[MOVIE REVIEW] Beef

TITLE: Beef
DIRECTOR: Peter Spirer
NARRATED BY: Ving Rhames
DISTRIBUTOR: Image Entertainment
RELEASE DATE: August 2003
RUN TIME: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
GENRE: Documentary

Beef is a Hip Hop documentary about the clash between 2 separate artists and their camps over a variety of reasons like lyrics one might have spoken about the other or a personal matter that we only here about on record rather than actually see. This takes you behind the scenes of all that. From both sides of the story. If you're a Hip Hop head such as myself then this is definitely something you don't want to miss. While Hip Hop is a genre that allows artists to express themselves in the rawest and truest form, it also carries an aspect of competitiveness. Who's the best rapper alive? Who's better than who? Do some artists deserve as much credibility as others? Are some artists true to what they speak about in their music? These are all subjects within this documentary, and to watch different rappers talk shit about each other on camera, is alluring within itself. In a way it sort of brings a reality visual to the music you hear, like a music video, only better.

The rappers being interviewed on this movie are definitely names you will know, including 50 Cent, B-Real, Big Daddy Kane, Busy Bee, Diddy, Common, Kool Moe Dee, KRS-One and Nate Dogg and takes a look at these specific beefs in Hip Hop History:

KRS-One vs. MC Shan

This fued was basically about where Hip Hop originated from, between 2 of the most respected emcees of the time (Between 1985 and 1990). KRS-One hailing from The Bronx and MC Shan hailing from Queens-bridge. It all started when Shan released "The Bridge", KRS thought Shan was trying to say that it all started in The Bridge, which he didn't take lightly, shooting back with "South Bronx", obviously throwing shots back at MC Shan, referencing Shan's neighborhood. And on and on it went.

Kool Moe Dee vs. Busy Bee

This fued was more or less a battle than an actual beef. But it still fits well with the movie and is an important story in the history of Hip Hop. So, basically, Busy Bee came into a competition bragging about how he was going to win, taking pictures with the trophy because it was "already his" and saying he can beat any competetor no question. And Kool Moe Dee being the emcee that he is, decided to be apart of it, and teach Busy Bee a lesson, not to step to Moe Dee. He hops on stage after Busy Bee performs and throws shot after shot at him, dissing Busy line after line. Shut him down. It's the classic lyrical emcee versus the party emcee.

50 Cent vs. Murder Inc

This feud, from what I could gather, was because of bad blood between Ja Rule and 50 Cent. Heated words turned into a crazy altercation in the studio in which 50 Cent was stabbed, to which Ja Rule began bragging like it was him who stabbed 50. And within all of that the beef grew and grew, basically turning into a war between Shady Records and Murder Inc. G-Unit, Eminem and D12 all became involved in the beef, in which, from my perspective, Shady Records dominated. It's an interesting beef in the history of Hip Hop, because it still hasn't really been patched up. Some and most of these beefs have been forgotten and part of the past, but even to this day, Ja Rule and 50 Cent talk shit about each other, publicly.

Tru Life vs. Mobb Deep

This beef was defintely one that got a little out of hand for sure. I mean, anytime Mobb Deep is involved, shits nound to get real. Apparently, rapper Tru Life was trying to get a verse from Mobb Deep's Prodigy. He wasn't that big of name, even they didn't know much about him, so, Prodigy gave him a recycled verse. Which Tru Life didn't take lightly. When he asked Prodigy for a newer verse, he refused. Which only escalated things. It turned into Tru Life attempting to rob Mobb Deep at one of their studios, but instead ran up on Mobb Deep's affiliates, Infamous Mobb. Some people do agree that it was kind of fucked up that Prodigy would recycle a verse like that, but, you can't really fuck with Mobb Deep.

Common vs. Ice Cube & Westside Connection

This beef basically started over a song and an assumption. Back in 1994, Chicago rapper Common released a song called "I Used To Love H.E.R." in which he's pretty much talking about Hip Hop. In this song he has a line where he says "Now black music is black music, and its all good// I wasn't salty, she was with the boys in the hood." Which is a line that Ice Cube and WestSide Connection took offense to. They knew Common was obviously referencing the type of music they make, and it pissed them off. So, they struck right back at him, with a song called "King Of The Hill", which was a classic diss record, undoubtedly. Now, while I don't think Common meant to be offensive towards Cube and Westside Connection, it was an interesting and odd beef to learn about.

The Break Up Of N.W.A.

Now, anyone that's seen the N.W.A. movie "Straight Outta Compton" or has been long enough to know, the ending of N.W.A. as a group, wasn't exactly a peaceful departure. It all started when Ice Cube decided to break away from the group to make something of a solo career, because he felt he wasn't getting enough money owed to him from the success of their first album, him being the writer of a lot of the lyrics. After his departure, the group began taking shots at Cube, publicly dragging his name through the mud all throughout their next album. But, as time went, more problems began to come to the light, and more members began to break out. At which point, Cube was beefing with every one, Eazy was beefing with Cube and Dre and Dre had Snoop and Death Row on his side, taking shots at Eazy. It was insane. A beef that excited the people, as well as let them down. Imagine if they had stayed together.

Jay-Z vs. Nas

I'm not exactly sure how this one started, but from what I've gathered, it all started in 1996. By this time, Nas was a big rapper in the game, having already dropped his debut album, "Illmatic." He was suppose to appear on Jay-Z's song "Bring It On" on his debut album that year, but it never happened. So, instead, they sampled Nas' voice for one of the biggest songs off of the album, "Dead Presidents", after which both emcees began throwing jabs at each other. Sometimes dedicating a few lines here and there to talk some shit, or sometimes dedicating entire songs to discrediting one another. One of the most important beefs in Hip Hop history because it's hard to tell who actually won. Some say Jay. Some say Nas. Whatever the case may be, it doesn't even matter anymore. Both emcees were able to set aside their differences and have since been in a handful of songs together and both have gone on to be two of the most successful rappers in the game.

2Pac vs. The Notorious B.I.G.

In my opinion, the beef between 2Pac and Biggie is single handedly the most important and dividing beefs in the history of Hip Hop music. A beef so heavy and deep, it divided the East and West coast. One side claiming to be better than the other and vice versa. It all started when Pac was shot at a recording studio in New York. A studio that Biggie happened to be at upstairs. After the altercation, Pac started rambling about how Biggie and everyone set him up. For the longest time 2Pac threw shot after shot towards BIG and the Bad Boy camp. Which soon leaked into him dissing damn near every rapper from the east coast altogether. After awhile Biggie began taking shots back, at which point, it was on, and there was no turning back. A beef that could probably have been dealt with over a conversation between the two, escalated into the dividing of a nation and the death of 2 of the most important and greatest emcees of all time. A story no one will ever forget.

OVERALL RATING:
5 Out Of 5

I gave this documentary a 5 out of 5 because I am a huge Hip Hop fan and also a fan of documentaries. So, this film was made for people like me. If you're really into Hip Hop and interested in knowing some of the most significant moments in the culture, definitely give this a look. Best thing about it is, there are 3 other movies after this one as well. That take deeper looks into a number of beefs throughout the years.