Drink Champs co-hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN sat down with Mickey Factz, Blu and Asher Roth last month for another episode of the popular REVOLT podcast series.
As Factz was recalling a story about Joe Budden once getting knocked out by someone in Raekwon’s entourage, Noreaga referred to Wu-Tang affiliates Sunz of Man as “flunkies” as Factz and EFN laughed along. Needless to say, the comment didn’t sit well with Shyheim and Killarmy — who were also mentioned by name — and Sunz of Man.
Killarmy general 9th Prince told HipHopDX at the time, “None of Noreaga’s albums can compare to any of the Killarmy albums. Challenging any of my Wu-Tang Killa Beez brethren is like sliding down on a razor into a pool of alcohol.”
After promising to address the situation on Friday (August 27), N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN delivered — albeit around 12:30 a.m. ET on Saturday (August 28).
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“Every now and then, we might joke a little too much and might say something we wasn’t supposed to say, but our show is about giving flowers,” Noreaga begins. “And especially for people who came before as, while we was there and definitely after we was there. We’ve always been about that.”
Addressing the clip, EFN says, “As far as the word that was used, we take ownership. That should have never come out like that. That’s not what you meant.”
N.O.R.E. then talks about approaching Killah Priest and attempting to straighten things out prior to the on-air explanation.
“It was just used toward them [Sunz of Man],” he says. “I never even mentioned these other guys’ names. Not me. And when you mentioned these other guys’ names, you mentioned it in respect. When Mickey Factz mentioned the other guys’ names, I believe Killarmy, it was out of respect. We all about giving love, we all about giving flowers — not taking away flowers.”
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N.O.R.E. Sparks Beef With Wu-Tang Killa Beez Following 'Drink Champs' Diss
EFN adds, “We’ve had some conversations behind the scenes. One thing gotta to be clear — there was no disrespect intended. We wasn’t trying to tarnish anyone’s legacy.”
N.O.R.E. hops in with, “Especially to Wu-Tang or any Wu-Tang affiliates, but for us using that word, we are extremely wrong. I was extremely wrong. I was the one who used the word, so I’m going to take blame for that. It was extremely wrong … Sunz of Man, I personally reached out to Killah Priest and told him to spread that word.”
Speaking to Killah Priest, N.O.R.E. said he wants to “right his wrongs” by doing the public video. Killah Priest then reminds N.O.R.E. they just lost two members of the Brooklyn Zu — 12 O’Clock and Murdock — and Noreaga sent his blessings.
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“We fam forever,” he says. “We’ve always been fam. I’m not going to let 25 years go away because of one bad word that I used.”
Watch the full conversation above. The phone call starts around the 2:30-minute mark.
