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

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."