Tweeting while famous is a risky pastime: Just ask Azealia Banks. Or Taylor Swift. Or Justin Timberlake. El-P, of hip-hop group Run the Jewels, became just the latest celebrity to learn about the dangers of expressing yourself on social media on Monday after a series of tweets enraged a particularly unforgiving community: Pokémon Go fans.
First, El-P disparaged the game …
… which led to backlash.
At that point El-P, no doubt spotting a potential PR crisis, tried to walk back his comments …
… then to deny making them at all ….
… before at last making amends with Pokéballers—via a very inspired, to-the-point rap.
Though nothing could ever live up to the original Pokérap, El-P’s peace offering did at least seem to appease Pokéheads. Thus the tweetstorm became a classic, heartwarming tale of disgrace and redemption, with the artist offering an olive branch by calling for Pokéholics to put their own spin on his rap and promising a prize for the best remix. The results did not disappoint. Here are a few of the best:
So who won? Scottish producer Kip Cozy, who specializes in grime and trap music, for this inspired, ambient remix.
