You’ll Be Surprised to Learn G. Dep Never Wanted Lil Wayne to Use the ‘Special Delivery’ Beat – So What’s He Saying Now?

A Beat Reborn – Or a Legacy Hijacked?

Why didn’t G. Dep want Lil Wayne to touch “Special Delivery”? That’s the question making the rounds this week after the Harlem rapper finally broke his silence on the viral success of “Uproar”, Lil Wayne’s 2018 banger that reignited the iconic beat G. Dep made famous nearly two decades earlier. And here’s the twist – he wasn’t exactly happy about it at first.

G. Dep, real name Trevell Coleman, sat down with Drink Champs in a rare, candid interview since his release from prison in 2024. As he sipped and spoke with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, fans got a raw, unfiltered glimpse into a complicated story of ego, art, and hip-hop history that’s only now coming to light.

“I Felt Some Kind of Way” – When Dep Found Out

Imagine this: You’re behind bars, your career is frozen in time, and suddenly you hear that the biggest rapper of the era just flipped one of your most iconic tracks. That was G. Dep’s reality when he first heard about “Uproar”. “Wayne jumped on the song,” someone told him. But when he listened, he didn’t feel flattered. Not at all.

“I was bitter,” Dep admitted. Not because of the quality of the record – Uproar was a certified hit and one of the breakout tracks of Wayne’s Tha Carter V – but because he felt like he had no say in the legacy of his own music. Of all the records he had crafted, he was confused. Why that one? Why now? And why him?

From Resentment to Realization: G. Dep Breaks Down the Shift

At first, it was hard to digest. He wasn’t credited directly. There was no heads-up. Just a viral song, a wave of nostalgia, and his name nowhere near the conversation. But time – and perspective – can change a lot.

As Dep explained, hip-hop is built on layers. Sampling is foundational. “It dawned on me,” he said. “This is what we’ve always done – sample, flip, reimagine.” He referenced how Big Daddy Kane’s “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’” has been sampled countless times and realized: he was now part of that tradition.

And that hit him differently. Maybe this wasn’t theft. Maybe it was homage. Maybe it was a baton pass.

The Truth About the Beat – Who Really Owns “Special Delivery”?

But here’s where it gets murky. According to producer EZ Elpee, who created the original beat for “Special Delivery” in 2001, neither Wayne nor Swizz Beatz ever reached out or gave him credit for Uproar. Elpee told HipHopDX in a scathing interview that he felt robbed.

“They stole my sh*t,” Elpee said, clearly emotional. What’s more surprising? Uproar doesn’t even technically sample “Special Delivery.” Instead, it uses the same original source – “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” by The Moog Machine – a synth-heavy rework of the 1966 Supremes classic. This legal gray area allowed Swizz Beatz to recreate the vibe without technically copying Elpee’s version.

But Elpee wasn’t buying it. “It’s like if I took ‘Ruff Ryders Anthem’ and remade it without crediting Swizz. Would that be cool?” he asked. And the internet had opinions.

So Where Does G. Dep Stand Now?

Despite the tension, G. Dep has come around. He now views “Uproar” as a bridge between generations, even calling the idea of a collaboration with Lil Wayne “something” he’d be open to. He hasn’t seen Wayne since coming home from prison, but the door, he said, is not closed.

“You never know what might happen,” he said with a smirk, a line that set off speculation. Could a Wayne x Dep collab be in the works? Some fans think it’s overdue. Others say it’s a redemption arc too good to be true.

What Makes This Story So Important?

Because it forces hip-hop to ask hard questions:
– What counts as honoring someone’s legacy versus exploiting it?
– Do producers deserve more public credit than they get?
– And when an artist is behind bars, does that mean they’re fair game for creative reinterpretation?

This isn’t just about one beat or one song. It’s about control. Ownership. Respect. And the uncomfortable gray area where influence and credit collide.

Swizz Beatz Remains Quiet – For Now

One name that’s been surprisingly absent from the headlines? Swizz Beatz. The veteran producer behind Uproar hasn’t issued a statement since Elpee’s claims resurfaced. The few times he’s mentioned the record, he’s credited “inspiration” but stopped short of naming Elpee directly. Is it silence out of respect – or strategic omission?

Lil Wayne’s Response? Predictably Mysterious

As for Lil Wayne, he’s remained predictably tight-lipped. His team hasn’t responded to the brewing debate, and fans know that Wayne rarely comments on controversy unless it benefits him creatively. But the longer he stays quiet, the more people wonder: Did he know about the backlash? And does he care?

After all, Uproar was a massive hit, sparked a viral dance challenge, and brought a whole new generation back to a beat that first shook the streets of Harlem.

The Bigger Picture: When a Song Carries More Than a Sound

Music is never just music. It’s memory. It’s identity. For G. Dep, “Special Delivery” wasn’t just a hit – it was his moment in the sun, one of the few before his life spiraled into addiction, incarceration, and years of obscurity. To have that resurrected without recognition was a gut punch.

But to see it live again, through Lil Wayne, through TikTok, through viral playlists and club remixes? That’s complicated. It’s painful. But also? It might be the legacy he never knew he needed.

What’s Next for G. Dep?

After years away, G. Dep is ready to step back into the light. He hinted at new music, fresh collaborations, and a renewed sense of purpose. “I’ve got stories to tell,” he said. And clearly, the world is ready to listen.

Whether or not he ever gets an official credit for Uproar, G. Dep seems to have made peace with his place in the culture. But don’t think for a second that he’s done talking. This chapter is just beginning.