S. Samuel
While the release of Kanye West and Jay-Z's "H.A.M." single received mixed reviews yesterday, new reports suggest that the track contains a subliminal message directed at Lil Wayne and Baby.
According to an analysis published by Forbes, Jay intentionally called out the Cash Money Records artists.
“Really, you got baby money.” The line is a double entendre meant both as a general reference to the small amount of money that other rappers have in comparison to Jay-Z, and as a specific reference to the wealth of rapper Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter, also known as “Weezy Baby,” and fellow New Orleans rapper and record executive Brian “Birdman” Williams, also known as “Baby.” The latter recently claimed the former had more money than Jay-Z, which is, well, simply not true. Jay-Z earned $63 million dollars last year, tops on our list of hip-hop’s top earners, while Lil Wayne banked $20 million. Birdman did not make the list. Perhaps the best line on Jay-Z’s new track is a verifiable and, one might say progressive, boast: “(You) ain’t got my lady’s money!” Indeed, Beyonce took in a whopping $87 million by our last annual count, more than any rapper — and more than Jay-Z and Lil Wayne combined. (Forbes)
In October 2009, Baby explained why he felt Wayne outshined Jay and made more money than him.
“Well I feel like, as far as number one to me, that don’t really matter, it’s about who makes the most money and do the most,” Baby explained in an interview. “I think my son do the most, rap the most, he do the most shows, we do the most so if we do the most, how could you be number one if you ain’t making the most? No, no, [beef]. Nothing personal, they just asked me my opinon and that was my opinion. I think we do the most and make the most, so if you don’t like it, that’s on you. I can’t see past Wayne, so I can’t see Jay-Z.” (“106 & Park”)
According to the “Birdman,” a #1 “hot” artist should be based on selling ability.
“I don’t think he a number one emcee in no kinda way,” Baby said in an interview. “Wayne the best he do the most and he make the most money. I dont think no n*gga in the business make more money than us. How could you be the best if you don’t make the best money, the most money and you don’t do the most. Lyrically, come on man, be for real man, can’t nobody f*ck with Wayne. And to me, if you number one and you aint getting no money it don’t mean nothing. Who’s making the most money. That’s number one to me. F*ck all that rap sh*t. Sh*t, y’all got cold rappers you never even heard and then you got n*ggas who really can’t rap and making money. It’s about who’s making the most money to me. I don’t give a f*ck about the rest of that sh*t.” (Tropical TV)
In January 2010, Jay later addressed the comments and challenged Baby to put his money where his mouth is.
“Being lyrical is just a matter of opinion, it’s who you like, so you know that’s his opinion,” Hov said about Birdman’s comments. “As far as money, you know, that’s a little more factual. We can determine that. It’s gonna cost [to see my bank account]. Put it up, if he’s that confident, I’ll give him a little glimpse. It’s crazy. Knock it off, but as far as being lyrical, that’s for the viewers, that’s everybody. I respect that, that’s his guy, so he’s supposed to roll with his guy. I don’t have no problems with that. I don’t have problems with anybody, I want this to be my most positive year. I don’t want no problems.” (Hot 97)
Check out “H.A.M.” below:
