked.”
The two superstar rappers had collaborated to great appeal, with Jay-Z appearing on “Light Up” on Drake’s 2010 album Thank Me Later after Drake teamed up with Jay-Z on “Off That” from The Blueprint 3, a year before. But on DJ Khaled’s “I’m On One” a year later, Drake threw out the line “I’m just feeling like the throne is for the taking / Watch me take it,” which many saw as a challenge to both Jay-Z and Kanye West.
The Canadian rapper quickly dismissed that idea, and the two would team up for the 2013 hit “Pound Cake.” But comments that Drake made about Jay-Z’s foray into the art world in a Rolling Stone interview (which Wilson stated Drake felt were off the record when he made them) rubbed Jay-Z the wrong way, causing the Roc Nation founder to deliver some heated bars directed at Drake on Jay Electronica’s “We Made It” remix. Drake would fire back on “Draft Day,” which led to the Reasonable Doubt MC delivering his own barbs on DJ Khaled’s “They Don’t Love You No’ More”: “N-ggas talking down on the crown / Watch them n-ggas you ‘round got you wound / Haters wanna ball, let me tighten up my drawstring / Wrong sport, boy, you know you’re as soft as a lacrosse team.”
The two would eventually settle their differences, reuniting on 2018’s “Talk Up.” When asked how he was able to help mend the dispute, with co-host Jeremy Hecht joking that he created a text messaging thread, Wilson replied, “No, just encouraging them to talk to each other, that’s all. I’m not Farrakhan. I didn’t put the play together [laughs].”
Check out the entire episode above.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Arturo Holmes / Getty / Elliott Wilson
No one man should have all that power. UPROXX’s new Editorial Director and legendary Hip-Hop scribe Elliott Wilson is no longer welcome in Toronto, and it allegedly has to do with Drake being salty.
Wilson spoke on The Bigger Picture podcast about the fallout after he decided that Kendrick Lamar came out on top in the highly entertaining back-and-forth with Drake.
Wilson revealed that Drake was in his feelings after his co-host DJ Hed pointed out that Wilson was no longer wearing OVO gear and asked him how he felt about Drake unfollowing him.
The Petty 6 God
“It’s funny because Drake is the kind of dude that, even if he doesn’t f**k with you, he still follows you. So, he’s not an unfollow kind of dude. [But] I saw somebody in my comments say, ‘How do you feel about Drake unfollowing you?’ I got my emotions about it… but look, it’s hard… that’s my guy, I respect him,” Wilson said.
Continuing the conversation, Wilson revealed that he got “calls” from people telling him she should not set foot in Toronto right now.
“I got the calls from OGs — I’m not really welcomed in Toronto right now. I grew up in NYC and you know not to go into other people’s projects. You might visit shorty but you ain’t got no business being over to those projects looking for no problems,” Wilson said. “So, I would not go to TO if me and Drake weren’t good. I just think it’s a tough time to manage these relationships with artists… You develop these connections with them, and then you have to manage these relationships and its ups and downs with that.”
All of this is because Wilson agreed with everyone else that Kendrick Lamar won.
Drake is a very petty individual.
Speaking of Drake, he just hopped on a new Sexy Redd song that features the BBL Drizzy beat.
You can watch the latest episode of The Bigger Picture below.
[embedded content]
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Charley Gallay / Getty
Elliott Wilson aka YN is back leading a Hip-Hop media outlet. The longtime Hip-Hop music journalist and media executive has been named the Editorial Director of HipHopDX, UPROXX and Dime magazine.
On Wednesday (April 24), UPROXX founder and CEO Jarret Myer and Rich Antoniello, a founder and former CEO of Complex Networks along with will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas fame announced they had formed a company called UPROXX Studios, after its purchase of HipHopDX, UPROXX and Dime magazine, and other entities from Warner Music Group.
Music Business Worldwide reports that Antoniello will serve as a Partner and Executive Chairman and will.i.am will serve as a Partner/Investor.
“We’re pleased to return Uproxx to a team led by the brand’s founder Jarret Myer, along with other vibrant brands including HipHopDX,” said Maria Weaver, President of Warner Music Group, in a statement.
For keen Hip-Hop heads, the name Jarrett Myer should be familiar since he is one of the founders of Rawkus Records, the initially independent record label that in the 1990’s helped spark the careers of rappers including Talib Kweli, Company Flow and Yasiin Bey fka Mos Def.
As for Wilson, Billboard reports the Queens, NY native has been named editorial director of Hip-Hop journalism for UPROXX Studios. Some of Wilson’s past notable Hip-Hop mag gigs include holding down the Music Editor position at The Source magazine before becoming Editor In Cheif of XXL magazine in 1999—enjoying an influential tenure before his departure in early 2008. Soon after leaving XXL he formed Rap Radar with Eminem’s manager Paul Rosenberg. Most recently, Wilson was at TIdal and he will continue to host the Rap Radar podcast with Brian “B. Dot” Miller.
“I’m thrilled for this new chapter of my illustrious career and to work with proven winners like Jarret, Rich and will,” Wilson told Billboard. “My focus is on elevating the three rising brands — UPROXX, HipHopDX and Dime — to greater heights and to help shape the future of media and culture. The fun begins.”
Elliott “YN” Wilson is re-entering the journalistic landscape after being named editorial director of hip-hop journalism overseeing UPROXX, HipHopDX and Dime Magazine. The news follows the announcement on Wednesday (April 24) that all three brands were acquired by media veteran Jarret Myer to form UPROXX Studios alongside Complex alum Rich Antoniello and will.i.am.
“I’m thrilled for this new chapter of my illustrious career and to work with proven winners like Jarret, Rich and will,” Wilson tells Billboard. “My focus is on elevating the three rising brands — UPROXX, HipHopDX and Dime — to greater heights and to help shape the future of media and culture. The fun begins.”
Wilson will continue holding down his role as co-host of the Rap Radar podcast with Brian “B. Dot” Miller. In the past, Wilson worked at TIDAL and also served as editor-in-chief of XXL from 1999 to 2008.
Trending on Billboard
UPROXX Studios will operate as an independent company, with Antoniello serving as partner/executive chairman and will.i.am aboard as partner/investor. The move to acquire the trio of brands along with other Warner Music Group assets comes about two months after WMG CEO Robert Kyncl announced in an internal memo obtained by Billboard that Warner was looking to find a suitor to offload HipHopDX and UPROXX after nearly six years in business together.
“We’re in an exclusive process for the potential sale of the news and entertainment websites UPROXX and HipHopDX, with more to say on that soon,” Kyncl said in February.
Will.i.am’s FYI AI technology and FYI radio will also be an integral part of UPROXX Studios’ operating systems in the ever-evolving media industry.
“Innovation is in our DNA,” will.i.am said in a statement. “Our continuous pursuit of developing new mediums and platforms will reshape the future of creative expression. We are crafting products and experiences so groundbreaking that they compel the world of media to evolve alongside us. This is our mandate as pioneers of culture.”
UPROXX Studios CEO Myer expects the company to be a pioneer in the media space with its investments in technology and forward thinking.
“We’re doubling down on growth. Expect significant investments in our brands, team, and the experiences we offer — both creators and audiences alike,” he added. “Through its partnership with FYI, UPROXX Studios embraces pioneering technology and also signals its commitment to fostering creativity and pushing the limits of digital expression.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Cindy Ord / Getty
This past weekend OG Hip-Hop journalist Elliott Wilson found himself at the mercy of the Barbz collective after he seemingly shaded Nicki Minaj for appearing on Kai Cenat’s streaming channel. Though he issued a public apology, it was too late. They hate him now.Things began when Wilson seemingly took a shot at both Nicki Minaj and Kai Cenat after the former appeared on Cenat’s show with a post of Nicki twerking on the show and a caption that read “Hip Hop journalism.” Fans took the post as Wilson mocking the moment and Kai’s channel.
Nicki wasted no time in responding to Wilson’s alleged shade and took to X to slam him for his post. “Elliott if you’d spit Jay-Z dikk out for a one second, you’d be able to be happy for the new comers. Isn’t that how y’all tried to tarnish my image? By saying I’m not welcoming new btchs in?” Nicki tweeted.
The post was enough to have the Barbz pounce on Wilson to the point that he took down his post and threw up a new one in which he tried to make amends with Nicki saying he never dissed her and “Always said she’s the female rap [GOAT]. Over Lauryn, Missy, Kim and Foxy and all. I think Cardi B is dope too. Happy Holidays.”
Unfortunately, that didn’t save him from the online wrath of the Barbz.
Wilson then went on and praised Kai for getting this far in the streaming lane saying Cenat “deserves respect.”
People are still mad even though Wilson continued to shower Nicki with praise following the release of her latest album, Pink Friday 2.
Nicki meanwhile doesn’t seem to be letting up and continues to take shots at Wilson (whom she referred to as “Idiot” Wilson) and even threw a stray shot at DJ Envy for being involved in his alleged real estate scam after hating on her music.
Nicki’s on one! Y’all don’t know what y’all started. Hopefully Nicki’s husband doesn’t start stalking Elliott Wilson now. Just sayin’.
Peep Nicki address Elliott Wilson below, and let us know if his apologies were enough to quiet the storm in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Arturo Holmes / Getty
After being criticized by Elliott Wilson for avoiding rap media to only speak with “outsiders”, Drake clapped back on social media.
On Monday (July 24th), DJ Akademiks shared a clip of the Rap Radar Podcast host doing an interview with Trippie Redd at the Rolling Loud Miami festival over the weekend. The Certified Lover Boy rapper seized the opportunity to hop into the comments of the post, which was shared on Instagram, to add a little shade to the situation.
“Lol man shits on not coming to his platform for a second time and now Elliott 10 toes doing Yes Julz run up interviews at Rolling Loud,” he wrote, also adding laughing emojis. “Just admit the youth took over big dog.” The former Editor-In-Chief of XXL didn’t take long to acknowledge the comment, and to hint at a possible retort in line with his reputation for being outspoken with his perspective as one of the leaders in the field. He shared a screenshot of the comment on his Twitter account with the caption, “Oh, it’s go time? Cool.”
The Honestly, Nevermind rapper has been upset at Wilson since the 52-year-old journalist called him out for pointedly avoiding Hip-Hop media outlets in the wake of his interviews with Caleb Presley of Barstool Sports and TikTok personality Bobbi Althoff. “Moment of clarity: No disrespect to Lil Boat,” he wrote in a tweet that’s since been deleted. “Yachty’s convo with The Boy was comfy and had some cool moments. I was more so clowning the comedy shenanigans with outsiders to our culture. It would be great to hear Drake speak to us again. Even if it ain’t me.”
Drake last appeared on the Rap Radar Podcast with Wilson and Brian “B Dot” Miller in 2019, shedding some light on his artistic journey in a two-hour discussion. Wilson’s critique comes as the Toronto artist has also drawn criticism from Ebro Darden of HOT97 and Apple Music 1, who chided Drake for throwing shade at Childish Gambino’s hit “This Is America” during a show on his current tour while not speaking on issues.
“Drake doesn’t have to,” Ebro wrote on Twitter. “Nor should he if he doesn’t feel it. But to say “This Is America” is overrated and over awarded when that song came at a time when people needed someone to say something. And he doesn’t feel the need to. That’s all.”
UPDATE: 2 Dope Boyz founder MekDot has been dragged into this feud, or whatever you want to call it.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: TIDAL / TIDAL
Elliott Wilson is looking to push the culture further. He has launched a new show on TIDAL exploring a day in the life with rap talent.
As spotted on Hip Hop N More the esteemed journalist has another trick up his sleeve. This week he announced his new THORO show where he links with an MC and spends time with them throughout all of their travels; personally and professionally.
For the launch, the Rap Radar Podcast co-host met up with the East Atlanta, Georgia native in his hometown of Dekalb County. The duo visit his former home of the Paradise East Apartments to see where it all started for the “Hell Shell” rapper. They then head to a nearby Texaco station (where there is currently a mural of Nudy up) then join the rest of his team for lamb chops at a eatery called Cheetah Lounge.
Wilson expressed his enthusiasm regarding the experience in a Tweet. “Welcome to #Thoro I spent a day in the Eastside of Atlanta with @PDE_YOUNGNUDY He is charismatic and hilarious.” he wrote. You can view the preview to the first episode above and hear the full audio on TIDAL here.
-
Pages