Angry battles of words — or beefs — have kept rap fans intrigued from the early days of hip-hop to this year’s conflict between The Game and 50-Cent. Three writers and fans explain how the beefs got started: William Eric Perkins in Philadelphia, Tricia Rose in Santa Cruz, and Adam Mansbach in Berkeley. Produced by Jonathan Mitchell.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!