AceShowbiz - Lance "Un" Rivera has publicly expressed his frustration with Jay-Z for continuously bringing up their long-past 1999 altercation through his lyrics. Rivera argues that these repeated references only serve to reopen old wounds instead of promoting healing.

The dispute, which dates back over 25 years, involved a stabbing incident at a New York City club. Rivera recently spoke out following a freestyle performance by Jay-Z at the Roots Picnic, where the rapper once again mentioned the event. Prior to this, Rivera had released a detailed open letter encouraging the billionaire rapper to focus on unity rather than revisiting violent moments from the past.

This conversation unfolded during an extensive interview with the podcast The Art of Dialogue. In his letter, Rivera acknowledged Jay-Z as one of Hip-Hop's most influential figures, urging him to use his platform to foster a message of reconciliation rather than division.

However, Rivera’s tone shifted in the interview, where he dismissed the recent freestyle bars as some of Jay-Z's weaker lyrical efforts. He suggested that these references are often tied to marketing strategies surrounding new projects.

Rivera revealed he felt exploited by these marketing tactics, stating that his involvement in these cycles has largely been as a promotional tool. He highlighted how references to the stabbing incident have become a recurring theme within Jay-Z's promotional rollouts, making him the subject of ongoing jokes rather than being treated with respect.

Although Rivera does not oppose Jay-Z's continued commercial success, he criticized the repeated use of their violent past as a method of building a tough, dangerous image. He urged Jay-Z to find alternative ways to project strength and menace without using him as a benchmark—adding that if Jay-Z intends to keep doing so, he should compensate him accordingly.

This recent freestyle isn’t the first instance where Jay-Z has alluded to the stabbing incident. The rapper has referenced the event in several songs over the years, including 2002’s "I Did It My Way," 2005’s "Dear Summer," and the introspective "Kill Jay Z" from 2017.

Regarding the stabbing itself, Rivera explained that he was placed in a dangerous situation surrounded by multiple weapons, implying that he acted out of necessity to survive. The incident occurred in December 1999 during a release party for Q-Tip’s album Amplified at New York City’s Kit Kat Club. Following the confrontation, Jay-Z pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to three years of probation.

This ongoing public dialogue sheds light on how past conflicts in Hip-Hop continue to influence the careers and personal narratives of those involved decades later. Rivera’s criticism invites reflection on the responsibility artists hold in shaping their legacies and the impact their words have on others connected to those stories.

This article is based on reporting originally published by AllHipHop.