The dust in the Kendrick Lamar versus Drake rap battle has seemingly settled. The former released the highly anticipated music video for his hit song, “Not Like Us,” on July 4, 2024, bringing the saga to a close. Although the rappers are no longer exchanging shots, the conversation surrounding the beef and “Not Like Us” is ongoing. Many consider the song one of the best rap disses in hip-hop history.
Throughout music history, rap beef has been a constant. Hip-hop is no stranger to two MCs battling over who can produce the best bars. However, rap fans and fellow MCs alike have labeled Lamar and Drake’s feud one of the most iconic in the genre.
Every war has a winner, and many consider K. Dot to have won the battle with Drake by a landslide. While Lamar has achieved a No. 1 hit with his diss, he is certainly not the first to produce one of the best disses. In no particular order, here are five of the best rap disses!
1. “Ether” – Nas
“Ether” was released in 2001 and is considered one of the greatest songs to come out of a hip-hop feud. The song was aimed at Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z and responded to his diss, “Takeover.” Due to the song’s ruthless accusations and fearless lyrics, fans loved the track. “Ether” was also the mark of Nas’ return to hip-hop after a two-year hiatus. According to Hip Hop DX, many considered Nas to be the winner of the feud after the release of the song.
2. “Hit ‘Em Up” – Tupac Shakur ft. Outlawz
The fatal beef between Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. has long been considered one of the biggest rap beefs in history. Both rappers took heavy hits at each other, but Tupac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” came out victorious. The song, released in 1996, was aimed at several East Coast rappers, including Biggie Smalls.
According to The Daily Beast, “Hit ‘Em Up” is one the “most brutal” rap disses in music history. Many rappers responded after the song’s release, but none amounted to the same fame as Tupac’s record. Sadly, just three months after the song was released, Tupac was shot and killed.
3. “Like That” – Future, Metro Boomin’, & Kendrick Lamar
Although it was released in March 2024, “Like That” is being held as a new addition to the list of best rap disses. The song is featured on Future and record producer Metro Boomin’s collaboration album. In addition to its replay value, the song catalyzed an industry-wide Drake hate train.
In the song, Future, a former friend and frequent Drake and Kendrick Lamar collaborator, took shots at the Toronto rapper. Complex stated that the song was meant to respond to Drake and J. Cole’s “First Person Shooter,” in which Cole stated that he, Drake, and Lamar were the three biggest rappers in the industry. The most famous line from the Drake and K. Dot beef was born: “Motherf–k the big three, [n-word], it’s just big me.”
4. “Shether” – Remy Ma
Rap beef is often associated with the men of hip-hop. However, since more women have entered the genre, the girls have also had iconic feuds. In 2016, the beef between Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma seemingly reached its height for unclear reasons. In February 2017, Remy Ma released the diss “Shether,” in which she rapped over Nas’ “Ether” beat.
Minaj eventually responded with “No Frauds,” but it was received poorly — mainly due to the track being released too late — making “Shether” the winner of the beef. Unfortunately, “Shether” was eventually banned from all streaming services for copyright claims. Nevertheless, Billboard named the song one of the top 10 rap disses of all time.
5. “The Story of Adidon” – Pusha T
During his many years in the music industry, Drake has been involved in several rap beefs. Although he was considered victorious in his battle with Meek Mill in 2015, he eventually met his match with Pusha T. In 2018, Pusha T accused Drake of using a ghostwriter, much like Meek Mill did. The “Virginia Beach” rapper then responded with “Duppy Freestyle.” Days later, Pusha T released “The Story of Adidon.”
The song became one of the most revealing disses in hip-hop history. At the time, many believed Drake to be a childless, single man. However, Pusha T exposed the rapper for hiding a child. Drake later confirmed the existence of his son, Adonis, on his studio album, “Scorpion.”
Many of these iconic rap beefs have been remembered for their entertaining jabs and revealing bars. Most importantly, they progressed the genre and kept the competition alive.
Which song do you think is the best rap diss of all time? Let us know in the comments below.
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