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While the culture is happy that we got a new De La Soul album, the bonus has been all the interviews to support its release. In a new Q&A, the group details what sparked their problems with 2Pac.
As per Complex, De La Soul has been on a promotional run to support the release of their newest effort Cabin In The Sky. During an interview with Ambrosia For Heads, Pos and Maseo spoke about their early days, how Dave’s spirit was with them throughout the process and more. Midway through the in-depth conversation, they were asked about their rift with 2Pac. To hear Pos tell it, the beef was a big misunderstanding.
“2Pac we had an issue with [us] because when we did the ‘Ego Trippin’ video, he unfortunately thought we were mimicking and trying to make fun of the ‘I Get Around’ video,” Posdnuos recalled. “He was very disappointed. He reached out to his manager and the people at Tommy Boy [Records] at the time and was like, ‘Yo, man, I love those dudes. I didn’t know they had an issue.’”
Pos went on to say that he personally reached out to Pac to resolve the issue, but wasn’t able to get in contact with him. Years later, De La Soul released Stakes Is High, an album that criticized the commercialization of Hip-Hop and Gangster Rap. That led to Pac directly dissing De La Soul on an unreleased song “Watch Ya Mouth,” which was during the The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory album sessions.You can see De La Soul discuss 2Pac at the 42-minute mark below.
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To this day, 2Pac aka Tupac Shakur remains a pivotal figure in hip-hop culture, embodying everything the genre stands for: truth, emotion, rebellion, and purpose. He didn’t just rap about the streets; he unpacked the pain, politics, and pressures that shaped them. His music blended vulnerability and toughness in a way few artists had ever done, turning personal struggle into universal storytelling.
RELATED: Drake Allegedly Cops 2Pac’s Legendary Death Row ChainWhether he was delivering poetic insight on “Keep Ya Head Up” or raw intensity on “Hit ‘Em Up,” 2Pac made hip-hop feel bigger than entertainment. He made it feel necessary.
His impact didn’t stop with the music, though. 2Pac redefined what a rapper could represent, pairing activism and artistic vision with charisma and fearlessness. He pushed hip-hop into social consciousness, encouraging artists to speak for their communities and confront real-world issues. That fearless honesty (and the mythic rise and dramatic end that followed) cemented him as a cultural hero and cautionary figure. Generations later, artists still channel his energy because he gave hip-hop a soul and a higher purpose.
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You can see 2Pac’s fingerprints all over modern hip-hop. The way artists wear their hearts on their sleeves, weave social commentary into music, or use visuals to communicate deeper messages all trace back to him. Even stylistically, Pac’s influence remains, from bandanas and tattoos to the confident, revolutionary spirit many rappers embody. Most recently, NLE Choppa’s “KO” video pulled clear inspiration from Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” era, from the aesthetic to the energy. It was more than a tribute. It was proof that 2Pac’s blueprint continues to guide young artists in their pursuit of authenticity and impact.
His presence also lives in the competitive spirit of hip-hop. Modern-day rap battles and diss records still mirror the emotional weight and intensity he brought to conflicts. Artists don’t just trade bars; they build narratives, take stands, and speak from the heart, just as Pac did. Whenever rappers turn introspective, challenge the system, or speak directly to the youth, they’re continuing a tradition he helped carve out.
2Pac isn’t just a legend, he’s a standard. His voice still echoes in the culture, in the music, and in the conversations hip-hop continues to spark about life, identity, and struggle. As new artists rise and the genre evolves, Pac remains a foundational force, not frozen in history but alive in influence. That’s why he will forever be intertwined with hip-hop, not just the era he defined, but for every era still being shaped by his legacy.
RELATED: Mariah Carey Says She Wish She Shot Her Shot At 2Pac
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Duane “Keefe D” Davis, a suspect in the 2Pac murder case, has been hit with an additional charge after getting into a physical altercation in jail. Davis was caught fighting with another inmate at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas. The fight, which was caught on security cameras, has led to Davis being charged with battery for his role in the incident. This new charge adds to the serious legal situation Davis is already facing.
Images emerge of Tupac murder suspect Keefe D fighting with another inmate in a Las Vegas jail.
(via @TMZ) pic.twitter.com/DUHiVYSRNx
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Davis has been incarcerated since September 2023, following his arrest for allegedly orchestrating the 1996 murder of rapper 2Pac Shakur. His arrest marked the first breakthrough in the decades-old case, which had remained unsolved for years. Davis has pled not guilty to the charge of murder with a deadly weapon, and his trial is set to begin in May 2024.
His defense lawyer has vigorously denied the allegations, arguing that there’s no direct evidence linking Davis to the crime. The lawyer further stated, “He did what Detective [Greg] Kading did: He put out a book, and he made money. Even the state’s main investigator who testified at the grand jury said this is all about making money.”
Despite Davis’s claims, the case remains highly publicized, with many still seeking justice for 2Pac. The addition of the battery charge only complicates his legal battles, with his trial in May likely to be a key moment in the ongoing investigation.
An ex-gang leader is seeking to have all the charges against him dismissed in the 1990s killing of rap music icon Tupac Shakur. Attorney Carl Arnold filed the motion on Monday in the District Court of Nevada to dismiss charges against Duane Davis in the 1996 shooting of Shakur. The motion alleges “egregious” constitutional violations because […]
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While Tupac was known for making music in which he rapped about bedding multiple women and getting his player on, the man was actually in a committed relationship with the daughter of music legend Quincy Jones, Kidada.
While not much detail is known about their relationship, as the two dated way before social media was a thing, Kidada’s sister, Rashida Jones, opened up about a heated exchange which took place between herself and Tupac before he went on to date her older sister. According to Huffpost, the animosity between herself and Pac began when the iconic rapper was interviewed in an 1993 issue of The Source magazine and criticized her father, Qunicy Jones, for having children with white women and “make[ing] fucked up kids.”
A then 17-year-old Rashida Jones wrote a response to Tupac in a follow-up issue and apparently it resonated with the rapper in such a way he felt the need to apologize to the Jones family.
In a recent interview with the New Yorker, Jones recalls how Shakur approached her sister, Kidada, in New York City thinking it was her and asked for forgiveness for his harsh words about her father and his children.
From the New Yorker:
“And then my sister was out somewhere in New York, and Tupac came up to apologize to her, because he thought it was me,” Rashida Jones said. “It resolved itself really nicely, because when I met him, he immediately apologized to me, immediately apologized to my dad. We sat down and had a really good conversation about it, and then he was family.”
Tupac and Kidada went on to date and even live together for a while before the rapper was murdered in 1996. In Q: The Autobiography Of Qunicy Jones, Kidada recalled the moment that Tupac approached her about the situation and admitted she knew it was much more than an apology at the moment.
“I met Tupac at a club after that and he said, ‘I want to apologize to you. I didn’t mean that about your dad or you. I didn’t see you as real human beings. Now that I see you…,’” she said. “He was all game. He was trying to get a play, let’s face it, but I liked him.”
Yeah, that sounds about right. Ladies might’ve loved Cool James in the early 90s, but they loved them some Tupac as well.
Helluva era.
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Tupac murder suspect Keefe D will have to ride things out in jail as he awaits trial. A judge has denied his bail over him potentially selling his life story.
As reported by Huffington Post the Compton, Los Angeles native did not receive favorable news regarding his freedom. On Wednesday, June 26 Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny ruled against the request citing concerns he would profit from his freedom. Last week his legal team asked for their client to be released after they secured the $750,000 bond. In recent weeks controversial music executive Cash “Wack 100” Jones has teased the idea of bonding Keefe D in exchange for the rights to his story. The business proposition seemed to have some legs to it as Wack discussed the business deal with Duane Davis Jr., Keefe D’s son, on Clubhouse. This seems to have concerned Judge Keirny as she expressed her concerns that Wack 100 is serving “‘front’ or ‘middleman’ for the true bond poster.”
Keefe D’s attorney expressed his dismay in a statement to Newsweek. “We are disappointed with the court’s decision to deny bail to Mr. Davis, especially considering the thorough vetting by Konvict Bail Bonds of the funding source conducted before the source hearing,” Carl Arnold said. “We firmly believe there is a lack of substantive proof that Mr. Davis intended to profit from his alleged connections to the case.”
Keefe D’s trial is expected to commence in November. He could face life imprisonment if found guilty for his role in Tupac’s murder.
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There is a thin line between competition and conflict and in the ever-evolving landscape of Rap and Hip-Hop, all it takes is a few words or actions to tilt the scale towards beef.
At their best, the beefs gave us quotables and songs that have become a part of our cultural catalogue from KRS-One’s iconic lines on “The Bridge is Over” or Jay-Z’s jab at Nas’ iconic song “The World is Mine” on “Takeover.” At their worst, the beefs led to violent interactions that served as warnings for the future (rest in powerful peace Tupac Shakur, Christopher Wallace and too many more).
Whether you rooted for the underdog or cheered for the villain, here is a list of nine Hip-Hop beefs that altered the way we listened to the culture’s music to this day.
9. Kool Moe Dee and LL Cool J
Considered by many as one of the first instances of rap beef, the two’s feud not only produced some of the biggest rap moments (Kool Moe Dee’s rap Grammy performance and LL’s Jack the Ripper series), but also set a precedent of using rap disses to enlarge both stars’ brand. For LL, he’d become one of rap’s earliest commercial successes, leading the line of success and respect into the 90s and beyond. His rise also foreshadowed a theme with the pioneer’s anger with younger MC’s who felt slighted by the next generation’s hubris.
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8. Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown
Kim’s ascent into rap in 1996 alongside the Notorious B.I.G. and Junior Mafia brought a new aesthetic for female rappers as she embraced a more sexual and aggressive energy. Unfortunately, competition between her and fellow Brooklyn rapper Foxy Brown became inevitable as the two traded words over the years on various songs including Kim’s verse on Lil Cease’s 1999 song, “Play Around,” “The Notorious Kim”, and Mobb Deep’s “Quiet Storm Remix”. Foxy’s venomous verse on “Bang Bang” proved prophetic, and the violence and residual tension that followed over the years make it one of rap’s most memorable beefs.
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7. Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy
For these two southern MC’s who have since gone on to rectify their differences, their dispute over Gucci’s first commercial record, “So Icy,” ushered in a flurry of diss records back and forth that escalated to alleged violence off the records. Unfortunately, their antics and the energy behind it ushered in a new dimension of dissing enemies, encapsulated by Gucci’s gesture of smoking on the remains of an enemy, a move he’s since condemned.
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6. LL Cool J and Canibus
For Canibus, the rising phenom in rap at the time, being featured on a song with someone as accomplished as LL Cool J was an honor. His initial verse on the posse cut, “4,3,2,1,” however innocent, prompted LL’s furious response, and the records that followed only made LL’s battle rap status grow larger. Canibus’ “Second Round KO” and L’s “The Ripper Strikes Back” also introduced whether fans preferred battle records from overtly lyrical rappers or more commercially renowned artists.
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5. 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G.
Largely remembered for the shocking claims made by 2Pac against Biggie on the song “Hit Em Up”, the primarily one-sided beef spurred a slew of responses from Biggie and others, both directly and subliminally which fueled the environment that led to their untimely deaths. The behind-the-scenes antics between Bad Boy Records and Death Row only exacerbated the tension and forced former friends to cross all types of lines that rap had yet to see before then.
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4. Jay-Z and Nas
After years of tension and perceived disrespect, Jay-Z and Nas’ early 2000s beef produced two of rap’s biggest diss records, “Takeover” and “Ether,” and simultaneously added to both stars’ classic repertoire of albums and songs. Despite the propensity for violence that existed, both men’s decisions to end their issue and work together represented a rare display of maturity, unlike anything we’d seen at that time for stars of their magnitude.
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3. Ja Rule and 50 Cent
Arguably one of the most influential rap beefs of the early 2000s, 50 Cent’s and Ja’s behind-the-scenes issues spilt onto the national stage when 50 attacked Ja multiple times on his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’. 50’s unrelenting vendetta against Ja and Murder Inc. successfully made him a legend in many eyes and all but erased the stellar run of one of rap’s most influential and successful rap labels. Despite both artists moving on to different endeavours, the beef between them remains one of rap’s most noticeable land mines, going off at least once a year on social media without fail.
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2. Ice Cube and N.W.A
In the eyes of many rap fans including Cube himself, his 1991 diss response “No Vaseline” is arguably the most known and well-crafted. Before rap fans became accustomed to the idea of a 20 v 1 type battle, Cube took it upon himself to diss his former group N.W.A singlehandedly, so much so that they decided not to respond. At the top of his game both critically and commercially, his diss carried the same weight as Jay-Z and Nas with a level of sophistication and execution that has yet to be reached by a diss record since.
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1. Kendrick Lamar and Drake
Much like how Jay-Z and Nas’ beef festered over the years before exploding onto the scene, Kendrick and Drake’s feud following his verse on Big Sean’s “Control” grew, culminating in years of subliminal jabs. Kendrick’s feature on the Future and Metro Boomin’ single, “Like That” forced both sides into the competition and from there, we got more rap disses in a week than we’d ever seen from two competitors. The speed of their releases, rollout strategies and cleverness upped the ante for rap feuds that typically played out over time and showed us the lyrical brilliance of both camps regardless of who you felt was the victor.
Culturally, the response to Kendrick’s song, “Not Like Us” both online and during Kendrick’s Juneteenth concert, continues the communal call-and-response aspect of rap disses that we’ve loved since its inception. In a short amount of time Not Like Us has become a rap anthem and one of the year’s most streamed songs, much like Drake’s Back to Back became a Grammy-nominated song.
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The Rap beef of the century has left Sheryl Crow feeling a ways. She recently slammed Drake for resurrecting Tupak Shakure via AI.
Recently BBC conducted an interview with the singer. While the Kennett, Missouri native touched on a variety of topics regarding her artistry and storied career, it was her opinion on artificial intelligence that became her hottest take. On her newest album Evolution she touches on the technology on the title track. When asked about it she says that artificial intelligence is a “betrayal” and “goes against everything humanity is based on.”
She became aware of it last year when one of her colleagues used AI to recreate John Meyer sing her vocals. As a big Meyer, Sheryl Crow was stunned when she heard the final product saying “there would be no way you’d have been able to tell that he was not singing that song.” But it wasn’t until Drake and Kendrick’s recent Rap battle where Crow things were taken too far.
“Taylor Made Freestyle” featured artificial vocals from Snoop Dogg and 2Pac which apparently was like a punch to the gut for Sheryl. “You cannot bring people back from the dead and believe that they would stand for that,” she said. “I’m sure Drake thought, ‘Yeah, I shouldn’t do it, but I’ll say sorry later’. But it’s already done, and people will find it even if he takes it down. She went on to add “it’s hateful. It is antithetical to the life force that exists in all of us.”
Drake eventually removed “Taylor Made Freestyle” from his social media channels. You can listen to the track below.
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Keefe D will seek to prepare for his upcoming trial from the comfort of his home. He has asked to be set free on bail.
As reported by The Grio the former Los Angeles gang leader has asked the presiding judge to let him out of jail while he waits for trial. On Thursday, June 20 his legal representatives formally submitted a request on the behalf of their client. In response the judge has scheduled a hearing to review the request where Duane “Keffe D” Davis’ attorney will ask for bail. If approved the alleged Southside Crip shot caller will be free on house arrest with electric monitoring.
Recently media personality and entertainment entrepreneur Wack 100, born Cash Jones, has toyed with the idea of putting up the bail money for Keffe D. In a recent livestream on Clubhouse he spoke to his Keefe’s son, Duane Davis Jr., seemingly confirming he would help them secure the bond in exchange for Keefe’s story rights. It has not been confirmed by Keffe D’s attorney Carl Arnold whether or not Wack 100 contributed to the bail monies.
In September 2023 Davis was arrested and charge for first degree murder for his involvement in the drive by shooting that left Tupac Shakur dead. He has since been held at Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. His trial is expected to commence in November.
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Snoop Dogg has found his way into the current “beef” between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and it had nothing to do with him actually interjecting himself in it but with the use of AI.
Like the rest of the Hip-Hop and music world, Snoop Dogg was stunned to hear AI voice on Drake’s latest diss track at Kendrick Lamer, “Taylor Made Freestyle.”
On Friday (April 19), Drake released his “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which features the computer-generated voices of Snoop Dogg and the late 2Pac “pressing” their West Coast counterpart to respond to Drizzy.
On the song virtual Snoop raps:
“Dot, you know that the D-O-G never fucking doubted you/ But right now it seem like you posted up without a clue of what the fuck you ’bout to do.”
Not too long after the divisive record hit the internet, the Doggfather took to his Instagram account to post a hilarious reaction to AI bars.
“They did what? When? How? Are you sure? [Sigh] Y’all have a good night,” Snoop said in the Instagram clip. “Why everybody calling my phone, blowing me up? What the fuck— what happened? What’s going on? I’m going back to bed. Good night.”
Will Kendrick Lamar Finally Respond To Drake?
“Taylor Made Freestyle” comes a week after Drake’s first response record, “Push Ups.” When the song hit the internet, thanks to the rampant AI use in the music industry, the song’s validity was initially up in the air.
On the song, Drizzy accuses Lamar of taking his sweet time to respond due to Taylor Swift dropping a new album while also naming TDE’s boss, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith.
“But now we gotta wait a fucking week ’cause Taylor Swift is your new Top/ And if you ’bout to drop, she gotta approve/ This girl really ’bout to make you act like you not in a feud/ She tailor made your schedule with Ant, you out of the loop.
While Drake continues to poke the bear, word on the podcast streets is that K.Dot has a response record ready, according to Joe Budden Podcast host Antwan “Ish” Marby, who claims the record is on the level of 2Pac’s “Hit Em Up.”
“Some people that have heard the Kendrick track, I heard that his energy is just something that’s going to be hard for Drake to match. They said he’s coming on some Pac’ Hit Em Up’ energy,” Ish claims.
We shall see if that’s the case. We just want Kendrick Lamar to take his time and deliver a worthy response, no one wants a wack a** diss record.
