On Friday (Nov. 8), Dave East released his debut studio album, Survival. At 20 tracks, the record includes several impressive features, including DJ Premier, J. Black, Nas, Teyana Taylor, The-Dream, Rick Ross, Fabolous, E-40 and more. However, one contributor, East revealed last week, was pulled from the project.
Last week, East revealed that Kodak Black originally joined Lil Baby on Survival cut, “Night Shift.” However, out of respect for the late Nipsey Hussle, East removed Kodak from the song in light of disrespectful comments that Kodak made about Nipsey’s girlfriend, Lauren London.
According to The Source, East’s peers had advised him that a Lil Baby and Kodak collaboration would benefit his album sales. However, East, a loyal Nipsey supporter, decided against it. The Source also reports that Nipsey was meant to be featured on Survival song “Penthouse,” which J. Black is featured on. Unfortunately, East didn’t secure a verse from Nipsey in time. However, the Los Angeles mainstay’s vocals can be heard in the background on the song, which East secured with Nipsey’s family’s approval. Survival also contains a Nipsey Hussle tribute anchor track, titled “The Marathon Continues (Nipsey Hussle Tribute).”
Kodak Black was publicly shamed by T.I., The Game, Los Angeles radio station Power 106 and more after making suggestive remarks to London after Nipsey’s death.
“Lauren London, that baby, though. She about to be out here single,” he said on Instagram Live, less than a week after Nipsey was murdered. “I’ll be the best man I can be for her. I’ll give her a whole year… I ain’t trying to shoot [my shot] at her… She can do two, three years. I’ll try to be like the friend if you need to holler or a shoulder to lean on. She can call my line.”
East recently celebrated Survival rising to the Apple Music Charts, reaching No. 3 on US Apple Music All Genre and No. 2 for Hip Hop & Rap.