Tory Lanez has once again made headlines, this time for his feature on DDG’s latest track, “Handling Business,” which dropped late on December 12. The Toronto artist, who is currently serving a 10-year sentence for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, opened up about the events that led to the shooting in a way that no one expected. Despite being incarcerated, Lanez, who previously released “The Prison Tapes” earlier this year, continues to make waves in the music world.
In his verse on “Handling Business,” Lanez touches on the difficulties of life behind bars and reflects on the incident that changed everything for him. Most notably, he expressed regret over a moment that many didn’t expect.
Lanez raps, “Surley my city talk about me highly/ Know that these bi**hes never can deny me/ The only one thing I regret on that night, is jumping up out of that pool with Kylie.”
This line alludes to the infamous night that began with a party at Kylie Jenner’s house, leading to an altercation involving Lanez, Megan Thee Stallion, and Megan’s former friend Kelsey Harris, which ultimately culminated in the shooting.
The shooting incident, which has been the subject of much public debate, resulted in Lanez being convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in both feet. Since his conviction, Lanez has continued to stay active in the music scene, despite serving his prison sentence. He was sentenced in August 2023 and is now behind bars at a correctional facility. Lanez’s decision to release new music while incarcerated has sparked mixed responses from the public.
On one hand, some fans continue to support Lanez, showing appreciation for his music and his resilience in the face of legal battles. On the other hand, many have criticized him for seemingly using a tragic event—Megan Thee Stallion’s shooting—as a way to remain relevant in the public eye. Some argue that Lanez’s comments about Kylie Jenner and the shooting only serve to reopen old wounds for Megan, who has been open about the trauma she endured after the incident.
The controversy surrounding this release is not just limited to Lanez’s words on the track. His decision to rap about the event while still incarcerated has led some to question his motives. Is he genuinely remorseful, or is he simply trying to profit from the pain caused by the shooting? Megan Thee Stallion has not yet publicly responded to Lanez’s comments in the song, but it is clear that the emotional toll this case has taken on her continues to resonate deeply.
Lanez also alluded to the possibility of being released from prison earlier than expected. In his verse, he mentions that he may come home sooner than anticipated, sparking speculation about potential legal developments. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his case, Lanez remains confident that he could be freed before serving his full sentence.
The new track isn’t Lanez’s first release since his conviction. Back in July 2023, he dropped “The Prison Tapes,” a collection of songs that he recorded while incarcerated. The project was released after Lanez announced that he had “cracked the code” on how to make professional-quality music from behind bars. Unfortunately, shortly after its release, Lanez’s cell was raided, and all equipment used to record music was confiscated, forcing him to halt the project.
Even with his musical ventures limited by prison restrictions, Lanez’s resilience has been evident in his ability to produce new material. His fans, known as “Umbrella” supporters, continue to rally behind him, despite the ongoing controversy. However, the mixed reactions to “Handling Business” suggest that Lanez’s relationship with the public is complicated at best.
In a statement about his journey, Lanez once said, “I’m not going to let these prison walls stop me from dropping new music. I cracked the code.” His determination to create music and remain relevant in the industry continues to keep him in the spotlight, even as he navigates the consequences of his past actions.
Whether or not his new verse will shift public opinion remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Tory Lanez’s story is far from over. Only time will tell if he can overcome the fallout from the 2020 shooting incident and repair his relationship with his fans and the public.
