Thug Life Army

South African hip-hop and rap is growing fast and has taken on the big market. Big recording companies have recognized that this music has the potential to sell and make millions of fans.

Rap and Hip-hop artists have signed to major recording companies, which is good, as long as they stick to their style. But there might be a few rotten potatoes who could destroy legend artists like AMU, Skwatta Kamp and others.

South African artists may in the near future adapt to the American style of hip-hop beefing. South African hip-hop's new kid on the block, Wickid, seems to be treading in that direction.

On his first single The Man , Wickid disrespects almost everyone in the South African music industry. He lashes out at Skwatta Kamp, saying that their latest offering has no tight lyrics. Wickid also attacks Mandoza, saying he still smokes drugs and that he has seen him doing it.

Mandoza went public about his drug addiction and told his fans that he has stopped, but not according to Wickid. He also makes a mockery of Tokollo (Magesh) from TKZee.

Magesh was involved in a car accident in Botswana and has scars to prove it. Wickid says Magesh looks like a lunatic and he should go back to Botswana. Magesh is wanted in Botswana where he could face a death penalty for homicide after a passenger died in an accident while he was driving.

If all these artists retaliate and hit back with songs that give answers to Wickid and his songs, it could be the beginning of a long beef (dispute) between them.

Beef between artists have always produced classic songs that hip-hop “heads” will cherish for years. However it has rather unpleasant endings for some artists.

The beef started a very long time ago in America . The first memorable beef that come to mind is between Dr Dre and Eazy E, both formally of the notorious Niggaz With Attitude (NWA). After the group split, both Dr Dre and Eazy E joined other recording companies.

Eazy E released the hit classic, “The Real Muthaf**Kin'' Gz” where he called Dr Dre a studio gangster. Luckily before Eazy E died of Aids in 1995, he had already made amends with Dr Dre.

But the most unforgettable beef must be the one between Tupac and The Notorious BIG (Biggy Smallz). Although this beef ended with the death of the two in 1996 and 1997 respectively, but it produced tight hit tracks.

Now which hip-hop fan can forget Tupac's “Hit ‘Em Up”, “I Ain''t Mad At Ya” and Biggy Smallz's, “U Are Nobody ‘Til Somebody Kills You”?

Tupac was gunned down in Las Vegas in 1996 and Biggy Smallz was shot in Los Angeles in 1997. Both their murder cases are yet to be solved.

Even today the beef in American rap and hip-hop is still in fashion. Ja Rule's beef with 50 cent, Eminem and the Aftermath crew is getting boring. But it has also produced hits like 50 Cent and Eminem's, “Hail Mary the remix” and Ja Rule's, “Clap Back”.

Source Magazine'' boss Ray Benzino has also attacked Eminem. Benzino called Eminem a racist by referring to black women using the “B” word and calling them money suckers. Eminem retaliated by releasing “Bully”, which was only available on mix tape.

The latest beef is between Jay-Z and The Game, which started when Jay-Z did freestyle on Hot''97 radio. The Game took offence at Jigga's freestyle because he kept calling his name. The Game retaliated when he did a performance in Amsterdam.

The one between 50 Cent, Jadakiss and Fat Joe started when 50 Cent saw Jadakiss and Fat Joe on Ja Rules latest video. Previous beefs have left 50 Cent shot nine times.

If this is the route artists like Wickid are taking on improving our rap and hip-hop then, we must expect losing them. The same way America lost Tupac and Biggy Smallz.

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