Idols Become Rivals

Album: Rather You Than Me (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Rick Ross takes aim at Birdman throughout this diss track attacking the Cash Money boss for shady business practices and how he's treated Lil Wayne over the years. The pair were once close, however by late 2015, Rozay was saying they no longer had a relationship because of Birdman's treatment of Wayne.

    Speaking to Billboard magazine, Ross explained his motivations for the track. "It's basically me writing a letter to someone in the game that I looked up to damn near the most and I hate what things have come to," he said.
  • Birdman and Lil Wayne have been involved in a very public beef for several years. The New Orleans rapper even released an album Free Weezy in which he expressed his wish to be released from his contract with Cash Money Records. At the time of the release of this song, Wayne was seeking over $50 million from Birdman in a lawsuit. Ross raps in the third verse:

    I pray you find the kindness in your heart for Wayne
    His entire life, he gave you what there was to gain
    I watched this whole debacle so I'm part to blame
    Last request, can all producers please get paid


    Ross explained the track in an Instagram caption: "The Level of respect and Love that I have for WAYNE makes it hard to sit back and not speak on the situation. The streets need you. Being a Boss means having the courage to say the things everybody thinking but scared to say."

    Wayne reposted the image, writing, "dam big bro that msg hit me in the heart and put the motivation on automatik start. I needed that. 1 boss 2 another."
  • The song kicks off with a Chris Rock skit.
  • This samples the song "Agua De Dos Ríos" by Camilo Sesto, which Jay Z previously borrowed for the closing track of his The Dynasty: Roc La Familia album, "Where Have You Been."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.