With Jay-Z in the midst of a lyrical and very public battle with rapping peer, The Game, he has also found himself the subject of criticism from someone closer to home. Former friend and self-proclaimed mentor to Hov, De-Haven, recently put out a song criticizing the successful Hip Hop entrepreneur for what he claims is a lack of appreciation for those who helped him come up.
Having grown up together in Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects, the two became close friends, according to De-Haven who also said he was one of the biggest supporters of Jay’s music career before the days of Reasonable Doubt. However, the bond they shared disintegrated after De-Haven served a five-year jail term and came home to a family unit that did not include Jay-Z.
In an interview with HipHopDX in January, De-Haven expressed regrets that he and Jay drifted apart, and also some resentment at what he suggests is Jay’s ungratefulness.
“When we were livin’ in Jersey,” he told DX, “Jay-Z was known as my little brother. Nobody could tell me that they were nicer than my little brother, as far as rhyme skills–that was impossible. Whoever was the nicest in their hood, I would say, ‘Let me go get my little brother. I’ll be right back.’ Jay-Z would come out and destroy them.”
Prior to the interview, De-Haven took to Youtube, harshly criticizing the rapper for actions he believes were “unloyal.” Jay fired back in American Gangster’s “No Hook,” in which he implied that his former friend cooperated with Federal agents. “Fuck De-Haven for cavin’ that’s why we don’t speak,” Jay rapped. “Made men ain’t supposed to make statements. End of the story, I followed the code, cracked the safe. Other niggas ain’t in the game so they practice that. Leave that boy Hov alone, why don’t ya.”
Although De-Haven told DX that he would be willing to patch things up with Jay-Z in 2007, his recent diss suggests that attempts at becoming friends again have failed.
“Foul shit you do, the truth you can’t hold back. My dude gave you credit, pay that man what you owe, black,” De-Haven says in the song that also mentions Beyonce, as well as Jay’s lack of street credibility.
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