Kid Cudi vs. Wale

If you’re not familiar with rap beefs, here’s one where you can get in on the ground floor of. The beef between Kid Cudi and Wale actually started back in December 2009 when Wale referenced Cudi’s stricking of a fan in his “Thank You Freestyle” (“Throwin’ ’round wallets like the dude that Kid Cudi hit”).

Last week, Cudi responded in an interview with Complex, noting the line “wasn’t a shot, it’s just a simple-ass rhyme by a simple-ass rapper.” He then added, “N*ggas ain’t got the magic like they think they do; there’s only a couple of wizards in this game. I’m a wizard and I know it.”

In an attempt to knock him off his high horse, Wale responded on his Twitter, writing, “n*ggas lettin that liquid cocaine get to them…..lets go then,” referring to Cudi’s arrest for possession of liquid cocaine and announcing his intent for a fight.  We’re already nuking the popcorn.

Cam’ron vs. Kanye West

Despite the overabundance of  Kanye West coverage, you have to give the man credit; not only is he talented, but after almost torpedoing his career at last year’s VMAs, it seems he has returned to his former glory. Despite the changes for the better, not everyone is sold on the idea of Kanye West as the voice of a generation.

Cue Cam’ron‘s recently released freestyle “Toast”, a track which turns West’s “Runaway” single into an all out assault on the Chicago MC and his longtime collaborator Jay-Z. Cam’ron raps, “And Kanye, you a sucka n—a, dissed Dame so my attitude is f— the n—a. Sucked off Jigga, how you gonna live with that/Took the beat, now come get it back.”

Despite this being a recent track, the beef runs a little deeper. It seems like West just may be a casualty of Cam’ron’s war against Jay-Z. Brooklyn’s finest cost Cam’ron a VP position at Roc Nation (seemingly because he didn’t want him with power in his company) and Cam’ron may be tearing into West for his friendship with Jigga. Complicating the whole ordeal is the fact that Juelz Santana, a labelmate with West at Def Jam and Cam’ron’s Dipset partner, is working with the Louis Vuitton Don. No word yet from West, but stay tuned to his Twitter for a response and words of wisdom.

Shyne vs. 50 Cent

Not all beefs have to start over turf wars or involve gun battles; some can start with a simple, hilarious prank call. After former protege Shyne was released from prison, G-Unit head and all-around gang-banger 50 Cent decided to call into a webcast/conference designed to promote Shyne’s release and subsequent comeback. What followed was a NSFW tirade that is sort of hilarious and simultaneously fired the first new shot in a long-postponed battle, one that stems from a diss track Shyne recorded in 2004 during his imprisonment.

In a Skype interview with MTV News, Shyne said he was shocked in regards to his former mentor’s actions, calling it an “all-time low” and adding that he “didn’t know he was so desperate. He’s gone from confidential informant, witness-protection program dude, getting order [of protection] on muthaf—as. Now he’s a stalker.” While there’s been nothing new to add in this still-simmering beef in the last month or so, it shouldn’t surprise anyone; ever since 50 got a Twitter account, he’s been lambasting everyone from Jay-Z to Perez Hilton. Seems like the Internet isn’t just a place where nerdy white virgins can talk shit to other people.

Nicki Minaj vs. Lil Kim

While it seems like all this ego is generated from an overabundance of testosterone, that doesn’t mean lady MCs can’t beef. And this one is a brightly colored catfight with plenty of wigs. Nicki Minaj is the latest in the line of great female MCs, a presence who is steadily rising in people’s eyes. And perhaps like Cam’ron, not everyone may be happy with that. Hmm, anyone noticing a pattern?

Not one to be outdone by someone harmlessly imitating her, Lil Kim landed the first blow by tossing a wig into the crowd at a concert in Buffalo, New York, saying, “Y’all know who this is, I love starting trends. I’m going to another level. I love the wigs and everything but I’m so above them.”

It appears that Minaj may have somehow blown Kim off during an event earlier this year. Not happy with just one solid blow, Kim added more firepower when she and Ray J took to the stage at another show, further implying Minaj’s “biting” and that all Minaj should do is “pay homage, so we can all rock together. It’s about respect: You respect me, I respect you. If you don’t respect me, then f— you.”

Coming to her rescue, Young Money labelmate Drake said in a concert that Minaj was the “baddest woman to ever do this rap shit.” While Minaj has remained quiet, she did write on Twitter that “Jealousy is a disease. It kills @ a fast pace.” Ladies, can’t we all just get along?

Wyclef Jean vs. Sean Penn

OK, so this next one’s not technically a rap beef, but Wyclef Jean is a rapper and Sean Penn is talented enough of an actor to play any role. After the whole debacle of Jean running for President of Haiti, Penn went on to Larry King Live and said “I’m not accusing Wyclef Jean of being an opportunist, I don’t know the man… One of the reasons I don’t know very much about Wyclef Jean is I haven’t seen or heard anything of him in these last six months that I’ve been in Haiti.”

Like the great leader he hopes to be, Jean responded with a freestyle in a concert, rapping “If I was president….I got a message for Sean Penn, maybe he ain’t see me in Haiti because he was too busy sniffing cocaine.” Showing good time management, Wyclef also took a swing at former Fugees bandmate Pras, who isn’t keen on Jean’s campaign either. In the same rhyme Jean says that he loves his former partner in crime “even though you only kicked 8 bars for the Fugees…” That’s a double whammy, folks. We’re sure this one won’t go anywhere else, but if Penn wants to record a diss track of his own, we’d be more than happy to listen.