Back on Aug. 5, Chicago's GO-Rilla Warfare dropped off the gargantuan line-up for "The Crown 2," which is scheduled to go down on Nov. 21 in Markham, Ill. Among the match-ups was a clash between Shotgun Suge and Hitman Holla, a battle many were expecting to see on “Summer Madness 5” after years of back-and-forth between the two emcees on the URL stage.
The news of the match-up was met with some harsh criticism, with some Twitter users accusing GO-Rilla Warfare of “stealing” the battle from URL, although in a statement to BattleRap.com, co-organizer Mz. Gracie denied such charges, explaining that URL hadn't booked the match-up so she did.
On Aug. 7, just two days after the match-up was announced, rumblings began circulating online saying that the battle had been cancelled, with Suge backing out. This news was later confirmed, with many saying that URL was behind the cancellation, something Hitman Holla and Mz. Gracie reiterated. Several days later, Gracie softened her opinion on everything and league co-owner Big Kannon said fans shouldn't dwell too much on "conspiracy theories."
To get a clearer understanding of what exactly has gone down, we’ve pulled together everyone’s side of the story.
Mz. Gracie Blames URL For The Cancellation
Shortly after Suge backed out of the battle, Mz. Gracie spoke with AngryFans Radio to offer her side of the then-still-unfolding situation. During the conversation, Gracie pointed the finger at URL, outlining her view that the New York-based league had gotten involved somewhere along the line. She also noted that Suge had signed a contract and had even received his deposit before cancelling.
“It’s a lot of unprofessional shit going on,” Mz. Gracie said in the interview that was published on Aug. 8. “Me and my team are just as lost as some of y’all are. I mean unfortunately, Suge has pulled out of his battle but I found out from Hitman that he pulled out of his battle. He didn’t call us and let us know. I didn’t find out from him until two or three hours later… His reason was his situation changed.
“Me personally, I feel like another league was involved with that. Actually, I know for a fact another league was involved with that,” Gracie continues. “I feel like URL had a part in this. I know URL had a part in this because we had an issue with Suge a couple of weeks ago actually.”
Hitman Holla Weighs In
Calling in to PSA Radio on Aug. 9, Hitman Holla detailed his side of the story. The St. Louis, Mo. lyricist says he believes that URL interfered and offered Suge an amount of money he couldn’t turn down.
“[GO-Rilla Warfare] called Suge, called [Tsu] Surf, got in touch with [Aye] Verb and put together St. Louis vs. [New] Jersey,” Hitman Holla says. “They sent a contract to Suge. Suge, you signed it! So how you telling people they ain’t offered you no money? Nigga you signed a contract! So whatever you telling people now, you knew that before you signed, and made them send you money. We all know why you didn’t do it. Gracie and them offered you something, you agreed, signed the contract, took the bread. [Then] Smack and them called you and was like, ‘Yo, we’ll give you more,’ and probably offered Suge some shit he never saw and he had to take it. Just say that! Why you trying to tell people they tried to play you? How they trying to play you, nigga? You signed a contract!”
Hitman also described how he and URL weren't seeing eye-to-eye on payments and deposits for his appearances, with Hitman putting his own value higher than what the league is offering.
Shotgun Suge Offers His Side
In an interview also published Aug. 9, Shotgun Suge spoke with 15 Minutes Of Fame Radio to offer his side of the story. During the conversation with host HeavyBags, Suge insisted that the cancellation had nothing to do with the platform and was simply a business matter stemming from unequal payments.
“I thought the pay was supposed to be almost the same,” Shotgun Suge says. “I know he gon’ get a little more but that’s what I thought it was gon’ be, a little more. You not about to give a nigga 90 percent more than me. You not about to pay a nigga 90 percent more than me, it’s supposed to be a main event. I’m driving, flying all the way to Chicago for that? That don’t even make sense, man. I’m the most talked about right now. I’m not gonna have a built-up battle for that light change if it ain’t equal."
Beasley Comments On The Situation
In the only interview with Beasley about the situation (filmed at QOTR's "No Holds Barred 2" on Aug. 9) HeavyBags asked the URL boss to address the accusations. He said he hadn't been following the news and said he'd look in to what Mz. Gracie had to say and then "critique her opinion."
UPDATE: Beasley addressed the situation in an interview with HipHopIsReal.com.
Shotgun Suge: “URL Had Nothing To Do With The Battle Not Happening”
Speaking with PSA Radio in an interview that was published Aug. 13, Shotgun Suge said that URL had nothing to do with the battle cancellation, contrary to the belief of GO-Rilla Warfare co-organizer Mz. Gracie and opponent Hitman Holla. The Newark, N.J. rapper also revealed that Hitman was apparently going to get $14,000 more than him for the match-up and that that was the primary reason for him pulling out of the event.
“I’ma wrap it up because I know everybody heard the whole story already,” Shotgun Suge says. “I knew about the money, but I was under the impression [that] he was only getting a certain amount so I’m like, ‘It ain’t too bad. I understand he’ll get at least $5,000 more than me, not a whole $14,000.’ You get what I’m saying? That shit is out. Not for no big battle like that. That ain’t fair to me and the work that I’ve been putting in.”
Aug. 14 — Mz. Gracie & Big Kannon Clarify Their Position, Announce Replacement Battle
Visiting the 15MOFE studio for another interview on Friday, Aug. 14, Mz. Gracie and Big Kannon further addressed the situation, taking mostly a conciliatory tone. Gracie stepped back from her accusations of URL being involved, saying: "What I honestly believe is there's two parties in this and it's not Beasley. It's Hitman and it's Suge."
She continued by explaining that Hitman is still in her good books and that she doesn't hold a grudge against Suge but would hesitate to do business with him again. "I can't trust Suge's word anymore," she said, adding: "I'm not mad at Suge. You got a family and kids. Make your money."
Also on the show — which has yet to be released on 15MOFE's YouTube channel — the pair announced that Bigg K vs. Math Hoffa would be the replacement battle on the card.
Aug. 18 — Shotgun Suge Confirms He's On SM5
Suge commented again in an interview with HipHopIsReal released on Aug. 18, saying that the battle with Hitman is basically off the radar at this point. He explained that he sent the money back to Mz. Gracie and said in his defense that he gave her lots of time before the Nov. 21 event to make up for his cancellation. Again, he stated that URL had nothing to do with him backing out, and reaffirmed that it was because he felt he wasn't getting paid enough after he heard about Hitman's payday.
He also confirmed that he's on SM5 against "a big name."
Thoughts? Let us know in the comments section below.
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