Young Guru Calls Out People Writing Hip Hop Books With "Wrong" History

BY Erika Marie 1430 Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
“The Loudness War Is Over (If You Want It)” Panel at AES
(Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for the Recording Academy)
He didn't say anyone's name specifically but that didn't stop people from giving their guesses.

It's been a longstanding game in Hip Hop to attribute just about any firsts to Soulja Boy. It isn't difficult to find videos or quotes from the rapper as he boasts about being the first to do this or that, and he isn't the only artist to make such assertions. Rap culture is filled with generations of artists who have staked their claim as the first to execute a certain trend, style, or sound, but Young Guru doesn't want people to conflate "first" with popularizing a moment.

The famed producer has been intimately involved in helping shape some of Hip Hop's greatest moments in music, so it isn't surprising that he would want to keep its history to be shared as truthfully as possible.

Pensado Awards 2015
(Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for Pensado Awards)

These days, it seems as if more artists are coming forward to share their stories in biographies, biopics, and memoirs. In a post penned on his Instagram Story, Guru issued a warning to people about their accounts as they revisit those memories.

"Please please be careful what you write in these books about hiphop," Guru wrote on his Instagram Story. "Use the correct words because our children are reading this and taking your word as the truth. And you are blatantly wrong!!!"

It is unclear what prompted this post but it didn't take long for social media users to fire off their guesses. Some suggested that Guru was referencing a specific artist with a flair for story-telling who may have exaggerated his or her influence.

Young Guru has been sharing a few Hip Hop history tales of his own in recent months. As he's revisited his days with Roc-a-Fella and spoken about Memphis Bleek passing on the production to Black Rob's "Whoa" classic as well as plans for Aaliyah to appear on the remix of "Roc the Mic."

Check out his post below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

Comments 0
Page was generated in 0.14779210090637