Here’s yet another example that there’s two sides to every story. OGs like 9th Wonder sided with Pete Rock when Lupe’s “T.R.O.Y.” sampling “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)” dropped earlier this week. After getting branded as a beat thief, Lupe tells his side of what happened. According to Lupe, he reached out to Pete back in November and got his blessing to rework the track.
The biggest thing that stuck out to me about this interview is when Lupe admitted that it was actually his team that reached out to Pete months ago, not himself. Their first conversation about the song was this week! I’m sure Lupe trusts his squad, but a lot can be lost in translation when you use middlemen, something he shouldn’t have done for such a risky move. Reworking “T.R.O.Y.” is like remaking “Mass Appeal” or “Nuthin’ But a G Thang.”
You decide who you believe. For now, Pete Rock has not released a response.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
cant listen to the interview atm, but by reading the article im thinking ‘hmmmmmmm’ lol i suspect that lupes camp may be telling ‘porky pies’ (lies) to him… i cant see pete rock lying about it… i would be pissed if i was in lupes shoes, i would kick some serious ass in my team… why would you wanna re make a classic like that anyway? unless your doing in to pay homage… lupes lost this one…