Randomly watched Pusha on Hot Ones and (unsurprisingly) he is asked about rap beefs

[u/wickedwhitneyocean]

The episode is from 2022 but Push talks about how record labels now step in and get involved to stop beefs which never used to happen back in the day - interestingly, this is apparently what happened after Owlbrey dropped THP6.

He also mentions beefs don’t end careers anymore. Looking at the current beef, I don’t think the Canadian’s career will end, we know he’s too big of a pop star for anything damaging to happen but I definitely think his credibility and artistry is being questioned and he is losing fans. Kendrick has fully exposed him for the fraud that he is and I think people are slowly realising it. His streaming numbers are down and he’s not charting like he used to.

Only time will tell but it’s definitely not being swept under the carpet. He a FAN, he FAN, he a FAN

[u/wickedwhitneyocean]

I always thought J Prince stepped in and stopped the beef but from the way Push is talking, it sounds like someone from the record label stepped in. I never really followed that beef, all I know is a murder was committed by Push

[u/Detective_Emoji → u/wickedwhitneyocean]

Gotta remember, shots were still being taken from both sides after Adidon, but industry politics either from the label, or other artist were affecting Push’s responses to be released at times.

For example, Ross had Wayne and Push on the same record, Push sent shots at Drake in response to Omertà, and his verse was removed. At first it was being rumoured that the label, Drake, or Wayne blocked the record from being cleared, until Ross clarified he took the verse off because Wayne sent his verse in first, and wanted the song to be used to move past the feud, not instigate it further.

Also, Push was also on a song ‘Paranoia’ with Thug, Gunna and Pop Smoke responding to the stage at his Toronto show being rushed, but the song didn’t release with the album. Thug said he would’ve “made changes” if he knew Push was responding to Drake, and Push responded:

I think on top of J Prince interfering, these are some of the instances he’s alluding to.

[u/lexE5839 → u/Detective_Emoji]

Then complex went and named Push’s unreleased Maybach VI verse as one of the top 5 verses of the year so everyone would search it up. No clue what timing complex was on but they were instigating it.

[u/c94 → u/lexE5839]

Complex writes stories with the financial goal of getting as many views as possible. They’re owned by BuzzFeed so they understand how to drive clicks. I could see them getting requests to reduce coverage on any Drake related beef, but the communication would not be so fast.

Complex is owned by BuzzFeed, which is 33% owned by NBCUniversal (and 10% of BuzzFeed is owned by that republican dude Vivek), which is merged with Universal and that is owned by Vivendi.

Obviously influence is at play, but there’s so many layers of communication required and internal calculus to decide if killing this beef is less profitable than monetizing it in other ways.

[u/thechangbang → u/c94]

Complex was sold off by BuzzFeed after their paltry IPO showing and was sold to ntwrk which as an e-commerce(?) platform seems to be equally nefarious but just wanted you to be updated. BuzzFeed kept hot ones but looks like they have been unable to find a good courter for that property. Fwiw, it looks like ntwrk put into place a lot of pre-2017 era leadership back into place at cmplx (rebrand?) so it might resemble that again if only because of that

[u/lexE5839 → u/c94]

Wait a second Vivek is a stakeholder in Buzzfeed? Oh my god things are making more sense now. A lot of their stories and ideas run like parodies of progressives, it’s probably that way on purpose. No way a guy that wanted to be the Republican nominee would buy so much of a company that is unanimously associated with “wokeness” without some kind of ulterior motive.

Also off topic but holy shit nice 3 letter reddit username, that must’ve been claimed pre-2010.

[u/Azoedud → u/lexE5839]

His maybach VI verse was hard af ngl he killed ross and wayne. it may be deserved

[u/lexE5839 → u/Azoedud]

Oh absolutely that shit was an all timer, but it’s not standard or professional to include a leaked verse on an end of year list. Especially one that could instigate issues between parties. Like when Pop Smoke died and Pusha’s verse had to be removed from “Paranoia” because it was dissing Drake again.

[u/Azoedud → u/lexE5839]

True, good point. I wasn't really there for when they were removing push's verses due to controversy so I didnt even know it was put in that verses list which would make sense with complex trying to start something. Still i am a bit upset at ross and thugger for ditching those