Jay Z and Kanye West are two of the most successful and recognizable rappers of all time. They were also known for their close friendship on and off the stage.
However, recently there has been a huge falling out between the two, making people wonder what happened. How is it possible that this famous bromance sizzled out so fast? What happened between the two of them to cause their current feud?
Jay Z Dealt Drugs
It is a well-known fact that Jay Z has a background selling drugs in Brooklyn when he was younger.
What you probably don't know is that he only gave up the hustle when his first album Reasonable Doubt, became a big success in 1996. By the time Jay Z had turned 27 years old, he had claimed six figures from being a drug dealer.
Kanye Was a Nerd
Before Kanye became famous, it was said that he wasn't taken seriously by his rap peers.
Jensen Karp, who was a rapper around the time Kanye started said, "I don't know how many people are going to tell you how nerdy Kanye West was, I mean he had adult braces and he was just so jumpy and so excited to be there."
Jay Z Gave Kanye His Big Break
Kanye West first started out as a producer, and he was offered a great opportunity with Jay Z's record label Roc-A-Fella Records when he was given a beat on Beanie Siegel's album.
By 2001, Kanye was one of Roc-A-Fella Records' in-house beat makers and produced four tracks on Jay Z's album, The Blueprint.
Beyonce Was Told To Stay Away From Jay Z
Jay Z often talks about his life through his music, and there is one line in which he says "I know you've heard I'm a gangsta, they say 'Stay away from them gangstas.'" It is reported that this line is about Beyonce and how many of their mutual friends told Beyonce to stay away from Jay Z due to his dangerous and illegal lifestyle.
Their Friendship Began To Waver
Kanye West's rants have become traditional on his tours. In October 2016, Kanye unleashed a rant at Jay Z, voicing his anger over Jay'z increasingly cold attitude towards him. He is quoted with saying, "I've been sent here to give ya'll my truth even at the risk of my own life, my own success, my own career. Jay Z-call me bruh. You still ain't called me.
Jay-Z, I know you got killers. Please don't send them at my head. Please call me. Talk to me like a man." West would then continue to criticize Jay Z for not contacting him after Kim Kardashian's robbery in Paris. It was reported that after the robbery, Kanye was checked into a hospital and was said to be suffering a mental breakdown.
Their Wives Have Added To The Feud
It is reported that another factor in Jay Z and Kanye's feud was Kanye's marriage to Kim Kardashian.
Close friend of Kanye, GLC claims that, "the guy that I see now, that's not the guy we knew back then, that's not the same person." It is reported that Kanye was frustrated that his wife didn't have a better relationship with Beyonce.