Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Conway The Machine and Funkmaster Flex are a hot topic of current Hip-Hop discussion, this after the Buffalo, N.Y. rapper called out the Hot 97 DJ for his lack of supporting underground acts. Funk Flex responded in kind, sparking a debate about the role of terrestrial radio in the current landscape.
Conway The Machine took to Instagram Live last weekend and expressed frustration over Funk Flex ignoring underground acts while explicitly stating in the video that he doesn’t need the radio support. For some reason, many on Twitter took Conway’s words to be a lament about his position in the game and that wouldn’t even make sense considering the success of Griselda and the rise of Conway’s own Drumwork Music Group label.
Conway The Machine Calls Out Funk Flex, DJ Suss One & Other Gatekeepers In New York pic.twitter.com/9JvzxIqycC
— First Class
(@1DJFirstClass) July 11, 2022
Accusing Funk Flex of being a gatekeeper, Conway mentions DJ Suss One who held a gig on the now-defunct The Wendy Williams Show, and shrugging off a fan who mentioned Conway as one of his faves.
Funk Flex replied to Conway in a wordy Instagram post, seemingly ignoring Conway’s call to put on for the up-and-coming and zeroing in on The Machine’s age and ability. The Instagram post can be viewed below.
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Flex followed that up with a video clip of him listening to Conway freestyle over Wu-Tang Clan’s “Triumph” with Flex looking over with a muted expression. It isn’t clear what Flex’s intentions are but the so-called “Warm Milk General” isn’t backing down from critique or challenges from anyone.
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What is unfortunate is that Conway The Machine made some solid points. As it stands, New York is the birthplace of Hip-Hop so it would figure that DJs who run the airwaves will give shots to those rising in the ranks. Again, an artist of Conway’s stature wouldn’t need the support of Hot 97 or Power 105 but underground Hip-Hop of the sort that Conway and his peers create should be heard beyond DSPs.
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Check out some reactions from Twitter below.
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Photo: Getty
1.
Conway spittin facts about Funk Flex, Hot 97, etc. not being tapped in w/ the underground. Hip Hop unfortunately is monetized, so if it’s not gettin clicks/ plays, big entities won’t share it.
It’s been like this since the 90s, so support indie platforms who don’t have investors pic.twitter.com/cPFYukh62A
— Ruben || Check the Rhyme (@checktherhyme1_) July 12, 2022
2.
The focus went to a Conway and flex beef when it’s really NYC DJs Vs being in tune with the culture. But people gonna jump on the beef aspect of it
— Myles (@MaskedMyles) July 12, 2022
3.
Flex said Conway a sorry lyricist. That’s hella cap
— Damian DRILLard (@smoothchavo) July 13, 2022
4.
The success of an artist (i.e. Conway) doesn’t exclude them from the right to criticize a corrupt system (all Hip Hop radio).Flex has an abysmal record of breaking new Hip Hop, just furthering soundlsop & any good music already rising. He is a
cog in a pop algorithm system.
— Sunez (@Sunez7) July 13, 2022
5.
This is why Conway should not be worrying about radio or flex pic.twitter.com/x8l2R14INL
— Threeletterman3 (@3LMthree) July 12, 2022
6.
1. Not managed by Roc nation ever.
2. The 1 album deal with shady/interscope is dead.
3. Half of those features ain’t ever been with Conway officially? Lol they just like his music
4. Not a sorry lyricist at all…
5. Flex proving to be a poor “gatekeeper”Y’all: FLEX BODY BAG!
https://t.co/4FTFDLQ8zW
— Myles (@MaskedMyles) July 13, 2022
7.
Funk Flex called Conway a “Bars Rapper” as an insult… but Flex be screamin’ “Bars” in excitement on his show when rappers go on there to “rap.”
Gate keepers like to move the goal post in order to protect the house’ interest.
— It Says He Represents The Tenaka Clan… (@SonnyBlackk313) July 12, 2022
8.
First of all flex can kiss my ass but we ain’t fucking getting rid of him. And ur ass ain’t young. The hell is u talking about??? We gotta get rid of congress bc they too old. Not flex. Foh. Flex u need to start playing Conway. What the hell is wrong with u???? pic.twitter.com/omoQuZvlzk
— CheeChee_Sapio (@CheecheeSapio) July 12, 2022
9.
Conway just wants NYC radio to be more in tune with what’s going on… where did Conway complain about his career in the video lol and where did flex address being more in tune, besides doing a B rabbit impression at the end of his Instagram message rant? Lol https://t.co/90blbxn4Kt
— Myles (@MaskedMyles) July 12, 2022
10.
I hope Conway smacks the spinners off Funk Flex’s Lugz.
— RL (@RavishinRUde) July 12, 2022
Source: Hip-Hop Wired