Is rap beef really worth it?

In the past few weeks, the hip-hop world has been treated to a lively spat between Drake and Pusha T. Even closer home, Ace Tha Don and Poppa Don had an on-wax exchange that was pretty much as entertaining.

This got me thinking: Is rap beef really worth it? What makes beef so special in hip-hop culture? Let's see.

THE REASONS

1. Biting

Several rap rivalries have their roots in suspected or proven adulteration of someone else's lyrics or style. Biting is a major no-no in the underground scene. This is why a lot of groundbreaking styles emanate from there (no pun intended). Any artist that is trying to get an edge over the rest of the pack, has to sound unique to stand out. They therefore get hella mad when someone tries to forge their style.

2. Personal issues

Rappers are as petty as human beings can get. They actually go to war over seemingly meaningless issues - And it's sad how many have lost their fame and fortune to easily avoidable ego-driven misunderstandings.

3. Quest for lyrical superiority and/or street credibility

Some emcees diss you just to let you know who really is the shit with the pen to the pad or the glock to the side of your dome. Uninspiring but yeah, that's just how it is.

4. Break-in tactics I'm surprised this clumsy method of getting attention works: dissing a more popular act in order to gain a quick flash of the spotlight. Seasoned emcees will just ignore your bullshit like: "Kwani lazima nikutukane ndio ujulikane?" Hehe...

THE GAINS

One, attention. Two, better content is created. You obviously want to be at your best when competing because people pay attention to everything you say at that moment. You may get more airplay and possibly improved record sales.

Approval by critics and fans is also sure to come by when you hold your own against a difficult opponent. More respect follows in quick succession.

Yes, a rival of your opponent might also call you up for a collaboration.

WIN WIN WIN.

THE LOSSES

Your good standing and reputation suffer when you get exposed by your opponent. People finally start to see the Bitch In Yoo.

Mutual respect between the combatants might be lost. Friends you share might have to pick a side if they can't bring you together. There's too much politics and suspicion that everything looks like a trap to you. Girlfriends might leave you, but even more tragically, lives might be lost.

THE RULES 1. Keep it on wax

The most important thing is to make beef strictly a rap thing. The moment it becomes a street thing, you modafockas both lose. I don't care who did what. Case closed.

2. Keep it personal

Don't bring other people into y'all business. People's moms, spouses, kids, non-rappers and rappers uninvolved in your beef should not be disrespected while you do your thing. If your opponent takes it there, then they're probably down for anything and justice should you administer; but at the end of the day, it's easier to squash a beef that didn't cut too deep. Think about it.

Aimless dissing might as well mess up a future paycheck, so remember to take note of who you're pissing off with every line. 3. Keep it fun

Don't just come out of the door with cusses. Everyone can shame and insult others, but what is of more relevance to rap is the artistic aspect of the competition. How good are your diss records? What are you telling us about your target? How well are you saying it? How do your rebuttals flip their insults back at them? 4. Be strategic

Can a meaningful discussion be held about your spat? If you can keep people guessing and talking about your beef, then both players automatically win, whoever loses. All the numbers go up - views, interviews and profile views. 5. Keep it real

Wild and unfounded allegations can be good ammo when you have to defend your bread-winning fort, but they end up saying more about YOU than the intended diss target. Remember that for your barbs to be effective, you have to hit that other person with undeniable facts. Truth hurts! 6. Think outside the box

Don't fall into traps - I'm just saying. Cats are good schemers out there. 7. Know when to stop

When the beef has served its purpose, remember to squash it. Only suckers hold grudges for life. Mobb Deep for example, pulled back a 2Pac diss track from Cali radio when the man met his untimely death and so could no longer play. That was super professional, noble and mature of Hav & P. Kill that animosity now, will ya?

THE AFTERMATH

Hugs? Probably not.

Collab? Yes, so I can murder you on your own shit.

The goal here would be to make a song about something you have in common, to sort of negate the past differences. A prime example of a make-up song after a hotly contested beef would be "Black Republican".

I definitely wish all feuds ended in the same way as the JAY Z Nas one did. Go for each other's bare necks, make it short but unforgettable, let the fans decide the winner then make up and work together.

CONCLUSION

By virtue of being very entertaining and invigorating, rap beef is mostly good for the culture, but that's only when it is kept healthy. Anything deeper than rap might transform into a mammoth of an irreversible mess.

#hiphoprap #insight