Joey Bada$$ vs. Ray Vaughn: The East Coast vs. West Coast Rap Battle Heats Up
Over the past few weeks, the hip-hop world has been gripped by the escalating feud between Joey Bada$$ and Ray Vaughn—a showdown that’s quickly evolved into a full-on East Coast versus West Coast lyrical war. What started as a spirited exchange has drawn in several West Coast rappers aiming their shots at the Brooklyn native, making it feel like Joey is facing off against the entire West Coast rap scene.
Following a powerful Red Bull freestyle session alongside Ab-Soul and Big Sean, Joey Bada$$ found himself targeted by a slew of West Coast artists, including AZ Chike, REASON, Daylyt, and Ray Vaughn himself. Despite the barrage, Joey has remained unfazed, confidently holding his ground in the battle.
Monday proved especially intense as Joey faced three diss tracks from different opponents in a single day. Rather than backing down, he fired back with the track “My Town,” where he effortlessly weathered the storm. On the song, Joey takes a swipe at Ray Vaughn, rapping, “Ray Vaughn was so last week, now I’m hearing sht about some n*** named Ass Cheek, who wanna be the next victim?” The track also features a nod to legendary battle rapper Loaded Lux, adding an extra layer of battle rap credibility to the mix.
Not one to let Joey steal the spotlight, Ray Vaughn quickly fired back with his own diss track, “Golden Eye,” dropping sharp bars aimed not only at Joey but also targeting East Coast icons. Vaughn’s verse included a provocative jab about Diddy: “Rap for 20 years, but still ain’t make the Big 3 … Now you in TV, because in New York you a cast out. If you standin next to Diddy … If they ever show that footage, you gon have to plead the 5th.” These lines have certainly stirred the pot and rubbed some East Coast fans the wrong way.
As the back-and-forth continues, it’s clear this battle has grown far beyond just Joey Bada$$ and Ray Vaughn. Multiple artists from both coasts have jumped into the fray, raising the stakes and excitement for fans who are witnessing a modern-day coast-to-coast rap war.
For now, public opinion largely favors Joey Bada$$, who is impressively holding his own despite seemingly being outnumbered. Whether he can maintain this momentum against the combined forces of the West Coast remains to be seen.
Hip-hop fans are in for a thrilling ride as this East vs. West saga unfolds. One thing’s certain: this battle is reigniting the spirit of classic coast rivalries and keeping the culture buzzing with fresh energy and sharp bars.
