Yes, Busy Bee(Love Bug Starski) vs. Kool Moe Dee was the origin of “Beef” and Hip-Hop warfare. And yes, you are correct again to say that UTFO vs. Roxanne Shante was the very start of beefing on record between artists, but we must make a distinction. The nuclear missiles that Boogie Down Productions (composed of KRS-ONE + DJ Scott La Rock) launched against the Juice Crew was fresh, fierce and fearless. This record didn’t simply throw darts, fireballs were darted into Queens in an incendiary fashion, questioning which borough was really the birthplace of Hip-Hop music. This song was not simply about one man’s pride, reputation, or status on the mic, proper and appropriate representation of the South Bronx, the noted birthplace of Hip-Hop was the crux of this seminal battle. YO KRS, give ‘em a taste:

“You’d better change what comes out your speaker
You’re better off talkin bout your wack Puma sneaker
Cause Bronx created hip-hop, Queens will only get dropped
You’re still tellin lies to me”

And thus, a very pivotal moment in Hip-Hop. Where both Queens and the Bronx battled out a claim to history in the annals of Hip-Hop music. Even though MC Shan shot back with “Kill that Noise,” “The Bridge is Over ” catapulted the Bronx to the top and put Queens back in its place.

So when you think of LL vs. Canibus, Nas vs. Jay-Z (or Cam’ron vs. Jay-Z), 50 cent vs. the Game, realize where the battle concept originated from. Why is this, you ask? Because the origin dictates the direction, purpose and future growth of that which you see before you.

For instance take the battle between 50 cent and the Game. From jump this battle was bogus, because it seemed 50 only wanted extra publicity. It eventually became purposeful when Game fired back. The compton emcee did it for vindication, and this is often the essence of the battle in Hip-Hop. Nothwithstanding, “the battle” offers the opportunity to set the record straight, once and for all.

In the words of Thursday:

“Each One, Teach One.”

One Response to “The Dawning of the Battle MC”

1. Chris Says:
   March 16th, 2006 at 4:23 pm

   “I’m not sayin I’m number one…wait, I’m sorry I lied.
   I’M NUMBER 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5!!!!!”

   That’s my shit…good post Craig!

   -Chirs

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