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Battle Rap: The Art Of War
Words by Urban Warhol Posted: 5:06 AM 12/10/99 ** Names highlighted in blue link to a photo file.
In the ever-changing world of Hip Hop, there has always
been one constant: Controversy. One cat doesn't like another cat,
so he writes a verse about it and the rest is history. Battle raps
or "dis tracks" have fueled some of the most glorious (and deadly)
war of words this genre has ever seen. It has also given us some of
Hip Hop's best moments.
While streetlight battles have taken place since the very beginning,
many believe the art of "war on wax" began with the epic battle
between MC Shan and KRS-One over the culture's
birthplace. Then there was the lyrical tug-of-war between LL Cool J and Kool Moe
Dee, which produced the classics, "Jack the Ripper" and "How
You Like Me Now?" Who could forget the venomous exchange between
Ice Cube and his former
partners in crime, NWA?
Then, of course, there was the downright ugly bi-coastal feud that
led to the shooting deaths of Tupac and Biggie.
After the deaths of Pac and Big, it seemed as though rap artists
were reluctant (or simply afraid) to throw "verbal blows" on the
mic. That is until DMX
grabbed the cord and wrapped it around K-Solo's neck on his
debut single, "Get At Me Dog". Sensing the coast was clear, rap
artists came out of the woodwork with their lyrical beefs. Most
recently, Kurupt's new album (and career)
received much needed publicity after he released his blistering
"Callin' Out Names" which took on the "X" man himself.
The reasons behind dis tracks vary. Women and money are constants,
but style or the perceived theft of another's style or delivery
can set off feuds just as quickly. Back in 1993, Bone Thugs-In-Harmony
set the Hip Hop world on its ear with their lighting fast, yet soulful
delivery that defied contemporary comparison. Almost immediately,
groups began to surface (mostly in the Midwest) with claims that
the multi-platinum quintet had "stolen" their signature sound.
Bone and Chicago-based Do Or Die sparred a round or two,
but no crew reaped as much notoriety or future benefits from the
controversy as the Memphis-based Three 6 Mafia. Three 6's
Bone dis, "Live by Yo Rep", brought attention and more importantly,
distribution to the group. The West Tennessee natives went on to
gold success with their hit, "Tear Tha Club Up" and signed a lucrative
label deal with Relativity Records, which was, ironically, the same
label that distributed Bone Thugs. (Relativity's artist roster is
now part of Loud Records.)
Depending on which member of Bone you talk to, the beef with Three
6 is long dead. (The two crews allegedly smoked "trees" together
as a sign of good faith.) As fate would have it, Three 6 is currently
getting a dose of their own medicine. It seems as though their former
distributor, Memphis-based Select-O-Hits, is upset their marquee
act (whose career company head Johnny Phillips personally
guided) has moved on to greener pastures. The label is currently
distributing the new Gangsta Pat album, Tear Yo Club Down,
which features a Three 6 dis track of the same name. It just goes
to show that, in Hip Hop, what goes around comes around.
One Nation.
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| dzinedby Mills - © 1995-99. All rights reserved. uSA. | |||||||||
