TDE President Terrence "Punch" Henderson caused quite a stir this weekend with this Tweet.
Cardi B is 2pac.
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) April 7, 2018
It caught everyone's attention because Cardi as Pac is such a bold comp, and because Cardi not being a TDE artist added credibility to TDE's president going out on that limb.
Punch defended the comparison in an essay on DJBooth.net.
You should check out his entire argument there, but here's a piece of it.
Pac wasn't as skilled technically as some of his iconic counterparts, like a JAY-Z or Nas or B.I.G., and yet, he’s still viewed by many as the greatest rapper of all time. Why is that?
The answer: a combination of passion, content, delivery, and HONESTY.
Which brings me to Cardi B.
I won't pretend to know as much about Cardi as I do about 2Pac, but from what I do know, she embodies some of those same qualities. She’s a straight shooter right from the hip. Her interviews are as raw as her music. She’s politically incorrect, yet, her charisma means you cannot stop watching and listening, whether you agree or disagree. She says exactly what she’s feeling at the time the question is delivered.
And I believe her!
Pac represented the Have Nots as a whole. Cardi reps a particular section of the Have Nots, which will only continue to grow if she keeps going.
Cardi also has a cadence and flow that’s similar to Pac’s. She emphasizes and elongates words to stress points for impact, like “I make money movesss” and “Don’t get comfortableeee.” For a sonic reference, listen to the similarities between her No. 1 single “Bodak Yellow” and Pac's legendary “Ambitionz Az a Ridah.” Please take into consideration that Pac passed over 20 years ago and that music has changed quite a bit since then.
What do you think?