The song "Hate Me Now" by Nas featuring P. Diddy was released on April 6, 1999, and received some praise from critics like Steve Juon, who wrote in his review for RapReviews.com that "It may be yet another mad track about playa hating, but the rebuttal of the hate is crisp and well defined – owing little to cliche." but things took a very controversial turn when the music video for the track released. While it contained gorgeous women, fancy cars, and trips to the club like most videos from the genre, it also had scenes depicting moments from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ involving both artists, which was something a devout catholic like Diddy didn't like.
Diddy decided to have his scenes removed, but unfortunately, the original cut was what debuted on MTV's "Total Request Live." This didn't go over well, and MTV News reported that Diddy and several bodyguards attacked Nas's manager Steve Stoute for letting this happen. "For some reason, I think Steve Stoute let it fly with Puffy still being crucified to the cross, so there was that fight at the office, where Puff jumped on Steve," Nas said to The Source. According to E! Online, the two eventually settled out of court and resolved their differences.
Despite the off-camera drama, the track has gone on to be utilized in several movies, TV Shows, and video games. Its checkered past couldn't stop helping "Gran Turismo" blaze past the starting line and into theaters in August 2023.
