Jay-Z and Kanye West Perform ‘Otis’ on 2011 MTV VMAs: Watch | Billboard
They’re two of music’s best-selling artists with dozens of hit records and millions of fans worldwide.
Though after watching the British documentary Public Enemies – Jay-Z vs Kanye on Channel 4 on Monday night, fans took to Twitter to accuse New York rapper Jay-Z of ‘using’ his former protegee.
The Channel 4 film followed followed the friendship turned feud between hip-hop’s brightest stars, which left viewers divided on their allegiance.
And after gaining an insight into the backgrounds of music royalty, viewers overwhelmingly appeared to be sympathetic to the Chicago rapper ahead of Jay-Z.
Billed as an exposé of their turbulent relationship, the TV show asked childhood friends to a glimpse into what both men were like growing up.
In one such scene, Kanye’s childhood friend Eugene McNair showed audiences the rapper’s bedroom where they all used to record tracks together.
Opening the door to a messy room, still littered with musical equipment and posters of famous rappers, Eugene explained what the ‘lab’ was like during those formative musical years.
‘We went to his crib, he had all this African s*** throughout the house, he had crates of records everywhere, he had an extensive porno collection, he had fresh clothes.’
There was no disputing that the duo were destined for greatness, but it was Jay-Z who acted in a mentor role to get Kanye to the top.
Some viewers argued that producer turned rapper Kanye was the more talented of the two, with one viewer posting: ‘Kayne over Jay-Z, the man is a genius.’
Another, Tammy Cuff, said: ‘I love both Jay-Z and Kanye for different reasons – but College Dropout [Kanye’s debut album] is perfection and Jay-Z came across as a user.’
The ‘user’ theme was repeated often by frustrated Twitter fans, with one person even suggesting Jay-Z bullied his ‘little brother’ Kanye.
Meanwhile, another user pointed out that as a producer, Kanye was responsible for some of Jay-Z’s biggest hits.
Despite the sympathy towards Kanye, some in turn went on the defensive of Jay-Z, dubbing the New York man’s maneuverings ‘just business’.
One user, directly referring to Kanye, said: ‘Kanye I love you bro but you are venting at the wrong person. Jay-Z gave you the formula and you lost it.’
Another, tellingly, said: ‘To be honest, Jay-Z using Kanye is just business.’
Chrome Hitz continued the defense of Jay-Z by suggesting that without the New York rapper’s help there would be no Kanye West.
Richie Yemie seconded this posting: ‘You know Jay-Z is one of the major reasons Kanye West made it right?’
Meanwhile others took a more diplomatic stance praising the documentary for shedding light on two of the most complex and gifted artists of their day.
Nathan Meyer suggested he could not pick between the two rappers.
While another user said both men were ‘talented’ and ‘absolute icons’.
The pair formed an all-conquering partnership in 2011, when their platinum selling joint album Watch The Throne preceded a sold out world tour.
But before the critically acclaimed albums, awards, controversy, celebrity marriages and global fashion range, Kanye was an art-school dropout from Chicago.
And in a music genre built on rivalries, his relationship with Jay-Z started out in an unusually harmonious manner.
Jay-Z, already a bonafide star with his own Roc-A-Fella Records music label, first encountered the cocky upstart Kanye shortly after the Chicago star had moved to New York to find fame.
Given the chance to play his beats to Jay-Z, he left the New York icon so impressed that the majority of Jay-Z’s next album had Kanye’s fingerprints all over it.
Jay Z and Kanye West
Before long Kanye was signed to Roc-A-Fella and then – fearing he was being pigeon holed as a producer – showed his prolific rapping prowess on The College Dropout – a critical and commercial success which propelled him to stardom.
A string of best-selling albums followed until the star reached Jay-Z levels of fame.
Eventually their partnership peaked with Watch The Throne – a global juggernaut described as a ‘celebration of black excellence’.
But following his marriage to reality TV superstar Kim Kardashian and a string of high-profile outbursts, the pairs’ relationship started to break down.
Recently, Kanye was filmed onstage attacking his former friend in a bizarre rant.
Midway through his performance in Sacramento, U.S. Kanye stopped to shout: ‘Jay-Z call me bruh, you still ain’t call me. Jay-Z I know you got killers. Please don’t send em at my head. Just call me [sic]’
Before taking aim at Jay-Z’s wife, Beyonce: ‘Beyonce I was hurt, cause I heard you wouldn’t perform unless you won video of the year over me and over “hotline bling”
Get ready to have a field day press. Get ready – because the shows over.’
The rapper then dropped the mic and left the stage much to crowds frustration.
In the meantime, Kanye has been recovering from a nervous breakdown and has reportedly begun making new music again for his next album.
While Jay-Z released his own album 4.44 last month, providing a striped down, more reflective version of himself appearing to apologise to Beyonce for his alleged infidelities. dailymail.co.uk