Jay-Z vs. NaS

And the winner is…DRAW: Jay-Z’s “Takeover” diss towards Nas was cold and based on facts. Citing Nas’s sub-par record sales and questioning his street credibility, the hip-hop community eagerly waited for Esco’s response. Nasir Jones’ “Ether”, didn’t disappoint. Ridiculing Jay-Z for his looks, his partnership at the time with Damon Dash and his age, “Ether” made hip-hop heads remember that Nas is no one to be played with. Both tracks are classics and will forever be debated. Please judge for yourself.

Best battle rap [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inyoiKjVe0I&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAnGnevKxJE&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D

2Pac vs. Biggie

And the winner is…Both of Them: There was never an official diss towards ‘Pac by B.I.G., but the release of “Who Shot Ya?” in 1995 around the same time 2Pac got robbed and shot 5 times in Manhattan left an air of uncertainty about who did what to Pac. Convinced that Puff Daddy and B.I.G. were involved in his attack, ‘Pac released the classic and equally ferocious “Hit Em Up” with his group the Outlawz. Declaring war on Bad Boy Entertainment, the entire East Coast and claiming to have slept with Biggie’s wife Faith Evans, Pac was crossing lines that no one has ever crossed before. While both MCs are no longer with us, their songs will always preserve their legacy as two of the greatest to ever touch a mic.

Best battle rap

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7yQwQtSN7M&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4HjsZqOaQ0&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D

LL Cool J vs. Canibus

And the winner is…LL Cool J: Of course LL won. Canibus, an upcoming rapper from Canada was featured on LL Cool J’s classic posse cut “4,3,2,1” off his 1997 album Phenomenon. Canibus’s verse included a line (“L, is that a mic on your arm? Let me borrow that”) that was perceived as a slight by LL and to his signature microphone tattoo. LL was none-too-pleased and released his response back on the same track (“Now let’s get back to this mic on my arm / If it ever left my side, it’d transform into a time bomb / You don’t wanna borrow that, you wanna idolize / And you don’t wanna make me mad, you wanna socialize.”). Needless to say, LL continues to rap, is a fitness guru, and stars on a hit TV show, NCIS: Los Angeles. Canibus has been fighting for mainstream success ever since.

Best battle rap

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWI2JPhT1eY&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D

T.I. vs. Ludacris

And the winner is…Ludacris I-20, a rapper from Ludacris’ entourage, shot a music video where a man is being stomped out wearing a shirt that read Trap House. T.I. took exception to this thinking that the words actually read “Trap Muzik” which is the name of his label. Both rappers were featured on Young Buck’s song “Stomp” in 2004 where they both aired their feelings out for one another. In our opinion, Luda won the battle because all of his attacks towards T.I. were not subliminal and his verse actually made the album (Nobodys Thinkin’ About You, Plus Your Beats Ain’t Legit So Please Stay Off The T.I.P. Of My D**k). T.I. was replaced by The Game.

Best battle rap

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWZ5CL6HquE&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D

50 Cent vs. Ja Rule

And the winner is…50 Cent 50 Cent won this battle because his breakthrough smash “Wanksta” was a diss to Ja Rule. Fif ridiculed Ja, who was popular in the early 2000s, for once claiming to be a gangsta rapper to now singing with females on his songs (sounding “like the Cookie Monster”). Ja Rule, despite numerous attempts, never completely exacted his revenge on 50 and faded away from the spotlight. Ironically, while still hanging onto a hardcore image, 50 has has numerous hits where he is singing and collaborating with women.

Best battle rap

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShOQQOy5pf8&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D

Common vs. Ice Cube

And the winner is…Common Common’s classic song “I Used to Love H.E.R.” ruffled some feathers with its criticism of west coast hip-hop and how it glorifies violence. Ice Cube and the Westside Connection didn’t take too kindly to Common or his song. Cube and Co went in on Common Sense on the diss track “Westside Slaughterhouse”. While Slaughterhouse was a quality track, no one was expecting the mild mannered socially conscious rapper from Chicago to drop the “The B*tch in Yoo”. Raw, vulgar and very articulate over a dope Pete Rock beat, made this an instant smash.

Best battle rap

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpgMemILfSc&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D

Lil’ Kim vs. Foxy Brown

And the winner is…Lil’ Kim: While the Lil’ Kim and Nicki Minaj beef is ongoing, Minaj is not Lil’ Kim’s first opponent. Foxy and Kim have been throwing jabs at each other since the 90s. The similarities are obvious. Both hail from Brooklyn. Both were protégés to two of the greatest (Jay-Z and B.I.G.). Both were praised for their pioneering female hardcore rap styles. With too many diss tracks to name, we give the nod to Kim for her 2000 song “The Notorious K.I.M.”. With verses like “This chick running around with this stink a** gap And them fake a** raps having panic attacks” Lil’ Kim made sure we knew who she was talking about.

Best battle rap:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA9jZBmqek0&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D

Young Jeezy vs. Gucci Mane

And the winner is…Jeezy: This is one of the more modern beefs of 2000’s. Atlanta rappers Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane collaborated on Gucci’s hit song “Icy”. Jeezy never felt he was properly paid for his verse. Allegedly Jeezy sent members of his entourage to attack Gucci for not giving him his money. Numerous disses were sent back and forth and lead to more violence from both camps. While the beef was squashed on air by Atlanta radio personality, DJ Drama in late 2009, we remember Jeezy’s onslaught on Gucci on the track “Streets On Lock” (what type of real **** name himself after a bag, **** you’s a hoe, a Louis Vuitton fag) from his sophomore album “The Inspiration”.

Best battle rap

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrV6AJO-gRM&fs=1&hl=en_US%5D