DJ Envy, a prominent figure in hip-hop, recently revealed a surprising detail about his past that adds a new layer to rap history. Known for his role as one of the hosts of The Breakfast Club and his commentary on radio, DJ Envy rose to prominence through the mixtape circuit and his ties to the golden age of hip-hop. However, his recent revelation about being the first New York DJ to play 2Pac's infamous diss track, "Hit 'Em Up," sheds light on his early career tactics and his approach to standing out in the competitive music scene.
In a recent interview with AllHipHop, DJ Envy disclosed his decision to spin "Hit 'Em Up" despite being aligned with Biggie and New York during the notorious East Coast-West Coast feud of the mid-1990s. He admitted that while others, including influential DJs like Kid Capri and DJ Clue, were hesitant to give 2Pac airtime, he saw an opportunity to differentiate himself. .
"I got that record first, and it was like I know a lot of DJs weren’t going to play it," he explained.Envy's decision was strategic. By leveraging the controversial track on his mixtapes and radio shows, he managed to attract attention, both positive and negative, which ultimately boosted his profile in the industry. Despite facing backlash from figures like Biggie and Puff Daddy, Envy saw it as a calculated risk to establish himself. "I was getting my foot in the door, and it was music. And that’s where it started," he reflected.
Interestingly, DJ Envy's promotion of the 2Pac-Biggie feud contrasts with his recent opinion on the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle, where he criticized the spreading of false information and expressed a preference for a traditional rap battle format.
This revelation adds a new dimension to DJ Envy's career trajectory and highlights the complex dynamics of the East Coast-West Coast rivalry that defined an era in hip-hop history.
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