Def Jam Fallout Sparked by Uncensored Bars Leads Duo to Roc Nation
Clipse have teased a powerful guest verse from Kendrick Lamar on their upcoming track “Chains & Whips,” set to appear on their reunion album Let God Sort Em Out. Previewed during a rooftop session with Pharrell Williams, the snippet features Kendrick taking aim at the current state of Hip Hop: “Let’s be clear, Hip Hop died again / Half of my profits may go to Rakim / How many Judases done let me down? / But fuck it, the West mine’s, we right now.”
The verse reportedly sparked major conflict with Def Jam. In an interview with GQ, Pusha T revealed the label demanded Lamar’s lyrics be censored or removed entirely — a demand Clipse refused to meet. “They wanted me to ask Kendrick to censor his verse, which of course I was never doing,” Pusha said.
The situation ultimately led to Clipse buying themselves out of their contract. Their manager, Steven Victor, confirmed the duo paid a seven-figure sum to retain full creative control. “They bought themselves out of the deal,” he told Billboard.
Now signed to Roc Nation, Clipse are gearing up to release what’s shaping up to be one of the most politically charged and anticipated albums of the year.