Diddy’s “It’s All About The Benjamins” Ruined Hip-Hop Culture, Says Saigon

Rich Polk/Getty Images for Essence; Barry King/Getty Images

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been accused of being responsible for singlehandedly ruining Hip-Hop culture with his 1997 single “It’s All About the Benjamins.”

This past weekend, rapper Saigon took to social media to express his thoughts regarding the matter, charging Combs with prioritizing the pursuit of money over the preservation of Hip-Hop culture. “This negro Puffy flipped Hip-Hop culture into all about worshipping nothing but $$$,” Saigon wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday (March 9).

He then added that his disdain for the embattled mogul’s brand of music gives him additional satisfaction in seeing his reputation being damaged amid he string of sexual assault allegations that have been made against him. “That’s why I’m kinda glad they got his a** up outta here,” the New York native wrote.

This negro Puffy flipped Hip-Hop culture into all about worshipping nothing but $$$… Thats why Im kinda glad they got his a** up outta here. Go look at the content in Hip-Hop music before that “All About The Benjamins” song … Creativity mattered..

— Saigon (@TheRealSaigon) March 9, 2024

In a subsequent tweet, Saigon pointed to the release “All About the Benjamins,” one of Combs’ earliest hits as a recording artist, as what he believes to be the turning point when Hip-Hop shifted for the worst. “Go look at the content in Hip-Hop music before that ‘All About The Benjamins’ song,” The Yardfather wrote. “Creativity mattered.”

Saigon has been critical of Combs for quite some time, but has increased his attacks on Combs in recent months. In November, Saigon took to social media to ask his followers if they believe that Diddy is guilty of the crimes he’s been accused of. “Daaamn…. Who thinks Diddy Did It ????” he wrote at the time. “I told myself years ago if fame and money comes with all this type of ish, they can KEEP it.”

Daaamn…. Who thinks Diddy Did It ???? I told myself years ago if fame and money comes with all this type of ish, they can KEEP it.. I stepped away from all this shit to raise my babies and I dont regret ONE second of it.

— Saigon (@TheRealSaigon) November 17, 2023

The former mixtape standout has also chided Combs, as well as Rick Ross, for their promotion of alcoholic beverages, particularly Ciroc, in the past while diminishing his relevance as a recording artist. “Nobody cares about your music career so now you’re pushing vodka… Ciroc Boys,” Saigon said in an interview back in 2012.

“Every popular rapper you go ‘hold on you need your marketing? We’ll pay for your marketing if you just promote this vodka.’ He continued, “Poison, sh*t that’s killing us and ni**as do it that’s why Rick Ross is big. That’s why every Rick Ross video you see, before he even comes on you see a bottle of Ciroc pass by the screen.”

At one point, Saigon even alluded to Combs’ alleged role in the 1997 murder of The Notorious B.I.G. on his 2004 track “Pop Quiz” from his Warning Shots mixtape.

Listen to Saigon’s “Pop Quiz” below.

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