5 chapters across the catalog
Tretch from Naughty by Nature claims that *Vibe* magazine's "East vs. West" cover was the primary catalyst for the violent rivalry between Tupac and Biggie Smalls. The hosts discuss how the magazine "baited up" a war between fans and gangsters who didn't even know the artists personally. They suggest this was a deliberate attempt to destabilize the Black male identity during the Million Man March era.
Quincy Jones recounts how his daughter was nearly in the car with Tupac when he was shot and how Biggie Smalls was killed minutes after leaving a *Vibe* party. He also mentions Aaliyah's death following a *Vibe* event. The hosts coin the term "Q-incidences," suggesting Jones acted as a "cleanup man" who cleared the path for artists like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Will Smith.
The discussion shifts to the necessity of capital for young black entrepreneurs and the "mind trap" that suggests illegal activity is the only path to success. Mo Facts and Adam Curry debate the ethics of using drug money to fund legitimate businesses, referencing the Notorious B.I.G. lyric about "slanging rock or having a wicked jump shot." They emphasize the need for alternative avenues of investment and the potential for technologies like Bitcoin to empower these communities.
Mo Fax analyzes the media's lack of interest in intra-racial crime compared to interracial incidents, citing Notorious B.I.G.'s lyrics about fame in death. He critiques "Black Inc" and political figures like Kamala Harris for using black bodies to advance political agendas without addressing the nuances of crime. The hosts argue that dead black men have become a political commodity for various factions.
A producer known as Century City View shares details about his investigation into the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, documented in the book Chaos Merchants. He alleges LAPD involvement and cover-ups, noting that lead detective Russell Poole died under suspicious circumstances. The producer also claims to have witnessed a federal intelligence operation during the George Floyd protests in Minnesota involving crisis actors.
