The Art of the Diss: Hip-Hop’s Best Diss Tracks of All Time
Within hip-hop, diss tracks hold a position of unique significance. These lyrical confrontations, often ignited by personal disputes and professional competition, have produced some of the genre’s most unforgettable moments. The best diss tracks are platforms for artists to showcase their lyrical prowess, defend their honor, and challenge their rivals.
From the East Coast-West Coast rivalry that dominated the ’90s to the more recent feuds of the 21st century, diss tracks have continually pushed the boundaries of creativity and controversy in hip-hop. They are not merely songs but statements loaded with accusations, revelations, and, sometimes, raw emotion.
We will delve into ten of hip-hop history’s most impactful diss tracks. We will explore the lyrical content, the context, and the significance of each track, providing a comprehensive understanding of what makes these songs resonate within the hip-hop community and beyond. From Tupac Shakur’s “Hit ‘Em Up” to Common’s “The B*tch in Yoo,” we will journey through the evolution of the best diss tracks, examining their role and influence in shaping the narrative of hip-hop.
Our Favorite Rap Tracks of All Time
1. The Raw Emotion of Rap
Tupac Shakur: “Hit ‘Em Up”
Target: The Notorious B.I.G.
Release Date: June 4, 1996
Beef Winner: Nobody
Best Lyrical Shot:
Biggie, remember when I used to let you sleep on the couch/
And beg a bitch to let you sleep in the house?/
Now it’s all about Versace, you copied my style/
Five shots couldn’t drop me, I took it and smiled/
Now I’m back to set the record straight/
With my AK, I’m still the thug that you love to hate/
Mothafucka, I hit ’em up!
In “Hit ‘Em Up,” Tupac Shakur directly accuses The Notorious B.I.G. and his associates of involvement in his 1994 shooting. The lyrics are filled with personal attacks and threats, reflecting Tupac’s anger and frustration. The track is a raw and unfiltered expression of Tupac’s feelings toward his East Coast rivals. With this rap beef, nobody was a winner, and the rap community suffered.
2. The Bitter Breakup
Ice Cube: “No Vaseline”
Target: N.W.A.
Release Date: October 29, 1991
Beef Winner: Ice Cube
Best Lyrical Shot:
Used to be hard, now you’re just wet and soft/
First you was down with the AK/
And now I see you on a video with Michel’le/
Looking like straight bozos/
I saw it coming, that’s why I went solo/
And kept on stompin’/
While y’all motherfuckers moved straight outta Compton/
Living with the whites/
One big house and not another nigga in sight/
“No Vaseline” is Ice Cube’s response to his former group, N.W.A., and their manager, Jerry Heller. The lyrics criticize them for exploiting the artists and for their perceived betrayal. Ice Cube uses clever wordplay and biting criticism to express his grievances and assert his independence. And at least Ice Cube thinks this is the greatest diss track ever.
3. The Lyrical Takedown
Nas: “Ether”
Target: Jay-Z
Release Date: December 4, 2001
Beef Winner: Tie
Best Lyrical Shot:
When these streets keep callin’, heard it when I was sleep
That this Gay-Z and Cock-a-Fella Records wanted beef (What?)
Started cockin’ up my weapon, slowly loadin’ up this ammo
To explode it on a camel (Haha) and his soldiers I can handle
“Ether” is Nas’s response to Jay-Z’s “Takeover” (see below). In the track, Nas criticizes Jay-Z’s originality and authenticity and accuses him of being a sell-out.
4. The Cool Confrontation
Jay-Z: “Takeover”
Target: Nas
Release Date: September 11, 2001
Beef Winner: Tie
Best Lyrical Shot:
I don’t care if you Mobb Deep, I hold triggers to crews
You little fuck, I got money stacks bigger than you
When I was pushing weight back in ’88
You was a ballerina, I got the pictures, I seen ya
Then you dropped “Shook Ones,” switched your demeanor
Well, we don’t believe you, you need more people
In “Takeover,” Jay-Z targets Nas and Prodigy of Mobb Deep, criticizing their skills and careers. He uses wordplay and personal attacks to belittle his opponents. The track is notable for its confident delivery and the use of a sample from The Doors’ song “Five to One.”
5. The Shocking Revelation
Pusha T: “The Story of Adidon”
Target: Drake
Release Date: May 29, 2018
Beef Winner: Pusha T
Best Lyrical Shot:
We talkin’ character, let me keep with the facts
You are hiding a child, let that boy come home
Deadbeat mothafucka playin’ border patrol, ooh
Adonis is your son
And he deserves more than an Adidas press run, that’s real
Love that baby, respect that girl
Forget she’s a pornstar, let her be your world, yuugh!
How dare you put Ye in my verses?
I’m selfish, I want all of the curses
I’m pre-bookin’ the churches, me versus three hearses
If we all go to Hell, it’ll be worth it
Already aligned with the greats, and on that same note
The only ones I chase are two ghosts
Still givin’ you classics, that’s the only thing that dates me
OVO 40, hunched over like he 80, tick, tick, tick
How much time he got? That man is sick, sick, sick
I mean, where to begin? I’m not sure how Drake survived this one. “The Story of Adidon” is Pusha T’s response to Drake’s “Duppy Freestyle.” The track reveals that Drake has a son, which was not public knowledge then. Pusha T uses this revelation to criticize Drake’s character and question his authenticity. Rapping over a track from Jay-Z’s 4:44, Pusha T utterly destroys the Degrassi rapper.
6. The Chart-Topping Retort
Drake: “Back to Back”
Target: Meek Mill
Release Date: July 29, 2015
Beef Winner: Drake
Best Lyrical Shot:
You gon’ make me step out of my fuckin’ frame
You gon’ make me buy bottles for Charlamagne
You gon’ make me go out of my fuckin’ way
I waited four days, nigga, where y’all at?
“Back to Back” is Drake’s response to Meek Mill’s accusations that he used ghostwriters. In the track, Drake defends his authenticity and criticizes Meek Mill’s career and relationship. The track turned into a chart-topping hit.
7. The Uncompromising Call-Out
Eazy-E: “Real M*thaphuckkin G’s”
Target: Dr. Dre
Release Date: August 26, 1993
Beef Winner: Eazy-E
Best Lyrical Shot:
See, you’s a wannabe Loc and you’ll get smoked and I hope
That your fans understand when you talk about sprayin’ me
The same records that you makin’ is payin’ me
Motherfuck Dre! Motherfuck Snoop! Motherfuck Death Row!
Yo, and here comes my left blow
“Real M*thaphuckkin G’s” is Eazy-E’s response to Dr. Dre’s “Dre Day.” In the track, Eazy-E criticizes Dre and Snoop Dogg for their perceived lack of authenticity and street credibility. The lyrics are raw and aggressive, reflecting Eazy-E’s anger and frustration. This feud was a West Coast hip-hop civil war.
8. The Lyrical Knockout
Canibus: “Second Round K.O.”
Target: LL Cool J
Release Date: March 24, 1998
Beef Winner: Canibus
Best Lyrical Shot:
So when you say that you platinum, you only droppin’ clues
I studied your background, read the book that you wrote
Researched your footnotes ’bout how you used to sniff coke
Frontin’ like a drug-free role model, you disgust me
“Second Round K.O.” is Canibus’s response to LL Cool J’s “4, 3, 2, 1.” In the track, Canibus criticizes LL Cool J’s skills and career.
9. The Groundbreaking Retaliation
Roxanne Shante: “Roxanne’s Revenge”
Target: U.T.F.O
Release Date: 1995
Beef Winner: Roxanne Shante
Best Lyrical Shot:
He said, “You call yourself an MC?” I said, “This is true,”
He said, “Explain to me really what MCs must do.”
I said, “Listen very close cause I don’t say this every day:
My name is Roxanne, and they call me Shanté.”
But every time-a I say a rhyme-a just-a like-a this-a
It’s something that you MCs just won’t-a miss-a
And if you think it’s cute-a, and you think it’s all right
But, see, you said it in a language so you wouldn’t have to bite
You started talkin’ Pig Latin, didn’t make no sense
“Roxanne’s Revenge” is Roxanne Shante’s response to U.T.F.O.’s “Roxanne, Roxanne.” Shante defends her honor in the track and criticizes U.T.F.O. for their disrespectful lyrics. The track is notable for its confident delivery and clever lyrics that helped pave the way for future female artists in the genre.
10. The Thoughtful Critique
Common: “The B*tch in Yoo”
Target: Ice Cube
Release Date: 1997
Beef Winner: N/A
Best Lyrical Shot:
Hypocrite, I’m fillin’ out your Death Certificate
Slangin’ bean pies and St. Ide’s in the same sentence
Shoulda repented on the 16th of October
Get some beats besides George Clinton to rock over
Rap career is over, better off actin’
“The B*tch in Yoo” is Common’s response to Ice Cube’s “Westside Slaughterhouse.” Common criticizes Ice Cube’s authenticity in the track and accuses him of selling out.
The power of a diss track lies not only in its ability to entertain but also in its capacity to express grievances, defend honor, and challenge opponents. The lyrical content of these tracks is a testament to the artists’ creativity, wit, and lyrical prowess, making them a significant part of hip-hop history.
Read more hip-hop lists and articles from The Beat.
