Historically, the hip hop culture has thrived on warfares between artists and camps that are loosely called ‘beef’.

In America, the feud between legendary rappers 2 Pac Shakur and nemesis Notorious BIG epitomises the greatest music battle to date. Such battles have not restricted themselves to hip hop alone. Global reggae music icons Bob Marley and Peter Tosh also enjoyed a well-documented artistic spat.

Episodz: Beef is health for the hip hop game

In Malawi, recent trends have shown that the country’s music industry is no exception. In recent history, the industry has witnessed feuds between Jay Bee and Tay Grin, Fredokiss and Phyzix, Jay Bee and Phyzix, among other battles.

Meanwhile, the ongoing feud between rappers Episodz and Riffle Dynamics has reignited the beef side of Malawian hip hop music after the two exchanged lyrical barbs in a two-way song exchange this week.

The two artists traded barbs in a typical no holds-barred affair, whose lyrical content has not paid any consideration to decency or ethical parameters. The two artists have gone personal, attacking each other on personal level even on sensitive matters such as relationships.

However, both artists admitted to have previously been close friends and they even did some songs together. But according to the two, their relationship became shaky when their followers started comparing their styles, with suggestions that they sounded similar.

Riffle Dynamics said yesterday in an interview: “The whole tension came from fans. They were comparing us and they said we sound alike. So, him being the old one in the industry, the narrative was that I copy his style.

“Everything was okay until he started parading the same narrative to the extent of saying that I am his son. It has been escalating that was when I decided to do that diss song.”

The artist, real name Amos Chinangwa, said all along he thought it was just a hip hop thing, but when he heard Episodz reaction, he knew it had gone personal. Meanwhile, Riffle Dynamics has promised to release another response though he says he will try to maintain the battle at a hip hop level.

“Beef is important for hip hop. In this case it has revived his career because it was on a deathbed and it has allowed me to gain new followers too,” he said.

On his part, Episodz said he has no motivation to be going after an artist who is grades below him. He said he simply responded to what Riffle Dynamics said about him which he did not like. He said he believes the hate is being driven by jealousy and egotism.

Riffle Dynamics: It has earned me new followers

Just like his counterpart, Episodz believes beef is good for the art: “It is totally healthy for the game. Hip hop went dull of late and now it has been revived. But I am not planning to do a back and forth with him as I ran the risk of staining my brand as an artist.”

Episodz, real name William Phoya, said when doing diss songs, there is no consideration for ethics since it is a verbal war meant to injure the other party.

Seasoned rap artist-cum-producer Tapps Bandawe said of the feud: “It is all part of the game. Of course things can sometimes go far but it is all part of the culture. Hip hop is about expression. Some beef, some party and some rap about love.

“In this format it is a winner takes all sport. It can both tarnish and promote.”

Art enthusiast Sam Chiwaka said the artists need to tread carefully as no corporate would want to be associated with such antics.

“For show promoters, it is a chance to make money if you can convince the two to perform on the same platform. You will have a youthful audience to watch the two battle it out. The same can’t be said when it comes to corporate pull,” he said.

The post To beef or not to beef first appeared on The Nation Online.

The post To beef or not to beef appeared first on The Nation Online.