Jay-Z Addresses XXXTentacion’s Murder on New Drake Collaboration “Talk Up”
One of the more surprising features on Drake's new Scorpion album is a guest verse from Jay-Z on the song "Talk It Up." But what may be even more surprising is Hov's nod to XXXTentacion.
In the last bar of his verse, Jay makes a reference to the late rapper's recent death, rapping, "Y'all killed X, let Zimmerman live, streets is done." The Zimmerman in the line refers to George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
XXXTentacion was shot and killed in an apparent robbery on June 18 in Deerfield Beach, Fla., after leaving the RIVA Motorsports store. While fans on the internet believe Jay may be referencing Malcolm X with the line, XXXTentacion makes more sense.
Like X, Zimmerman also hails from Florida. The 34-year-old is also no stranger to Jay-Z, issuing a disturbing threat to the rapper in December. While speaking with The Blast about Hov's Trayvon Martin documentary, Zimmerman said Jay-Z and director Michael Gasparro were responsible for the harassment of his family, adding that "anyone who fucks with my parents will be fed to an alligator."
Hov appeared to fire back at Zimmerman a few months later on DJ Khaled's "Top Off," calling Zimmerman, "Georgie Porgie." In the song, Jay-Z raps, "Meanwhile Georgie Porgie sinnin' and sendin' me threats/Save your breath, you couldn't beat a flight of steps/Try that shit with a grown man/I'll kill that fuckboy with my own hand."
Listen to Jay-Z on Drake's "Talk Up" below.
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