Making brag raps or diss raps, has never interested me. However, I can certainly appreciate when someone else does either one well: the dis/battle rap in particular. It's been a long time since I've heard a quality diss rap. It's become a lost art.
What once was an enjoyable duel of snaps and direct personal jabs, has become a tired exercise of two guys going back and forth calling each other gay/homo for a few minutes each, with nothing else being brought to the table. As a tribute to this lost art, I'd like to celebrate my 10 favorite Hip Hop disses.
1. "No Vaseline" by Ice Cube
Ice Cube's skill was light years ahead of the rest of N.W.A. when it comes to mic skills, so it shouldn't have been a shock when his response to a wack (in my opinion) diss track from the remaining members of N.W.A. There isn't much to say about this song other than it was so thorough, there's no debate as to who won. Even if N.W.A. hadn't broken up, this battle was over before it began. If there's a better battle rap in existence, then I have yet to hear it.
2. "Jack The Ripper" by LL Cool J
LL Cool J versus Kool Moe Dee is arguably the most competitive battle in Hip Hop history. They went back and forth pretty evenly, except for this one. Moe Dee held his own, but in my opinion, never came as hard as this.
3. "The Bitch In Yoo" by Common
It all started with the song "I Used To Love H.E.R." by Common. He dedicated some bars suggesting that the popularizing of gangsta rap from the West coast along with a slew of imitations the founders inspired has contributed to the downfall of Hip Hop. I've have my opinions on that, but I'll stay on topic. Anyways, Cube took offense to this and responded on what would ultimately signify the birth of Westside Connection.
The song was on Mack 10's debut album from a song called "Westide Slaughterhouse" featuring Ice Cube and WC. Cube specifically said "You're mad because we fucked a pussy whipped bitch with no common sense". It wasn't direct, but anyone aware at the time knew what he was talking about. At the time, Common was a relative unknown, but he pretty much silenced the beef with "The Bitch In Yoo". It was really no contest, not to mention, Ice Cube's response wasn't even close.
4. "Fuck Compton" by Tim Dog
The title pretty much speaks for itself. Tim Dog much like Common would express 4 years later had a real problem with gangsta rap from the West inpsiring a legion of imitators and in his opinion helping to ruin Hip Hop. He specifically has a real big problem with N.W.A., but takes a couple subtle jabs at DJ Quik and MC Eiht. He made sure to say the Ice Cube and Ice-T were the exceptions to his feelings, which I always found interesting.
If mic skills by themselves decided who wins a battle, Tim Dog would have no chance, since he was pretty much an average rapper, but even a broken clock is right a couple times. Plenty emcees with way more talent to this day, haven't come close to making a diss track as entertaing as "Fuck Compton". It goes without saying, there were responses and he came back with a rebuttal, but we'll get to that later on in the list.
5. "Second Round KO" by Canibus
I've always deducted cool points from LL Cool J for making too many cheesy love songs, but his battle pedigree speaks for itself. LL Cool J took a couple decent shots at Canibus, but if you throw out career accomplishment and just view the battle objectively, the battle was over after "Second Round KO". Each emcee took another shot at the other after this song, but it was already over. LL Cool J has won plenty of battles in his career, but he lost this one.
6. "No Rest For The Wicked" by Cypress Hill
The song totally shocked me when I first heard it back in the day. I never really took Cypress Hill for the battle type. Accusations of biting were hurled toward Ice Cube on this scathing battle rap. Besides Muggs coming with his usual heat behind the boards, B-Real turned in one his best performances. Ice Cube responded with the quality "King Of The Hill" on the Westside Connection 'Bow Down' album, but I'll argue B-Real took this one.
7. "Step To Me" by Tim Dog
This could've easily been called "Fuck Compton Part 2", but I'll argue that the sequel is every bit as dope as the original.
8. "Build & Destroy" by Boogie Down Productions
The battle between KRS-One and X-Clan didn't last long. KRS-One quickly disposed of this battle. Brother J in my opinion, is one of the greats, but one thing he was not was a battle emcee. His response was average at best.
9. "M.U.G." by O.C. feat. Freddie Foxxx
For reasons I'm still unaware of, these two gentleman (especially Freddie Foxxx) had some problems with Boot Camp Click and decided to cook up this song. As far as I'm aware, No one from Boot Camp Click ever responded, but I'm not sure it would've mattered. Although it has nothing to do with the battle, it should be noted this song features one of DJ Premier's best beats.
10. "Name Callin'" by Queen Latifah feat. Nikki D
Queen Latifah made plenty of dope songs in her day, but this one has always stood out as one her best. From what I understand, Foxy Brown decided to diss Latifah on a mixtape back in '96. Considering Foxy never wrote anything herself, it's puzzling why she'd go after Latifah. Nikki D was also brought along for the festivities and doesn't disappoint.
Foxy made a rebuttal called "10% Dis" (not to be confused with the MC Lyte classic Antionette diss), which was met with a "Name Callin Pt.II". However, I'd argue that the battle was already over with the first punch.
**Honorable Mention**
"Dollars & Sense" (dissing MC Eiht) by DJ Quik and "Ether" (dissing Jay-Z) by Nas