Uncle Luke recently expressed frustration with the lack of recognition for Florida artists in the music industry on hip hop’s 50th anniversary. The Miami rapper addressed the industry’s long-standing disregard for Florida hip-hop.
Uncle Luke Goes Off
On Sunday, August 13, 2023, Uncle Luke took to his Twitter(X) to express his disappointment and concern, saying:
“Hip-hop fans from Florida. Don’t be upset they don’t recognize your favorite Floridian artists as part of hip-hop’s 50th year celebrations. This industry has never considered us as hip-hop from the time I started hip-hop in the south. You can only imagine the names they called us. Country booty music trash, music.”
In an ongoing effort to address the lack of recognition for Florida hip-hop, the Miami legend pledged to persevere and unite artists across the state for a celebratory event later this year, expressing gratitude for the continuous support.
Snoop Dogg Shows His Support
Legendary West Coast rapper, Snoop Dogg, showed his support for Uncle Luke and acknowledged the influence that he and other founders of hip-hop have had on the genre. Snoop even proposed a hip-hop celebration to honor Uncle Luke and the other pioneers of the music:
“I love and respect what u did for me and my hip hop journey Uncle Luke on and off the mic let’s do a southwest Hip hop celebration so we can get the flowers to you and the other founders who mean so much to this thang called hip hop. Love and Respect. O. G. Can’t spell hip hop without the south or the west.”
Fans also expressed their admiration for the “Doo Doo Brown” rapper, praising him as the “Godfather of Florida Hip-Hop.” They recognize his unique style and influence on the genre and commend him for his contributions.
One fan that goes by the name @styngraychosen on Twitter, commented, “ Nah u are in there Luke.. u are the Godfather of Florida … You didnt need to have any other style you made it with your own… Its so many people to name blame it on an oversight…That goes for Trick Daddy as well…” Another supporter backed him up by saying, “ I bought your records as a hip-hop fan in Toronto.”
Uncle Luke’s Impact On Hip-Hop
Uncle Luke has always been at the forefront of pushing boundaries and challenging narratives within the music industry. In 1990, he made headlines when he was arrested for performing explicit, pornographic music.
However, this arrest was ultimately reversed in Atlanta. Uncle Luke is famously known for his music group, 2 Live Crew, and his hit songs like “Tootsie Roll,” “Doo Doo Brown,” and “Scarred,” among others. Throughout his career, he has fought to change the rules of obscenity, going to court multiple times with Fresh Kid Ice.
Uncle Luke Honored
The release of their 1989 album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, profoundly impacted music, dance, and the perception of hip-hop.
Additionally, in October 2021, it was announced that a football field would be named in honor of Uncle Luke, further solidifying his impact and legacy in the industry. In 2018, Royce Da 5’9 acknowledged Uncle Luke’s contributions to the rap game, stating that he had broken down far more barriers than he gets credit for.
Juvenile Performs At ESSENCE Fest After Being Left Off Lineup
It’s clear this sentiment of being “left out” is shared by other artists, such as Juvenile, who expressed his disappointment with not being included in the initial lineup of the ESSENCE Festival. The New Orleans rapper performed his notable hits at the festival and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase his talents in his hometown.