MC Shan Rips Pete Rock, Common For Alleged Copyright Infringement

MC Shan has apparently had a change of heart regarding Pete Rock sampling his classic single, “The Bridge” on Common‘s acclaimed collaborative album, The Auditorium Vol. 1.

The legendary Juice Crew emcee, who previously commended Pete Rock and Common for properly compensating him for their usage of his 1986 release, has now accused the duo of sampling “The Bridge” without his permission and not paying him.

Initially praising Pete Rock and Common as “men of respect” and for “putting food on [his] table,” the Queensbridge rap pioneer is now claiming that Pete Rock and Common committed copyright infringement by sampling “The Bridge” on The Auditorium Vol. 1 single, “Wise Up.”

“What you didn’t know is I own the publishing on The Bridge so it’s a bigger infringement than just you taking my voice and sample in a beat I own the publishing son,” the veteran lyricist wrote in the first of a series of posts on social media.

He also claimed that Pete Rock’s own complaints about not being credited nor compensated for past works spurred him to speak out.

“I usually stay quiet on things that’s not my business or when I see a man screaming foul that does the same thing and act like he should be paid and I shouldn’t,” he added.

“You better go get that money back from homage son cuz he didn’t knock on my doing cut me in on nothing.. And just like you were able to get your money guess who’s going to be able to get theirs.”

MC Shan then vowed to make Pete Rock and Common pay up, one way or another, whether through a judgement, settlement, or lawyer fees to battle a potential lawsuit against them. He also said he’s fine with any potential fallout between himself and the pair as a result of a legal battle or his public outcry.

“I don’t care if Pete Rock [or] Common don’t ever want to sit down and have 10 crumpets with me,” the 59-year-old wrote. “We never had seeing crumpets in the first place.”

Pete Rock, on vacation at the time of MC Shan’s outburst, responded back with a retort of his own, pointing to Shan’s initial comments regarding being compensated while alleging that the Juice Crew rapper’s comments “hurt” his feelings.

The Mt. Vernon native also spoke of his adoration for “The Bridge” as an impactful record in his musical journey while maintaining that he and Common “did right” by him.

“You said this then you said that,” Pete Rock expressed in a post, that’s since been deleted. “Im gonna say that bridge record produced by @djmarleymarl was priceless and very inspiring and when a song does that for you somehow you give it back to that artist in a way you are showing your appreciation for not only shan but the whole juice crew.”

He continued, urging MC Shan to stand down from his claims while expressing his continued respect for him and his musical contributions.

“I have true passion for this sir but you gotta make up your mind champ. We did good business with you and I will always honor you for what you did for me growing up. Now stop this amongst each other cuz Im getting tired of it champ real talk!! But I gotta hold you accountable on this receipt right here king. I still respect you! Be easy and be safe shan.”

Pete Rock’s response did not sit well with MC Shan, as he continued to threaten litigation against Pete Rock and Common and deeming Pete Rock’s reaction to his post as hypocritical, based on his own past circumstances.

“Instead of playing the internet games you should have just said damn I’m sorry let’s fix it that’s what honorable men do,” Shan wrote. “So what I said what I said Im so on your a$$ wit this one as he was going through the claims he seen you not only did it to me once you did it like three or four times over the years but we going to leave you alone for those cuz those are over the 3-year statue.”

Yet, the Queens native would temper his comments in subsequent posts, professing his “love” for Pete Rock and noting his own reputation for being quick-tempered and outspoken.

“Let me say this to you pete rock I love you and I thank you for the contributions that you bring to hip hop to make our culture and our music genre what it is today you have a big part of that not just me and so when these people think I’m just angry and evil I want to let you know that I love you brother nothing can ever change that not this situation,” Shan wrote.

Yet, he maintained that he has not been paid for Pete Rock and Common’s usage of “The Bridge” sample, again asking to be compensated by the pair, deeming the offense a fault all their own.

“This was a mistake on behalf of your end that’s all I look at that I’m not mad at you sir and I don’t want you to let this internet twist what what the facts are and the facts are I love you brother no harm no disrespect no none of that,” Shan added.

“I’m not that person anymore I’m bigger than that now I just want my money that’s all the same as you when you thought that you were done injustice and it was you that made me feel this injustice by that sting that I saw you saying.. Thank you for your time sir.”

See MC Shan’s social media posts addressing Pete Rock and Common here.