Summary:
Rap: is a musical style and vocal technique that involves rhythmic and rhyming speech, often delivered over a beat or / an instrumental.
Diss song/track: a song made specifically to insult or criticize a certain person or group.
Rap music has been the voice of the streets, the storyteller of the struggle, and a cultural movement that reshaped music forever.
Over the decades, hip-hop/rap has produced tracks that not only topped charts (on radio and tv stations) but also changed the course of music history.
From socially conscious anthems to high-energy party bangers, these songs stand as pillars of greatness in hip-hop/rap culture.
In today’s blog post, we will get to see a list of top five rap diss songs of all-time—not just cause they are popular but because of their impact and influence.
Top 5 Greatest Rap Diss Songs So Far: You’ll Agree
1. “Hit ‘Em Up” – 2Pac Shakur Ft. The Outlawz
This is the most memorable diss track in the history of hip-hop/rap by 2Pac Shakur with The Outlwaz that aimed at a couple of East Coast musical artists such as Puff Daddy (Diddy), Biggie Smalls (The Notorius B.I.G), and Mobb Deep, Junior M.A.F.I.A.
Tensions were rising and 2Pac believed Bad Boy Records and Biggie Smalls were involved in, or benefited from the 1994 shooting that left him wounded at the Quad Recording Studios in New York City.
Many likes to call this hit, “Hit ‘Em Up” a ‘declaration of war’ released in June 1996—produced by Johnny J.
Key Lyrics:
First off, fuck your bitch and the clique you claim
Westside, when we ride, come equipped with game
You claim to be a player, but I fucked your wife
We bust on Bad Boys, niggas fucked for life
2. “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
This is a scathing diss track directed at the Canadian Grammy Award winning rapper and singer, Drake released on May 4, 2024 shortly after the release of his third diss track “meet the grahams.”
This was his fourth and last which delivers a series of pointed accusations against the Canadian, Drake, including allegations of inapropriate relationships and avenging the West Coast for the foul move Drake made by using A.I 2Pac and Snoop Dogg on his song “Taylor Made Freestyle” that was taken down shortly by cease-and-desist made by 2Pac’s crew.
The single’s cover art features an aerial view of Drake’s mansion at Park Lane Circle in Toronto, Canada. Modified to resmeble a sex offender registry map that continuing the allegations made by K. Dot in this song, “Not Like Us,” that Drake is a sexual predator.
Key Lyrics:
You think the Bay gon’ let you disrespect Pac, nigga?
I think that Oakland show gon’ be your last stop, nigga
Did Cole foul, I don’t know why you still pretendin’
What is the owl? Bird niggas and burnt bitches, go
3. “No Vaseline” – Ice Cube
The aforementioned song is one of the most brutal and iconic diss tracksin hip-hop/rap history. Released on October 31, 1991, aimed at his former group, N.W.A and their manager, Jerry Heller.
“No Vaseline” was produced by Sir Jinx and it’s a song that finds Ice Cube airing his grievances with no filters after leaving the group due to financial disagreements.
In this song, you can hear Cube’s raw delivery that many praises—unlike other rappers, he don’t do subliminals, he name names, punches hard and keeps receipts. This isn’t just a diss track, it’s a lyrical nuclear bomb.
Key Lyrics:
But I got a whip for you, Toby
Used to be my homie, now you act like you don’t know me
It’s a case of divide and conquer
‘Cause you let a Jew break up my crew
House nigga gotta run and hide
Yelling Compton, but you moved to Riverside
4. “Back Down ” – 50 Cent
This is listed as one of the most aggressive and defining diss tracks of the early 2000s that had 50 stop rapping about the dangers of life for a gangster like him and decide to deal with fellow New York rapper, Ja Rule.
Their rivalry wasn’t just lyrical but a real street thing. All started when 50 got robbed by one of Ja’s friends and went extra south when he felt Ja was fake and soft just cause he sings sometimes.
Before this feud, Ja Rule was on top of the game with a ton of hits, 50 came with a mission to dethrone him and be on top of the game and “Back Down” granted his wish. Ja’s career never fully recovered after this, while 50 Cent went on to become a global superstar.
Key Lyrics:
“”The rap game is all fucked up now, what are we gonna do now?
How we gonna eat man? 50 back around”
That’s Ja little punk ass thinking out loud
South side ’til I die, that’s just how I get down
I’m back in the game, shawty, to rule and conquer
You sing for hoes and sound like the Cookie Monster
I’m the hardest from New York, my flow is bonkers”
5. “ETHER” – Nas
On an instrumental crafted by the American record producer, Ron Browz—rapper and hip-hop legend, Nas spits his coldest bars aimed at fellow American rapper, Jay-Z.
Firstly, the word “ether” refers to a highly flammable chemical used in the making of crack-cocaine (that knocks people out). Remember Jay-Z used to call himself “Cocaine Rapper”?—also used to be a drug dealer in his early years.
“Ether” was released on December 4, 2001 drawn from his highly rated studio album, Stillmatic, track #2 that was a response to “Takeover”—Jay-Z song from his studio project, The Blueprint.
The song reignited his career and shook Jay-Z, who years later admitted that Nas got him this song.
Key Lyrics:
“Well, life is harsh, hug me, don’t reject me
Or make records to disrespect me, blatant or indirectly
In ’88 you was gettin’ chased through your building
Callin’ my crib and I ain’t even give you my numbers
All I did was give you a style for you to run with
Smilin’ in my face, glad to break bread with the God”
Wrapping up: Top 5 Greatest Rap Diss Songs So Far: You’ll Agree
The hip-hop/rap community have seen a lot feuds between rappers since this music style was born in the Bronx, New York City in 1973.
Apart from what is being listed above, can we see a list of YOUR top five greatest diss songs of all-time?
Kindly, leave a comment in the space provided below and don’t forget to share the blog post with your friends.
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