Jay-Z has had a decades long career as a rapper, music mogul, and businessman – one could even call him a BUSINESS, man – and any figure who's been in the rap game that long is going to earn some heat along the way. Jay-Z has had plenty of feuds with other rappers, and those beefs have led to some pretty scathing diss tracks.
Whether it's LL Cool J calling him out for silencing artists on his label or Nas dragging his title of “King of New York” through the mud, plenty of established MCs have set their sights on Jay-Z. Here are the harshest lyrics sent Hov's way over the years.
- 1
Lyrics: When these streets keep callin', heard it when I was sleep / That this Gay-Z and C**k-a-Fella Records wanted beef (What?) / Started cockin' up my weapon, slowly loadin' up this ammo / To explode it on a camel (Haha) and his soldiers I can handle / This for dolo and his manuscript just sound stupid / When KRS already made a album called Blueprint (D*ck) / First Biggie's your man, then you got the nerve to say / That you better than B.I.G., d**k-suckin' lips (Ha) / Why don't you let the late, great veteran live?
Referencing: Nas goes in on Jay-Z all over this track, but his most targeted disses dismantle any claims Jay-Z might have made about being the King of New York, Notorious B.I.G.'s successor, or the best MC at any point.
- Album(s): Stillmatic
- Producer: Rondell Turner
- Length (seconds): 4:37
- 2
The Big Payback
Beanie SigelLyrics: You was hyping me and biting me, enticing me to rhyme / Didn’t know at the time you was taking my lines / Take off my coat, you was stealing my quotes / Every rhyme I was writing you was biting to the last note.
Referencing: Sigel calls out Jay-Z for using him to make diss tracks about Jadakiss and Nas during their feuds with Jay, as well as accusing him of stealing rhymes from him and other artists on Roc-A-Fella Records.
- 3
You Gotta Love It
Cam'ron ft. Max BLyrics: Back up, this one ain't the only one with big wallets / Got it, my s**t's brolic, dot it / But your publishing should go to Ms. Wallace / Honest / Stealing Big s**t, he made two albums, you wilding.
Referencing: Cam'ron claimed Jay-Z's publishing royalties should go to Notorious B.I.G.'s estate because all of Jay's success was cribbed from the fallen rapper.
- Album(s): Killa Season
- Length (seconds): 6:14
- 4
Beat Without Bass
Freekey Zekey ft. Lil WayneLyrics: You old a** rappers better stay on tour / You like 44 / I got a 44 / I’m 24 / I could murk you and come out when I’m 44.
Referencing: Jay-Z subliminally dissed Lil Wayne in 2006 for how young rappers were bringing down the game, so Wayne shot back over Jay's age and softness.
- Album(s): We Own the Streetz
- Length (seconds): 4:57
- 5
It's Good
Lil WayneLyrics: Two Glock 40′s, n**** you got 80 problems / Swimmin’ in the money, I'mma need some f**kin goggles / It's better to give, but we don't give a f**k about 'em
Talkin’ ’bout Baby money? I got yo’ baby money / Kidnap yo’ b***h, get that “How much you love yo’ lady?” money / I know you fake, n****, press yo’ brakes, n****
Referencing: Lil Wayne responded to a diss on "H.A.M." about how he wasn't worth enough money with claims about his wealth and willingness to escalate a conflict.
- 6
Go Harder
Jaz-OLyrics: Them streets ain’t with cha, half-moon head n**** / Just regurgitated what I spoon fed, n**** / You then compare yourself to Jackie Robinson, you jack and rob and sin on your own family and friends… / You talk tough but your gun ain’t speak / Real G’s held you down, you were stupid and weak.
Referencing: Jay-Z's mentor Jaz-O clapped back after years of disses to remind Jay that anything he learned was secondhand from him and that he was all talk.