Seems like BET is not looking to take the burden of the backlash regarding Lil Wayne and Drake’s performance at the 2009 BET Awards that aired live last Sunday (06.28).
The performance that included vulgar language and preteen girls dancing and singing to the rapper’s lyrics on stage and on camera, has been at the forefront of a lot of criticism from the show’s viewers and even celebrities. Both Drake and Lil Wayne performed their hit single’s “Best I Ever Had” and “Every Girl”, songs that have strong sexual references.
According to All Hip Hop, a representative from the BET network contacted them to release an exclusive statement denouncing Lil Wayne’s performance and basically reaffirming that the network had nothing to do with it whatsoever.
BET Networks deeply regrets the performance by Young Money at the BET AWARDS ’09 (featuring Lil Wayne, Drake, Gudda Gudda and Mack Maine). Elements of the performance were unplanned and should not have happened.
In response to the large number of open letters sent to the network to show their discontent with Lil Wayne and Drake’s performance, representatives from the network have confirmed that they will be editing out Drake and Lil Wayne’s performance so that it will not air on the re-run’s of the award show. ( view video here )
The performance, put together prior to the shocking death and subsequent tribute to Michael Jackson, became a subject of much scrutiny — mainly aimed at BET earlier this week.
The scrutiny, due to the fact that Lil Wayne’s daughter and other teenage girls were on stage while the rapper was using immense profanity and sexually tinged lyrics, has now been addressed in Drake’s fresh interview with Complex Magazine.
In his sit down with Complex, Drake takes on the backlash, stating:
“That, actually—to be honest—was a terrible idea that I’ll never do to myself again. But I was being pressed from different areas to perform, and I think what really happened at the BET Awards is with the passing of Mike, the climate really changed, as far as the award show goes. I don’t think it called for us to perform “Every Girl” and “Always Strapped,” and I think it was an award show filled with tributes and music and these genuine heartfelt speeches. And to sort of climax out of a very tongue-in-cheek point, and then people misconstruing Wayne’s daughters and her friends coming out on stage.”
While addressing the BET performance, Drake also confirms that he did indeed injure himself and was thus sitting on the stool for that reason alone. But it is Drake’s response to a question that involves BET’s planning (Watching it at home, the BET Awards seemed to be a mess. Did it seem that way in person?) that is most interesting:
“Well, I can only speak for my portion of it. I had asked for something very specific for my performance and none of those were met, as far as production value, so… I understood my situation, as far as sitting in one place, and figured there was a way to make it interesting. But when I looked around and noticed that none of that was going on, I kind of just realized that it was going to be a loss for me. But at the end of the day, it is what it is.”
For any parents and other viewers offended by the performance, Drake says “To anyone who was offended, my personal apologies, it wasn’t intended to offend anybody.”
Source: Sohh
In just the past two weeks:
June 6: Drake’s managers say they plan to sue Canadian Money Entertainment for selling an unauthorized album, The Girls Love Drake, which features selections from So Far Gone.
June 7: His unscheduled cameo at Hot 97 FM’s annual summer concert at Giants Stadium is thunderously received. It’s considered an anointing by the Big Apple’s hip-hop cognoscenti.
June 10: At the Black Eyed Peas’ CD release party in NYC, Drake is photographed with singer Rihanna, fuelling rumours that they’re an item. He has said they are friends, collaborating on her next album.
June 14: Kanye West directs the video for Drake’s “Best I Ever Had.” Jay-Z and Common are spotted on the New York set.
June 15: It’s announced that Drake is going back on tour with Lil Wayne (the pair hit the Molson Amphitheatre Aug. 4), and will appear on the lead single for Jay-Z’s forthcoming album. The same day, he performs on The Tonight Show alongside Jamie Foxx.
June 16: Complex magazine nominates So Far Gone the third best album so far of 2009.
June 18: Drake is named as an MMVA presenter.
Read the rest of the article here
He is arguably the most talked about up-and-coming artist since Kanye West and 50 Cent and he is focused on making the best music with the best people. “Everybody is looking for this one joint with me and Jay, so that needs to happen,” Drake says.
Although Drake continues to build his rep, he says the one person he seeks advice from is Lil Wayne, the head of his Young Money crew.
“Wayne is another one that — rap-wise, verse-wise — was my favorite,” he said. “And to be under his wing, to be able to interact with him on a daily basis and talk to him and get information from him — I’m in a blessed position. I have the greatest mentors, the greatest teachers in the world. They all have gradually started to embrace me more and more, so it’s a great feeling.”
In related news, Drake is rumored to be in the middle of big bidding war as he is currently not signed to a major label. Although its believed that Drake will probably sign with Universal due to their relationship with his Young Money crew, sources have told news outlets that three majors are in possibly “one of the biggest bidding wars ever.” It is rumored that an undisclosed company has offered Drake $2 million to join their ranks.
Source: Rap Basement
Young Money Ent Affiliate Drake couldn’t feel better. He has one of the biggest buzzes in the music biz and only just started working on his debut LP. Drizzy loves the accolades from fans and especially from his camp, Young Money. He says he’s “blessed” to have the support of Lil Wayne.
“Wayne is another one that — rap-wise, verse-wise — was my favorite,” he told us. “And to be under his wing, to be able to interact with him on a daily basis and talk to him and get information from him, I’m in a blessed position. I have the greatest mentors, the greatest teachers in the world. They all have gradually started to embrace me more and more, so it’s a great feeling.” …
( source )
