RAP BEEF TIMELINE · 1993–1996
2Pac vs. De La Soul
A satire misunderstanding and 2Pac’s one-sided response
De La Soul’s satire of flashy rap imagery is mistaken by 2Pac for a personal shot at “I Get Around.” Missed attempts to clarify the mix-up, plus tense 1996 alliances, lead to Pac’s late record-side responses—then a posthumous peace through his family and shared associates.
THE RECORD
The moments
Music industry · disputed account
“Ego Trippin’ (Part Two)” becomes a misunderstanding
De La Soul’s Buhloone Mindstate video satirizes flashy rap-video tropes—pool parties, mansions, and champagne. 2Pac, fresh from “I Get Around,” reads it as a personal parody even though the group says it was a broader genre critique.
“Yo, man, I love those dudes. I didn't know they had an issue.”2Pac, relayed through De La Soul’s recollection
▶ Watch “Ego Trippin’ (Part Two)”Read the receipt ↗Interview · disputed account
Missed attempts to clarify collide with a tense new rap climate
De La Soul says it tried to call 2Pac and explain the video’s intent, but the parties repeatedly miss one another. The group’s Stakes Is High critique and its brief Naughty by Nature friction then land amid Pac’s Death Row-era suspicion and his close ties to Treach.
Read the receipt ↗Diss track
“Watch Ya Mouth” and “Against All Odds” put Pac’s frustration on wax
Shortly before his death, 2Pac attacks De La Soul in “Watch Ya Mouth” and directly names the group in ad-libs on “Against All Odds.” The group does not answer with a matching diss campaign, leaving the conflict one-sided.
“Look at De La Soul… Eat a dick!”2Pac, “Against All Odds”
▶ Listen to “Against All Odds”Reconciliation · disputed account
Loss makes the unresolved misunderstanding a posthumous peace
After 2Pac’s death, De La Soul publicly expresses regret that it never had the chance to settle the mix-up face-to-face. The group later reconnects with Sekyiwa Shakur and mutual associates, closing the lingering misunderstanding with respect rather than another record.
“Tupac we had an issue with because… he unfortunately thought we were mimicking and trying to make fun of the “I Get Around” video.”Posdnuos, retrospective interview
▶ Read the De La Soul / 2Pac retrospective
THE RECEIPTS
Sources and listening
De La Soul — “Ego Trippin’ (Part Two)” ↗VICE — the one-sided 2Pac and De La Soul beef ↗Ambrosia For Heads — why 2Pac attacked De La Soul ↗2Pac — “Against All Odds” ↗ARTIST LENSES