Influences: Diss Tracks

In honor of T. Swift's taking blatant shots at my main man Kanye (among others) on "Look What You Made Me Do," here's a roundup of the best diss tracks, both classsssssics and more recent songs.

If you prefer a little more love & happiness á la Al Green, check out more positive references in this previous post.

Taylor Swift vs. Everybody

At this point, everybody knows T.Swift loves a good diss track. She brings private relationships to the forefront, using them as song content more times that I can count. "Look What You Made Me Do" is partially in response to Kanye's call out of Taylor on "Famous" and the subsequent public beef and media frenzy. The video subtly jabs ex-boyfriends Tom Hiddleston and Calvin Harris.

Taylor also used "Bad Blood" to bring to light her conflict with Katy Perry. Perry's response was "Swish Swish." In a live stream, she changed the lyrics so they didn't put Swift in as bad of a light and Perry appeared to take the high road, but that's boring.

Who won this battle? Album sales. Everyone frantically trying to decipher all of Taylor's call outs, both in LWYMMD as well as all her songs ever, keep people coming back for more. I think Reputation will be one of Taylor's biggest albums yet.

Ice Cube vs. N.W.A.

Sometimes, artists performing diss tracks are purposely vague, but with the N.W.A. vs. Ice Cube battle, it's clear who's who and how everyone really feels. No holds barred. N.W.A. released "Real Ni**az" on the 100 Milez and Running EP.

Ice Cube was charged up after this release, so he put out "No Vaseline" in which he deftly roasts every member of N.W.A., including their manager Jerry Heller. Ice Cube himself said he knocked down N.W.A. "like bowling pins."

Who won? Ice Cube. Cube's departure from N.W.A. gave him better career longevity. Cube is still relevant, and "No Vaseline" still bangs.

Drake vs. Meek Mill

It all started when Meek Mill called Drake out on Twitter for using a ghost writer on their collab "Rico." Drake quickly came out with his Meek diss track, "Charged Up." When Meek still didn't respond, Drake dissed him again with the more upbeat track "Back to Back."

Meek finally responded with "Wanna Know." And don't get me wrong, I like Meek's flow, but "Wanna Know" sounds a lot like his other songs. And at this point, Drake had already owned the summer with "Charged Up" and "Back to Back," so Meek couldn't match.

Who won? Drake. Not even a question. Meek's career hasn't been the same since.

Remy Ma vs. Nicki Minaj

This battle for Queen of Rap goes waaaaay back. Nicki was first seen rapping about Remy in a 2007 freestyle called "Dirty Money." Their relationship has had its ups and downs along the way, paused by Remy's 6 year stint in jail, but it came to its peak earlier this year.

Though the two rappers had been subtly taking jabs at each other since Remy came back to the rap game,"shETHER" leaves no diss undissed (lol). Remy Ma uses the instrumental for "Ether," a track in which Nas roasted Jay-Z in 2001.

Nicki Minaj answered with two tracks: "No Frauds" with Drake and Lil Wayne, and "Realize" with 2 Chainz.

Who won? Depends who you ask. I'm more of a Nicki fan generally, but Remy Ma really lit Nicki up. But Remy also can't seem to get over it and has remained petty.

Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Nelly Furtado vs. Scott Storch, Prince/Janet Jackson, Fergie

"Give It To Me"gives each artist a chance to call out their enemies. Timbaland had beef with producer Scott Storch (who was also roasted by Christina Aguilera in "F.U.S.S."). Timberlake was upset with Janet Jackson completing blaming the infamous Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction on him. Timberlake also subtly calls out Prince for his negative reaction to "SexyBack." Nelly Furtado takes a small dig at Fergie, who claimed Furtado wasn't actually promiscuous, as her hit song would have listeners believe.

Who won? Listeners. This song still rocks.

Gwen Stefani vs. Courtney Love

I never realized "Hollaback Girl" was a diss track until I started researching this post. Apparently Courtney Love called Gwen a cheerleader, and Gwen was pissed. And tg, because "Hollaback Girl" bangs. You can see Gwen's references to Love's cheerleader comment throughout the music video.

The Foo Fighters also diss Love on their track "I'll Stick Around."

Who won? Everybody except Courtney Love

Mariah Carey vs. Eminem

I love this beef because I love this song, so I don't care how it came to be, I'm just glad it happened. If the lyrics weren't enough of a call out to Eminem, the music video makes the reference blatantly clear. Eminem recognizes this in his response track, "The Warning."

Who Won? I mean, Eminem tops everybody. No matter how much I love "Obsessed," it can't top "The Warning."

Carly Simon vs. All Men?????

There are many theories about who exactly Simon is referring to in "You're So Vain," my personal favorite being Mick Jagger, though I think that was disproved. For a long time, Simon claimed she was speaking about men in general. You go girl, roast 'em!!!

Who Won? My girl Carly, no competition.