Top Five Diss Tracks of the 2010s
BY KING BRAXTON
In lieu of recent events in the music world considering diss tracks and rappers beefing with one another, this list is compiled of the top 5 diss tracks of the 2010s! Keep in mind this list is a matter of opinion and are judged based on the mix of how clever the songs were, how popular they got, and how shocking they were!
5. Tyga & The Game– “ChiRaq to LA”
Released in 2014, “ChiRaq to LA” was sparked by a beef between west coast rapper Tyga and Chicago rapper Lil Durk. The beef started when Lil Durk mentioned his attraction to Tyga’s then fiancee Blac Chyna in a song and after some indirect insults, Tyga released the song dissing the Chicago area in which Lil Durk was from. This was significant because Chicago or “ChiRaq” was known for its extremely violent nature and anyone dissing the area could face death.
4. Eminem– “Killshot”
Released a matter of days prior to the making of this list, “Killshot” makes this list because people are buzzing around the fact that Eminem still has the ability to lyrically decimate anyone even in his old age. The beef started when rapper MGK made sexual remarks about Eminem’s daughter. MGK then dissed Eminem in the Tech N9ne song “No Reason” where he says, “It’s only one option, you gon’ need a doctor I ain’t talkin’ ’bout the one from Compton” referencing Eminem’s friendship with Dr. Dre. He then says, “Popped in on the top charts out the cop car To remind y’all you just rap, you’re not God And I don’t care who got bars” referencing Eminem’s song “Rap God.” This and a freestyle about Eminem prompted him to diss MGK on the song “Not Alike” which led to MGK releasing the song “Rap Devil” which fully dissed Eminem. People waited for Eminem to release a song back and he released “Killshot” which took complete shots at MGK’s whole career.
3. Remy Ma– “Shether”
Released in 2017, “Shether” (in reference to ‘Ether’ by Nas) was a direct diss to rapper Nicki Minaj. The two had been beefing for years over the top spot as female rapper in the rap game and even though they took shots at each other in small verses, Remy went with a full fledged diss song in 2017. The song was significant because Remy Ma brought up legitimate facts about Minaj like the fact that she defended her brother despite him being locked up for the sexual assault of a minor.
2. Drake– “Back to Back”
Released in 2015, Drake’s “Back to Back” was a significant diss track on the sheer fact that it was a diss track that was featured on the radio and in night clubs across the country. The beef started when rapper Meek Mill was angered by the fact that Drake did not promote their joint song “R.I.C.O” when it came out. After Meek expressed his displeasure, Drake released the song “Charged Up” and then “Back to Back” dissing Mill. “Back to Back” featured lyrics attacking Meek over the fact that his then girlfriend Nicki Minaj was a bigger star than him.
1. Kendrick Lamar– “Control”
Many say Kendrick Lamar is the best modern rapper and he proves it with verses like this. Though the song is actually Big Sean’s, Kendrick’s verse in the 2013 song “Control” were what sparked the song’s popularity. In the song he, for no apparent reason, dissed the rappers Drake, ASAP Rocky, J Cole, Mac Miller, Tyler the Creator, and even Big Sean despite it being his own song. Though many saw it as friendly competition, then friend Drake was offended at the track and ended their professional relationship. The song garnered attention because many high profile artist were dissed in one verse.
King Braxton is the host of “The King Braxton Show” on KKSM featuring artists interviews and deep cuts of all genres.
