A simmering feud within the hip-hop industry has reached a boiling point, culminating in a dramatic public apology and exposing alleged deception by a major record label. Rapper Finesse2tymes has directly accused fellow artist BigXthaPlug of sabotaging a potential hit record, only to retract the claim after a clarifying phone call that points the finger squarely at their shared corporate overseers.
The controversy centers on an unreleased collaboration between the two artists. Finesse2tymes has been vocal in recent weeks, claiming BigXthaPlug refused to clear his verse for the track, effectively blocking its release. In emotional social media livestreams, Finesse expressed deep betrayal, stating he felt “played like a fool” by someone he considered a peer from the trenches.
“Me and Big X had got a hard ass song together,” Finesse recounted in a previous video. “I’m really thinking we ’bout to really get it on… and then you did me wrong, bro.” His frustration was palpable, accusing BigXthaPlug of prioritizing industry politics over solidarity. The dispute became a focal point for Finesse’s broader criticisms of the music business’s internal conflicts.
The narrative shifted dramatically following a private conversation. In a recent, revelatory live stream, Finesse2tymes detailed a direct call with BigXthaPlug that upended the entire story. According to Finesse, BigXthaPlug was shocked by the πΆπππππΆππΎπΈππ, insisting he was never formally asked to clear the song and would have readily approved it, calling the track “hard as hell.”
This revelation implicates their record label, Atlantic Records, in a serious allegation of misinformation. Finesse stated the label explicitly told him BigXthaPlug and his team were refusing clearance. “So who lying? The label or Big X?” Finesse posed to his audience. The phone call forced him to conclude the label had fabricated the obstacle.
“For Big X calling me and us getting an understanding… I told him I apologize,” Finesse stated, admitting his public anger was misdirected. “I felt like he ain’t do want to clear my record for it to come out. I was wrong. It was the label. They lied to me.” This apology highlights a rare moment of accountability and man-to-man resolution in an industry often characterized by permanent grudges.
The fallout occurs amidst a critical juncture in Finesse2tymes’ career. He has publicly declared his departure from Mob Ties, the imprint of J. Prince Jr., citing a lack of promotional support. This has sparked a potential bidding war for the πΏπΎππΆπ artist’s signature. Prominent content creator and industry figure DJ Akademiks has publicly pitched Finesse, offering a label deal and praising his natural entertainment value and marketability.
“I would love to sign Finesse2tymes,” Akademiks declared on his stream. “He’s prime entertainment… we just need the music and I think he could do the music.” He boldly claimed he could generate millions for the artist, directly challenging the current management structure. This public courtship adds another layer of complexity to Finesse’s ongoing label situation at Atlantic.
Amidst the corporate crossfire, Finesse2tymes has received steadfast support from his longtime associate, superstar Kevin Gates. When asked by outsiders to calm Finesse down, Gates offered unequivocal backing. “That’s my brother. I love him. Do what he want to do,” Gates stated, defending Finesse’s right to speak his mind.
Gates emphasized the isolating nature of the industry, suggesting Finesse was being blackballed for his authenticity. “As men, we got to vent,” Gates said, highlighting Finesse’s loyalty during Gates’ own past controversies. “Him and Fredo Bang the only two people to really salute me at a time when it wasn’t cool to salute me.” This endorsement provides significant street credibility and emotional backing for Finesse.
The incident exposes the often-opaque mechanics of label politics, where artists can become pawns in larger strategic games. The allegation that a label would falsely blame one artist to another to avoid clearing a record or to create narrative-driven conflict is a serious charge that resonates with long-held artist grievances about transparency and manipulation.
For BigXthaPlug, the resolution clears his name publicly but also draws him into a contentious dispute with the label apparatus. His willingness to engage directly with Finesse and clarify the situation has been framed as an act of integrity, a “real” move in an environment often lacking direct communication.
Industry analysts suggest this public airing of dirty laundry could empower other artists on the roster to demand more clarity in their business dealings. The πΏπΎππΆπ nature of the confession and apology, disseminated through live streams rather than press releases, demonstrates the shifting power dynamics where artists control their narratives directly.
The situation remains fluid. With Finesse2tymes potentially a free agent, Atlantic Records now faces dual challenges: managing the internal fallout from the deception allegation and retaining a chart-capable artist who has captured the public’s attention. Meanwhile, DJ Akademiks’ very public offer signals the new era of influencer-led label ventures aggressively entering traditional talent acquisition spaces.
Ultimately, this saga underscores the fragile relationships within the modern music industry, where miscommunicationβor deliberate misinformationβcan instantly ignite public feuds. The resolution between the two artists offers a template for conflict resolution, but the larger question of label accountability remains unanswered, hanging over the corporate offices at Atlantic like a dark cloud. The coming weeks will reveal whether this internal rift leads to lasting change or is merely another πΏπΎππΆπ moment soon forgotten in the relentless churn of hip-hop πΉππΆππΆ.