DJ Quik recently sparked a Twitter discussion that compared his career to that of another West Coast legend: Dr. Dre.
Quik Speaks His Mind While Still Praising Dr. Dre
It all went down on Tuesday morning, and DJ Quik started off by outright saying he “deserve[s] to be where Dre is.”
“I know it’s early. But I deserve to be where Dre is. I don’t think it’s fair, but I understand why. I’ve never had a machine behind me, that always hurt my friends more than it did me.”
https://twitter.com/djquik/status/1600168141329350656?s=20&t=ba57RM7NkEdjaxuYROCWHg
He went on to further elaborate on the matter, though he was sure to express that he has nothing but love for Dr. Dre. In fact, Quik even shared that it “pains [him] when people pit [them] against each other.”
https://twitter.com/djquik/status/1600175804649857026?s=20&t=ba57RM7NkEdjaxuYROCWHg
https://twitter.com/djquik/status/1600176755972530176?s=20&t=ba57RM7NkEdjaxuYROCWHg
DJ Quik also stoically shared messages relating to people accepting the hand they were dealt. Notably, he compared himself to a “janitor” who works behind the scenes, though he’s proud of what he’s accomplished as a producer with “10s of artists superstars.”
“I know I’ll never be as popular as I need to be, but I have 10s of artists superstars! And when they shine, I just smile. The janitor doesn’t get all the glory, but he keeps the backstage, clean as a triage.”
https://twitter.com/djquik/status/1600177833313460224?s=20&t=ba57RM7NkEdjaxuYROCWHg
https://twitter.com/djquik/status/1600178422403063814?s=20&t=ba57RM7NkEdjaxuYROCWHg
Finally, he wrapped up his comments by clarifying that he’s “not having a meltdown” and is only expressing his thoughts on the subject.
https://twitter.com/djquik/status/1600179000843722752?s=20&t=ba57RM7NkEdjaxuYROCWHg
Fans Understand Where DJ Quik’s Coming From
As one might expect, DJ Quik’s comments swiftly sparked a conversation on Twitter.
Most people sympathized with Quik and showered him in support.
Quik you a legend. Legacy holds equal weight as Dre’s . When you gone, aint nobody gonna compare who had more Rolls Royce’s or the biggest house. Your impact on the sound & culture is immeasurable & you’ll always be hailed as a pioneer & a great. Its priceless. THANK YOU. 🫶🏾 https://t.co/SZcGDalxvz
— BRICK! (@superduperbrick) December 6, 2022
Quik been that dude and really should be considered as one of the greatest producers ever.
— 9errrrrGangSlim (@SlimDreY) December 6, 2022
Quik is a better producer than Dre imo https://t.co/q7dWUv6FFB
— Thomas Hobbs (@thobbsjourno) December 7, 2022
Just for the record:
DJ Quik >>>>> Dre
And it’s not close FOR ME 🔥🔥🔥
(if you mofos @ me you’re getting blocked immediately…I clearly said FOR ME) https://t.co/tIrWEYwkgN
— Porsha (@CherchezLaPorsh) December 6, 2022
DJ Quik can play every instrument, write his raps, mix and engineer and has consistently dropped music over the course of his career – and it all ranges from good to classic. Dre is a legend but stop playing with Quik bro.
— LONGLIVEWIDI (@sameflannel) December 7, 2022
One user even said that, if Dr. Dre is “the Michael Jackson of the West Coast,” then DJ Quik is Prince.
https://twitter.com/iMalcolmMays/status/1600192285852958738?s=20&t=nER-tej-mv82LmP9FO9OBg
However, not everyone sided with DJ Quik. While they acknowledged DJ Quik as a “talented legend,” some nonetheless felt that Dr. Dre “has given us a bit more.” Additionally, DJ Quik’s comments about Dre benefitting from “a machine” were contested.
Quik can talk about a “machine” all he wants but theres rappers from the 90’s that had a smaller “machine” than he did and still in 2022 their 90’s albums get more love than his.
Quik is a talented legend but i dont buy into all shit he was saying. Music speaks for its self.
— L (@lifeizgod) December 7, 2022
I have ALOT of respect for DJ Quik. He's the people's champ, a REAL producer/musician. But…. Dr. Dre has given us a bit more, he's given us 3 cultural ICONS and came up with 2 others AND super classics. Quik simply hasn't done that
— To The East, Slackwards 🇯🇲 (@Slakonbothsides) December 6, 2022
Quik is a genius, top 3 producers from the West, top 10 all time
Quik was signed to Arista for nearly a decade, that's a machine. Every "machine" that was behind Dre was because he has a track record for selling hella records and generating a media buzz. It wasn't handed to him. https://t.co/Z0vxzLiUIP
— Ruben || Check the Rhyme (@checktherhyme1_) December 6, 2022
Ima keep it real, DJ Quik is definitely a legend. But deserves to be where Dre is? That’s goin a lil too far my nigga.
— Rod. (@RoddyIgnant) December 7, 2022
One individual even shared that DJ Quik isn’t as big as Dre because he “stayed true to his roots and kept it west coast at all times.” So, many of those who disagreed still couldn’t help but give DJ Quik major props.
Quik stayed true to his roots and kept it west coast at all times which is why he isn’t where Dre is. The world stopped caring about the west coast after 1999. Dre is way more versatile. He has multiple sounds. No hate. It’s the truth. Quik is my favorite producer
— Trizz (@Tr1zz) December 6, 2022
Ultimately, though, most fans felt as though DJ Quik had made points.
I'll take a Quik beat over a Dre beat any day https://t.co/jHXYRsKim7
— ケニー・ロジャース・ロースターズ (@2gees2trill) December 6, 2022
If Quik had the machine Dre had, this wouldn’t even be up for discussion. Quik is a pioneer in this shit and he’s easily the better rapper between the two. https://t.co/wcwylhcrVF
— 7-9-12-2-5-18-20 🍇 (@RicinAnastasia) December 7, 2022
you not westcoast like we westcoast if you don’t think Quik deserves to be up there w Dre
— . (@tcumu) December 7, 2022
Do you agree with DJ Quik’s sentiment about “deserv[ing] to be where Dre is”?
