Fat Joe and Jadakiss are voicing their frustrations after BET confirmed main modifications to 2 of its most recognizable occasions. During an episode of their Joe and Jada podcast, the longtime buddies mentioned the community’s option to pause the BET Hip-Hop Awards and the Soul Train Awards, questioning what it means for Black tradition in leisure.

Fat Joe described the scenario bluntly. “This is a form of gentrification, what’s going on. I don’t know if you really want to ask me about this s**t,” he mentioned. Reflecting on BET’s historical past, he famous that it started as an area devoted to Black audiences earlier than being bought by founder Bob Johnson to Viacom Paramount. According to him, the shift in possession introduced quiet however constant workers cuts, particularly focusing on those that voiced considerations.

The Bronx rapper recalled engaged on the BET Hip-Hop Awards for 3 years and watching the occasion’s sources dwindle. “S**t was like the budget, not for me, but the budget just kept getting chopped and chopped and chopped.” He contrasted that with the manufacturing ranges on the Video Music Awards. “Last year, I debuted my single with [DJ] Khaled at the VMAs, and Katy Perry still flying through the air… They still got all the tricks. They still got the budgets. They got the s**t… They kept underfunding them… They ain’t had no bread.”

Jadakiss added, “They have bread for what they wanna have bread for,” suggesting the problem lies in priorities quite than functionality.

Earlier this week, BET CEO Scott Mills addressed the modifications, stating the awards are usually not canceled however might shift to a brand new house because the media atmosphere modifications. He emphasised that different packages just like the NAACP Image Awards and the Stellar Awards will proceed, whereas a group explores one of the best future for the Hip-Hop and Soul Train manufacturers.