Jay Z's Former Friend DeHaven Talks Rapper Calling Him A Snitch On "No Hook"

BY Erika Marie 15.1K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Brian Ach/Getty Images
Jay Z
He called the move a "death sentence."

There was a time, decades ago, when Jay Z and his good friend DeHaven Irby, were as thick as thieves. The pair grew up together in the Marcy Houses projects and looked out for one another, but DeHaven claims that when he caught a case from the feds, Jay Z disappeared. We recently reported on a portion of DeHaven's interview with Vlad TV where he speaks on feeling abandoned by Jay in his time of need. In another clip, DeHaven shares his thoughts on Jay's American Gangster track "No Hook" where he accuses DeHaven of being a "snitch."

"So f*ck DeHaven for caving, that's why we don't speak / Made men ain't supposed to make statements / End of the story, I followed the code, cracked the safe / Other n*ggas ain't in the game so they practice hate," Jay rapped on the song. Vlad outright asked DeHaven what led up to the scathing lyrics. DeHaven began by letting out a heavy sigh.

"That was about the YouTube," he said. "I did a YouTube years ago when I lashed out on him. I lashed out on him. Hardbody on him. So, that was the answer and the reaction to that YouTube, and that was it... He come back and said I was a snitch." DeHaven added that we all have witnessed how the culture has recently been affected by news of snitching. "I think it was a death sentence if you call somebody that," he said of Jay's accusation.

"I understood where he came from and where the anger came from," Dehaven continued. He's often asked if he would take back the words he said in the infamous YouTube video, and he answered he would. However, he still would have communicated his frustration with the situation but "it would be the same in a different language."

"I don't know if he really knew how much that hurt me," he stated. "But, I knew it hurt him, what I said." Later on in the conversation, DeHaven did note that Jay shouldn't feel as if he's "too big" to be questioned about spreading a rumor, because it's a serious accusation in the streets that DeHaven doesn't take lightly. Watch his clip below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.