In a recent turn of events, Ab-Soul has surprised fans by dropping a new track on Instagram, seemingly entering the ongoing lyrical battle between Joey Bada$$ and the West Coast. However, DJ Hed, a prominent voice in the West Coast hip-hop community, is urging fans to take a step back and not misinterpret the situation.
The track, simply titled “…”, features Ab-Soul delivering sharp and memorable lines that reference the current beef in hip-hop. Notably, he raps, “Might make Dre drop ‘Detox’, and reunite Black Hippy, don’t tempt me,” showcasing his lyrical prowess and hinting at the potential for a reunion of the influential collective. He also takes jabs at DJ Akademiks, suggesting that the media personality has unfairly sided with Joey Bada$$ in the ongoing feud.
In this multifaceted track, Ab-Soul addresses the dynamics of the beef from an outsider’s perspective, even commenting on fellow artist Ray Vaughn’s attempts to engage Joey in the lyrical fray. He adds, “And Vaughn Wick might’ve referenced Puff a lil’ too much / But cuh wanted all the motherf*ckin’ smoke, hence why he was so blunt.”
The track also critiques Joey Bada$$’s claims of dominance in the competitive landscape of hip-hop, as Ab-Soul challenges the notion of “TDEast” by stating, “This a competitive game, n***s better be in shape / Catch you a friendly fade, then keep it that way / TDEast was a motherfckin’ stretch, real sh*t.”
Despite the provocative nature of his lyrics, DJ Hed quickly took to social media to clarify that Ab-Soul’s release isn’t an attempt to rekindle the beef. Instead, he emphasized that the track serves more as a means of “clarity.” In a tweet shortly after the song dropped, Hed stated, “It’s not ‘Back On.’ This is clarity. That’s all.” This statement may come as a disappointment to fans hoping for an escalation in the ongoing lyrical exchanges, but it suggests that Ab-Soul is more focused on expressing his thoughts rather than igniting further conflict.
As the dust settles from a week filled with diss tracks and responses—stemming from Joey Bada$$’s confident track “The Ruler’s Back,” which subtly targeted Kendrick Lamar and criticized perceived favoritism towards the West Coast—it’s clear that the conversation within hip-hop is far from over. The back-and-forth has already involved a host of respected MCs, including Ray Vaughn, Daylyt, REASON, and others, all contributing to the dynamic narrative of competition and camaraderie in the genre.
As the hip-hop community watches closely, it remains to be seen whether more collaborations or confrontations will emerge from this situation. For now, fans can appreciate Ab-Soul’s latest offering as an insightful commentary on the current state of hip-hop rather than a declaration of war.
Stay tuned for more updates on the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop and the artists who shape it. For the latest news, insights, and culture, keep connected with us at hiphopraisedmetheblog.com!
