By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Lil Wayne angered many in the black community when he made a sexual reference in the remix to Future’s “Karate Chop” that involved the brutal beating and murder of Emmett Till. Although the Till family reached out to Weezy months ago and asked him to apologize, the rapper refused and went silent on the subject. Interestingly enough, he did apologize for his rant against the city of Miami and Miami Heat star LeBron James. As a result of his refusal to issue an apology, the Till family decided to target his endorsement with Mountain Dew. We’re assuming that was the “wake up” call the star needed because he has now issued a formal apology to the family in the form of a letter. He writes:
Dear Till Family:
As a recording artist, I have always been interested in word play. My lyrics often reference people, places and events in my music, as well as the music that I create for or alongside other artists.
It has come to my attention that lyrics from my contribution to a fellow artist’s song has deeply offended your family. As a father myself, I cannot imagine the pain that your family has had to endure. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge your hurt, as well as the letter you sent to me via your attorneys.
Moving forward, I will not use or reference Emmett Till or the Till family in my music, especially in an inappropriate manner. I fully support Epic Record’s decision to take down the unauthorized version of the song and to not include the reference in the version that went to retail. I will not be performing the lyrics that contain that reference live and have removed them from my catalogue.
I have tremendous respect for those who paved the way for the liberty and opportunities that African-Americans currently enjoy. As a business owner who employs several African-American employees and gives philanthropically to organizations that help youth to pursue their dreams my ultimate intention is to uplift rather than degrade our community.
Best,
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.
Lil Wayne
TYPICAL (C)RAP DUMB-A**!!!!!!!!
F-ck this gremlin. His publicist wrote this BS. So he still hasn’t apologized.
THIS.
Mountain Dew must’ve been shook by the Emmit Till Foundation and told Weezy to apologize or end up like Rick Ross.
Too little too late! He should have never rapped what he did. He won’t get any money out of me ever again.
The mere fact that it took the possibility of losing money to make him “apologize” about something that offended his own people is why I can’t support him.
cosign!!!!
Agreed. But I was already done after all those shots he took at dark skinned women…
I know thats right….Light maybe right but I am Brown and all the way round!
I agree with you boo!!!
THANK YOU.
This doesn’t even sound like something he wrote. Weezy is very prideful. I don’t think he’s sorry. Most likely his PR person wrote this for him.
Man, are you serious? We’re supposed to believe he is sorry and actually wrote this? Please. And he has the nerve to call himself the new Tupac. Well Tupac LOVED black people and was very active in the community. He would have buried Lil Wayne for those lyrics. He’s dead to me.
Lil Wayne is an embarrassment to all black people. Any black person that still supports him is a mockery of the entire race as well.
He didn’t write this…
I’m waiting for this self hating coon to attack and disrespect another race. He’s already disrespected black women, made fools out of black men, and now he’s mocked one of our civil rights icons. However, he’s never had the courage to disrespect another race (especially not whites). I’m convinced he hates black people.
What a bunch of BS.
Like myself maybe he didnt know the background of Emmett Till, so I had to educate myself on this. However, I dont think he issued that apology!
Self hate is a b-tch. I’m just thankful there’s still some intelligent rappers left. Kendrick, Nas, Common, etc.
I hope this makes these young kids Google and learn about who Emmett Till was and his story. Maybe something good can come from the negativity, I’m hoping for that.
This selfish fool did not write this!
So why did he only apologize now?Cuz he is afraid that he will end up like Ross…..I don’t belive for one second that he regrets what he did…..This Gremelin can go and disapere……
WHATEVA L’il Weasel!! If he was really sincere about this so called “apology,” he would have done it a long time ago when he first received the letter from the family! The fact that it took the threat of him losing money to make a move is showing us his REAL heart! He is seriously delusional if he thinks he’s “the new Pac!!” Tupac must be rolling over a thousand times in his resting place at that INSULT!! If he were alive he would have chewed that gremlin up & spit him out for his constant putting down of beautiful chocolate women! The black community REALLY needs to boycott this simpleton..he’s such a disgrace!
Lol….the apology that doesn’t say “I’m sorry” or “I appoligise”. Horrible. It’s a joke.