I’ve lost a lot of the enthusiasm I once had for being in the industry. I don’t even see myself as part of it anymore. I’m not an industry artist; I’m just an artist who happens to be in the industry.
With all the recent drama surrounding Diddy and Cassie’s lawsuit, and more people coming forward with their own stories about Diddy and his circle, it’s getting pretty wild. Jay-Z’s name keeps popping up in all of this. Even 50 Cent mentioned that Jay is keeping a low profile until things settle down, probably trying to stay out of the spotlight.
Now, DMX’s old videos are making the rounds on Twitter. DMX, who was never shy about calling out the dark side of Hollywood, had some serious warnings about Diddy and Jay-Z.
He said, “If you’re thinking about getting into rapping or singing, just stay away from the game. Check out my song ‘The Industry’—it really spells out what it’s all about.”
DMX also pointed out, “I see what’s really going on. You’re trying to get rid of the competition. First, you retire, MH. Then you get me dropped from the label. And now you’re back rapping? It’s whatever.”
DMX once claimed that Diddy was notorious for taking advantage of his artists. According to DMX, Diddy would put them in flashy suits, have them write lyrics for him, and then claim all their publishing rights. DMX didn’t hold back in his criticism of Jay-Z either, accusing him of mingling with shady figures who pull the strings behind the scenes in the music industry.
There was a notable incident where Puff Daddy told Craig M that if he didn’t switch management, he’d no longer support him. Craig wasn’t willing to make that change, and Puff made it clear he was done with him. I was actually there when Puff said that.
It makes you wonder what DMX saw behind the scenes that left him so disillusioned with the industry. He expressed a strong sense of disconnection, saying that while he was an artist, he wasn’t really part of the industry’s game anymore.
Diddy’s reputation has been in turmoil with ongoing allegations, lawsuits, and arrests. It seems like his troubles are only getting worse, and now Jay-Z is facing his share of criticism too.
In a recent interview, DMX didn’t hold back. He talked about how Diddy manipulated his artists, bending them to his will and taking advantage of their talents. DMX shared that even though he brought The Lox into the spotlight, their experience with Diddy was a mixed bag. Initially excited about the deal, The Lox soon found themselves in flashy outfits, forced to write lyrics for Diddy, and losing control of their own publishing rights. They regretted their decision to sign with him.
Diddy even tried to pitch DMX by comparing him to big names like Ghostface Killah and The Notorious B.I.G., suggesting that if The Lox liked him, they’d love DMX even more.
Some fans took DMX’s comments as a dig at Diddy, suggesting he was just a knockoff, while others think he meant it more literally. With the recent allegations swirling, the idea that Diddy might have mistreated his artists doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
In another interview, DMX shared how Diddy first turned him down for a Bad Boy Records deal. But as soon as Diddy found out about Def Jam’s offer, he flipped his approach, practically begging DMX to join him instead. By then, DMX had already seen enough of the shady dealings at Bad Boy and wasn’t about to sell out.
“Three weeks after I signed with Def Jam, Puff’s calling me up, offering to double what they gave me and fill my pockets. I’m like, ‘Nah, I’m good.’”
The relationship between Jay-Z and DMX has always been a bit tangled. They both emerged in the late ’90s, and while they seemed to get along at times, things quickly soured. Jay-Z did pay tribute to DMX after his death, but there’s a lingering sense that their history was more complicated.
DMX allegedly felt that Jay-Z was the kind of guy who didn’t want anyone outshining him, fearing competition. DMX even accused Jay-Z of becoming president of Def Jam just to mess with his sixth album and damage his career. Jay-Z never acknowledged these claims, but it got even stranger after DMX passed away on April 19, 2021. Jay-Z appeared on LeBron James’s show “The Shop” and talked about DMX’s legacy. He mentioned that he had boycotted his first Grammy win in DMX’s honor and spoke about the respect he had for him, despite their competitive edge.
“Thinking about what he meant to the culture and to me personally brings back a strong memory. The first time I decided to boycott the Grammys was because of him. That year, both of us were new on the scene, and despite dropping two albums that both hit number one, he didn’t even get a nomination. I won my first Grammy for Rap Album that year, but I wasn’t even there to accept it because I chose to boycott.”
When Jay-Z took over as president of Def Jam, things seemed to shift for DMX. DMX had been the biggest star at Def Jam, churning out hit after hit from ’98 to ’03, with five number-one albums in a row. You’d think that kind of success would earn him some respect, but DMX felt that Jay-Z tried to undermine him. According to DMX, Jay-Z messed with the release of his sixth album, “Year of the Dog,” which felt like a sabotage move.