It has been over a month since Sauce Money publicly called out Puff Daddy following his Grammy speech about taking care of the culture and pushing it forward. While Sauce Money agreed with the message, he criticized Puff Daddy for what he described as being “blackballed” behind the scenes. He specifically alleged that Puff Daddy blocked him from appearing on Drink Champs, a platform tied to Revolt.
Sauce Money also addressed Jay-Z, someone he had been close with since his teenage years and who played a significant role early in his career. He claimed he asked Jay-Z to act as a facilitator, given his close relationship with Puff Daddy, but said his request was met with silence.
After the year 2000, Sauce Money most notably worked with DJ Kay Slay. He appeared on several of Kay Slay’s projects, including the recently released Living Legend. On the album, Sauce Money delivers a hard-hitting verse on “Back to the Bars, Pt. 2,” holding his own alongside Sheek Louch and Styles P. The track serves as a reminder that Sauce Money has not lost a step.
In November of last year, DJ Kay Slay conducted an interview with Sauce Money that focused heavily on his long-standing relationships with both Jay-Z and Puff Daddy.
DJ Kay Slay – Back to the Bars, Pt.2 feat. Sheek Louch, Style P, Sauce Money & Others
DJ Kay Slay – Sauce Money Interview Pt.1
DJ Kay Slay – Sauce Money Interview Pt.2
Sauce Money was first introduced to Puff Daddy by Jay-Z as a ghostwriter during the recording of the 1997 album No Way Out. Most notably, Sauce Money wrote the lyrics for Puff Daddy’s biggest hit, “I’ll Be Missing You.” He also penned Puff Daddy’s verse on “Young G’s,” a track that featured Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G.
Beyond those songs, Sauce Money contributed to several other tracks on No Way Out and continued working with Puff Daddy on the 1999 follow-up album Forever. He also appeared on the posse cut “Reverse,” sharing the track with Shyne, Busta Rhymes, Redman, and others.
Puff Daddy – I’ll Be Missing You feat. 112 & Faith Evans
Puff Daddy – Young G’s feat. Jay-Z & Notorious B.I.G.
Puff Daddy – Reverse feat. Shyne, Busta Rhymes, Redman, Sauce Money & Others
Puff Daddy later appeared on “Do You See” from Sauce Money’s 2000 album Middle Finger U. Around that time, Jay-Z allegedly advised Sauce Money to stop writing for Puff Daddy. Sauce Money agreed to step away, only to later claim that Jay-Z took over the same role himself.
To this day, Sauce Money has released only one solo album. As a result, ghostwriting became a significant source of income and a necessary way for him to make a living in the industry.
Sauce Money – Do You See feat. Puff Daddy
Another interaction Sauce Money discussed with DJ Kay Slay involved Jay-Z acting unfavorably in 2007, during Jay-Z’s time as president of Def Jam. According to Sauce Money, Jay-Z listened to several tracks he had worked on and initially appeared receptive. However, Jay-Z later told him that he did not believe in his dream.
Those words were deeply hurtful, especially given their shared history. Sauce Money and Jay-Z had known each other since they were 13 years old and came up together, grinding to establish themselves in the music industry with the same goals in mind.
The first time the two appeared together on a commercial record was on Big Daddy Kane’s “Show and Prove” from the 1994 album Daddy’s Home. The track generated buzz but did not result in a record deal. Jay-Z would later record a demo with Sauce Money, produced largely by DJ Clark Kent. Many fans consider those recordings among Jay-Z’s strongest early work, including standout tracks like “Rippin It Up” and “Nuttin But Love.”
Big Daddy Kane – Show and Prove feat. Jay-Z, Sauce Money & Others
Jay-Z – Rippin It Up feat. Sauce Money
Jay-Z – Nuttin But Love feat. Sauce Money
In 1995, Jay-Z landed a short-lived record deal with Payday Records. He released his debut single, “In My Lifetime,” along with a remix of “I Can’t Get Wid Dat,” which featured Jaz-O and Sauce Money.
The following year, Jay-Z released his debut album Reasonable Doubt. Sauce Money appeared on the DJ Premier–produced track “Bring It On.” That same year, both artists also showed up on “Foundation” alongside Big Jaz, also known as Jaz-O.
Sauce Money later appeared on “Face Off” from Jay-Z’s 1997 album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, continuing their collaborative run during Jay-Z’s early career.
Jay-Z – I Can’t Get Wid Dat (remix) feat. Jaz-O & Sauce Money
Jay-Z – Bring It on feat. Jaz-O & Sauce Money (prod. by DJ Premier)
Big Jaz – Foundation feat. Jay-Z & Sauce Money
Big Jaz – Foundation (remix) feat. Jay-Z & Sauce Money
Jay-Z – Face Off 2000 feat. Sauce Money
Sauce Money appeared on the posse cut “Reservoir Dogs“ alongside The Lox and Beanie Sigel. The song closed out Jay-Z’s 1998 album Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life.
That same year, Sauce Money also appeared on multiple movie soundtracks. He was featured on the Streets Is Watching soundtrack with the track “Celebration”. He also appeared on The Players Club soundtrack with “From Marcy to Hollywood”.
The final collaboration between Sauce Money and Jay-Z came in 2000. Jay-Z appeared on “Pre-Game”, which was featured on Sauce Money’s album Middle Finger U.
Jay-Z – Reservoir Dogs feat. The Lox, Beanie Sigel & Sauce Money
Jay-Z – Celebration feat. Sauce Money & Memphis Bleek
Jay-Z – From Marcy to Hollywood – feat. Sauce Money & Memphis Bleek
Sauce Money – Pre-Game feat. Jay-Z
It is a shame that Sauce Money, after all these years, remains at odds with Puff Daddy and Jay-Z. Sauce Money played a significant role in the success of both of their careers. He is a gifted lyricist who should not be blocked from having access to major platforms. As he has expressed, the situation has had a negative effect on his career and, more importantly, his ability to provide for his family.
Test