Again, the question over whether it is better to have feuded than to have not engaged in lyrical battle in the first place lingers….Ja Rule spoke with Carmelo Anthony concerning his rift between 50 Cent and its fracturing of the New York rap scene.
Anthony also asked him if he would give advice to Drake in his falling out with Kendrick Lamar.
He quickly shut it down asking why he should counsel Drake when he owns a personal jet.
All of this reflects on the question of competition in rap. As previously noted, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Outkast have never engaged in battle raps or feuds.
Inspiration seemed to propel them to levels of superstardom. With Ja Rule, however, his star diminished and he even admitted that he lost the war of words against his nemesis 50.
For him to give advice to either artist would be futile. While it would be extremely rare to see a 50 Cent and Ja Rule resolution, It seems like Drizzy and Kung Fu Kenny can broker a peace deal.
As Drake becomes more and more embroiled in lawsuits associated with him, he is feeling the sting of his own light glowing darker due to his powers declining.
Ja Rule is an example of a warrior who has been in the battlefield for a great amount of time. With Fitty also a juggernaut in the field of fighting, he also knows that these all are fortunate men of color involved in a where the clocking device for monetary gain ticks ever louder.
Kendrick Lamar won the battle, but did Drake win the war? It appears if the Good Kid actually claimed victory in the short and long terms.
The way that Ja Rule continues to throw shots in Fif’s direction concerning his six figure show money while touring further demonstrates the difference between the two men. Fifty Cent is concerned with projects outside of movement and has focused his attention in Shreveport, Louisiana to build an entertainment empire.
What is so remarkable is that there seems to be a thread of productiveness running through all parties. These are wealthy black men who made it in America. They’ve beaten the odds and discovered the key to open the economical, social, and political doors of this country.
With all the animosity that each man has had for their respective foes, there exists a sense that the audience is the Greek chorus recounting all of the moments each of them wielded a verbal axe. Cutting remarks and strong slices to the soul have all amounted to spectacle. But at what cost?
Each man’s livelihood has never been questioned. No doubt they’ve more than most will ever generate in their lifetimes. The idea, yet, is that they clashed for honor and respect. The money followed. Ja Rule remained adamant about how he presented himself. By saying that New York became divided in his feud with Fifty, he acknowledged the frustration he felt at not being able to unite the city and to support both camps.
In everything that has happened in the worlds of all four men, they can look at how their lives and careers have excelled in one note or another. If anyone were to look back at how the 2000s popular culture scene played out, all of these rappers would be studied based on their prowess on the mic and their endless stream of material they’ve pumped into the atmosphere like greenhouse gases.
And like those fossil fuels that issue forth such material, they have elevated and delivered on the promise of enriching and aiding human flourishing.
