(the) American (Novel of)

24 Lynne d Johnson
Records, the race question is addressed. Benzino, in an MTV online
article, “compares Em to racist figures (‘You’re the rap David Duke,
you’re the rap Hitler. . . . I’m the rap Malcolm [X], the rap Martin
[Luther King]’).” 10 Benzino took his attack further in the February
2003 issue of The Source, in a five-page interview and “an accompanying
cartoon poster that depicts Scott holding a gory trophy: the decapitated
head of Eminem.” 11 Is it proper etiquette for a white man to reach
platinum-selling status while beating out the black man at his own
game? When race becomes the issue does it change the nature of the
game? Racial issues aside, 8 Mile depicts the spontaneity and adrenaline
rush encountered in rap battles, as well as its inventive lyrical manifestations.
While in real life, Eminem may always be viewed as suspect by
the African American hip-hop listening audience, and especially hiphop’s
staunchest advocates and critics, he has mastered the true artistry
of battling.
When the Game Changed
Since the days of Kool Moe Dee vs. Busy Bee Star Ski, there have been
numerous battles that gained public attention. In 1988, it was the battle
of the boroughs when KRS-One of the Bronx’s Boogie Down Productions
went head to head with Queens MC Shan of the Juice Crew.
This battle was significant in that each borough wanted to claim its
home turf as the true birthplace of hip-hop. 12 In a sidebar to an article
entitled “The Bridge is Over: Are Today’s Musical Mudslingers Looking
for Fame . . . or Trouble?” (2000) written by Aliya S. King in The Source,
the MC Shan vs. KRS-One battle is listed under the heading, “What’s
Beef? Some of Hip-hop’s More Infamous Battles.” Other battles listed
include Tupac vs. Biggie (Notorious B.I.G.), LL Cool J vs. Cannibus,
and Cormega vs. Nature.
The Tupac vs. Biggie battle is one in which etiquette is also
addressed. In 1996 and 1997, Pac and Big were murdered within six
months of one another. If not a direct result of the beef they had, and
bicoastal war that sprung up in response to their beef, it was definitely
an indirect result. Once friends—they even rapped together in a live
freestyle, which can be found recorded on Funkmaster Flex & Big Kap
The Tunnel (Def Jam 1999)—the MCs soon turned enemies. Pac blamed