Hip Hop beef has always been part of the culture. From the “Bridge Wars” originating in the ’80s to the “Eastside vs. Westside” spiraling out of control in the ’90s. On its 49th anniversary, I re-tell the story of the three lyrical rap battles, their differences, and how the feud between “JAY-Z vs. Nas” set an example in rap.
Table of contents
1. What is Beef?
The Notorious B.I.G. would rhyme it as, “Beef is when you need two Gats to go to sleep, beef is when you roll no less than 30 deep, beef is when I see you, guaranteed to be in the ICU.“
Ever since Hip Hop’s foundation on August 11, 1973, rap has given an outlet for rappers to express either their feelings or document the injustices that are occurring in the community, which as learned before, can spark a movement.
Moreover, the way artists have dealt with those emotions is by tackling them either as freestyle or as songs. Back in the ’70s, fans would gather to witness two opponents compete in rap battles.
Therefore, the block parties consisted of a Dj scratching the turntables, the dancers breakdancing their bodies to the beat, and the rappers spitting out their rhyming schemes.
Indeed, that was the main goal of Kool Herc’s first Hip Hop party in the Bronx, New York (USA). An entertaining environment for the fanatics. Like the war up next.
2. The “Bridge Wars”
As the ’80s entered the play, the ambient in the scene began shifting. Now, it was about Hip Hop’s origin. In 1985, rapper MC Shan released “The Bridge,” where he stated that Hip Hop’s birthing place was in the Queensbridge side of New York.
A year later, rapper KRS-One fired back with the aptly-titled track “South Bronx,” insisting that rap’s true origins indeed had started in the Bronx.
Since its foundation, rap beef has been like a boxing match. Two competitors sparring each other in 12 rounds with lyrical bars as the crowd spectates.
After this particular boxing session, the listeners had the two records on repeat and picked their sides as to which rapper had the best punchlines.
And that is the legacy that the “Bridge Wars” left to the stans. A metaphorically, entertainment aspect. But what happens when the ambient becomes hostile?
3. “Eastside vs. Westside” beef
Entering the ’90s, now the center of the Hip Hop beef wasn’t the origins but the record labels claiming territory and respect with their artists. Therefore, what followed was a war between the Eastside vs. the Westside.
Firstly, the Westside began marking its presence with labels such as “Death Row,” (1991) whose most predominant act included Tupac Shakur.
On the other hand, the Eastside had its big break when Diddy founded “Bad Boy Records” (1993), whose diamond rouge included The Notorious B.I.G.
Unlike Shan vs. KRS-One, the eastside vs. westside had more than 12 rounds of sparring sessions. Upon claiming territory as who was the hottest MC, tracks such as “Hit Them Up” surfaced.
Nonetheless, the rap beef spiraled out of control when it wasn’t just words being exchanged but it also became physical. As conflicts arose outside of studios and at award shows, the vibe felt dangerous- even for the viewers.
Regardless, the show continued. As fans and the media decyphered the diss tracks and dissected the albums, nobody expected what was going to happen next.
“There used to be a time when you could say a rhyme and wouldn’t have to worry about one of your people dying.“
– Eminem, Like Toy Soldiers (2004)
Unfortunately, the beef ended with the killings of 2Pac (1996) and Biggie Smalls (1997). Now, the crowd didn’t have any winner to place the crown to. Yet as devastating as it was, the fans patiently waited for the next feud.
4. “JAY-Z vs. Nas” Hip Hop beef
Beginning of the ’00s, two new cats entered the ring. JAY-Z, born in N.Y.C., against Nas, from Queensbridge. But how did everything start?
In 2001, as JAY was performing on stage, he premiered the song “Takeover,” which let everyone know he wasn’t a fan of Nas. The track helped create the buzz for his upcoming LP, “The Blueprint” (2001). Admittedly for many, he was declared the winner.
“Fell from top ten to not mentioned at all. Four albums in ten years? One was nah, the other was Illmatic. That’s a one hot album every ten year average.“
-JAY-Z, Takeover (2001)
However, Nasty Nas locked himself in the studio to record his response, “Ether,” which also helped promote his record “Stillmatic” (2001). Once the song hit the streets, the 12-round session was still on.
“How could Nas be garbage? Name a rapper that I haven’t influenced. KRS already made an album called ‘Blueprint.’ I will prove you lost already.”
-Nas, Ether (2001)
Undoubtedly, both tracks remain cemented as two of the greatest disses ever recorded. Regardless of how entertaining it was for the viewers, they both knew what they had to do next before it got any further.
5. Squashing the rap beef
After a four-year battle, thankfully, on October 27, 2005, they squashed their Hip Hop beef at the Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey, and set the example on how to resolve issues without resorting to violence.
With any competitive sport, there are always going to be two opponents in the ring fighting for the championship. As learned from this post, it can be as entertaining as the “Bridge Wars,” or as deadly as the “Eastside vs. Westside.”
Ever since squashing the rivalry, both continued with their successful careers. JAY-Z’s 13th studio album, “4:44” (2017) was released to critical acclaim whereas, after thirteen LPs, Nas finally won his first Grammy with the “King’s Disease” saga (2021).
Ultimately, JAY-Z vs. Nas did what Tupac and Biggie never could, which was to meet in a room, talk their differences out, and set an example in rap.
Despite their short careers in the rap genre, Pac and Biggie’s legacy continues to inspire today’s generation. Showing that all eyes are still on them and proving that there is life after death.
Happy 49th anniversary, Hip Hop!
Re-listen to JAY and Nas’ collaborative track “Success” (2007) and watch “Sorry Not Sorry“.
- “Sorry Not Sorry” music video by Nas, Jay-Z, James Fauntleroy, Harmonies by The Hive, and DJ Khaled. Directed by Hype Williams (We the Best, Epic Records, 2021). ↩︎
