N.O.R.E. Apologizes for Calling Wu-Tang Affiliates 'Flunkies' (UPDATE)

Just a few days after catching flak for referring to some of the Wu-Tang affiliates as "flunkies," N.O.R.E. has walked back his comments and offered an apology.

N.O.R.E. in 2019
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Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

N.O.R.E. in 2019

UPDATED 8/28, 8:48 p.m. ET: N.O.R.E. and Shyheim are now on good terms. 

After catching heat for his “flunkies” comment, Noreaga says he reached out to the New York rapper in an effort to clear the air. And the conversation apparently went so well, N.O.R.E. invited Shy to appear on an episode of his podcast. However, it’s unclear if Shy will accept the invitation. 

“Just spoke to @Shyheim_Rugged for 10 minutes DIRECT – NO middle men – Just Slime & Shy 1 on 1,” the Drink Champs host tweeted Saturday. “ALL POSITIVE ENERGY! Grown men sh** only! We spoke our peace; & he got his OFFICIAL invite to @DrinkChamps! Hopefully he accepts!” 

Just spoke to @Shyheim_Rugged for 10 minutes DIRECT - NO middle men - Just Slime & Shy 1 on 1.. ALL POSITIVE ENERGY! Grown men sh** only! We spoke our peace; & he got his OFFICIAL invite to @DrinkChamps! Hopefully he accepts! 🍾🏆 @TheRealNoreaga @WhosCrazy #DrinkChamps

— N.O.R.E (@noreaga) August 28, 2021

See the original story below.

Just a few days after catching flak for referring to some of the Wu-Tang Clan affiliates—Shyheim, Sunz of Man, and Killarmy—as “flunkies,” N.O.R.E. addressed the misunderstanding on the latest episode of Drink Champs.

“We want to be clear. Our show is fun, our show is about giving flowers, our show is about showing love,” N.O.R.E. told listeners. “Every now and then, you know, we might joke a little too much and say something that we wasn’t supposed to say. But our show is about giving flowers and especially to people who’s been there before us, been there as we was there, and definitely after we were there. We [have] always been about that.”

N.O.R.E. continued by taking blame for the brief controversy that ensued this week, clarifying that he never intended to disrespect Wu-Tang.

“Especially to Wu-Tang or any Wu-Tang affiliates,” N.O.R.E. continued. “But, for us using that word, we are extremely wrong. I was extremely wrong. I was the person that used the word, so I’m gonna take blame of that. I’ma say I’m extremely wrong.”

The sentiment comes after N.O.R.E. initially found himself in hot water after using the term to dub some of the Wu-Tang affiliates.

It didn’t take long for Shyeim, Ghostface Killah’s cousin, to respond: “N***as get drunk and run they mouth, and don’t know what you talkin’ about,” Shyheim said in a video posted to Instagram. “I ain’t ever been nobody’s flunky or nonexistent. I am the true and living god. I’m in present time, n***a. Fuck outta here. Flunky, n***a—I’m Shyheim. And my albums is better than your albums. Fuck outta here. Go against my Killa Beez then.”

Fortunately, it looks like both camps were able to smooth things over before any real beef popped off.

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