©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

Life & Arts

Is this the next epic battle of words?

Rap on Hip hop

Dante Eglin  and Eli Jabbe

Dante Eglin: The tensions between 50 Cent and Diplomats general Cam'ron have reached the breaking point, highlighted by diss records traded between the men and a heated three-way phone interview on New York's radio station Hot 97 that featured a interesting exchange between the self-appointed kings of NYC. Should we expect the second coming of Nas and Jay's legendary beef?

Eli Jabbe: That battle featured memorable exchanges between elite artists. Cam is all right, but 50 is definitely not on Jay or Nas' level. Cam's beef with 50 will help boost his profile since Curtis (50 Cent) now seems to be the biggest villain in hip-hop after dissing everyone in the industry from Puffy to the Lox to his grandma. 

Eglin: Well, according to Cam, the beef is invalid, since he's arguably the legend slayer, after telling "The Drama King" DJ Kayslay that he's already bodied Jay, Nas, Mase and 50. Of course, this beef isn't credible, but let's take it for what it's worth. No one in the industry can come close to the entertainment value and star allure of the Dipset camp. 

Jabbe: If it escalates, which I believe it will, it'll be interesting to hear the ad libs from Jim Jones and Juelz Santana, and with the roster the Dips have, they should be in prime position to win the battle. From a financial perspective, 50 is still with Interscope while the Dips are still waiting to cash in on their Koch I.O.U.'s and Juelz bodied himself at Def Jam. 

Eglin: Critics are always going to jump on their soapboxes and complain about beef in the rap game, but it's an integral part of the genre and it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The Death Row vs. Bad Boy beef changed the landscape of the game, while the Nas vs. Jay tilt resurrected the rapidly sinking career of Esco and helped cement Jay's status as an all-time legend. 

Jabbe: Beefs do change the game, and if anything, it's going to be quite entertaining to see a rift between the G-Unit camp and The Diplomats grow to the forefront of the scene. It was inevitable because they're some of the biggest names from the biggest cliques located in what is arguably the mecca of hip-hop. 

Eglin: Cam told Kayslay that he's prepared to "go 120 rounds." I guess it'll be an interesting clash, to say the least.

Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu