When it comes to top tier disses in Hip Hop, “No Vaseline” and “Hit’Em Up” by Ice Cube and 2Pac, respectively, set the bar. Or even raised bar; depending upon who you ask. The tracks are so superior that they’re used as a measuring stick to determine if a present diss is worthy or not. Let’s talk about the aforementioned…
Since Cube’s “No Vaseline” reached our ears first, let’s start with it. Released in 1991, the track was aimed at his former group, N.W.A. Cube left the group in 1989 due to royalty issues. However, he thought the split was amicable. But his former group members thought otherwise. Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella felt portrayed by his departure. They would expressed their feelings in “100 Miles and Runnin'” and “Real Niggaz.”
Cube’s counter was more lethal than both tracks combined. “Got damn I’m glad y’all set it off,” Cube raps. “Used to be hard, now you’re just wet and soft!”
Later adding, “I started off with too much cargo/Dropped four n***s now I’m makin’ all the dough.”
Again, “No Vaseline” was so viscous! So viscous that N.W.A. never responded.
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“Hit ‘Em Up” came six years late. It was an all out verbal assault mainly aimed at The Notorious B.I.G., Sean “Puffy” Combs, Bad Boy, and their affiliates. According to Pac, they were aware of a premeditated robbery and did not alert him. From the there, Pac wasn’t taking any prisoners.
“First off, f**k your b***h and the click you claim,” Pac raps. “Westside when we ride come equipped with game. You claim to be a player but I f**ked your wife, we bust on Bad Boy niggaz fucked for life.”
2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” seems to atop or nearly atop everyone’s top 5 diss list.
The two tracks are similar in many ways in terms of vicious attacks on the opposition. In addition, borrowing grooves from yesteryear to relay their message (“No Vaseline” sampled Brick’s “Dazz” and “Hit’em Up” samples “Don’t Look Any Further” by Dennis Edwards and Siedah Garrett). In addition, they are used as a measuring stick in terms of present day diss tracks.
Which was the better diss; “No Vaseline” or “Hit’Em Up”?
[Polls Are Closed!]
Ice Cube – “No Vaseline” – 77%
2Pac – “Hit’Em Up” – 23%