Dee-1’s record label blocks Lil Wayne-response mixtape

Dee-1’s record label, RCA Inspiration, told Rapzilla that it had stopped the Tuesday release of Separated at Birth, a concept mixtape in which Dee-1 rapped over used Lil Wayne instrumentals about content contrary to what Wayne had promoted on those tracks.

“The label did ask him to not release it — basically business reasons,” Tricia Newell, RCA Inspiration’s publicist, said. “Everything was not vetted, and he has an album that he should be working on; that we’re looking forward to promoting. We just felt like it wasn’t the right time for a mixtape. We should concentrate on the full album, get that out and build his anticipation for that.”

Earlier Tuesday, Orange Mixtapes, the website that had hosted Separated at Birth, sent the following tweet.


Dee-1 posted this explanation on Instagram.

“I’d like to apologize to all the fans. This is a project that was needed in hip hop and i was excited to give it to you all. All i can say is that 1. this industry is truly crazy smh, 2. some bold actions have taken place behind the scenes, and 3. some people fear what the truth sounds like.

“Trust me, if no one threatened legal recourse, I would still drop it because I worked hard on this and i think this music would bless all who hear it, and add a much-needed perspective to hip hop. The topic of my personal safety was also brought up to be honest, but truthfully God has me covered so I was neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever worried about that.

“Until further notice, the#SeparatedAtBirth mixtape has been BANNED. Unfortunately, i need for orangemixtapes.com to not post the mixtape as of now until things clear up. Sorry for the wait.”

Rapzilla reached out to Orange Mixtapes and Dee-1’s representatives for further explanation on Tuesday morning.

“We still hope to release the tape once we clear up any possible legal threats and, more importantly, the concern for Dee-1’s personal safety,” Orange Mixtapes said.

Dee-1’s representatives said they were unable to expound on the legal repercussions or safety concerns.

Newell said RCA Inspiration, which operates under Sony Music Entertainment, was unaware of any additional reason for Separated at Birth’s cancellation other than its own request.

“I know nothing about that,” Newell said, “and I think the legal repercussions may have possibly stemmed from us feeling like the project wasn’t properly vetted; before everything was cleared. There’s a difference when you’re an artist independently putting out a mixtape versus a signed artist. But as far as anything else, I don’t know anything about that, but, yes, it was us that asked him to hold on that.”

Separated at Birth singles which Dee-1 managed to release include “Tha Block is Hot” and “Call Yo Bluff.”

David Daniels
David Daniels
David Daniels is a columnist at Rapzilla.com and the managing editor of LegacyDisciple.org. He has been published at Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, CCM Magazine, Bleacher Report, The Washington Times and HipHopDX.
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