DJ Khaled speaks on Unity in Hip Hop

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

DJ Khaled is known for bringing several artists together on the same track. In 2007, DJ Khaled was involved in a minor feud with Young Buck. At the time, Buck was still in good graces with 50 Cent. When he tried to diss DJ Khaled, Khaled said he was about unity instead of beef.

Throughout his career, DJ Khaled has tried to stop beefs from happening. In 2008, he helped end the "cold war" between his partner, Fat Joe, and Jay-Z. With Khaled's help, the two rappers took the stage together. However, not all of Khaled's efforts have been successful.

Recently, Lil Wayne, a frequent Khaled collaborator, decided to diss Jay-Z. Rick Ross and Young Jeezy re-ignited their feud after DJ Khaled promised it had ended. Just yesterday, Jim Jones, a frequent collaborator of Lil Wayne's, decided to diss him. Still, DJ Khaled is focused on mending fences in the game.

At the 2011 BMI Awards, DJ Khaled said it was very important for artists to stick together. Khaled said unity is what helps artists last longer in the game. Aside from lasting longer, it also brings a positive message to the overall community. At the end of the day, DJ Khaled said entertainers should remember there are people from all walks of life who look up to them.

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Royce da 5'9 defends Rap Beef

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Hip hop beef has been banished by many. 50 Cent has built a career off dissing other rappers. But, in the past, hip hop beefs have been violent, resulting in deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. In today's hip hop world, beef is used by newer artists for publicity.

Overall, however, most fans are tired of the constant bickering within the hip hop community. 50 Cent lost a lot of respect when he began dissing Rick Ross through a web series. While the series was entertaining, Ross won the lyrical battle because 50 Cent took it viral.

Fellow Shady Records artist, Royce da 5'9, has stepped in to defend hip hop beef. While it has been overplayed in recent years, Royce said it has provided entertainment in the past. Some of the most famous songs were intended as diss records.

Royce da 5'9 feels beef is a neccessary evil in hip hop because it does spark creativitiy when it is not used as a gimmick or used for violence.

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Kool G Rap discusses Rap Beef

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

During the early post-Biggie/Tupac days in rap, beef was a major thing. For a short period of time, rappers actually respected each other. But, after the feud between LL Cool J and Canibus, the rappers were back at it again.

Following their feud, Jay-Z and Nas also entered one of the biggest battles to date. Unlike the feud between Biggie and Tupac, Jay-Z and Nas were solely lyrical. Initially, it was personal, but Jay-Z saw a way to market himself through it.

Years later, 50 Cent emerged in the game with a beef with Ja Rule. Their beef was legitimate, but he picked fights with other artists. Before the release of each album, 50 Cent finds someone new to start a feud with. The people have caught on to his gimmick and no longer support his feuds. It appears everyone is picking fights for record sales now.

Recently, rap veteran, Kool G Rap decided to discuss the topic. The veteran said rappers in today's time are not going into beef for the same reasons. He said other veterans would rap about material things, but their entire albums would not be made up of materialistic rhymes. There was a time when people had to put out good music in order to be received by fans. But, it appears those days are now long gone, as rappers beef for attention and they allow things to become violent. Kool G Rap said they did it to prove who was the best.

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