Consequence Reveals He Was Removed from Common and Kanye West’s “They Say”
Consequence has opened up about his involvement in the track They Say by Common and Kanye West, revealing that he was originally featured on the song but was ultimately removed before its official release. The track appeared on Common’s critically acclaimed 2005 album, Be, which was largely produced by Kanye West.
The rapper took to Instagram on Wednesday (December 18) to share his verse that never made the final cut. Alongside a photo of the G.O.O.D. Music logo, Consequence wrote, “We was supposed to do a video with the version with me on it but it never happened…”
Although his verse was cut from the official album release, some fans were quick to point out that the version featuring Consequence wasn’t completely lost. A leaked version of the album that circulated before its release included his contribution.
“Real ones heard this on the mixtape back in the day,” one fan commented on Instagram. Another added, “I had the bootleg Be so I heard this before the Ye verse lol.”
A Career of Highs and Hiatuses
Consequence’s removal from They Say is just one chapter in a career marked by significant ups and downs. After releasing his debut album, Don’t Quit Your Day Job! in 2007, Consequence took a nearly decade-long hiatus before returning with the 2017 EP A Good Comeback Story. He followed that up with his sophomore album, Nice Doing Business With You, earlier this year.
During an interview on the Toure Show in October, Consequence detailed the challenges he faced during his career, including industry politics that impacted his momentum. One major setback occurred after Kanye West’s infamous interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. According to Consequence, the backlash from the incident affected not just Kanye but also those associated with him.
“I had a record deal with Motown that didn’t pan out,” he explained. “I had a number one record at Urban Radio, and then the Taylor Swift incident happened, and anything that Kanye was associated with got pulled from radio.”
Consequence’s track Whatever You Want, which featured Kanye West and John Legend, was gaining traction before the controversy. “It didn’t get shelved because it was out, but it just lost all momentum,” Consequence shared. “Anything with Kanye at that time, that’s how G.O.O.D. Fridays ended up happening. He had to release it directly to people because the politics was crazy at the time.”
Reflecting on “They Say”
While it’s unclear why Consequence’s verse didn’t make the final version of They Say, the song remains one of the standout tracks on Be. The version featuring Kanye West and John Legend is celebrated for its soulful production and introspective lyrics.
Consequence’s revelation adds an intriguing layer to the track’s history, highlighting how industry decisions can shape an artist’s journey. Fans who have heard the leaked version featuring Consequence’s verse continue to celebrate his contribution, even if it didn’t reach the official album.
Consequence’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities behind the scenes in the music industry. Despite setbacks, the rapper has shown resilience and continues to carve out his place in hip-hop. As for They Say, the leaked version featuring his verse remains a gem for fans who got to experience it before the album’s official release.
