In a new interview, Safaree reveals he has quit the popular reality series Love & Hip Hop after eight years.
The entertainer has been a prominent figure in various iterations of the popular reality TV series appearing in the Atlanta, Hollywood, Miami, and New York versions. His departure from the franchise was due to exclusivity issues, he told the “We in Miami” podcast.
“I walked away,” he said. “They’re filming now, but I didn’t even sign back on. I would have done it again, but these lawyers and everyone involved want all these exclusivity rights. They want to tie me down and say, ‘Okay, only here. You can’t do anything else.’ You have to pay me to sit.”
Safaree wanted to explore new opportunities and shared his frustrations with the show’s audience. Throughout the series, he has experienced fights, high-profile relationships, and viral antics.
“With ‘Love & Hip Hop,’ I just don’t like that people who watch it feel like they know me,” he explained. “I be places, and people see me and they’ll be like, ‘Behave yourself! Stop!’ What? Get the hell out of my face, lady. These people really hold on to stuff they see.”
Safaree joined Love & Hip Hop in 2016. While filming Love & Hip Hop, he met former reality star Erica Mena, with whom he had a child.
Despite his complaints, Safaree acknowledged the positive impact Love & Hip Hop had on his career. “I can’t even front on the amount of doors it opened up for me and the opportunities and the extra eyes,” he said. “At first, I really was not trying to do it. And then when I got on and I kind of felt like I took it over, that helped a lot.”
Safaree gained fame by appearing on four versions of “Love & Hip Hop.” Before joining the show, he was best known for dating Nicki Minaj; the couple split in 2014.
His appearances on We In Miami follow the appearances of Minaj’s sister, Ming Lunali, last week. The singer discussed growing up with Nicki Minaj and no longer wanting to be referred to as her younger sister.