DJ Quik Believes He "Deserves To Be Where [Dr. Dre] Is"

BY Erika Marie 11.9K Views
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The Rap icon stressed that he loves Dre and his Compton peer's successes, adding he's "like a big brother, one I never had."

He emphasized that his recent thoughts didn't need to become a podcast topic, but DJ Quik has certainly ignited conversations in Hip Hop. The Rap icon helped put the G-Funk era on the map during the Golden Era of the genre, thus changing its West Coast sound altogether. His influences continue to be felt throughout Hip Hop culture until today, and Quik believes that he "[deserves] to be where Dre is."

This wasn't a slide to Dr. Dre at all, as the two Compton, Calif. icons have respect for one another's successes. "I don’t think it’s fair, but I understand why. I’ve never had a machine behind me, that always hurt my friends more than it did me."

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Read More: DJ Quik Says He Was Nearly Killed Over A 2Pac Bootleg

Quik wasn't quite finished. "My friends have come to me in confidentiality to say, 'Do your music like you want to.Just be DJ Quik! People love that sh*t!'" He then added, "This doesn’t need to be on a podcast. Because you have fire starters, who want to spin everything to get more ratings. But the truth is: I love Dr. Dre, like a big brother, one I never had. It pains me when people pit us against each other."

The rapper-producer concluded his take by admitting that he knows he'll "never be as popular as" he "needed to be."

"But I have 10s of artists superstars! And when they shine, I just smile. The janitor doesn’t get all the glory, but he keeps the backstage, clean as a triage."

Read More: DJ Quik Burns Death Row Check, Demands Credit From Kendrick Lamar & More

Fans and Hip Hop Heads have chimed into the discussion as they weigh DJ Quik's unmatched legacy in the game. His work continues to be celebrated by Hip Hop's elite and is stapled on playlists worldwide.

Check out a few reactions to DJ Quik's tweets below.

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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.