Fresh on our cinema screens is the N.W.A. biopic, "Straight Outta Compton". Documenting the rise of N.W.A., the group that dragged gangsta rap and hip-hop into the mainstream music industry, "Straight Outta Compton" also deals with the feuds that emerged within the group. It happens all the time over money, relationships, throwaway remarks; artists are contrary mofos. At MTV's VMAs on Sunday Night, we may have just seen the latest beef fire up between Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus. Here are some notable music feuds from the history books. Hold onto your seats folks, shit's about to get real:
Sinead O'Connor vs. Miley Cyrus
It all started off, as these things tend to do, with everyone trying to be nice to each other. Miley stated that O'Connor's video for "Nothing Compares 2 U" was her inspiration for the "Wrecking Ball" video. Our Sinead kindly responded with an open letter advising Hannah Montana not to let the music industry "make a prostitute out of you" (possibly in reference to Miley's artistic nudity in the video). Rather alarmingly, Miley took offence and tweeted (WHY) about O'Connor's very public breakdowns in the past (not cool). There may not be such a thing as bad publicity, but we think Miley was the real loser here for making light of O'Connor's mental illnesses.
Taylor Swift vs. Katy Perry
Swift swipes three backup dancers from Perry. Dancers subsequently leave Swift's world tour in 2013 and go back to Perry. Swift accuses Perry of stealing her dancers and ruining her tour. After many tweets, interviews, childish passive aggressiveness and a few dancing sharks later, we arrive in the present day where there is still a lot of tweeting and childish passive aggressiveness going on. The LOSER here? The statistics would say Katy Perry, given the global success and popularity Tay-Tay is currently enjoying. But we say that the real loser in this situation is the general public, who have to endure more mindless drivel about two of THE most BORING female pop icons being shoved down our throats.
*Note* We are aware of the irony of including them on the list for that reason, but we had to get it off our chest. Ahhhhhh.
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Azealia Banks vs. Iggy Azalea
Two s**t rappers with "beef" because the s**tter one is more successful than the less s**t one. Go figure. No one is really sure how this one started, but it was probably a s**t reason. I said s**t too many times, didn't I? S**t.
Oasis or Blur?
This started as a good, old-fashioned, friendly chart rivalry that was more divisive for the respective fans than the actual band members. But, spurred on by the media and the record companies, the two sides became more antagonistic, culminating in Noel Gallagher saying that he wished Damon Albarn and Alex James would "catch AIDS and die". Bit harsh.
It defined the Britpop era with a North England vs. South England slant. Given the Gallagher brothers' connections to Ireland, Oasis had a bigger following here. Albarn has since come out to say that Oasis were indeed the better band, and the did have more commercial success, but Parklife vs. What's the Story Morning Glory? You decide.
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Tupac vs. The Notorious B.I.G.
The most infamous of all musical feuds and what most people believe to be the most deadly. Despite both being from New York, Tupac had based himself in California and the West Coast Sound. He accused Biggie and Puff Daddy of being involved in a shooting and robbery that left him with five gunshot wounds. A lot of shade was thrown about in subsequent interviews and documentaries, and each side dissed each other in songs. Although the murders of both Tupac and Biggie remain unsolved, many articles and theories have emerged saying the same thing: the West Coast and Tupac's associates killed Biggie Smalls in revenge for Big Poppa ordering the shooting of Tupac. No real winners or losers here.
Dr. Dre vs. Eazy-E
Tensions were already high within N.W.A. when Ice Cube left the group. His suspicions about Eazy-E and manager Jerry Heller were passed on to Dr. Dre, who felt that E and Heller were taking a larger share of the group's earnings for themselves. Dre drafted in Suge Knight (DUN DUN DUN!!!) to persuade Eazy-E to release Dre from his contract (by threatening E's family, politely). The two made amends in 1995 before Eazy-E's death.
https://youtu.be/40HfnByvQ4o
Joe Tex vs. James Brown
Classic case of performer accusing the other of stealing moves. What did James Brown do in response? He trolled the arse out of poor 'aul Joe Tex (And also shot at him in a club. Straight up G yo). Tex recorded "Baby, You're Right" in 1961, with moderate success. King recorded it himself that year, and it was a hit. Brown, deciding that merely stealing success from Tex was not enough, then got with Tex's ex-wife, Bea Ford, and then told Tex that he could have her back... Yikes...
Nicki Minaj vs. Miley Cyrus
The latest so-called beef to raise its ugly head. Miley gives an interview to the New York Times and talks about Nicki's personality. Nicki calls Miley out onstage while accepting a VMA award: "Miley what's good?" WHAT IS GOOD MILEY? Stay tuned on this one, folks; it could get ugly....
