In a recent conversation with NBA legend Jalen Rose, Birdman, the co-founder of Cash Money, voiced his frustration about the lack of acknowledgment for the South’s significant impact on Hip Hop. According to Birdman, the South has played a crucial role in keeping the genre alive, yet he believes it doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves.
“Hip Hop 50, right? I still say that they don’t compliment the South enough for me,” expressed Birdman. “The South paved a big wave of keeping Hip Hop alive. And I don’t think they compliment us enough.”
Birdman specifically highlighted Uncle Luke’s recent criticism of the 50th-anniversary celebrations of Hip Hop, where he noted the lack of representation for Florida artists. Uncle Luke, a member of the pioneering group 2 Live Crew, had taken issue with the oversight, emphasizing that Florida has historically been underappreciated in the hip-hop industry.
In response to Uncle Luke’s critique, Birdman showed solidarity, acknowledging Uncle Luke’s significant contributions to the genre. “Luke was around before we was around. That man was huge! And he played a big part of Hip Hop when nothing was popping,” said Birdman. He added, “The South doesn’t get the respect that we deserve. That’s just my opinion, and fuck who don’t like it.”
Uncle Luke, in a previous Instagram post, had urged hip-hop fans in Florida not to be upset about the lack of recognition during the 50th-anniversary celebrations. He highlighted the historical disregard for Florida hip-hop, noting that the industry has consistently overlooked and disrespected the region.
As Birdman and Uncle Luke assert the importance of acknowledging the South’s role in shaping hip-hop, their sentiments reflect a broader conversation within the industry about recognizing the diverse contributions and influences that have fueled the genre’s evolution. The ongoing struggle for respect and recognition for Southern hip-hop artists remains a prominent narrative, signaling the need for a more inclusive celebration of hip-hop’s rich history.