ICONIC OPENING LINES
This late pop superstar begins one of his biggest hits insisting the woman he’s involved with is lying about a child.
Who is Michael Jackson? (“Billie Jean”)
This Biggie hit famously samples “Between the Sheets” by The Isley Brothers.
What is “Big Poppa”?
This artist claims she’s “not dealing with scrubs,” calling out men who try to holler from the passenger side.
Who are TLC? (“No Scrubs”)
This 1994 hip-hop album was the first to earn a 5-mic score from The Source.
What is “Illmatic” by Nas?
This feud between two rap giants defined the East Coast–West Coast rivalry of the 90s.
Who are Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.?
This 1994 rapper opens a song answering a late-night phone call that sparks a crime story.
Who is The Notorious B.I.G.? (“Warning”)
This 2010s Drake track flips the song “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley in its intro.
What is “Take Care”?
This rapper brags he’ll be in the club celebrating his birthday with bottles all around.
Who is 50 Cent? (“In Da Club”)
This album by Beyoncé (2016) was accompanied by a full-length film on HBO.
What is “Lemonade”?
This 2000s feud involved two of the biggest Queens rappers, one from South Jamaica and the other from Southside.
Who are 50 Cent and Ja Rule?
This 2004 R&B confession opens with the singer explaining he has a “situation” involving two women.
What is “Confessions Part II” by Usher?
Kanye West uses Nina Simone’s powerful cover of “Strange Fruit” for this dramatic 2013 track.
What is “Blood on the Leaves”?
This 80s hip-hop legend warns you not to call his comeback a return — he’s been here all along.
Who is LL Cool J? (“Mama Said Knock You Out”)
This 2011 mixtape by The Weeknd eventually became part of a major-label release known as Trilogy.
What is “House of Balloons”?
This 2018 feud saw a Toronto rapper exposed for hiding a child.
Who are Drake and Pusha T?
This 2015 rapper begins a smash hit by bragging that he doesn’t need to “flex” because his DNA already holds greatness.
What is “DNA.” by Kendrick Lamar?
This Beyoncé hit contains a sample from a New Orleans bounce track by Big Freedia.
What is “Partition”?
This R&B singer, sings about leaving stress behind and “feeling good” as she dances through everyday life.
Who is Mary J. Blige? (“Just Fine”)
This 1987 Janet Jackson album redefined modern R&B and produced a record-breaking streak of Top 5 singles.
What is “Control”?
This 2024 rap beef resulted in one of the most-streamed diss tracks ever released.
Who are Kendrick Lamar and Drake?
This 2024 rap beef anthem begins with the MC calling out another artist as a “follower, not a leader.”
What is “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar?
This 1989 hip-hop classic samples “Funky Drummer,” the most sampled drum break in history.
What is “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy?
This 2010s rapper says she “doesn’t bother anyone” but causes uproar just by being herself.
Who is Ice Spice? (“Munch”)
This 2015 album by Kendrick Lamar became the first hip-hop project to be archived in the Library of Congress within 5 years of release.
What is “To Pimp a Butterfly”?
This 1997 diss track by LL Cool J targeted Canibus and included subliminal lines referencing an arm tattoo.
What is “The Ripper Strikes Back”?