Tupac vs. Biggie: The Feud That Changed Hip-Hop Forever
The rivalry between Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) wasn’t just a rap battle—it was a war that defined an era and ended in tragedy. What started as a friendship turned into one of the most infamous beefs in music history, fueling the deadly East Coast vs. West Coast war.
This is the full breakdown of the drama, the diss tracks, and the fateful events that led to their untimely deaths.
1993: FRIENDS TURNED FOES
Before the beef, Tupac and Biggie were actually friends. They met in 1993 on the set of the movie Poetic Justice and quickly bonded.
Tupac even let Biggie crash on his couch and gave him career advice. At the time, Pac was the bigger star, while Biggie was still coming up under Bad Boy Records, led by Sean “Puffy” Combs (Diddy).
But this brotherhood was about to crumble in the worst way possible.
1994: THE QUAD STUDIOS SHOOTING – THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGED
November 30, 1994 – Tupac is shot five times at Quad Recording Studios in New York City while on his way to record with Biggie.
Tupac survives but believes Biggie and Puffy set him up.
While Tupac is bleeding in the hospital, Bad Boy releases “Who Shot Ya?”, a track that sounds way too personal.
Biggie claims it’s not about Tupac, but the timing is suspicious, and Tupac takes it as a direct taunt.
This moment marks the official beginning of the Tupac vs. Biggie war.
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1995: JAIL TIME & EAST COAST VS. WEST COAST WAR IGNITES
February 1995 – Tupac is convicted of sexual abuse and sentenced to prison.
While behind bars, he watches Bad Boy rise—Biggie becomes the king of New York, drops Ready to Die, and lives the life Tupac feels was stolen from him.
October 1995 – Suge Knight bails Tupac out for $1.4 million and signs him to Death Row Records.
Tupac emerges angrier than ever, ready for revenge, and officially aligns himself with the West Coast.
1996: DISS TRACKS & ESCALATING VIOLENCE
June 1996 – Tupac drops “Hit ‘Em Up”, the most disrespectful diss track in rap history.
- Claims he slept with Biggie’s wife, Faith Evans
- Calls out Biggie, Puffy, Mobb Deep & the entire East Coast
- Declares all-out war
Biggie stays quiet, but his track “Long Kiss Goodnight” is rumored to be a response.
🔹 August 1996 – At the MTV Video Music Awards, Suge Knight publicly taunts Puffy, adding fuel to the fire.
The feud is now out of control.
SEPTEMBER 7, 1996: TUPAC SHOT IN LAS VEGAS
- Tupac is shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas after a Mike Tyson fight.
- September 13, 1996 – Tupac dies at just 25 years old.
His murder remains unsolved. Many suspect it was the result of the East Coast vs. West Coast war, with theories pointing to Biggie, Puffy, or gang retaliation.
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MARCH 9, 1997: BIGGIE KILLED IN L.A.
- Six months after Tupac’s murder, Biggie is shot and killed in Los Angeles.
- The similarities are eerie—a drive-by shooting, an unsolved case, and lingering questions about revenge.
- Biggie was only 24 years old.
With both Tupac and Biggie gone, the hip-hop world is left shattered. The East Coast vs. West Coast war officially dies with them.
LEGACY: A WAR WITH NO WINNERS
The Tupac and Biggie beef was more than just music—it was a cautionary tale about the dark side of fame, loyalty, and rivalry.
Tupac’s legacy: A revolutionary voice in hip-hop, known for his poetry, activism, and raw emotion.
Biggie’s legacy: A lyrical genius who shaped modern rap with his storytelling and flow.
Despite their tragic deaths, their music lives on, and their story remains one of the most haunting in hip-hop history.
What do you think—was it all just rap beef, or was there something deeper and darker at play?
