This weekend, it seemed like everyone had something to say about Iggy Azalea. From her longtime feud-instigator Azealia Banks to Lupe Fiasco to Q-Tip, rappers kept trying to teach the "Beg For It" rapper about cultural appropriation and hip-hop history. Now, Azalea's mentor T.I. is stepping in on Twitter to defend his protégé.
In a lengthy series of tweets late last night (Dec. 21), the "No Mediocre" rapper admitted that, yes, Q-Tip's tweets about the history of rap were true but that not all white people are just trying to steal black culture away. Instead, they just wish to contribute to a genre of music that they love.
"Yes @IGGYAZALEA @QtipTheAbstract all these facts are true. This is useful info to
absorb as U find yourself in da midst of several people who U may not share many things in common with besides #HipHop. Understanding the plight assists U in knowing how to accept,respect... & live in harmony even without a boatload of similarities," T.I. wrote.
He also elaborated on Q-Tip's points, claiming that while some want to just steal away black culture, other artists come along who just want to be a part of the game.
"Also what I think my big Bruh kinda left out is that OUR people (blacks in America,& HIPHOP) have had much less qualified White People come along & manipulate our culture for their own pers gain. This lead to an almost incoherent overly defensive, paranoid sense of... come along & manipulate our culture for their own pers gain," he said. "This lead to an almost incoherent overly defensive, paranoid sense of... gotta kiss our ass or we don't like em!!! "Dey shady!!!" (Lol No pun intended) But me knowing U,Eminem,and a handful of other... (just so happen to be) white people who were inspired by our culture allowed ME TO SEE, that not all white people out to steal our culture.."
There are some that merely wish to contribute to it. And I'd be less than ME if I didn't say that... If WE don't allow u guys the same...
— T.I. (@Tip) December 22, 2014
...rights & respect we KNOW WE DESERVE in other areas of humanity... WE'RE ALL JUST A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES. AND THATS NOT HIP HOP!!!! — T.I. (@Tip) December 22, 2014
So in a nutshell, absorb da info...apply it where most useful,and above all KEEP SHINING,FOLLOW YOUR HEART,& STAY TRUE TO WHO U ARE!!!
— T.I. (@Tip) December 22, 2014
I know u don't deserve all da negative shit that comes your way. But like I've told u before, it just kinda comes wit da territory... — T.I. (@Tip) December 22, 2014
when u gain so much positive attn SO FAST! It all balances out. I know u been broke,hungry& disgusted before,so I know u know just like I do
— T.I. (@Tip) December 22, 2014
It COULD BE A LOT WORSE. If dis all U gotta put up wit/sacrifice to earn our very above average lifestyles.... — T.I. (@Tip) December 22, 2014
Azalea, for her part, has largely kept quiet on Twitter, promoting her upcoming The Great Escape Tour.
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