The 10 Greatest Diss Tracks in Hip-Hop History
Hip-hop has always thrived on competition and conflict—but some rap battles go beyond the music and become legendary feuds.
From brutal takedowns to career-ending bars, these diss tracks didn’t just call out rivals—they shook the entire rap game.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 most savage diss tracks ever recorded, why they were made, and who got obliterated in the process.
10. Eminem – “Killshot” (2018)
Target: Machine Gun Kelly
Why? MGK made inappropriate comments about Eminem’s daughter and dissed him on “Rap Devil.”
Machine Gun Kelly dared to challenge one of the greatest battle rappers ever—and he paid the price. Eminem came back hard with “Killshot,” ripping apart MGK’s career, appearance, and credibility in just one track. It was so devastating that MGK quickly abandoned rap beefs and switched to pop-punk.
9. Boogie Down Productions – “South Bronx” (1986)
Target: MC Shan & The Juice Crew
Why? A battle over hip-hop’s true birthplace.
This diss track came from the legendary Bridge Wars, where KRS-One’s Boogie Down Productions clashed with MC Shan’s crew over whether hip-hop started in the Bronx or Queensbridge. “South Bronx” set the record straight—and put KRS-One on the map as one of the most dangerous lyricists in the game.
8. Common – “The Bitch in Yoo” (1996)
Target: Ice Cube
Why? A rap war over hip-hop’s direction.
Common criticized gangsta rap on “I Used to Love H.E.R.”, which Ice Cube took personally. Cube dissed Common, but the Chicago rapper’s response, “The Bitch in Yoo,” was calm, calculated, and lethal—mocking Cube’s career decline and lackluster movie roles. It was a reminder that lyricism can be just as deadly as street talk.
Related: Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar: A Complete Timeline of Their Feud (2011–2025)
Related: Megan Thee Stallion vs. Drake: The Explosive Feud That Sparked a Hip-Hop War
7. Drake – “Back to Back” (2015)
Target: Meek Mill
Why? Meek accused Drake of using ghostwriters.
Drake is often criticized for not being a “real” rapper, but “Back to Back” proved he can body opponents with ease. Instead of getting aggressive, Drake took a petty, taunting approach, mocking Meek Mill for being overshadowed by his then-girlfriend, Nicki Minaj.
The track was so iconic it got a Grammy nomination, something no other diss track has achieved.
6. Dr. Dre – “Fuck Wit Dre Day” (1992)
Target: Eazy-E & Ruthless Records
Why? The N.W.A breakup turned ugly.
After leaving N.W.A., Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg fired back at Eazy-E and his label with this brutal G-funk anthem. Snoop stole the show with his venomous bars, while Dre’s dismissive attitude made it clear—he was moving on without N.W.A.
Related: Megan Thee Stallion vs. Nicki Minaj: The Explosive Rap Feud That Shook Hip-Hop
5. Pusha T – “The Story of Adidon” (2018)
Target: Drake
Why? The Drake vs. Pusha T beef escalated to new heights.
Pusha T didn’t just diss Drake—he exposed his secret son to the world. The track accused Drake of being a deadbeat father, mocked his family history, and even called out his producer 40’s multiple sclerosis.
It was so brutal that Drake never responded with a track—he only addressed it in interviews. Game over.
4. Jay-Z – “Takeover” (2001)
Target: Nas & Mobb Deep
Why? The biggest rap feud of the early 2000s.
Jay-Z started his war with Nas by calling him washed up, uninspired, and irrelevant in “Takeover.” He mocked Nas’s declining record sales and questioned his credibility as a rap legend.
For a while, it seemed like Jay had the upper hand…
3. Nas – “Ether” (2001)
Target: Jay-Z
Why? Nas had to clap back.
“Ether” is so legendary that it became a verb—to “ether” someone means to obliterate them completely. Nas flipped the script on Jay-Z, attacking his ego, career, and personal life with scathing lyrics.
Jay-Z’s response flopped so badly that even his own mom made him apologize.
2. Ice Cube – “No Vaseline” (1991)
Target: N.W.A.
Why? N.W.A dissed Ice Cube after he left the group.
Ice Cube was the best lyricist in N.W.A., and when the group turned on him, he went nuclear. “No Vaseline” is pure fire—he tears apart Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella in one track.
The response? Silence. No one dared to diss Cube back.
1. TuPac – “Hit ’Em Up” (1996)
Target: The Notorious B.I.G.
Why? The East Coast vs. West Coast war.
TuPac’s “Hit ’Em Up” is the most vicious, personal, and shocking diss track ever. He doesn’t just diss Biggie—he claims to have slept with his wife and threatens his entire crew.
The track played a major role in fueling the deadly rivalry between the East and West Coast. Even today, it remains one of the most infamous diss tracks of all time.
Related: Tupac vs. Biggie: The Feud That Changed Hip-Hop Forever
The Art of the Diss Track
Diss tracks aren’t just about insults—they’re about lyricism, strategy, and dominance. Some of these tracks ended careers, while others sparked legendary rap battles.
