Old Beef, New Beef

Big news this week in the hip-hop world put an end to months of speculation. On Monday, it became official: Nas has been signed to once-rival Jay-Z’s record label, Def Jam.

It has been common knowledge for months that the long-running feud was dead in the water, bus Nas’ move to Def Jam takes the truce to an almost inconceivable new height. Last October, Nas joined Jay-Z on stage at the now-legendary “I Declare War” concert at New Jersey’s Continental Airlines Arena, hosted by Jay and New York City’s Power 105. The message was clear: the five-year beef between the two New York rappers was dead.

The deal is a little complicated. It includes several concessions to Nas’ current label, Sony Records, suggesting that Jay was awfully eager to get Nas signed. Under the terms of the acquisition, Def Jam will get four albums from Nas. The first two, however, will be produced and marketed by Def Jam, but the profits (after costs are recovered) will be split with Sony. Sony will also have the right to market the albums, and will retain the right to release a greatest hits CD from Nas.

The beef between Nas and Jay-Z was unique—almost classy—and was not marred by violence. Unlike the war between Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., the two MC’s kept it on vinyl, and almost seemed to hold one another in high esteem. In the battle to determine who was best, there was an inherent acknowledgement of each other’s talent. It was more than just the battle for New York; it was a battle to be the king of rap.

But as the final nail is being hammered into the coffin of the Jay-Z/Nas beef, Jay has another burner on his heels. While the “I Declare War” concert officially squashed the beef with Nas, it acted as an accelerant to the blaze between Jay and Diplomat rapper Cam’Ron. Cam’Ron has set his sights on Jay, and last week released a dis track called “Gotta Love It.” On the track, which is as personal as it gets, Cam insinuates that he slept with Jay-Z’s fiancé, singer Beyonce Knowles. Cam’Ron was shot last October while attending Howard University’s homecoming ceremonies, and on the track alleges that the shooters were supporters of Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records.

While many are waiting for Jay’s response to the Cam’Ron track, I wouldn’t hold my breath. Since taking control of Def Jam from Russell Simmons as CEO last year, Jay has morphed into the consummate record chief. Some were skeptical as to whether the once-small-time-hustler could head hip-hop’s legendary label, but their cynicism has been met with some disappointment. Shawn Carter (real name) the record mogul and entrepreneur carries himself with more class and style than Jay-Z, the hustler-turned-rapper. So if you are among those waiting for the Jay/Cam’Ron clash to become more than a one-sided tomato-toss from the bottom of the mountain, get comfortable because it could be a long wait.

Tom Breihan, writing for New York’s “Village Voice,” summed it up best. “Even though Cam is probably Jay's equal as an artist/craftsman/wordsmith, his sneering fight-dirty bluster feels crass next to Jay's aristocratic grace.”

-From Pulse
January 26, 2006