RAP BEEF TIMELINE · 2001–2023
50 Cent vs. Nas
Queens friction, “Piggy Bank,” and the Summer Jam reset
A Queens relationship soured over a J.Lo remix swap, Murder Inc. alliances, and executive politics before 50 took a shot at Nas on “Piggy Bank.” Nas answered on mixtape, 50 turned Hip Hop Is Dead into a G-Unit counter-title, and the two ultimately made peace at Summer Jam—then recorded “Office Hours” together nearly a decade later.
THE RECORD
The moments
Music industry · disputed account
The remix swap turns personal
50 Cent’s verse on Jennifer Lopez’s “I’m Gonna Be Alright” is removed after his Columbia situation changes, with Nas appearing on the released remix. In the supplied account, 50 later reads the swap—and Nas joining Murder Inc. on “The Pledge (Remix)” amid the Ja Rule war—as a Queens betrayal.
Read the receipt ↗Music industry · disputed account
Executive politics give the tension a second life
On G-Unit Radio Vol. 5: Elephant in the Room, 50 aims indirect shots at Nas. The supplied account ties the subtext to Steve Stoute, Columbia Records, and Nas moving to Def Jam under former rival JAY-Z.
Read the receipt ↗Diss track
50 makes Nas a “Piggy Bank” target
50 Cent’s Massacre single spreads its shots across several New York rivals. His Nas line swerves toward Kelis and gives the conflict its most widely replayed direct jab.
“Kelis said her milkshake bring all the boys to the yard / Then Nas went and tattooed the bitch on his arm.”50 Cent, “Piggy Bank”
▶ Watch “Piggy Bank”Diss track
Nas answers on mixtape
Nas answers with “Don’t Body Ya Self” (also circulated as “MC Burial”), mocking 50’s pop instincts and taking the argument into 50’s personal life. It is the cleanest record-for-record reply in their exchange.
“You live with your baby moms / And scared to make an honest woman out of her and make her your bride.”Nas, “Don’t Body Ya Self”
▶ Listen to “Don’t Body Ya Self”Music industry
G-Unit hijacks Hip Hop Is Dead
When Nas announces Hip Hop Is Dead, 50 turns the title into G-Unit Radio 22. The counter-mixtape frames Nas’s diagnosis as a problem for artists who are not moving units—another argument about who gets to define rap’s health.
▶ Listen to G-Unit’s Hip Hop Is Dead mixtapeReconciliation
Summer Jam makes the truce public
Nas brings 50 Cent out as a surprise guest at Hot 97’s Summer Jam, putting two Queens giants on the same hometown stage after nearly a decade of friction. The appearance makes the reset unmistakable.
“Queens get the money.”Nas and 50 Cent, Summer Jam appearance
▶ Watch Nas bring out 50 CentReconciliation
“Office Hours” turns the peace into music
Nas features 50 Cent on “Office Hours” from Magic 2. Nearly two decades after the remix grievance, the joint record lands as the most useful possible proof that the old conflict is finished.
▶ Listen to “Office Hours”
THE RECEIPTS
Sources and listening
50 Cent & Nas — remix and Murder Inc. context ↗50 Cent — “Piggy Bank” official video ↗Nas — “Don't Body Ya Self” ↗G-Unit — Hip Hop Is Dead mixtape ↗Nas brings out 50 Cent — Summer Jam 2014 ↗Nas ft. 50 Cent — “Office Hours” ↗ARTIST LENSES