Epic Records Apologizes for Offensive Leaked Lil Wayne Remix

Even the best artists make a misstep. In the case of a recently-leaked remix from Lil Wayne, however, the transgression was hugely offensive.

Last weekend, the Cash Money rapper’s remix of Future’s “Karate Chop” made it onto the internet. What was particularly insensitive was a vulgar reference to Emmett Till, a Chicago 14-year-old violently killed after whistling at a white woman while visiting Mississippi in 1955. Till’s family members, rightly, were appalled.

On February 13, Epic Records issued an apology, which stated: "We regret the unauthorized remix version of Future's 'Karate Chop,' which was leaked online and contained hurtful lyrics. Out of respect for the legacy of Emmett Till and his family and the support of the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. ... we are going through great efforts to take down the unauthorized version."

After the apology, a Facebook posting from the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation stated that Epic’s CEO and Chairman L.A. Reid reached out to personally apologize.

As far as Epic’s plans for the track, however, the label plans to release the remix, in a cleaned up version, at a later date.

What’s your perspective on this matter? Till’s cousin Airickca Gordon-Taylor said to The Guardian: "[The lyrics are] offensive not only to us, but to our ancestors and to women and to [the artists] themselves as young, black men."

Should Epic even consider releasing the track?