Earlier this month, singer Monica released her latest single, “Anything (To Find You)” featuring Rick Ross and Lil’ Kim. But when the Missy Elliott produced song debuted on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart last week, Kim’s name was nowhere to be found, and her verse was removed from the official release by J Records, much to the shock of Kim’s fans. Now, Monica has come forward and announced that the culprit behind the alteration,is none other than the Notorious B.I.G.’s mother Voletta Wallace.
According to Billboard, prior to the single’s chart debut, Kim’s fans were disappointed in the short length of Kim’s verse, prompting the rapper to reveal that she’d actually written a longer verse which was cut short due to the addition of Rick Ross to the song.
“In all actuality, I did a 16 in addition to the 8 bars that ya’ll all [heard],” Lil’ Kim told The Lil Kim Fan Club Show. “Monica and her people decided to add Rick Ross on the track.”
On Thursday (July 14), Monica took to Twitter to share her shock and disappointment over Kim’s removal from the song, explaining that Kim’s appearance on the song, which samples B.I.G.’s 1995 hit, “Who Shot Ya,” was removed due to clearance issues with Biggie’s estate.
“I am just finding out what has happened to my single and myself & Missy are beyond hurt that @LilKim was removed. She’s our friend, a legend,” tweeted Monica, adding, “& @LilKim will get the respect she deserves at all cost. The clearance was revoked & I’m fighting to get it reinstated by the Biggie Estate.”
The “Everything To Me” singer then revealed that Voletta Wallace, the mother of Notorious B.I.G., was to blame for blocking Kim’s verse, which sample lyrics from Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya”
“I am as thorough as they come and I LOVE @LilKim bottom line is Ms Wallace has the final say and she said No. If we put it out we get SUED,” tweeted Monica, adding, “We respect all parties involved & were gonna do WHATEVER to keep the song as is because @lilKim the bizness on the record…,”
Elliott also took to Twitter to share her support for Kim.
“@LilKim u are my sister!! I know all u been thru! U been there 4 me and I to will be there 4 u! We will make another EPIC HIt! Know dat!” tweeted Elliott
Kim also stood up for her fellow musical cohorts, saying that the trio have another song in the works.
“I want y’all to know @missyelliott & @monicabrown have been going HARD As A M——–A 4 this situation. I love them so much!!! My babies!” tweeted Kim. “Right now me, @missyelliott, @monicabrown are planning something even BIGGER for you guys!!! =).”
While it’s nice to know that there’s new music in the works, it would be even better if Kim and Wallace could finally end their years-long feud and let the song be heard in it’s original form. –nicholas robinson
