Here was me thinking this Common Vs Drake beef wasn’t really going to happen then Common goes and calls a brother Canada Dry, ROUND 1 Fight! As the news  spread on social media today about this diss track I sat back wondering whether it and the beef in general was worth the hype. Does it help Hip-Hop? Will we learn anything new about them as rappers? Is this going to have any bearing in 2 weeks time? My thought process was pretty negative for a number of reasons but the rap battle fan in me kept counteracting.

Why So Negative? Well…

It Started From Assumptions

The most retarded aspect about a lot of beef on any platform these days is that it’s foundations are hollow. People are scrapping, dissing, sending for each other and killing over the most redundant ish. People are finding it more and more difficult to just let things be. This is much like the beginnings of this ‘beef’ between Common and Drake. When Common dropped ‘Sweet’ he had some harsh words targeting soft rappers

“You know man, you should know where I come from
You should know who I am n*gga
You should never wanna go against me
You know man, you too soft for that man I be seeing you man,
I see it in your eyes man
You aint the type of nigga to go against me
You get in my presence you gon’ feel like a little hoe
You aint a man yet, you tryna be somebody else
Man, be yourself man, you come around my crib, you get your shit took
Huh, wherever you go, you probably be overseas in Europe and get yo shit took You’s a hoe, you know you sweet
Aint nothing you can do man, people see that man
Broads be seeing you sweet”

Now nowhere throughout this song did Common say Drake’s name nor make any references to him; he just made a general statement directed at a type. That type sounded like anyone from Wiz Khalifa to Kid Cudi, it was just a sweeping statement ; yet assumptions were made. Same can also be said for Drake’s outburst in LA last month and his verse on Stay Schemin’, it’s easy to point his direct or indirects at Common because this so called beef has been riled up since the Sweet release, not to mention rumours of Drake sleeping with Common’s ex Serena Williams; but nobody had said anything concrete until today. Thus my initial views of this beef was ‘Dumb’.

But then I thought if these assumptions were true, there’s nothing wrong with freedom of speech or fighting your corner…in theory. A little research today showed that Common DID go on to say that Drake does fit the mould of the types of rappers he was referring to BUT he wasn’t aiming the song at (just) him but Drake chose to embrace it.

Common’s claim to not like certain type of artists in song form isn’t anything new, we’ve seen it said in tracks by a host of rappers over the years from Eminem to Tyler The Creator, so hearing Common’s thoughts is almost heredatory in Hip-Hop. It’s not like what he said wasn’t on alot of people’s minds either. I respect Drake for subliminally fighting back but only to an extent as I found hilarity in the fact that in order for Drizzy to go for Common he would’ve had to have thought that Common was sending for him, but what in the lyrics of Sweet were applicable to him or had any significance other than ‘sweet’ and ‘soft’?  Does Drake acknowledge that he’s a soft rapper? It seems so, he fell for the bait so he must now retaliate.

Common’s too grown to be ‘Beef’in’

To see a veteran going at a rapper in the new breed seems pointless. Engaging in weeks, months, maybe years of verbal (possibly physical in future) abuse with a young’n let alone same age group is childish and made me wonder where Common’s priorities were, especially as he’s been in beef before. Make music bro, carry on making films, marry a hot woman, get married, make a Blue Ivy or something. Beef should be the last thing on a 39 year old brother’s mind.

But then I thought to myself seeing as Common is making new music and is still very much involved in Hip-Hop, he’s decided to express his views on some of today’s artists, got hostile feedback and as a result has responded by taking it back to an old element of Hip-Hop; battling. As long as this form of beef is kept at a music level it could further prove what we already know of Common’s ability and fulfil some of the potential Drake has. Common is in this to teach a lesson and Drake wants to prove a point.

“I think beef brings out the best in Hip-Hop artists. In an industry where rappers crown themselves the best, beef forces you to prove that statement” – @HIPHOPMANNEQUIN

The Pot Calling The Kettle Black

Why would you start beef by using subject matter that could easily be applied to yourself? Yes I won’t deny for one second that despite my respect for him as an artist Drake exudes softness as Big Ghostfase pointed out hilariously last year in his Take Care Review.

But Common is a little on the soft side too. He’s made ‘sweet’ music, he’s sported rainbow clothing, he’s done it for the ladies…hell he did that all in one video.

But then I thought this will only give Drake more ammunition in his responses and rebuttals and force Common to step his game up when Drake retaliates again. Soft will be an obsolete subject matter and they’ll be forced to use real lyrics.

Young Generation mentality vs Older Generation mentality

I remember when Drake Vs Common was a trending topic towards the end of last year and I saw some ignorant statements from the young generation of fans who had no clue of Common’s legacy in Hip-Hop. Opinions were formulated on current record sales, popularity and age which left interesting debate as an unlikely occurrence. A lot of their arguments were that he was old….seriously? .

But then I thought with beef now cemented, some fans at least will take the time to research and look back at Common’s discography and realise that he isn’t an any run of the mill rapper holding onto fame through one track. The brother has a CV/Resume and a half and is lyrically a beast. Depen

I’m not expecting a classic in this beef but I am hoping for some hurtful lines and laugh out loud moments, that’s what it’s all about. I expect Common to come with fire just because his opinion triggered this whole fiasco and you have to back up your views. I’m also expecting Drake to deliver; singing aside he can rap and I know he has a strong interest in rap battling so I expect him to have a few bars for Common. What we don’t want is interference but I can pretty much guess YMCMB and G.O.O.D Music will end up getting involved. If that’s the case I hope Pusha T single handedly eradicates YMCMB (bar Jae Millz), turning Tyga into a cub and exposing Lil Wayne for his lazy lyrics. Big Sean and Bow Wow can go at each other and both lose, I really don’t mind.

What we don’t want either is for this beef to get physical! But with names like Aubrey and Lonnie, I don’t think we have anything to worry about.

JC

Whats your thoughts on the Common Vs Drake beef? What’s your favourite ever Hip-Hop beef? What your favourite diss track? Speak on it!

Pic Sources: The Fader, Popdust and Hip Hop Connection