Uncle Luke says the backlash against Yung Miami’s ‘Spend Dat’ is no different than the attacks on 2 Live Crew and NWA
Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell knows a thing or two about controversy.
The 2 Live Crew founder and political candidate has defended Yung Miami after she received criticism for her latest single “Spend Dat.”
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with AllHipHop, Campbell said the criticism directed at the City Girls star feels familiar, comparing it to public outrage against his own music decades ago.
“It’s the same thing I’ve been through,” Luke said. “A group of people are upset about free speech. She has the right to say what she wants on the record. People can choose to buy it, choose to listen to it, turn it on or off.”
Campbell, who is currently running for Florida’s 20th Congressional District, has increasingly focused on politics and community initiatives in recent years. The hip-hop pioneer said his decades of fighting censorship, building youth programs and investing in South Florida communities prepared him for public office.
Luke’s comments follow singer-songwriter India.Arie’s response to the song “Spend Dat,” which takes a stand against the celebration of scams and booster culture. Campbell acknowledged Ali’s right to express her views but said she was part of a long tradition of artists criticizing hip-hop without acknowledging the genre’s creative freedom.
“I basically said to India, she has the right to sing what she wants to sing, and I defend her rights. I defend everyone else’s rights,” Luke explained. “We don’t live in a world where everyone listens to one type of music all day long. We get bored.”
In the interview hosted by Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, he pointed to the backlash 2 Live Crew, Too Short, NWA and Public Enemy received in the late 1980s and 1990s, as well as more recently Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and others.
“First they came to me because I was ‘too annoying.’ Then it was too short. Then NWA said ‘F*** tha Police.’ Then Chuck D said “Fight the Power.” Then there’s Cardi B. Then there is Latto. Then there is “WAP”. Now it’s Yung Miami,” he said. “It seemed like every hit record was going to be a problem.”
Campbell believes hip-hop has always reflected perceived reality rather than supporting criminal behavior itself.
“Art imitates life,” he said. “Are there boosters? Yes. They’re in the barbershop. They’re in the beauty salon. Everybody knows Hustlers exist. The quickest way to make a hit record is to make a song that everyone can relate to, even if no one is talking about it.”
This relatability is why Spend Dat has attracted so much attention.
“Unfortunately, this song is relevant to the public,” he said. “In order for people to keep criticizing it, they need to sit back and let it move forward.”
Back in the day, when Uncle Luke spent years fighting obscenity charges and ultimately establishing stronger legal protections for artistic expression, he views today’s criticism in the same light.
“People have a choice,” he said. “That’s what free speech is all about.”
In a lengthy chat with AllHipHop, Luke discussed his campaign, the role hip-hop should play in civic leadership, and why he believes artists have a responsibility to engage with their communities.
The full interview will be released soon.
