While it's impossible to fit every hip-hop icon into one performance for its 50th anniversary, some omissions feel easily avoidable. Willie D just called out the Grammys for inviting Scarface to perform, but not the rest of the Geto Boys. Moreover, Scarface delivered his verse on the 1991 classic "Mind Playing Tricks On Me." The fantastic homage at the 65th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on Sunday (February 5). Also, the near-14-minute show included many legends, from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to Nelly and even Lil Baby. However, when Scarface delivered the medley's first Southern staple, his fellow Geto Boy Willie D was nowhere to be seen.
Afterwards, Willie took to Instagram to express his frustrations. Moreover, he's the only other living member of the Houston group, as Bushwick Bill passed away in June of 2019. “A reminder to the Grammys and all the rest of y’all out there trying to hustle the Geto Boys brand by only including Scarface, who had a stellar solo career: How in the hell are you gonna have a 50-year tribute to Hip Hop and not include Geto Boys the group?" Willie asked. "If you forgot, the group includes Scarface and Willie D. How you gonna use a performance that includes a song that I co-wrote but not even have the decency, the respect to reach out to me and ask me if I wanted to participate? Y’all are some clowns for that. All the way out of pocket. Whoever made the call, y’all some clowns… No more talking.”
Also, he captioned his post with "“Disrespectful Mofos!!! No mo’ talk." In fact, some people even questioned why Scarface himself didn't give him a call or decline performing without him. Still, Questlove clearly curated this spectacle with a lot of heart and passion. With that in mind, we don't know who was directly responsible for this specific decision. Regardless, the Roots drummer partnered with Nas's Mass Appeal to bring hip-hop's fifty years to life. “Hip Hop has been a driving force in the music and the culture,” he expressed. “It’s had an immeasurable impact on our culture and our world and I’ve had the great privilege of co-curating this thing with the Roots and many others that are gonna join us that night.”
Meanwhile, LL Cool J finished the performance with a hopeful gaze towards the future, and by acknowledging the long journey. “From The Bronx to the five boroughs, to the West Coast to the Heartland; overseas to Europe, to Africa, to Asia; TikTok, whatever’s next,” he said. “Because thanks to the 33 Hip Hop artists on stage and the countless more we love, Hip Hop is a global platform today. We’re celebrating. Happy 50th anniversary to Hip Hop, baby!” Come back to HNHH for the latest news on the Grammys, hip-hop history, and underrepresented legends.