@MCHammer, @Nickcannon @Jayz @eminem @kanywest #beef
As I mentioned in my post about Rick Ross‘s Nike commercial last night, Rap Beef used to be the cornerstone of Hip Hop music.  It fueled debate, sparked artist passions and forced them to be clever and outdo each other with creativity.  Today’s brand of music has tarnished such tradition by refusing to take it seriously.

I get it.  In the past beef was taken too far leading to the murders of two of our culture’s iconic figures among others but now a days beef is used strictly as a tool to sell a few more albums and in most instances is so falsly fabricated it makes the WWE look like a real-life documentary.

Case in point lets look at two present day examples Nick Cannon v Eminem and MC Hammer v Jay-Z. While both feature two of Raps Hall of Fame emcees neither sparks much interest.  The former was apparently ignited when Eminem released his song “Bagpipes from Baghdad,” which takes aim at Cannon’s wife Mariah Carey.  While I’m not the Cannon hater most of you are I do believe his talents are behind the scene collecting MTV checks and not starting beef with legendary emcees.  But desperate act to grab attention, Cannon has apparently launched a Facebook campaign to drum up support for a boxing match to settle the score.  While I don’t expect Slim Shady to subject himself to such foolishness I will give Cannon a few points for offsetting the publicity stunt with a sizeable charity donation.

The second beef is lame for a whole other reason.  While Jay-Z the musician gets set for pasture, his business prowess has ensured his Financial success and relevancy in  Hip Hop for some time to come.  Despite that however, his age makes it difficult for him to be able to accept him engaging in any beefs and doubly so when he squares off against equally aged MC Hammer.  Like cannon, Hammer took offense to the lyrics in Hov’s cameo on Kanye West‘s G.O.O.D. Friday track “So Appalled.”

“Hammer went broke so you know I’m more focused/I lost 30 mil’ so I spent another 30/ ‘Cause unlike Hammer 30 million can’t hurt me.”

Naturally, Hammer got offended by what at least appeared to be the truth.  When asked by one of his followers on Twitter for comment, He responded:

@MCHammer: “The Answer to Jay comes on Oct 31 ( Devils Nite) ..I saw him coming.”

@MCHammer: “@kanyewest jay-hoe aka #HellBoy Tell Jay Oct 31 (Devils Nite). We’ll see if this record and video ‘Hurt’s Him.’ “

@MCHammer: “You wanted my attention #HellBoy (Jigga) ..you got it,” and attached a link to a 36-second video of himself pummeling a punching bag.

Jay-Z has long been accused by many including members of the Nation for being “down” with the Devil.  His rap references, video imagery and punchlines have often been seen as have demonic inference leading to much speculation.  I’m guessing that’s what Hammer is making reference to by calling him Hellboy. I find the whole thing ironic considering Jigga is the man that goes by the moniker “Hov”

He continues the assault by picking a fight with Jay-Z’s fans.

@MCHammer: “These lil demons and Imps stopping by timeline today … Yes, I dissed yo #Daddy … The dude who made the #Lucifer song … smh,”

@MCHammer: “Laughing at these grown men coming on my timeline with they #pompoms waving for #HellBoy (Jigga).”

So while the only boxing in this beef was this Youtube clip posted by Hammer in one of his tweets I guess intended to “intimidate” Jay, we will be treated to an apparent Hammer diss record I guess to be released on Halloween.  OH GOODY!

@MCHammer: “I’m done until it’s time … Oct 31,” Hammer wrote. “See, no need for such nastiness. I’m going back to the baggy pants that keeps you off guard. ”

Oh so the doo doo pants were designed as a disguise?  Hmmm… If Hammer is playing the rope-a-dope the final bell rang about 10 years ago.  Don’t get me wrong I have a lot of respect for Hammer and find his intelligence to be underrated.  I’ve followed his Tweets online for years and have been surprised by what I’ve learned which is why I find it silly for him to even stoop to the level of nit picking on a few lines Hov dropped about his downfall.  We all fall down Hammer, but you’ve successfully picked yourself back up.  That’s what’s most admirable.  Focus on that.  I think you missed a very public opportunity to teach Hip Hop a valuable lesson by letting your anger get in the way.

So there you have it.  Two Beefs…both no contests.  I declare a technical draw in the second round because of accidental butt heads….I mean head butts.  But what do you think?  SOUND OFF: Which Beef is worse?  Hammer vs. Hov or Cannon vs. Eminem