2014 thus far has been the “Winter of Love” in hip-hop.
Well, not really. But a few notable rappers with histories of feuding have made very public declarations distancing themselves from their combative pasts. In late 2013, Southern hip-hop superstars Rick Ross and Jeezy began to close the book on their beef; one that began in 2010 with what both have since labeled a misunderstanding. And this week, two New York-based rhymers with a history of tension finally put their feud to rest, as well.
This particular beef stretched all the way back to 2002, when Nas was still embroiled in a heated feud with Jay Z. Livid over the fact that he was barred by radio station Hot 97 from performing his popular Jay diss “Ether” at that year’s Summer Jam, Nas went on a tirade against the radio station on it’s biggest rival, New York’s Power 105. He was angry that Cam’ron — then a star on Jay’s Roc-A-Fella Records — was allowed to perform as he wanted while Nas was restricted by the station. “They conspired together to make sure I wasn’t dissing any other rappers, but for some reason they promote other rappers dissing Nas every time,” he stated back then, adding that Cam’s album was “wack.”
Cam responded with a scathing diss track, where he even threatened to let R. Kelly (at the time facing child pornography charges) “have his way with” Nas’ daughter–then only about ten years old. Cam later defended his actions against Nas — stating he only defends himself against other rappers’ attacks. “I’m not making up fake, imaginary beefs,” Cam said to Miss Info. “I’m not just jumping out for beef for no reason.
Four years ago, Jeezy released a freestyle over Ross’ then-popular single “B.M.F.,” and some of his lines were interpreted as thinly-veiled disses to Rick Ross. “I hear things; the streets talk. I’m hearing he reaching out to [Big] Meech and trying to get him to speak bad — that’s my brother,” Jeezy told MTV back in 2011, referencing the Black Mafia Family drug dealer who knows the rapper well. “When you’re trying to bring the streets into rap to prove a point, then you already lost. You separate the two, and that ain’t to be played with. You’ve got people that lost their lives and people that are doing real time. If we gon’ make music, let’s just make music.”
After video footage surfaced of Jeezy walking with his entourage in Miami, making disparaging comments about “your favorite rapper;” the Miami-based Ross chastised Jeezy for steering clear of certain neighborhoods in Miami that he knew would’ve been trouble for him.
“I got to see the footage of him walking on South Beach, down Collins Avenue, yeah, he played himself,” Ross told Tim Westwood. “You gotta cross the bridge to Carol City, lil Haiti — that’s where you get your issues. I mean, Washington Avenue? Gimme a break.”
He also added, “If you have an issue, put it on the table and handle it like a G.”
It all culminated in a shameful display at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards in Jeezy’s home-base of Atlanta. The two rap superstars’ came face-to-face backstage and their respective entourages pounced. In the parking lot, shots were fired. The violence left a dark cloud over the celebratory event and permanently etched Rick Ross and Jeezy into the minds of the public as adversaries.
But that’s all in the past now. The two released the collaborative single “War Ready” in early February and the song is expected to be included on Ross’ upcoming album, Mastermind. Ross has since dismissed any negativity towards his former rival — chalking the whole thing up to “misconfusion.”
So why are these rap beefs ending now? What could be prompting the feel-good vibe of these former adversaries?
One is likely just time and maturity. These men are now all at or nearing 40 years old, and one would think that the idea of “beefing” over a freestyle or a concert performance would seem pretty juvenile to men old enough to have adult children. But also, hip-hop beef has proven itself to be a costly endeavor.
The associated violence that comes with too many rap rivalries makes everything else more difficult. If these men are truly “moguls” as so many of them aspire to be, then surely they must understand that physical altercations at popular venues does more than make them look bad — it makes them lose money because potential business partners don’t want to have to deal with the liability. It makes insurance costs high for venues that book rap acts — which makes those venues not want to book rap acts. It makes corporate endorsers shy away because they’re afraid of a backlash that could come if said rapper becomes involved in a violent crime; which is increasingly likely when beefs are concerned.
Maybe these hip-hop artists that are nearing middle age and spread the word to their younger counterparts. Beef in hip-hop began as verbal sparring, a playful game of the dozens that was steeped in wit and competition. But, since the mid-1990s, it has descended into personal acrimony and, all too often, violent confrontation. It’s more than words. So for the next generation of young rap stars, take heed from the example set by Ross, Jeezy, Cam and Nas.
Let it go.
Get money.
