Khotso Isaacs
19 Feb 2025
2025 is shaping up to be a legendary year for rap feuds. Across the globe, the genre’s most competitive spirits are sharpening their pens, igniting battles that are both deeply personal and musically iconic. From the explosive Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar drama in the U.S. to lyrical smoke between Big Zulu and Duncan in South Africa, hip-hop beef has returned to its competitive, cultural peak.
But before we dive into the current smoke, let’s not forget: rap beef didn’t start in 2025. And here in South Africa, we’ve got our own history, our own legends, and our own lyrical scars.
🌍 GLOBAL MIC CHECK: Kendrick vs. Drake and the Corporate Fallout
This year, the world watched two rap titans go at it like titans from Greek myth. Kendrick Lamar’s venomous bars in “Not Like Us” and “Meet the Grahams” accused Drake of predatory behavior, sparking a lawsuit by Drake against his own label, Universal Music Group, for allegedly allowing defamatory content to spread.
And Kendrick? He didn’t stop at studio beef—he performed the track live at the Super Bowl halftime show, twisting the knife and making legal headlines. Fans, blogs, and barbershops haven’t stopped talking since.
Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA jokingly called it “Godzilla vs. King Kong,” and honestly? He’s not wrong.
🇿🇦 MZANSI EDITION: Big Zulu vs. Duncan – Old School vs. New Flame
Back home, Big Zulu reminded us that the pen is still mighty. His track “200 Bars” fired lyrical shots at multiple rappers, sparking an immediate response from Duncan, who came back hard with “After Tears.”
But Big Zulu drew a line: while he welcomed the competitive energy, he cautioned artists against dragging family into the fight—an ethos that harks back to a more respectful, traditional code among Zulu men.
The battle sparked renewed interest in lyrical craftsmanship in SA hip-hop, with fans debating bar-for-bar breakdowns and street credibility.
👑 THE LEGENDARY BEEF: Cassper Nyovest vs. AKA
Before Big Zulu and Duncan, before Nasty C and A-Reece started trading subliminals, there was Cassper vs. AKA—the beef that built modern SA hip-hop culture.
From “Composure” to “Dust to Dust,” the two giants pushed each other publicly, musically, and sometimes even physically. Diss tracks were dropped, interviews turned hostile, and fans chose sides like it was political.
This beef wasn’t just music—it became marketing. Cassper filled up stadiums, AKA dropped genre-bending hits, and both became household names in the process. In a tragic twist, AKA’s murder in 2023 cut short what could’ve been a mature resolution—but the impact of their feud will live forever in SA’s rap history.
🧊 THE COOL WAR: Nasty C vs. A-Reece – Subtle Shots & Silent Smoke
While never confirmed as an official beef, the tension between Nasty C and A-Reece has been felt for years. Both rappers are young, lyrically gifted, and have massive fanbases—but they’ve never collaborated, and rarely acknowledge each other.
A-Reece’s cryptic bars and Twitter likes often get dissected by fans looking for subliminals aimed at Nasty. Meanwhile, Nasty C has thrown light jabs in freestyles, subtly suggesting he’s the “only young king that matters.”
This might be the most modern kind of beef: no direct shots, just competitive silence, and the feeling that both know they’re gunning for the same crown.
🔥 WHY BEEF MATTERS: Zakwe’s Take on Keeping SA Hip-Hop Alive
Veteran rapper Zakwe recently made headlines by calling on SA rappers to “bring the beef back.” His point? Healthy competition fuels creativity, keeps audiences engaged, and forces artists to up their pen game.
Looking at how beefs reignited public interest in local hip-hop, Zakwe’s words ring true. In the streaming age, it’s not just about the music—it’s about the moments.
💡 CONCLUSION: Beef is Bloodsport, But It’s Also Brotherhood
From street corners in Joburg to TikTok threads in Cape Town, from studio booths in New York to stadiums in London—rap beef is storytelling, competition, therapy, and theater all rolled into one.
As long as it stays lyrical and respectful, beef keeps the genre honest.
In a world of algorithm-driven virality and AI-generated verses, real conflict reminds us why hip-hop was born: to be heard, to be felt, to be real.