S. Samuel
Slaughterhouse's Joell Ortiz has responded to criticism issued by former Terror Squad members Cuban Link and Tony Sunshine over his "Big Pun's Back" tribute record.
While he respects the ex-TS members, Ortiz said he did not feel obligated to receive any approval to put out the track.
“Once again, I was confused. When I speak on them, I speak a little different, because Cuban knows me,” Ortiz told radio host Funkmaster Flex Tuesday (June 14) night. “I had met Tony Sunshine before. It was a tribute, and it was a freestyle and it was in memory of a great rapper…Flex, I’m from Brooklyn. I don’t have to check in with anyone about anything. I did it for Big Pun to keep his legacy alive. That’s it. to be honest with you, I’m in September in my mind already. ‘Big Pun’s Back’ was recorded late April, early May, knowing that the Puerto Rican Day parade was coming up and knowing that his tribute and his legacy needed to stay alive. Who else but me? That’s how I felt. But I don’t gotta check in with anybody. About anything.” (Hot 97)
This week, Cuban Link came out and shared his opinion on the track.
“Only a few are chosen to touch certain things,” Cuban Link said in an interview. “And at the end of the day, I don’t feel that man was chosen to do it. He didn’t go through the right ways to touch that. That’s all. I mean, it’s no problems where there’s going to be extra sh*t. It’s just, it doesn’t sit right with me. But at the end of the day, it is what it is. It’s music. Pun was bigger than just our brother at the end of the day. So we just get a little tight when n*ggas do certain things but at the end of the day, I know they’re showing love. But I know the business too. I know n*ggas use that business sh*t sometimes to bring it back on themselves and put themselves on a higher level. I gotta talk to that brother because at the end of the day, I was a fan of his sh*t too — but it’s a little personal situation. We’ll leave it at that.” (Picture Perfect Dot Com)
Co-signing Cuban’s stance, Sunshine also felt Ortiz should have talked with Pun’s associates.
“He was beyond one of the best ever to touch the mic,” Tony Sunshine added. “I don’t think nobody could touch the mic like he did. [Joell Ortiz] is super incredible, I think he’s talented and like Cuban said, I’m just glad to see somebody’s trying to keep his name alive and rep his name but there’s just certain things you don’t do. You have to come to the table, to the family, of that man before you do certain things.” (Picture Perfect Dot Com)
Last week, Pun’s widow Liza Rios publicly called out Ortiz.
“A lot of people are asking how I feel bout Joell Ortiz BIG PUN is Back. Well it was a good attempt on Joell Ortiz part BUT a BIG PUN he will Never be! Found it a bit disrespectful that he would say he the next Christopher Lee Rios to say the least.. With no regard to Me and My family especially My Son PUN’S Only Son which should Be the ONLY one to Claim that BIG PUN is Back..” (Ms Drama TV)
Check out Cuban Link & Tony Sunshine’s interview below:
