The Battle Era of Hip-hop (part 4): Where's the Fun?

What happened to the reckless fun of hip-hop battles? Artists like Cam'ron are so media savvy now that they release diss tracks timed perfectly with their magazine covers and album/movie release. Then they follow it up with radio appearances and press conferences.

Writers like Jay Smooth ring their hands over the consequences of promoting the feud, fearful that violence may erupt, "as usual". But don't they know the correct theory that no one has ever been killed because of hip-hop?

Fans are quick to point out that the Cam'ron vs Jay-Z beef isn't serious, like an annoying girlfriend who keeps reminding you wrestling isn't real. But why would we want either one to be "real" anyway?

Cam vs Jay could be the most entertaining battles in years, with all the lyrical skill, players, and tangled relationships involved. Could be the rap version of Tarver vs Jones, as Cedric put it. So let's take it easy and be entertained.

Comments

[Emerge]

I don't think that we as Hiphop listeners want the beef to be real so much as we want it to be competative. I mean face it, when was the last battle we heard that was actually lyrically well written? Game and 50 Cent? No, both are weak lyricists. Camron is beyond garbage. Jay Z and Nas was a decent battle. I think the last battle that I thought was nice was LL Cool J and Canibus. Actually Eminem and Canibus was nice as well.

[Jay Smooth]

Hey now, I didn't say "as usual" anywhere in that post, don't distort my position lol.. I never said that hip-hop beef nowadays usually leads to violence..

But though it's arguable that nobody has *died* from hip-hop beef (arguable), we can't claim at this point that no real-life violence has come out of it.. The Ja and 50 beef had more than one violent incident connected to it.. the shooting that landed Kim in jail allegedly came out of rap beef, as did the other incident outside Hot with Game and 50's entourages.. Also the shooting up of cars and property outside Violator's offices, in which luckily nobody was hurt.. and I could go on.

And it's not only about that, but I don't want to get into a whole thing right now.

Like I said in the original post, I don't think violence is *likely* to erupt from something like this, but in today's climate it's enough of a concern that those of us with a public voice need to be cautious about how much we are amping it.

[Jay Smooth]

Also my feeling is this particular "beef" is already fizzling out, enough that Jay may not consider a response necessary.. I'd love to hear one though.

[i'm the skwidawd]

I gotta be interested in the emcee before I give a shit about the beef. Sorry, but I'm not checking for Cam or Jay-Z. Those guys have never been known as battle rappers.

I agree, the battle scene has lost a lot of vitality. Partly, I blame the fact that battling has become so official, it's like little league soccer. Events like Scribble Jam are cool in theory, but 10 hours of battling is just too much.

For me to get interested in a battle, it's gotta come down to a spontaneous happening. A battle on wax is rarely worth checking for. I'm sorry but "Bitch In Yoo", "Vaseline", etc have some great lyrics, but it's just not the same. Battling by record is just too indirect in my opinion.

Battling through major label releases is especially wack because of the profit factor. Bring it to the street, not the penthouse suite. It is especially sad to see white executives making money off black men attacking each other. At least have the decency to cut out the middleman. If you are such a great artist, then a few dollars lost won't make a difference.

[i'm the skwidawd]

That said, KRS did put out some ill battle records. And the Canibus record was dope. But those are few and far between.

[staxwell]

I'm with Hashim on the entertainment value. What's so great about a Canibus beef? Okay, he might be more "lyrical" than Cam, but no one cares about Canibus because he is fucking boring. No one is trying to say that Cam is as lyrical as people like Canibus, but he is infinitely more interesting as a person, and is capable of saying hilarious shit, and making it sound good. The press conference was not a good look, but other than that I am enjoying the ride (and I'm rolling with Cam). And no, I don't think any violence will result from this.

[i'm the skwidawd]

To each his own.

I'm not saying that I'm checking for Canibus right now. I'm saying he had a big dis record that sold, not because he was already a platinum artist, but because people were feeling the song. That was 8 years ago, btw. By most accounts, this Camron single is wack.

Now, you say Camron is interesting "as a person"? And you claim to be "rolling with Cam". OK... whatever buddy. Don't let me interrupt your soap opera.

[G Off]

Jay isn't known only as a battle rapper, but he definitely has proven himself in the past. You can't discount Takeover and even further back there is the famous battle between Jay and DMX on the pool tables before they were signed.

[D-Mite]

Well... Is it only me or does it seem dat nobody noticed that Jay-Z is a biter.. I mean this cat stole lyrics from erebody!!! "Nas, Biggie, 2Pac, Snoop Dog, Slicky Rick, etc..." I mean wassup with dat??? Is he goin step up or is it ova with him?? Niways I think y'all shud check it out!!

~Wun~

[Rhova]

Heard Cam's version of the "not a biter"?? Not as many lines but still relevent

Ps cop the video of Cam at the Rucker, when he runs away form Junior MAFIA... Dips thru his own set...

[Future Hip-Hop Philosopher]

If you seriously think that this beef is serious you have a problem. Who doesn't know that Cam is doing this for publicity ? Is Cam even worthy of a diss song from Jay...HELL NAW !!! Jay wouldn't waste studio time on that clown. Another thing is listen to that diss song...Is it even worth listening to....HELL NAW !!! Enough said.

[muMs]

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF BITING GOING ON FOR SURE!!!