Hip-Hop’s Greatest Beefs: The 20 Biggest Rivalries That Shaped the Culture
Over the decades, hip-hop rivalries, or "beefs," have sparked some of the most iconic tracks, unforgettable moments, and cultural shifts in music history.
These feuds often go beyond music, influencing public opinion, pop culture, and even legal proceedings. Let’s explore ten of the biggest rivalries in hip-hop that have left an indelible mark on the genre.
1. 50 Cent vs. P. Diddy
The animosity between 50 Cent and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs is steeped in controversy and accusations.
It all started with 50 Cent’s 2006 diss track, “The Bomb,” where he claimed Diddy knew the identity of the person responsible for the death of the Notorious B.I.G., who was fatally sh*t in 1997.
At the time of the sh**ting, Diddy was with Biggie but in a different vehicle. Over the years, 50 Cent has also accused Diddy of exploiting Biggie’s legacy for profit through posthumous releases and sampling the late rapper's work.
The feud intensified when 50 Cent began making allegations of Diddy’s involvement in se*ual misconduct and se* trafficking, claims that fueled the fire between them. To cap it off, 50 Cent is reportedly working on a documentary about Diddy’s life, promising even more drama.
2. Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake
This rivalry began in 2013 when Kendrick Lamar delivered a scathing verse on Big Sean's “Control,” calling out several rappers, including Drake.
Kendrick’s bold declaration that he was out to “murder” his peers was taken personally by Drake, setting the stage for years of subtle and overt disses. In 2023, tensions flared again when Drake collaborated with J. Cole on a track where J. Cole called Drake, Kendrick, and himself the "Big 3" of rap.
Kendrick dismissed the claim, asserting his dominance with a diss track. This sparked a back-and-forth, with Drake releasing songs like “Push Ups” and “Family Matters,” and Kendrick responding with tracks such as “Euphoria” and the widely celebrated “Not Like Us.”
3. Eminem vs. Machine Gun Kelly (MGK)
The feud between Eminem and MGK began in 2012 when MGK tweeted about Eminem’s daughter, Hailie, in a way that didn’t sit well with the Detroit legend.
Years later, Eminem reignited the beef with his song “Not Alike” from the "Kamikaze" album. MGK responded with “Rap Devil,” a diss track aimed squarely at Eminem, who retaliated with “Killsh*t.” Their lyrical exchanges captured the attention of fans worldwide, and while the feud eventually fizzled out, it solidified Eminem’s place as one of the most formidable diss track creators in hip-hop.
4. Megan Thee Stallion vs. Nicki Minaj
Although Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj appeared to have a friendly relationship during their 2019 collaboration on “Hot Girl Summer,” rumors of tension between the two have persisted.
Fans have speculated that subtle jabs in their lyrics and interviews hint at an underlying rivalry, though neither artist has explicitly confirmed the beef.
5. Drake vs. Meek Mill
The Drake-Meek Mill feud of 2015 is one of the most memorable beefs of the past decade.
It began when Meek accused Drake of using ghostwriters, particularly on their joint track “R.I.C.O.” Drake quickly responded with two diss tracks: “Charged Up” and the Grammy-nominated “Back to Back.” The feud saw both artists trade lyrical blows before eventually reconciling in 2018.
Their beef is a prime example of how rivalries can lead to iconic music while still allowing room for forgiveness and collaboration.
6. Jay-Z vs. Lil Wayne
The feud between Jay-Z and Lil Wayne began subtly but escalated over time. Jay-Z’s track “H.A.M.” included lines that seemed to question Wayne and Birdman’s financial dealings, prompting Wayne to respond with his own diss track. Tensions resurfaced when Jay-Z excluded Lil Wayne from the Super Bowl halftime show lineup in favor of Kendrick Lamar. Fans are still waiting to see if Wayne will respond, but this rivalry remains one of hip-hop’s most intriguing.
7. 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule
50 Cent and Ja Rule’s beef is one of the longest-running feuds in hip-hop history. While the exact origins of their animosity are murky, their public clashes have been anything but subtle.
One infamous moment came when 50 Cent bought out the front rows of a Ja Rule concert, leaving them empty to embarrass his rival.
This rivalry has spanned decades, with diss tracks, interviews, and social media jabs keeping it alive. It’s a testament to how personal and professional conflicts can become intertwined in the rap game.
8. 50 Cent vs. Kanye West
In 2007, 50 Cent and Kanye West turned their album releases into a full-blown competition. 50 Cent’s "Curtis" and Kanye’s "Graduation" were both released on the same day, with 50 claiming he’d retire if Kanye outsold him. When Kanye’s "Graduation" triumphed in sales, 50 didn’t follow through on his retirement promise, but the rivalry generated massive publicity for both artists and highlighted their contrasting approaches to hip-hop.
9. Megan Thee Stallion vs. Tory Lanez
This rivalry turned tragic after Megan Thee Stallion accused Tory Lanez of sh**ting her in the foot during a 2020 altercation.
Megan addressed the incident through her diss track “Sh*ts Fired,” while Tory denied the allegations on his album "Daystar." After a lengthy legal battle, Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison, bringing some closure to one of hip-hop’s most shocking conflicts.
10. Tupac Shakur vs. The Notorious B.I.G.
No list of hip-hop beefs would be complete without the legendary feud between Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
The rivalry began after Tupac was sh*t and robbed in 1994, an incident he believed members of Biggie’s Bad Boy Records were involved in. What started as a personal vendetta escalated into an East Coast vs. West Coast battle that defined an era of hip-hop.
Tragically, both Tupac and Biggie were murdered within six months of each other, marking the darkest chapter in hip-hop history.
11. Nas vs. Jay-Z
This legendary feud began in the late 1990s and escalated in the early 2000s. Jay-Z’s song “Takeover” directly called out Nas, questioning his relevance in the rap game.
Nas responded with "Ether," a diss track widely considered one of the best in hip-hop history. The beef defined early 2000s hip-hop and ended with the two reconciling and collaborating years later.
12. Nicki Minaj vs. Cardi B
This rivalry gained public attention in 2018 and included a physical altercation during a New York Fashion Week event.
The feud was fueled by social media posts, subliminal sh*ts in songs, and competition over being the reigning queen of rap. Both artists have since hinted at moving past the drama, but the tension between their fanbases lingers.
13. Ice Cube vs. N.W.A
Ice Cube’s departure from N.W.A in 1989 over financial disputes led to one of hip-hop’s most scathing diss tracks, "No Vaseline."
The song targeted Eazy-E, Jerry Heller, and the remaining members of N.W.A. This feud exposed the challenges of group dynamics in the rap industry and left a lasting impact on hip-hop history.
14. Lil’ Kim vs. Foxy Brown
The feud between these two rap queens started in the late 1990s. Both were accused of copying each other's style, and diss tracks like Lil’ Kim’s "The Notorious K.I.M." and Foxy Brown’s "Bang Bang" fueled the rivalry.
Their beef became a defining moment in the battle for dominance among female MCs.
15. Gucci Mane vs. Jeezy
This feud began in the mid-2000s over the song "Icy," which both artists claimed as their own.
It escalated to physical altercations, including a sh**ting incident that resulted in a man’s death. In 2020, the two shocked fans by squashing their beef during a Verzuz battle.
16. Drake vs. Pusha T
This heated rivalry reached its peak in 2018 when Pusha T released "The Story of Adidon," exposing Drake’s secret son.
The feud began years earlier with subliminal sh*ts but escalated into one of the most talked-about beefs of the decade. Drake responded with "Duppy Freestyle," but many consider Pusha T’s diss the more damaging of the two.
17. LL Cool J vs. Kool Moe Dee
This is one of hip-hop's earliest beefs, dating back to the 1980s. Kool Moe Dee accused LL Cool J of stealing his style and released tracks like "How Ya Like Me Now" to call him out.
LL responded with songs like "Jack the Ripper." This rivalry paved the way for future diss battles in hip-hop.
18. Common vs. Ice Cube
This beef started in the 1990s when Ice Cube took offense to Common's song "I Used to Love H.E.R." Ice Cube and his group, Westside Connection, responded with diss tracks like "Westside Slaughterhouse."
Common retaliated with "The B**** in Yoo," produced by Kanye West. They eventually settled their differences.
19. Big Sean vs. Kendrick Lamar
The tension between Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar began with Kendrick’s iconic verse on Big Sean's track “Control” in 2013.
In the song, Kendrick named Big Sean along with other rappers, claiming he was out to "murder" them lyrically. Big Sean never officially responded with a diss track, but subtle jabs in later songs, like "No More Interviews," hinted at unresolved animosity.
Kendrick, too, has dropped subliminal sh*ts in tracks like “The Heart Part 4,” adding fuel to the fire of a rivalry that remains simmering.
20. Lil Durk vs. NBA YoungBoy
This modern-day beef is fueled by street politics and loyalty. The feud began in 2020 after the tragic death of King Von, a close associate of Lil Durk, in an altercation involving NBA YoungBoy's affiliate.
Diss tracks like NBA YoungBoy’s “Bring the Hook” and Lil Durk’s “AHHH HA” took direct sh*ts at one another.
Their rivalry reflects the newer generation’s way of handling conflicts through social media, lyrics, and public confrontations. Hip-hop beefs are more than just clashes between artists—they are defining moments that test creativity, loyalty, and resilience.
These rivalries have produced some of the most iconic diss tracks, unforgettable performances, and cultural shifts in music history.
While some feuds have ended tragically, others have served as catalysts for growth and collaboration, proving that even in conflict, hip-hop thrives as a culture built on expression and competition.
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