The 7 Era's of Hip-Hop Feuds

With the ongoing Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s feud, research shows the evolution of hip hop beef in the US, from 1984 to today.

1998-2004 was the most successful era of hip hop, but had the most diss tracks and deaths․

Rapping became less technically demanding over the years, with a lower tempo, and less bars involved.

Methodology: Major hip-hop events were used to divide the timeline of hip-hop beef into eras. These timelines were used to better understand the development of conflicts, success, and the demand for performance in the hip-hop industry. Their comparison is focused on three main points: the technical aspect (the average tempo of the tracks (which can be calculated by the amount of bars, and the length)) , the profitability (the amount of platinum albums), and the risks involved (death rate).

Era Of HipHop	Amount of major diss tracks	Deaths of rappers	Platinum albums	Average Length (minutes)	Average Bars	Important tracks	Notable Deaths
1984-1991	10	5	15	4:30	60	“Roxanne’s Revenge”, “No Vaseline ”	Scott La Rock
1992- 1997	25	10	35	4:00	64	“Hit em Up“	2Pac, Biggie
1998-2004	40	20	50	4:12	70	“Ether”	Big L
2005-2008	20	8	25	3:48	58	“Forgive Me”	Big Hawk
2009-2012	15	7	30	3:30	55	“Warning”	Slim Dunkin
2013-2019	30	15	40	3:42	60	“Going Bad”, “Killshot”	Nipsey Hussle
2020-2024	10	5	20	3:24	52	“Euphoria”, “Push-ups”	Pop Smoke, King Von

Our current era: 2020 – Present day

Amount of major diss tracks: 10

Deaths: 5

Platinum Albums: 20

The era began after the murder of Nipsey Hussle. Drill rap got more popular in the US, which had its impact on the technical aspect. The most notable deaths were the murders of King Von and Pop Smoke. The beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has the most popular diss tracks, especially Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria”, “Not like us” and Drake’s “Push-ups”. So far this era is the most peaceful, and relatively successful. With the popularity of mumble rap, technicality demand is at its lowest, with 3:24 song length and 52 bars per song.

The sixth era: 2013-2019

Amount of major diss tracks: 30

Deaths: 15

Platinum Albums: 40

This era began after Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” got released. Eminem’s “Killshot” was the most popular diss track. The diss tracks, deaths, successful albums almost doubled, but at the same time a lot of beefs had peaceful endings. Drake and Meek Mill’s beef was the most popular, which ended with them collaborating (“Going Bad”).

The fifth era : 2009-2012

Amount of major diss tracks: 15

Deaths: 7

Platinum Albums: 30

This era began after Lil Wayne released “Carter III”. Eminem had a lot of rivals. He had conflicts with Ja Rule, Nick Cannon, Benzino, Cannabis. “Warning” by Eminem is the most popular diss track of this era, aimed at Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon. Slim Dunikin’s murder in 2011 was the most notable death, among the 15 that happened. There was less beef, but more success, compared to the previous era, with less diss tracks and deaths, but more platinum albums of 30.

The fourth era : 2005-2008

Amount of major diss tracks: 20

Deaths: 8

Platinum Albums: 25

This chapter began after MF DOOM released “Madvilliany”. In this era, the demand for technicality decreased. The average track length got below the 4-minute mark, and the bars dropped to 58. Kanye West and 50 Cent, along with other rappers, were leading the scene. 50 Cent’s “Forgive Me” is the most popular diss track of this era. Violence decreased heavily during this era, only having 8 deaths, one of them being Big Hawks’ murder.

The third era: 1998-2004

Amount of major diss tracks: 40

Deaths: 20

Platinum Albums: 50

After the murder of 2Pac and Biggie, the rap game experienced a power vacuum. Beefing peaked in this era, with 40 diss tracks and 20 deaths. The most popular beef was between Nas and Jay-Z. In this beef, the most popular diss track is “Ether” by Nas. Eminem’s involvement in hip-hop beef is significant. He released 9 diss tracks in this era. The most notable death was Big L’s murder. This era of hip-hop was the roughest and most successful yet. It was also the most demanding, technically. Artists usually fit 70 bars in 4 minute songs.

The second era : 1992-1997

Amount of major diss tracks: 25

Deaths: 10

Platinum Albums: 35

This era began after “Death Row” was found.Biggie and 2Pac were the big two rappers during this time. After 2Pac got shot, the biggest beef in hip-hop history emerged, which was between the west and east coasts. Compared to the previous era, this one saw a dramatic increase in diss tracks, deaths, and album success. Diss tracks and deaths more than doubled, while platinum albums skyrocketed to 35. The era saw 10 deaths, with three being the most prominent. Eazy-E died of AIDS, and the friendly rivalry between 2Pac and Biggie turned sour. 2Pac’s “Hit em Up“ was the most popular diss track of this era, and it was aimed against the east coast, and Biggie.

The beginning: 1984-1991

Amount of major diss tracks: 10

Deaths: 5

Platinum Albums: 15

1984’s “Roxanne’s Revenge” started the first hip-hop beef, the “Roxanne Wars”. It marked the beginning of hip-hop beef. NWA, especially Eazy-E, Dr. Dre rose to fame. Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline ” being the era’s biggest diss track, which was aimed at the other NWA members. Scott La Rock was the first major hip-hop artist to get murdered.

Researchers at SlotsUp commented on the study. “Until our current era, the more beef was around, the more successful the artists were. Our current era is going against this pattern, with the same amount of deaths and diss tracks as the first era, but with more platinum albums. Over the years, hip-hop became less technically demanding, especially after 2004. This study shows that conflicts aren’t always profitable, and violence can be avoided”

Article Credit: SlotsUp

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Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!