Lyrical Beefs as it is popularly called is a form of feud often involving rap artistes hurling insults and all forms of derogatory words at each other.
One would say it is an act society frowns on and does not approve due to the extent it can get to. Others will say it is an avenue to prove the worth of a rapper and how sophisticated he or she is.
These lyrical feuds used to be a male-dominated game until the evolution of rap music and some female rappers were introduced to the genre.
The beef between American rappers Niki Minaj and Cardi B which started in 2017, and that between Ghanaian rappers Eno Barony, Freda Rhymz and Sista Afia are rap feuds that got very extreme.
Rap battles are sparked by a variety of factors, including failing commercial connections, geographical affiliations, romantic entanglements, jealousy, treachery, loyalty, and honour. Some rivalries are minor, while others are extremely personal. Some end on a hopeful note, while others haven’t.
These feuds have now become an avenue to create wealth and make fame, and has lingered into other role players in the entertainment industry. An example was the planned beef between two popular content creators in Ghana, Kwadwo Sheldon and Teacher Kwadwo. These two thrived and became very popular in the country during the beef period.
The Ghanaian music industry has witnessed a lot of lyrical feuds since the 1990s, between Lord Kenya and Obrafuor and in the last decade, one that was very fierce and brutal was between two top dancehall artists, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy and other lyrical beefs involving rappers.
One would ask if these lyrical beefs have been of great benefit to Ghanaian artistes as it has been for artistes in other countries like Davido and Wizkid.
Lyrical feuds have proven and made it obvious that artists involved always get good returns. Examples are the artistes mentioned above, where the views and streams on music platforms of artistes involved shot up, a similar scenario is the feud between Sarkodie and M.anifest.
These feuds have proven worth and contributed in the growth of artistes and industries, and on the other side some have proved very brutal and led to the loss of lives and property, in the case of Tupac Shakur and notorious B.I.G.
As an entertainment industry in a middle income West African country, are lyrical feuds or entertainment feuds right to go by? Will industry players accept and practice it for the growth and elevation of artiste careers or they will sit aloof and watch on for lyrical beefs to be centered around personal hatred and personal emotions.
The best should be practiced to obtain excellent results and value.
