RAP BEEF TIMELINE · 1995–1997
The Notorious B.I.G. vs. Raekwon
Baby-cover criticism and “Kick in the Door”
Raekwon and Ghostface’s “Shark Niggas (Biters)” criticizes Biggie’s Ready to Die baby-cover concept; Biggie’s “Kick in the Door” is widely read as answering Wu-Tang-adjacent critics. Retrospective accounts describe private de-escalation before Biggie’s death.
THE RECORD
The moments
Diss track · disputed account
“Shark Niggas” criticizes Biggie’s baby-cover imagery
Raekwon and Ghostface use the Cuban Linx interlude to accuse Biggie of borrowing the child-photo concept associated with Illmatic.
Read the receipt ↗Diss track · disputed account
“Kick in the Door” is widely read as a reply
Biggie’s track takes aim at several rivals; Wu-Tang, Nas, and Jeru are among the commonly cited targets. The exact mapping stays interpretive.
▶ Find “Kick in the Door”Read the receipt ↗Reconciliation · disputed account
Reported conversations help lower the temperature
Retrospective accounts describe RZA and Bad Boy-management efforts to defuse the situation before Biggie’s death. The claim is recorded as historical reporting, not a documented joint statement.
Read the receipt ↗
THE RECEIPTS
Sources and listening
Roc-A-Fella and Biggie-era field dossiers ↗ARTIST LENSES