Recently, it seems like everyone is beefing. Lil’ Kim is taking shots at Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent has been throwing darts at Diddy, Beanie Sigel continues to come at Jay-Z, Young Jeezy possibly sending subliminals at Rick Ross, etc. While there is nothing inherently wrong with beef, there is a right and a wrong way to go about it. A lot of times artists get carried away and let their beefs consume them. 50 Cent, for example, has become known more for beefing with everyone than anything else. ‘Beef’ in it’s purest form can be a positive thing for hip-hop, two great emcees battling over the mic and, in the process, treating us all to great music (e.g., LL Cool J vs. Canibus, Jay-Z vs. Nas, etc.). Since we here at Global Grind promote positivity and love hip-hop, we took it upon ourselves to create a step-by-step manual of proper beef etiquette. The 10 Beef Commandments, if you will.
NEXT PAGE: RULES 1-5.
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1. KEEP IT ON WAX.
This is the most important commandment of all. Keep that shit on wax. We’ve lost far too many great emcees due to senseless violence, and rap beefs that escalated into something much more serious. Yeah, words can be damaging to the ego, but it should never get to a point where you’re driven to inflict harm on your opponent.
2. BE DIRECT.
There’s nothing more annoying than subliminals that aren’t really subliminal. If you’re going to take shots at someone, be direct about it. State names.
3. DON’T MAKE SHIT UP.
Don’t create beef where there is none to be found. It’s always obvious, and you always look desperate. Especially when you do it every time you have a new song or mixtape coming out.
4. DON’T BEEF OUTSIDE OF YOUR LEAGUE.
If you’re going to start frivolous beef, don’t beef with someone totally out of your league, unless you’re completely confident in your abilities. You will just end up embarassed. KRS-One and Nelly is a prime example of this. On the flipside, if you’re an established legend you shouldn’t be going after up-and-comers. It makes you look old!
5. DON’T MAKET IT TOO PERSONAL.
It’s never a good idea to get too personal in beefs. Bringing peoples families into play is always a recipe for disaster, and is just in poor taste altogether. We’re not saying keep it clean, but known when and where to draw the line.
NEXT PAGE: RULES 6-10.
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6. LEARN WHEN TO LET GO.
Sometimes, you just have to take your L, tuck your tail between your legs, and let go. Perpetuating beef when the other party has already moved on just makes you look pathetic.
7. DON
