50 Hip-Hop Diss Tracks of All Time
Hip-hop culture was built on competition—from DJ battles to breakdancing cyphers to lyrical warfare. Nothing captures this competitive spirit better than the art of the diss track, where MCs settle scores through razor-sharp rhymes and devastating personal attacks. Over hip-hop’s 50-year history, these musical call-outs have ended careers, shifted industry power dynamics, and created some of the most electrifying moments in music history. This comprehensive guide breaks down the context, impact, and legacy of the 50 greatest diss tracks ever recorded, from 50 Cent’s scattershot “Piggy Bank” to Kendrick Lamar’s culture-shaking “Not Like Us.”
The Foundations of Hip-Hop Beef (50-41)
50. 50 Cent – “Piggy Bank” (2005)
50 Cent turned NYC hip-hop into a shooting gallery with this animated assault from The Massacre. Feeling betrayed by Jadakiss and Fat Joe for collaborating with arch-nemesis Ja Rule, 50 unloaded on nearly every prominent New York rapper—Nas (“Captain Save Em”), Mobb Deep, Lil Kim, and even Ja’s wife Kelis (“chasing the Kelis ‘Milkshake’ truck”). The track showcased 50’s ability to turn industry politics into compelling theater .
49. U.N.L.V. – “Drag Em ‘N the River” (1996)
This Cash Money Records diss targeted Mystikal after he took shots at UNLV on “Beware.” The New Orleans battle escalated tensions between Cash Money and Big Boy Records, with UNLV mocking Mystikal’s high school cheerleading past (“You fake cheerleadin, bitch”). The regional beef highlighted how Southern rap crews used disses to establish territorial dominance .
48. Pusha-T f/ The-Dream – “Exodus 23:1” (2012)
The decade-long cold war between Pusha-T and Lil Wayne reached its boiling point with this contractually-aware diss. Pusha mocked Wayne’s unfavorable Cash Money deal (“You signed to one nigga that signed to another nigga/That’s signed to three niggas, now that’s bad luck”), predicting the financial disputes that would later plague Wayne’s career. The biblical title referenced Exodus’s verse about false witnesses .
47. MC Eiht – “Def Wish” series (1991-1996)
Compton’s MC Eiht launched hip-hop’s most prolonged diss campaign against DJ Quik, spanning five years and four installments. After Quik gave Eiht a shoutout on a mixtape that Eiht interpreted as disrespectful, he painted Quik as a perm-wearing clown (“DJ Quik in a khaki bikini”). The series demonstrated how West Coast rappers turned personal slights into extended lyrical wars .
46. Sheff G – “No Suburban” (2017)
The track that defined Brooklyn drill’s violent aesthetic, Sheff G’s response to 22Gz’s “Suburban” contained chilling threats (“Leave a blicky lookin’ all sticky, drippy”) over AXL Beats’ ominous production. Unlike traditional diss tracks with witty punchlines, “No Suburban” embodied the genre’s lethal seriousness—Sheff later clarified “this is not a song” but a street declaration .
45. Eminem – “Killshot” (2018)
Eminem reminded the world why he’s the Rap God with this dismantling of Machine Gun Kelly’s “Rap Devil.” Em put their careers in perspective, contrasting his legacy with MGK’s desperation: “And for the record, you would suck a dick to fuckin’ be me for a second.” The track showcased Em’s ability to weaponize his stature against younger challengers .
44. Nas – “Stillmatic Freestyle” (2001)
Nas’ fiery warm-up for his Stillmatic comeback album became one of hip-hop’s greatest surprise attacks. Over Eric B. & Rakim’s “Paid in Full” remix, Nas deconstructed Jay-Z’s mythology: “I rule you—before, you used to rap like the Fu-Schnickens.” The freestyle set the stage for their legendary feud and Nas’ career resurgence .
43. Beanie Sigel – “Put Ya Hands Up” (2001)
Beanie Sigel unleashed a brutal opening salvo against Jadakiss in their Philly vs. Yonkers beef, mocking Jada’s shiny suit era (“everybody likes you better in that shiny suit”). The track combined gun talk with clever song title references, establishing Beans as one of rap’s most intimidating voices .
42. Jadakiss – “Fk Beanie Sigel Freestyle” (2001)**
Jadakiss countered Beanie’s attack by questioning his street credibility and Roc-A-Fella affiliation. Over a haunting beat, Kiss flipped Beans’ own lyrics against him, showcasing the back-and-forth nature of golden era rap beefs where responses carried equal weight to initial disses .
41. T.I. – “99 Problems (Lil Flip Ain’t One)” (2004)
T.I. reclaimed Atlanta’s throne from Lil Flip with this Jay-Z beat jack, dismissing Flip as irrelevant to his success. The diss exemplified how Southern rappers used battle tracks to settle regional dominance disputes during crunk’s commercial peak .
The Art of War: Diss Tracks That Changed Careers (40-31)
40. Drake – “Push Ups” (2024)
Drizzy entered the Kendrick Lamar beef with this calculated strike, mocking K.Dot’s height (“You ain’t half the man I am”) and alleged industry manipulation. The track revealed Drake’s strategy—using humor and hitmaking ability to counter Kendrick’s moralistic attacks .
39. Eazy-E – “Real Muthaphuckkin G’s” (1993)
Eazy’s Ruthless Records clapback at Dr. Dre’s The Chronic exposed Dre’s pre-N.W.A. past in the World Class Wreckin’ Cru and accused him of ghostwriting. The diss, aided by BG Knocc Out and Dresta, became Eazy’s highest-charting solo hit while irreparably damaging Dre’s gangster image .
38. Cam’ron – “Hate Me Now” (2002)
The Diplomats turned Nas’ iconic beat into a Harlem anthem targeting multiple foes. Cam and Jim Jones’ aggressive delivery transformed the diss into a borough-wide declaration of independence, showcasing how New York rappers used battle tracks for territorial posturing .
37. Jadakiss – “Checkmate” (2005)
Jadakiss’ chess-themed diss against 50 Cent combined street wisdom with industry insights, questioning 50’s authenticity after their initial squashes. The track demonstrated how mid-2000s beefs blended personal issues with broader hip-hop politics .
36. Remy Ma – “ShETHER” (2017)
Over Nas’ “Ether” instrumental, Remy Ma unleashed a seven-minute annihilation of Nicki Minaj, attacking her plastic surgery, alleged industry relationships, and support for her convicted pedophile brother. The track set a new standard for female rap beefs in the social media era .
35. Mobb Deep – “Drop a Gem on ‘Em” (1996)
Havoc and Prodigy’s response to 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” took aim at Pac’s thug persona and Death Row affiliations. While overshadowed by Pac’s death, the track showed East Coast resilience during hip-hop’s most violent feud .
34. Roxanne Shante – “Have a Nice Day” (1987)
The Queensbridge legend continued the Roxanne Wars with this Marley Marl-produced diss, proving female MCs could dominate battle rap. Shanté’s clever wordplay set the template for future generations of battle rappers .
33. Cam’ron – “Dear Stan” (2004)
Cam turned Eminem’s “Stan” into a vicious personal attack on Harlem rival Stan Spit, even referencing Spit’s deceased mother. The track exemplified Dipset’s ruthless approach to beef—no line was too personal to cross .
32. Company Flow – “Linda Tripp” (1998)
El-P’s abstract diss against the mainstream rap industry criticized commercialism and fake gangsterism. The track showed how underground rappers used battle tracks to fight cultural wars rather than personal feuds .
31. Kendrick Lamar – “Meet the Grahams” (2024)
Kendrick’s nuclear strike in the Drake war alleged hidden children, drug abuse, and predatory behavior. Addressed to Drake’s family members, the track weaponized Drake’s emotional vulnerabilities like no diss before it .
30. Jay-Z – “Super Ugly” (2001)*
Jay-Z’s response to Nas’ “Ether” crossed personal boundaries by bragging about an alleged affair with Nas’ then-girlfriend Carmen Bryan. The track, which sampled Nas’ own “Got Ur Self A…”, was so vicious that Jay’s mother Gloria Carter called into Hot 97 demanding he apologize—a rare moment where familial intervention halted rap warfare . The track demonstrated how 2000s beefs blurred the lines between artistic competition and personal lives.
29. Rick Ross f/ Drake & French Montana – “Stay Schemin'” (2012)
While not a traditional diss track, Ross’ subliminal shots at Common (“You ain’t get no paper as a fake rapper”) ignited their 2012 beef. Drake’s infamous “I’m a rap god, bitch” outro became a cultural moment, foreshadowing his future dominance in rap battles. The track showed how feature verses could escalate industry tensions .
28. Lauryn Hill – “Lost Ones” (1998)
The Fugees’ breakup birthed this scorching indictment of Wyclef Jean’s alleged betrayals. Hill’s biblical references (“It’s funny how money change a situation”) and double-time flow made it one of hip-hop’s most eloquent diss tracks. The song proved that conscious rappers could engage in lyrical warfare without compromising artistic integrity.
27. 2Pac f/ Outlawz – “Bomb First” (1996)
Recorded during the explosive Death Row era, this track saw Pac expanding his East Coast hitlist beyond Bad Boy to include Chino XL and others. The Outlawz’ relentless verses (“We don’t love them hoes!”) cemented Death Row’s siege mentality during hip-hop’s most dangerous feud .
26. MC Shan – “Kill That Noise” (1986)
The Queensbridge pioneer’s response to Boogie Down Productions’ “South Bronx” escalated hip-hop’s first major borough battle. Shan’s dismissal of KRS-One’s claims (“You’re a fake, a fraud, a phony”) set the template for future territorial rap wars. The track remains a foundational text in hip-hop’s competitive DNA.
25. Eminem f/ D12 – “Quitter/Hit ‘Em Up Freestyle” (2001)
Em’s vicious Ja Rule diss combined the aggression of 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” with psychological warfare (“You sound like Angela from ‘Martin'”). The track showcased how white rappers could weaponize racial dynamics in beefs while paying homage to hip-hop’s battle traditions .
24. LL Cool J – “Jack the Ripper” (1985)
The 17-year-old LL’s response to Kool Moe Dee’s “How Ya Like Me Now” featured one of rap’s earliest murder metaphors (“I’ll stab your brain with your nose bone”). Its raw aggression defined the golden era of battle rap and established LL as hip-hop’s first true solo superstar.
23. Kendrick Lamar – “Euphoria” (2024)
Kendrick’s first direct shot at Drake blended psychological profiling with scathing wordplay (“We hate the bitches you fuck ’cause they confuse themselves with real women”). The track’s shifting flows and “Taylor Made Freestyle” rebuttal demonstrated modern diss tracks’ multimedia complexity .
22. Tim Dog – “F* Compton” (1991)**
The Bronx rapper’s anti-West Coast tirade (“Compton and Long Beach are straight-up weak”) inadvertently fueled the coastal rivalry that would dominate 90s hip-hop. Its controversial success proved that regional antagonism could be commercially viable.
21. DJ Quik – “Dollaz + Sense” (1995)
Quik’s response to MC Eiht’s “Def Wish” series turned their Compton feud into a philosophical debate about authenticity (“Real G’s move in silence like lasagna”). The jazz-inflected track elevated West Coast diss tracks beyond gangsta tropes .
The Mount Rushmore of Rap Beefs (20-11)
20. Drake – “Family Matters” (2024)
Drizzy’s nuclear response to Kendrick’s “6:16 in LA” made shocking allegations about Lamar’s domestic life and paternity. The track’s strategic leaks and OVO blog rollout demonstrated how streaming-era beefs unfold across multiple platforms .
19. Gucci Mane – “Truth” (2013)
Gucci’s jail-recorded diss against Young Jeezy (“I’m the truth, you a lie, nigga”) escalated their decade-long feud stemming from a 2005 studio shooting. The track’s raw, unfiltered delivery showed how street conflicts could fuel artistic expression.
18. Eminem – “The Sauce/Nail in the Coffin” (2003)
Em’s Benzino diss combined absurdist humor (“You look like a broke-ass Shrek”) with technical mastery. The track’s impact was magnified by its airing on 50 Cent’s “This Is 50” mixtape, showing how diss tracks could bypass traditional media gatekeepers.
17. Future & Metro Boomin f/ Kendrick Lamar – “Like That” (2024)
Kendrick’s explosive verse (“Motherfuck the big three, it’s just big me”) reignited his Drake feud and shattered industry alliances. The track’s surprise release strategy proved how collaborative songs could become battlefronts in streaming-era beefs .
16. Boogie Down Productions – “South Bronx” (1986)
KRS-One’s definitive response to the Bridge Wars (“The South Bronx, South South Bronx”) established borough pride as a hip-hop sacrament. Its educational approach (“This is how it should be done”) set a new standard for battle rap substance over spectacle.
15. MC Lyte – “10% Dis” (1988)
Hip-hop’s first major female-led diss saw Lyte dismantling Antoinette over a Marley Marl beat (“You’re a fake, a fraud, a phony”). The track proved women could dominate rap’s competitive arena while addressing industry sexism.
14. 2Pac – “Against All Odds” (1996)
Recorded days before his death, Pac’s posthumous release targeted everyone from Dr. Dre to De La Soul. Its apocalyptic tone (“I was a fool all them years that I ran with them clowns”) became prophetic, freezing the East-West feud in perpetual tension .
13. LL Cool J – “To Da Break of Dawn” (1990)
LL’s three-part diss against Kool Moe Dee featured one of rap’s most technically perfect verses (“I’m the new improved version of the old school”). The track’s multisyllabic rhymes raised the bar for lyrical combat.
12. Common – “The Bh in Yoo” (1996)*
Common’s response to Ice Cube’s “Westside Slaughterhouse” transformed their beef into a philosophical debate about hip-hop authenticity (“You used to be hard, now you just a comedian”). The track’s jazz-rap sophistication proved diss tracks could be both elegant and lethal.
11. 50 Cent – “Back Down” (2003)
Fifty’s systematic dismantling of Ja Rule (“You aint no gangsta, you a pop singer”) combined financial analysis with street credibility challenges. The track’s ruthless efficiency demonstrated how corporate rap wars could be fought through market dominance .
10. Eazy-E – “Real Muthaphuckkin G’s” (1993)
Eazy’s rebuttal to Dre’s “Dre Day” exposed Dre’s pre-N.W.A. days as a “world-class wreckin’ cru” dancer. The track’s authenticity (“You ain’t no gangsta, you a studio gangsta”) and chart success (#42 on Billboard) made it a Ruthless Records classic .
9. Drake – “Back to Back” (2015)
The only Grammy-nominated diss track, “Back to Back” humiliated Meek Mill after his ghostwriting accusations. Drake’s “You getting bodied by a singin’ nigga” line became a meme, and Meek’s career never fully recovered .
8. Dr. Dre (ft. Snoop Dogg) – “Fuck Wit Dre Day (And Everybody’s Celebratin’)” (1992)
Dre’s G-funk diss targeted Eazy-E and Tim Dog, with Snoop delivering the killshot: “Dre Day only meant Eazy’s payday.” The video, featuring a clownish Eazy-E impersonator, cemented Death Row’s dominance
7. Pusha-T – “The Story of Adidon” (2018)
Pusha exposed Drake’s secret son, mocked his producer Noah “40” Shebib’s MS, and even used a photo of Drake in blackface for the cover art. The line “You are hiding a child” forced Drake into fatherhood transparency and ended the beef decisively .
6. Jay-Z – “Takeover” (2001)
Before “Ether,” Hov’s “Takeover” seemed unbeatable. Over a Doors sample, he mocked Nas’ declining relevance (“You ain’t got no fuckin’ buzz left”) and Prodigy’s sickle cell anemia. Though Nas won the war, Jay’s strategic jabs (“You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song”) made this a classic .
5. Boogie Down Productions – “The Bridge Is Over” (1987)
KRS-One ended the Bridge Wars with this Queensbridge demolition. Targeting MC Shan and Marley Marl, he declared “South Bronx, South South Bronx” as hip-hop’s true birthplace. The track’s blunt dismissal (“You’re a fake, a fraud, a phony”) set the blueprint for regional rap battles .
4. Ice Cube – “No Vaseline” (1991)
Cube’s exit from N.W.A. spawned this ruthless takedown of his former group. Over a Bomb Squad beat, he accused Eazy-E of being Jerry Heller’s puppet (“You’re getting fucked out your green by a white boy / With no vaseline”) and mocked Dre’s production credits. The track’s homophobic slurs haven’t aged well, but its ferocity remains unmatched .
3. Nas – “Ether” (2001)
Nas’ response to Jay-Z’s “Takeover” turned the word “ether” into a verb for lyrical annihilation. He dismantled Hov’s street credibility (“You a fan, a phony, a fake, a pussy, a Stan”) and even dragged his protégés (“Benzino to you, what Seth to Rich”). The track’s legacy endures as the gold standard for rap clapbacks .
2. Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” (2024)
Kendrick’s victory lap in the Drake feud redefined modern rap beef. Over a Mustard-produced West Coast banger, he labeled Drake a “certified pedophile” and mocked his alleged OVO ring affiliations (“OV-ho”). The track became a cultural phenomenon, uniting Bloods, Crips, and hip-hop fans at Kendrick’s “Pop Out” concert. Its impact was so massive that Drake scrubbed all Kendrick-related content from his socials .
1. 2Pac – “Hit ‘Em Up” (1996)
The undisputed king of diss tracks, 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” is a nuclear strike on Bad Boy Records, specifically The Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy. With lines like “First off, fuck your bitch and the clique you claim” and “You claim to be a player but I fucked your wife,” Pac crossed every imaginable line, even mocking Biggie’s health issues (“Don’t one of you niggas got sickle cell or somethin’?”). The track’s raw aggression and real-life stakes (the East Coast-West Coast feud) make it the most infamous diss song ever .
