Remember when beef was between rappers?
Jay-Z and Nas utilized everything from well-known career
mishaps to behind-the-scenes information to release two of the best tracks in
hip-hop history. Before joining the Grammy Family, Common performed the
scathing Ice Cube diss, “The Bitch In Yoo,” in Cube’s stomping grounds of Los
Angeles and gained infallible respect. 2Pac used “Hit
Em Up” to brag about having sex with Biggie’s wife and dismiss his label’s
affiliates as “fake gangstas,” and Royce Da 5’9” single-handedly dismantled
Eminem’s group D12 with “Malcolm X.” Sure, there were occasions that pushed the
boundaries—Skillz recorded an entire mixtape as a response to disses by
basketball juggernaut Shaquille O’Neal, and the Eminem-ethered Benzino was more
of a magazine owner than a rapper. But even in those situations, both parties
directly involved rap songs.
But now, R&B loverman RL is showing his own brand of
beef. Him and his group Next, known for hits such as “Butta Love” and “Too
Close”, are some of the latest additions to 50 Cent’s team. RL looks to join
the ranks of his fellow diss-fueled G-Unit soldiers with “Hater In You,” a
cover of Destiny’s Child’s “Cater 2 U” that features him singing the crew’s signature “GGG G-Unit” refrain and calling out
R&B staples 112 and Jagged Edge…
“None of y’all R&B niggas can do it
quite the way we can,”RL sings at the song’s end. “Stick to dancing, niggas, cuz
none of y’all sing for real. … I’m talking to all y’all niggas out there. I
don’t care if 112, Jagged, any nigga hear this. I feel y’all niggas, but y’all
niggas better step y’all game up. I’ve been listening to these last couple
albums, nigga. We’re fuckin’ coming.”
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This marks the latest attempt of R&B artists to merge
with the rap image. R. Kelly has lived up to the self-coined term “R&B
Thug” by poppin’ bottles and parading strip clubs like his rap counterparts, and
Akon chronicled the pain of prison time better than many MCs on “Locked Up.” In
his video, “Just In Case,” Jaheim treasured a potential last moment with
his lady before heading back to the block. And even though Nate Dogg may not
fall under the genre of R&B, he has made a name for himself by singing, not
spitting verses. Various singers adorn themselves with the same gaudy jewelry
that rappers are known for, and much of their music has the same sex-hungry
lyrics as lewd MCs such as Ludacris and Lil Kim. As far as beef is concerned,
R. Kelly vs. Sisqo and Mario vs. Usher tensions were rumored, but they were
short-lived. With G-Unit’s track record, RL and Next may take it a bit further.
Fans, critics and artists themselves will likely all contribute
different perspectives of this trend. Fans may voice enjoyment of the hip-hop
and R&B merge, since they’re both music genres that they love. Critics may
say that with the explosion of rap music and hip-hop culture, these balladeers
are adding these facets to their image to expand their fan base and add the
“thug appeal” that fuels the popularity of artists like 50 Cent and Fabolous. In
turn, artists would then bash the critics, saying that they listen to hip-hop
just like anyone else, so they have a right to incorporate it in their music. Further,
they would accuse critics of trying to box them into an archetype based on
their previous material or the work of other artists. Undoubtedly, all of them
would have valid points with their arguments.
But on the other hand, R&B has arguably become even more
generic than rap music. With a small group of artists (Usher, India.Arie,
Alicia Keys, and others) standing as exceptions, the majority of today’s
newbies are singing the same song. Artists such as Omarion and Ciara are
emphasizing slick dance moves over relatable lyrics, while the likes of Ashanti
and Pretty Ricky mask subpar vocals with good looks and top-notch beats. And,
yes, even established veterans like 112, Jagged Edge and Ginuwine haven’t been
able to retain or surpass the astounding levels they reached in the 90s. Meanwhile,
reliable artists like Maxwell, D’Angelo and Musiq Soulchild wait years between
each album release. As weak as it is, this “Hater In You” joint by RL is
bringing something new to R&B: beef.
So, what’s next (no pun intended)? Maybe this R&Beef is
going to heat up the world of urban music. Def Jam scribe-turned-crooner Ne-Yo
will diss a random R&B singer for stealing his lyrics, and Usher will
accuse Chris Brown of biting from his dance-heavy videos. Meanwhile, Kelis will
diss Macy Gray for her ‘fro and off-kilter style statements, and Beyonce will
become the female Curtis Jackson, calling out Ciara for donning the blonde hairdo
and engaging in a 50 vs. Game-esque feud with former Destiny’s Child member
Letoya Luckett. Until the rest of the R&B world comes up with something
new, this is what we may have to deal with.
