Dissing
in hip-hop has been around for as long as the genre has been alive. Many
artists incorporate the dissing style in their works because of its strong
messages that it conveys. The constant
competition to be the best out there results in artists infuriating other
artists through their music. One of the first diss tracks was by Boogie Down
Productions rapping about the original location of where hip-hop started. The
release of their song “The Bridge is over” tried MC Shan and Marley Marl
confirming them with lyrics “Manhattan keeps on making it, Brooklyn keeps on
taking it, Bronx keeps creating it, and Queens keeps on faking it,” that Bronx
was the birthplace and that Queens had no role in the creation of hip-hop.
As
hip-hop was evolving, the dissing style was progressing as well. The dissing
that was integrated in the rap was becoming more personal and many artists were
“calling out” other artists. “The Takeover” by Jay-Z was a powerful diss towards
Nas that aggravated him to write a response that caused a lot of controversy
about the hip-hop genre. Jay-Z called out Nas for not being
able to stay consistent in the hip-hop world with lyrics “went from top 10 to
barely mentioned at all.” With lyrics, “Were you abused as a
child, scared to smile, they called you ugly?” Nas responded making fun of
Jay-Z in regards to his appearance and early life as a young rapper. Even though
dissing had already been introduced in hip-hop, the battle between these two
hugely influential hip-hop artists aroused a lot of other artists to get their
name out there by producing diss tracks.
Dissing
in hip-hop can be portrayed in not only insults and foul language but can also
be done in subtle ways. Kendrick Llamar showed us this in his feature in Big
Sean’s song “Control.” Kendrick Llamar raps
“I'm
usually homeboys with the same n*ggas I'm rhymin' with, But this is hip-hop and
them n*ggas should know what time it is, And that goes for Jermaine Cole, Big
KRIT, Wale, Pusha T, Meek Millz, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean, Jay Electron',
Tyler, Mac Miller, I got love for you all but I'm tryna murder you n*ggas,”
talking about some of the biggest
names in hip-hop today. He is giving them a warning that he is here to take
over and reign but is also giving those artists more inspiration to try to
better themselves and raise a higher bar for the genre.
The
art of dissing in hip-hop music is an aspect of the industry that will forever
carry its mark. Dissing is the artists’ expression of power and as long as hip-hop
is active, dissing will continue to be a key characteristic.
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Sy4twXSn0
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAnGnevKxJE
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ePQKD9iBfU
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkZZo0XSm5s
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Sy4twXSn0
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAnGnevKxJE
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ePQKD9iBfU
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkZZo0XSm5s
I agree dissing has been around for a long time. One song that I like that talks about dissing Kendrick Lamar is "Ook Kill Em" by Meek Mill
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves a good diss, it is as they say "any publicity is good publicity" and that is certainly true in the social media culture of today. Yet I think it also keeps the rappers on the top of their game in order to stay at the top.
ReplyDeleteThe dissing I am most familiar with is the beef between Ja Rule and Eminem. They went back and forth between songs until Ja Rule made a comment about Eminem's daughter. Eminem took it really personally and things got ugly. Dissing often turns into beef and sometimes can end in deaths.
ReplyDeleteFirst I would like to say I like your post. Second I feel that dissing is very important in hip-hop. A lot of songs use some type of diss in some sort of way. And last I am glad you talked about Jay-Z ‘s and Nas’ beef because their beef is one if not the most famous of all beefs between rappers.
ReplyDeleteI like the examples you used and how you say that certain rappers inspired other rappers' diss tracks.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that dissing is a key characteristic of hip-hop that has brought a lot more attention to the genre and a whole new audience. Good examples of diss tracks and great explanations about them.
ReplyDeleteDissing is extremely common in hip hop I agree. I think the dissing I know of the most is between, of course, Macklemore and Kendrick Lamar. Even though it's over
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you mentioned the first song that dissed someone. I also agree with the fact that dissing will always be a part of the hop-hop game.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you included the personal aspect of dissing too. As hip hop progressed, rappers started calling people out on their personal lifestyles too instead of their actual rapping ablilty like you mentioned with JA rule and eminem.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you included the history of dissing in songs as well as dissing in today's hip hop. I also liked how you gave different examples of diss songs. I believe dissing actually helps rap because it causes rappers to step their game up and make better records.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I believe this whole 'dissing game' is entirely sexist, which makes it stupid. So dudes who rap can totally call each other out, and people are all 'DAMN SON HAHA GOOD ONE KANYE LOLZ" but as soon as a celebrity chick even mentions another lady in the anti-lime light, shit gets thrown down, and their reputation is torn. These male rappers just sound like immature high school girls. If you're already on top, why stoop low on someone else?
ReplyDeleteDissing in rap is existent more for certain artists than others. You used some good examples in Nas, Jay Z, and Big Sean. Kendrick Lamar has most lately been dissing a lot of rappers today though. It's a good point how today rappers are called out on their personal lives rather than skill with music..
ReplyDelete