Kanye West continues to be a topic of conversation following his illuminating interview with Drink Champs‘ co-hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN.
After Ye referred to Just Blaze as a “copycat” for his work on JAY-Z’s 2001 album The Blueprint, the veteran producer was compelled to respond to his comments but did so with nothing but humility and grace. And now, JAY-Z has entered the chat.
On Friday (November 5), while discussing his new film The Harder They Fall via Twitter Live Chat, Hov addressed Kanye’s remarks and called them a “bit unfair.” After all, Just Blaze, Kanye, Timbaland, Bink!, Trackmasters and Eminem were among those who helped make the album a bona fide Hip Hop classic.
“If you’re making an album, if you’re creating an album and the assignment is soul samples, everyone’s coming with soul,” he said. “It’s not you trying to make a cohesive piece of music. I don’t think anyone was copying off anyone. You know Bink! has this problem and you know I think everyone created for the project.
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“But the thing was, the baby was The Blueprint and I think everyone should be prized for what we created. You know it’s in like — I don’t know what you call — at the Library of Congress or something. It’s like it’s something that we all should or you know their contribution.
JAY-Z added, “Everyone had a contribution I would say, and I don’t think anyone was copying off anyone. I think Bink! did what he did when he brought it to the table and you know, we all had the assignment and created this one body of work … Again, this is everyone’s opinion of what they believe is, you know, their truth. Everyone going to have a different truth.”
As for Bink!, the longtime beatmaker couldn’t have been happier about Kanye’s claims. Shortly after the interview arrived on Thursday (November 4), Bink! took to Instagram with a clip of the conversation.
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I’m a leave this rt here,” he wrote in the caption. “now call him bitter for telling the truth!! and yes to the guy in the background, I was super happy to hear this. GOOD MORNING…Ye and I crafted that album period! Ye brought his sound and I brought mine!!”
Just Blaze did admit he was let down by Kanye West’s recollection of the project but ultimately wished him nothing but the best.
“I’m only addressing this publicly because it was stated publicly,” he stated in his Instagram post. “I’m not here for mudslinging, I’m just a bit confused and disappointed. None of what was said tonight regarding me fits with any of our history or our previous interactions – particularly in light of very recent attempts to work together together. Through recent years he has reached out to collaborate on various projects, including a much rumored collaborative project that he was looking for me to handle a good amount of.”
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He concluded with,”Regarding that one comment: respectfully, I’m happy for him and the fact that he has succeeded in the ways he wanted to, but not everyone wants to be where he is,” he wrote. “Everyone’s definition of personal success if a bit different. I’m quite happy where I am creatively, with my family, and my life in general. We were a part of history together and I wish him well and continued success.”
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The Blueprint arrived on September 11, 2001, the same day as the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with over 427,000 copies sold in its first week.
