BLEU has responded to backlash for sampling DMX’s 1998 classic “How’s it Going’ Down” for his song “What Type of Games,” which landed on the singer-rapper’s new album TANTRA.
The Alabama native clarified that it was all love between him and the late Ruff Ryders legend as they linked up shortly before X’s April 2021 death and were even supposed to collaborate on Moon Boy’s “Ghetto Love Birds” last year.
“I understand that’s such a great song and it will never be duplicated no Matter what by any artist ! Classic,” BLEU wrote on Twitter on Sunday (November 13). “I’m paying homage! and mainly bringing more income to his estate at that! that’s what matter to me long Live x we talked on the phone 2 weeks before his passing.”
He added: “Mane get off my dick.”
I understand that’s such a great song and it will never be duplicated no Matter what by any artist ! Classic ! I’m paying homage! and mainly bringing more income to his estate at that! that’s what matter to me long Live x we talked on the phone 2 weeks before his passing ?♂️
— Yung Bleu (@_YungBleu) November 14, 2022
Mane get off my dick
— Yung Bleu (@_YungBleu) November 14, 2022
A visual of the Murda Beatz-produced track paying homage to DMX is also slated to arrive on Monday (November 14) from BLEU.
“In forever tribute Rest in Peace DMX,” the clip’s opening statement reads.
Tomar ! Long Live X ?@DMX pic.twitter.com/CYKk9DuNXO
— Yung Bleu (@_YungBleu) November 14, 2022
The 27-year-old explained that X was supposed to be featured on “Ghetto Love Birds” off his debut album Moon Boy, which dropped last year, but he decided to go in a different direction to salute the iconic rapper.
“He was gonna be on my song Ghetto Love Birds, so this was my dedication after that! Anyways fly high OG! I hope this gets a billion streams,” he added on Twitter.
Shortly after DMX’s death, a distraught BLEU revealed that he may have gotten one of the final features from X.
“HOPE IT’S NOT TRUE!” Yung Bleu wrote in an Instagram post, which he later deleted. “I hope I don’t GOT one of the LAST DMX FEATUREs. I was gonna surprise the world with it on my album fuck. I don’t know if the news is true but I’m praying for you OG! Fuck the music! I’m praying for you as the person as the father as the legend! Damn man spoiled my whole mood.”
BLEU’s TANTRA album arrived on Friday (November 11) with features from Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, French Montana, Fivio Foreign, Ty Dolla $ign and more.