The Art of the Diss: How Beef Drives Hip-Hop
Hip-hop is renowned for its disputes, which have given rise to popular diss recordings. However, it is a major driver of the industry’s growth
Several feuds in hip-hop have given rise to several diss tracks, some of which were hits and others of which weren’t. While some of these feuds were just small-time squabbles, others were deadly, brutal, and career-ending. It’s nearly as though there’s always a feud lurking around the corner in the hip-hop industry on the first day of every year.
Since the early days of hip-hop, feuds have been a significant hip-hop element.
Hip-hop is the only culture with the best feuds and diss recordings, bar none. This is not to say that hip-hop is the only genre with feuds. Hip-hop has seen horrific feuds that have resulted in misery, social media squabbles, murder, and even fatalities, such as the feud between Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., Nas and Jay Z, 50 Cent and Ja Rule, and Cardi B and Nicki Minaj.
Initially, I’m tempted to write about the biggest feuds, hottest diss tracks, and diss gossip scattered all over the internet. It’s really interesting to follow...I mean the petty bashing and the fans' funny comments, tweets, and quote tweets all over Twitter amidst any hip-hop feuds, but I want to talk about the effect of these feuds on the hip-hop industry. In every chaos, there is always a silver lining. The same holds for rivalries in hip-hop feuds:
Mainstream Acceptance and Influence
Hip-hop’s early years faced numerous rejections from well-known corporations. However, others would argue that this is a racist act. The music genre started and grew out of poverty and bloody violence in the Bronx, New York. Because of the poverty and violence in the city, very few investors were willing to put their money into the people and the hip-hop industry.
Out of the dirt and adversaries rose a culture that resonates with the city’s Black teens and adults. Hip-hop artists began to build the genre from nothing. From nothing, it became a culture that gained the hearts of many young people.
Through bloody feuds, petty jabs, and great diss tracks, the culture became a force to be reckoned with (this is not to say that feuds alone made the genre popular, as this will only ignore the rare talents put into the growth of the culture). The genre gained popularity, which led to iconic deals and signings.
No one wants to sleep on a culture that is gaining popularity. No one wants to lose money. Brands then began to invest in hip-hop—Adidas, Puma, Nike, and many more—even today. It wasn’t as easy as it sounds, but the musicians, through conflicts, partnerships, and innovation, built hip-hop culture.
Quality Diss Tracks and legendary punchlines
Feuds have birthed hundreds of diss tracks—some were quite furious, while others were non-lethal. Since the days of Notorious B.I.G. vs. Tupac, we’ve seen very lethal diss tracks that shook the whole music industry.
Due to the songs’ extensive distribution, many individuals who were not regular hip-hop fans developed an interest in the subject, the genre, and hip-hop culture. With the exception of the musicians’ extraordinary talent and tireless spirits, this has been one of the main contributions to the rise of hip-hop.
Diss tracks aren’t just jabs of insults but masterly crafted play of words. Some of which can end careers. Think about when 2Pac hit Bad Boy, Mobb Deep, and Chino XL in the track “Hit Em Up”:
“You claim to be a player, but I fucked your wife
We bust on Bad Boys, niggas fucked for life”
This is one of the greatest diss tracks ever and a summary of the Coast vs. West Coast beef. There were a couple of events that led to this track, which was in the heat of Notorious B.I.G. vs. 2pac beef. But the beef was one of the bloodiest in the history of hip-hop, resulting in the deaths of 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G. However, the feud produced some of the best hip-hop songs ever recorded.
Or the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar when Drake came for Lamar’s family in “Family Matters”:
When you put your hands on your girl, is it self-defense ’cause she bigger than you?
Your back is up against the curb, you diggin’ for dirt, should be diggin’ for proof
Why did you move to New York? Is it ’cause you livin’ that bachelor life?
Proposed in 2015, but don’t wanna make her your actual wife
I’m guessin’ this wedding ain’t happenin’, right?
’Cause we know the girls that you actually like
And Lamar responded with a diss track in his newly-released, “Meet the Grahams,” in less than eight hours:
Dear Adonis
I’m sorry that that man is your father, let me be honest
It takes a man to be a man, your dad is not responsive
I look at him and wish your grandpa woulda wore a condom
I’m sorry that you gotta grow up and then stand behind him
It appears that the continuous battle between Drake and Kendrick will produce some of the best diss recordings in hip-hop history. But we shall see when it is all said and done how that turns out.
Financial Gains
In today’s cutthroat industry, internet feuding can boost an artist’s visibility and increase revenue. Fans eagerly dissect lyrics, looking for hidden jabs at other artists. I mean, in the past few hours, I’ve seen countless meanings to Kendrick Lamar's “6:16” and his newly released diss track, “Meet the Grahams,” on Twitter. It’s engaging and funny.
It is one of the things that makes the hip-hop industry one of the most lively and interesting—the jabs, bashing, and banger tweets.
Amidst the accusations, rivalries, and unraveling of secrets, buzzes are generated, leading to higher streaming numbers, merchandise sales, and concert ticket purchases. Sometimes, feuds become strategic marketing tools.
Hip-hop feuds aren’t just about drama; they’ve shaped the industry, fueled creativity, and contributed to its global reach. Whether it’s lyrical battles or behind-the-scenes drama, hip-hop’s feuds remain an integral part of its rich history. Every feud, though sometimes bloody, does have a silver lining—the artist gains, the fans get great music, and the industry booms.
This is why I believe there is a silver lining to Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s beef. We’ll most likely get some of the greatest diss tracks ever from this feud. The industry will boom. Money will be made. Everyone will be happy. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Listen to some of the top diss tracks in the history of hip-hop
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