Lisa Rios, the widow of the late Bronx rapper, Big Pun, has lashed out at Brooklyn MC Joell Ortiz for his track ‘Big Pun’s Back’, claiming that it was disrespectful to record the track without her blessing.
Ortiz released his version of the Meek Mill and Rick Ross song ‘Tupac’s Back’, where he pays homage to Big Pun. In a Facebook post, Pun’s widow voiced her opinion on the track saying ;
“A lot of people are asking how I feel bout the Joell Ortiz BIG PUN is Back. Well it was a good attempt on Joell Ortiz part BUT a BIG PUN he will Never be! Found it a bit disrespectful that he would say he the next Christopher Lee Rios to say the least.. With no regard to Me and My family especially My Son PUN’S Only Son which should Be the ONLY one to Claim that BIG PUN is Back”
Not leaving it at that she continued to say ;
“Let me tell you something; if Puns torch is being passed down then it will be to his Son it’s His Birth right Not Joell.., And the fact that he didn’t even ask to begin with to see if I was kool ‘Passing the torch’ is Disrespectful!! Point blank.. At the end of the Day Only how I feel matters cuz that’s My Husband My Name My Torch to Pass!!”
Ortiz responded to the rant by Tweeting ;
“Shout to Nicole, Pun’s Sister and MaMa Pun for the kind words. GOD will judge by my intentions. Im good with that. No matter how good your intentions may be there will always be some negativity if you take action. Still gotta do what you feel is right.”
The instrumental has been jumped on by plenty of MC’s and used to pay homage. The original Meek Mill and Rick Ross version pays respect to Tupac and praises the deceased rapper and I don’t think there is any ill-intention from Ortiz, but to do the same.
Christopher ‘Big Pun’ Rios passed away in February of 2000 from a heart attack. His debut album Capital Punishment was nominated for a Grammy but lost to Jay-Z’s Vol.2: Hard Knock Life and it was also the first album by a solo Latino rapper to go platinum.
