New York State Senator Malcolm Smith has reportedly lashed out at comments made by Lil Wayne, which revealed his dislike of the Big Apple, and has demanded an apology from the Young Money boss.
According to reports, Smith held a press conference Wednesday (August 22) in New York’s Time Square area to address Wayne’s remarks.
N.Y. State Sen. Malcolm Smith is demanding an apology from Lil Wayne. “New York City is the birthplace of the Hip Hop music movement,” Smith said in a statement Wednesday. “Millions of New Yorkers listen to his music every day. His comments outraged his local fans and residents.” (Syracuse)
Additional reporting claims he referenced multiple New York music icons like Jay-Z.
“I love this city. I was born and raised in this city,” Smith said during his speech. “You should also know, anecdotal or not, that he insulted the memory of Frank Sinatra and he has also insulted Jay-Z–who both have made endearing songs about New York.” He added, “I want to believe that he had a lapse in mental judgment for some strange reason. And I hope he thinks about it.” Although Smith understands the motivation behind Wayne’s dislike for the city, he proposed that the Young Money boss apologize to the 50 million tourists who come every year and the eight million people who live in the city. He believes an apology would settle things and be a great lift for hip-hop and NYC. “I hope he responds,” Smith continued. “I hope that Nicki Minaj, who lives in the area that I represent, will whisper in his ear, ‘You need to make the call and put this to bed.'” (Complex)
Wayne’s remarks spread across the Internet early Wednesday.
Lil Wayne has never been shy about expressing his disdain for New York, but that didn’t stop Tunechi from rolling through the Roseland Ballroom to rock the stage with Nicki Minaj. “Flat out: I don’t like New York,” Weezy told MTV News on Monday night while in Las Vegas to introduce his new line of sneakers with Supra. Wayne’s distaste for the Big Apple performances is understandable, considering it was his 2007 gun arrest after a NYC show that led to his 2010 incarceration. “You’re not supposed to leave it at, ‘Everything happens for a reason,’ ” Wayne said of how the failed Summer Jam set turned into a blessing in disguise. “I believe everything happens for a reason and then you make the most of that reason. I think we made the most of it last week.” (MTV)
Prior to joining the Houston Rockets this off-season, Weezy revealed he disliked former New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin.
“Jeremy Lin has been added to Rising Stars Challenge game for All-Star Weekend after recent Lin craze,” Weezy said, reading from a report. “Now, everyone got the Lin fever and everybody doing the Lin — I don’t, I’m trying to figure out what I call him. Well, he beat my Lakers. So ever since that game, I hate him. So I call him Lin Laden. Yeah, that’s what I call him. Lin Laden. Trend that. That’s what y’all need to start calling him. Lin Laden. But for tonight, Lin Laden was defeated by the Hornets. So seems like Lin couldn’t beat New Or-Lins. Ha! Score for me.” (Weezy’s Sports Center)
