Lance “Un” Rivera Responds After Jay-Z References 1999 Stabbing In Viral Freestyle, Says “What About My Trauma?”

Lance “Un” Rivera Responds After Jay-Z References 1999 Stabbing In Viral Freestyle, Says “What About My Trauma?”

Lance “Un” Rivera is sharing his thoughts after Jay-Z appeared to revisit their infamous 1999 st@bbing incident during his viral freestyle at the 2026 Roots Picnic.

Speaking with @theartofdialogue , Rivera said he wasn’t impressed by the lyric, telling the outlet,

“I thought it was not one of the best bars that he’s had.”

He went on to suggest the reference was part of a larger promotional strategy.

“I think what people need to understand is that most of Jay-Z’s intentions are purely based on marketing rollouts. I was part of the rollout for the products that’s going out right now in the streets. So, I fell victim to that.”

Rivera added that he feels like he’s repeatedly become part of Jay-Z’s marketing campaigns over the years.

“I’m used over and over again in that capacity. From the beginning, it’s always been about marketing. I continue to be the joke,” he says.

The music executive also questioned why the decades-old stabbing continues to be brought up.

“He talks about trauma, but what about my trauma? What about people who lived trauma? He keeps bringing it back up and back up.”

As previously reported, Jay-Z referenced the 1999 st@bbing during his Roots Picnic freestyle, sparking widespread discussion online. The rap mogul pleaded guilty to third-degree assault in 2001 in connection with the altercation. Rivera has repeatedly said he’s ready to move on from the incident and hopes the conversation can finally be put to rest.