S. Samuel
G-Unit head 50 Cent recently gave his take on today's hip-hop beefs in contrast to a decade ago and explained why despite having a hot radio buzz, many artists cannot get their tunes played globally.
In Fif’s perspective, he has invested time over the past few years getting into rap feuds with artists not on the same level as him.
“You better respond fast, it’s part of the actual culture. Being an emcee, you have to be able to compete,” Fif said when asked how rap beefs have changed over the past decade. “Hip-hop as an actual art form is more competitive. It’s like a sport. I try to hold onto it for a little bit by actually entertaining to compete with artists that are nowhere near the same size as being notable or hit records. Now you have artists that go up and down, the music’s on the radio but they go up and down Southern-based markets, up and down, up and down, up and down, they’ll never go outside of the country, don’t nobody care to see that sh*t.” (HYPETRAK)
Last fall, the G-Unit leader said despite the buzz, hip-hop beefs won’t help sell music.
“Beef doesn’t actually sell records,” Fif explained in an interview with television personality Carson Daly. “It creates that barbershop, beauty salon conversation. Hit records sell records. In the Ja Rule situation, I’m releasing ‘In Da Club,’ ‘P.I.M.P.,’ ’21 Questions,’ big hit records. Then on The Massacre, there’s ‘Candy Shop’ and ‘Just A Little Bit’, records that are working while ‘Piggy Bank’ is playing. I’m actually addressing my issues because I see what’s going on in the culture.” (Carson Daly)
In October, Bad Boy Records’ French Montana said Fif’s frequent rap beefs hurt his career.
“You should avoid beef if you trying to make money. People get scared when you try to beef with people. In general, [even in street shit] nobody want to stand next to you if somebody about to shoot you, unless you have a a big lick [Ed. Note–A “lick” means a hustle.] They [used to] do that with 50 because 50 was the bank. They knew he was going to win. People ain’t doing that [anymore] … [The rap game’s not built like that anymore]. No, it’s over for that. It’s gone, big time. They’ll get you out so fast.” (Complex)
A few weeks ago, rap veteran Nas talked about what typically fuels hip-hop feuds.
“No,” Nas laughingly said when asked if hip-hop artists apologize to rap foes if they meet up face-to-face at the Grammy Awards ceremonies. “Once you say it, you’ve got to ride with it. You know? You gotta be true. You know, hip-hop is really standoff, it’s really competitive, it’s really about who’s number one all the time and sometimes it gets out of hand. Definitely. Yeah.” (“Chelsea Lately”)
Check out 50 Cent’s interview:
