79: Vigilante Vengeance pt.1: Rapped Up

Maia Warner-Langenbahn
Nov 13, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Aug 7

There are some who elevate their craft. Musicians, cooks, artists. In the world of modern beef battles one man reigns supreme. Get into a wild ride through hip-hop’s fiercest battles as Grant and Maia plunge into rap’s first mixtape war: 14-year-old Lolita Goodwin (“Roxanne Shanté”) unleashed “Roxanne’s Revenge,” sparking dozens of answer records and forever changing battle rap. From Sparky D to Gigolo Tony, they show how a single diss could launch—or destroy—a career. Next, meet Kelvin Martin, the South Bronx outlaw known as the original 50 Cent, whose violent end at 23 stands in stark contrast to Curtis Jackson’s rise from boot camp to diamond-selling rap superstar. With Eminem and Dr. Dre behind him, Curtis’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ spawned G-Unit, blockbuster partnerships (Vitaminwater, SMS Audio), and hit TV roles.

Of course, that success bred legendary beefs: The Game, Cam’ron, Nas, Rick Ross—all leading to the iconic 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule feud of diss tracks, stabbing attempts, and airport showdowns. Then it’s 50 vs. P Diddy: from early collabs to mutual disses over Biggie’s death—culminating in P Diddy’s 2023–24 indictments for sex trafficking and racketeering. Finally, they tease 50 Cent’s upcoming Netflix doc Diddy Do It, promising to expose rap’s darkest secrets. Expect comedy, chaos, and cutthroat hip-hop history—because when it comes to rap and revenge, nothing’s off-limits. We might not be "Hot 97", but we're looking for answers.

Chapters/Key takeaways to listen for

[00:00:00] Catch-Up
[00:19:22] Rapped Up: How 14-year-old Roxanne Shanté hijacked UTFO’s “Roxanne, Roxanne” beat in one take
[00:28:07] Legacy of the War: First major hip-hop feud.
[00:38:09] Kelvin’s Demise & Nickname: 9 shooting attempts, Diamond District robberies, and how he ended up dead
[00:49:07] Get Rich or Die Tryin’: Eminem & Dr. Dre sign-ons, G-Unit’s formation, Shady/Aftermath deal, and the breakthrough singles
[01:14:11] Feud #1: The Game Hot 97 showdown
[01:24:15] Feud #2: Lloyd Banks & Young Buck: Royalty disputes
[01:31:46] Feud #3: Cam’ron & JAY-Z: Jay’s “It’s Hot” vs. 50’s “Go Against Na,” and Cam’ron’s Hot 97 tirade
[01:40:48] Feud #4: Lil Wayne & Birdman: “Part-Time Lover” vs. “Louisiana”
[01:47:22] Feud #5: Rick Ross: “I might do it… but you not that dude.”
[01:54:16] Feud #6: Jennifer Lopez’s “I’m Gonna Be Alright” feature swap
[02:00:53] Feud #7: The mother-of-all beef
[02:17:57] Grand Finale: 50 Cent vs. P Diddy
[02:22:22] P Diddy’s Fall from Grace: Cassie Ventura’s 2023 rape/assault suit
[02:31:46] RICO & Sex-Trafficking Charges: Diddy’s denied bail on flight-risk grounds
[02:40:07] 50 Cent’s “Diddy Do It” Doc: Netflix green light; will the full story finally drop?
[02:50:00] Final Thoughts: Why authenticity, accountability, and “follow the money” remain cornerstones in hip-hop

Photos Referenced:

*50 Cent posing with $3.5M, inspired by Ali's photo above, photographed July 9, 2024 at Pier 59 Studios in New York by AB+DM for the Hollywood Reporter*

*Muhammad Ali Sitting on about $1M of his winnings taken Feb 1964 for Sports Illustrated, photographed by Richard Meek*

*Taken slightly before Richard Meek's Sports Illustrated photo to the left, taken by Ali's friend Howard Bingham*

*Cassie Ventura - courtesy of Steve Granitz/Getty*

Quotes:

“Business is more than beats; it’s about branding and vision.” - Grant Thomas
“Feuds aren’t just drama; they’re ladders to success in hip hop.” - Grant Thomas
“Justice might be slow, but it’s coming for those who evade the law.” - Maia Warner
“Even a name like 50 Cent can carry a world of meaning.” - Maia Warner

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