A public feud has erupted between hip-hop legends Pete Rock and MC Shan over a sampling dispute involving Shan’s iconic 1986 track, “The Bridge.” The conflict centers on Pete Rock and Common’s sample use in their song Wise Up from their collaborative album, The Auditorium Vol. 1.
Initially, Shan appeared supportive of the homage, even sharing a celebratory Instagram post in May, expressing gratitude for the recognition and mentioning he had received compensation. However, the tone shifted dramatically over the weekend when Shan took to Instagram, claiming he had not been properly paid for the sample.
He alleged that, as the owner of “The Bridge“’s publishing rights, the infringement extended beyond the use of his voice and music. Threatening legal action, Shan declared, “I own the publishing, so this is bigger than just a beat. It’s about business, not homage.”
Shan’s posts escalated with accusations that Pete Rock had sampled his work multiple times over the years without proper authorization. He expressed frustration, stating, “I’m not here for internet games. Honorable men admit mistakes and fix them.”
Despite his harsh words, Shan clarified he harbored no personal animosity toward Pete Rock. “I love you, Pete. Your contributions to hip-hop are undeniable, and nothing can overshadow that. This isn’t about disrespect—it’s about justice.”
Pete Rock responded with his own Instagram post, expressing confusion and disappointment over the allegations. Referencing Shan’s initial approval of the sample, Pete shared a screenshot of Shan’s earlier post, asking, “Which is it, bro? You were happy before, and now this?” He emphasized that he and Common had ensured proper procedures were followed, saying, “We honored you and did the right thing. This was about paying homage to a record that inspired us.”
Pete Rock also voiced frustration with the public nature of the dispute, urging Shan to resolve the matter privately. “Let’s not do this to each other. I respect you too much for this back-and-forth. We’re both pillars of this culture.”
Although tensions remain high, Shan’s closing remarks struck a conciliatory tone. He reiterated his respect for Pete Rock while emphasizing his determination to resolve the issue. “This isn’t about anger or hate. I’ve grown past that. I just want what’s fair. Thank you for your time, Pete.”
The dispute underscores the complexities of sampling in hip-hop, where artistic inspiration and business interests often collide. Fans hope the two legends can find common ground, preserving the respect they have for each other and the culture they helped shape.
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