French Montana has a question for Lil Pump’s haters: If you don’t like him, why are you paying attention to him?
The 33-year-old rapper defended Pump in a recent interview published by L.A. Weekly. French touched on the animosity between hip-hop generations and how younger artists, like Pump, deserve respect for their contributions.
“Honestly, you got to respect every generation of hip-hop. I love what Lil Pump is doing for the game. I love what Tupac and Biggie did for the game, I also love what Run-DMC and them did for the game,” he explained. “I just feel like the game just changes. I just feel like right now, there’s more rich rappers than back in the day. Right now it’s more … it became a lifestyle. It just shows growth. Whoever don’t like him, why you listening to him? There’s still lyrical rappers out here. Whatever kind of rap you want to listen to, go listen to it. I love Lil Pump’s music.”
Pump has become one of hip-hop’s most prominent and polarizing up-and-comers. His criticism of J. Cole has received a lot of hate recently, especially after the Dreamville artist seemingly referenced Pump in his newly released album, KOD.
On “1985,” Cole raps:
I ain't trippin', listen good to my reply
Come here lil man, let me talk with ya
See if I can paint for you the larger picture
Congrats 'cause you made it out your mama's house
I hope you make enough to buy your mom a house
Pump responded to Cole in a social media video. “Wow, you get so much props, you dissed a 17 year old,” he sarcastically said. “Lame ass jit.”
But Pump's passive aggressive behavior didn't end there. On Tuesday, the 17-year-old thanked Cole for “all the clout” he’s given him.
