American rapper Pusha T has released an extraordinary attack on McDonald’s and is releasing a diss number with a rival fast food chain, Arby’s.
The 75-second song was inspired, the rapper told Rolling Stone, out of anger over what he claims is McDonald’s failure to pay him and his brother properly for their part in writing and performing the famous I’m Lovin ‘It- jingle.
In the diss number (essentially a rap that attacks a target, usually another rapper), Pusha T criticizes McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish while promoting Arby’s Spicy Fish Sandwich.
“I’m the reason the whole world loves it, now I have to crush it,” he raps.
He also says that the Filet-O-Fish is “shit” and adds: “You should be disgusted / How dare you sell a square fish that asks us to trust it / A half slice of cheese, Mickey D’s on a budget?”
The origins of I’m Lovin ‘It McDonald’s jingle are disputed.
It was released in 2003 and features rap by Pusha T and his brother Malice, whose artist name is No Malice. Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake are also credited, the latter being paid $ 6 million for a full song of the same name.
In the interview with Rolling Stone about his departure to Arby’s camp, Pusha T said that McDonald’s only paid him and his brother a one-time fee, without royalties, for their work on the landmark ad.
“I’m solely responsible for I’m Lovin ‘It swag and jingle of that company,” the rapper said. “It’s just right. I’m the cause. Now I have to crush it.
“I did it at a very young age, at a very young time in my career, where I did not ask for so much money and ownership. It’s something that has always dug up for me later in life like, ‘Hell, I was a part of this and I should have more effort.’
“It was like half a million or a million dollars for me and my brother – but it’s peanuts as long as it’s been running. I had to get that energy from me and this [Arby’s ad] was the perfect way to get that energy like, ‘You know what? I’m over it. ‘”
According to a Pitchfork article published in 2016, other artists credited for creating the track deny that Pusha T was involved.
In his own interview with Pitchfork, Pusha T said, “It’s funny that people find it so funny now that I wrote it.”
On Tuesday afternoon, the pro-Arby’s number, which the rapper shared with Twitter followers on Monday, had received more than 4.4 million views.
“Drunk in tartar, the Filet-O-Fish is tasteless,” raps Pusha-T. “Arby’s only acts in greatness. I bet the house on it, like it’s Vegas. “
The rapper tweeted: “Just dropped a diss number with Arby’s. Grab some popcorn and a spicy fish sandwich. #ArbysPaidMeButIWouldSayThisAnyway. “