@JoellOrtiz #BigPun #Tupacback
What’s up Nation.  Good Morning.  If you’re in the Northeast , take it easy its gonna be a hot one.  Speaking of hot ones, Rick Ross and Meek Mill’s “Biggie/ Tupac Back” record is burning up the radio waves.  Everybody and their mother has been dropping remixes honoring the late greats. Most recently Bk’s own Joell Ortiz contributed his own, “Big Pun Back.”  Unfortunately, Pun’s widow, wasn’t too enthusiastic.

Despite, the intro in which he identifies the song as one designed to “keep this man’s memory alive,”  Liza Rios felt that Ortiz’s identification as the  “the new Christopher Rios of rap” was disrespectful

“A lot of people are asking how I feel about Joell Ortiz’s ‘Big Pun Back,’” Liza Rios wrote on her Facebook page. “[I] found it a bit disrespectful that he would say he’s the next Christopher Lee Rios, to say the least, with no regards to me and my family, especially my son, PUN’S ONLY SON, which should Be the ONLY one to claim that BIG PUN is Back.”

One thing I’ve never understood about music, hip hop in particular is the failure of her artists to consult with the family of the fallen before paying tribute.  Liza touches on this.

“If Pun’s torch is being passed down, then it will be to his son. It’s his birth right, not Joell’s,” Liza wrote. “And, the fact that he didn’t even ask to begin with to see if I was kool [with him] passing the torch is disrespectful!! Point blank.. At the end of the day, only how I feel matters ’cause that’s my husband, my name, my torch to pass!!”

The criticism would eventually trickle down to Joell, who took to twitter to voice his response.

@JoellOrtiz: “Shout to Nicole, Pun’s Sister and MaMa Pun for the kind words. GOD will judge by my intentions. Im good with that. No matter how good your intentions may be there will always be some negativity if you take action. still gotta do what you feel is right.”

Here’s my thing and I’ll make it short.  While I understand Mrs. Rios’ feeling slighted by not being consulted or involved in the tribute at the end of the day it was and is a song.  I think when we lose someone we selfishly feel we somehow own the rights to the memory of our loved ones and are the only ones affected by the loss.  Honestly I think that the measure of Joell’s record overshadowed any memorial that Liza could display herself. That’s only natural, he’s a rapper.  Then she critizes the man for not coming to her when she in tern uses Facebook to voice her displeasure instead of reaching out to him.  I can’t take her too seriously.  Pun, we miss you.  Rest my man.