Malcolm Smith Denounces Lil Wayne in Times Square

Malcolm Smith standing in Times Square for his denunciation of Lil Wayne. (Photo: Hunter Walker)

At a highly anticipated press conference in the middle of Times Square, Queens State Senator and potential mayoral candidate Malcolm Smith took Lil Wayne to taskfor saying he doesnt like New York City in an interview earlier this week. The senator began by repeating Mr. Waynes offending comments for the benefit of the handful of reporters who braved the crowds of tourists to witness Mr. Smiths denunciation of the rapper.

Let me read you a statement, one worda couple of words that came from Lil Wayne today and heres what he said: I. Dont Like. New. York, Mr. Smith said, slowly reciting each outrageous syllable of Mr. Waynes five word comment for emphasis.

Mr. Smith went on to explain why he took strong exception to Mr. Waynes comments and would like the rapper to issue a formal apology.

Heres my response to Lil Wayneand this response is on behalf of the 50 million tourists who come here and make New York City their home for two weeks out of the year, for the eight million people that live in New York, Mr. Smith said. Very simple, if you dont like New York, you dont have to come to New York, you dont have to sell your products here and, perhaps, we wont come to your concerts. I can tell you as someone whos raised my family here, Ive taken strong exception to the words, I dont like New York. I love this city. I was born and raised in this city.

Mr. Smith described Mr. Waynes remarks as an affront to two New Yorkers in particular.

He should also know, anecdo! tally or not, hes also insulted the memory of Frank Sinatra and hes also insulted Jay Z, Mr. Smith said, adding by way of explanation, Both have made endearing songs about New York.

Mr. Smith said he felt obligated to launch his crusade against Mr. Wayne because he is from Hollis, Queens, which in spite of extensive documentation describing hip hops roots in the Bronx, he described as the home of the origin of hip hop. He also noted Mr. Waynes protege, Nicki Minaj, comes from his district.

It is my hope and I believe and I want to believe that he had a lapse in mental judgement for some strange reason and I hope that he will think about it, said Mr. Smith. Perhaps Nicki Minaj, who makes her money here, whos made a lot of money for Lil Wayne will whisper in his ear, I think you made a mistake. New Yorkers are forgiving people. Were prepared to forgive Lil Wayne if, in fact, he makes a sincere apology.

Of course, Mr. Smith didnt attempt to take on such a weighty issue on his own. He was joined by a man he described as a good friend of mine, Charles Fisher of the Hip Hop Summit Youth Council, who suggested Mr. Waynes comments could lead to a violent rap war without Mr. Smiths intervention.

With all the killings and murders going on today we have to be proactive, said Mr. Fisher. Sixteen years ago, Tupac Shakur was murdered and Biggie Smalls came right after that.We cant afford to have a war between New York and the South. Lil Wayne is out of Atlanta, grew up in New Orleans.

Mr. Fisher said the only solution to this violence would be to get Lil Wayne together with the Senator to see what we can do to work together and stop the violence.

Mr. Smith also presented the patriarch of a seemingly random family of British tourists to respond to Mr. Waynes remarks.

Hi. Im Francis, Im from London. This is my family; Alison, Josh and Samuel, he said ! pointing to his wife and children. We got married today in New York and we love New York. Thats it, thank you very much.

After all of the speakers were finished, Mr. Smith took a few questions from the assembled reporters. Politicker asked him if he had been a fan of Lil Waynes music prior to his controversial comments about the city. Mr. Smith conceded that his 19-year-old daughter kind of likes the rapper.

I might enourage her not to buy [his music] until the apology comes, Mr. Smith said.

Though Mr. Smith is a Democrat, hes currently mulling a run for mayor next year on the Republican Party line. We asked him how hed handle the Lil Wayne situation if he was currently in City Hall.

I dont want to get into hypotheticals, said Mr. Smith. Right now, Im dealing with the circumstances as the state senator from New York.

Watch a video of Mr. Smiths press conference below.

Follow Hunter Walker on Twitter or via RSS. hwalker@observer.com