“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” Rapper Reacts To Freddie Gibbs’ Reality TV Comments

Written By S. Samuel

After Midwest rapper Freddie Gibbs scolded hip-hop artists for cashing in on reality television shows, SOHH spoke to "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" cast member Benzino for his reaction.

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While he understands Gibbs’ stance, Zino said reality television has become a part of hip-hop culture.

“I read that,” Zino told SOHH referring to Gibbs comments. “I definitely listen to Freddie’s joints, he’s definitely got some hot stuff but I think nowadays, as far as with going with social media and reality TV, it’s just now added to the whole format of hip-hop. If you look at how it was before, it was really just popular music on the radio. As far as television shows, radio, awards shows, hip-hop has evolved in a lot of places. I think reality TV is just another part of it. It’s basically showing what you got and showing your stuff, it’s just another format, that’s all. He’s definitely entitled to his opinion as far as how he feels and what he thinks rappers should do but at the end of the day, he’s got to do him and everybody else has to do them. That’s what’s so beautiful about hip-hop. It’s like being in America because you can basically do what you want to do and how you want to do it.” (SOHH)

Zino also explained why his maturity and lifestyle changes are a key reason he cannot force himself to paint a false image of himself.

“I think a lot of people will agree it’s a format that can definitely get you heard and seen on a higher level,” Zino added. “We’re all from the street. We all come from nothing so as far as having to go out there and actually engage in criminal activities in order to be seen as a gansta rapper, I hope all of my criminal activity is behind me. I don’t even want to go down that route anymore. I’ve got three kids to raise. So I can go down that route of what I was talking about when I was doing music with the Made Men or The Almighty RSO, it’s changed. I’m trying to get away from that. I have no problems with saying that. As far as the street stuff goes and the criminal activity I was doing ten years ago, I am definitely a different person. So I’m not trying to go down that same route so of course my music is going to project that.” (SOHH)

Earlier this week, Gibbs shared his opinion on hip-hop artists taking on reality television.

“I think that’s wack. I think you weak if you’re on a reality show, really,” Gibbs said when asked for his take on rappers landing starring roles in reality television shows. “You know what I mean? I think you should just do your music and do your thing and if you’re mad at me saying that, come see me.” (WGCI)

Last summer, fellow Atlanta rapper and “Love & Hip Hop” cast member Lil Scrappy spoke to SOHH about hip-hop artists swaying away from the reality television trend.

“I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t think [it’s rappers being less] camera shy, I just think there’s certain people that let it be known they are super thugs and they are super human and if they were to let people into their life and have them find out that they weren’t super, that they just like them, they probably wouldn’t feel them as much. Whatever they would try to put out there [on store shelves] wouldn’t work, you feel me? Only certain people can be loved for being real. Sometimes people are a little too real, get carried away and so you wouldn’t know.” (SOHH)

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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