Hammer is not among those who were happy with Kanye West’s latest G.O.O.D. Friday song “So Appalled.”
The former multi-platinum rap star retaliated against Jay-Z earlier today for what he deemed as unprovoked attacks against him on Kanye’s composition. In his verse, Jay-Z twice spoke on Hammer filing bankruptcy on the mid 90’s. The Roc Nation mogul compared that situation to himself, boasting that Hammer’s $30 million dollar earnings wouldn’t be enough to damage his financial standing.
“Show me where the boats is/Ferrari testarossas/And Hammer went broke so you know I’m more focused,” Jay rhymed. “I lost $30 mil so I spent another 30/’Cause unlike Hammer $30 million can’t hurt me!”
Hammer advised his fans on Twitter that Jay-Z now had his attention, and referred to the Brooklyn emcee as the fictional comic book demon Hellboy.
“You wanted my attention Hellboy (Jigga), you got it,” Hammer tweeted. “They worshipped the dragon which gave POWER to the beast, saying who is like the beast? Who is able to make WAR with him?”
The Oakland rapper also addressed Jay-Z fans who were defending the perceived diss. Hammer explained that only through demonic influences could a person celebrate Jay-Z’s financial achievements without having the means to take of themselves.
“These lil demons and Imps stopping by timeline today…Yes,I dissed yo’ Daddy,” Hammer countered. “The dude who made the Lucifer song….smh…Laughing at these grown men coming on my timeline with they pompoms waving for HellBoy(Jigga)…these dudes here reppin’ HellBoy but can’t buy they kids school clothes …talking bout HellBoy rich. How does that help you?”
Hammer ended the conversation with video of him working a punching bag, which alludes to the veteran emcee being ready for a lyrical battle. In the past, Hammer has launched diss records against Run DMC, A Tribe Called Quest, Eminem and Busta Rhymes.
At press time, Jay-Z has not commented on the matter.
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Not surprised by this in the slightest. As you can tell from my review, I thoroughly enjoyed “So Appalled.” But I knew Hammer would feel a little salty about how Jay simply dismissed his entire mid 90’s earnings as simply nothing.
I understand Hammer’s viewpoint. For all the potshots he gets, it was guys like him that opened up Hip-Hop’s commercial viability for endorsements and other forms of media. I remember being very young and watching Hammer commercials for British Knights sneakers (showing my age), Pepsi and KFC. And who could forget Hammer’s Saturday morning cartoon, Hammerman? These are things we take for granted now, but back in the early 90’s that was huge for Hip-Hop artists. Now well over a decade later, it’s not out of line for Hammer to view Jay-Z’s comments as blatant disrespect.
Jay-Z’s viewpoint is likely that he’s showing wisdom, in that he’s learned from the mistakes of those who came before him. Through his business savvy, he’s come to a point where what was considered outstanding financial wealth in the mid 90’s is now a mere drop in the bucket to him. Jay-Z without some cockiness and boasting isn’t Jay-Z, and while he’s not a random name-dropper like Game, he’ll reference other people to drive home a specific point or scenario (see the “Grammy Family/Most Kingz” freestyle for a good example).
So do we have a battle?
Highly unlikely. Emcees use Hammer as a punchline and then promptly ignore him when he responds. But like Wale and Kid Cudi, I seriously doubt it would be a battle anyone would care to hear.
Hammer “Full Blast (Eminem & Busta Rhymes Diss)”
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 