Red Bull Soundclash is like no other music event you will experience, with two bands on opposing stages battling it out for the crowd’s affection. As the unique event gets set to return next month in Brazil, we thought we’d run through six of the biggest feuds in music history – just to get you warmed up...
Oasis v Blur
The two most prominent bands of the Britpop invasion of the mid-90s, Oasis and Blur came to blows in the summer of 1995 as they both released singles on the same day – August 14. Britpop had emerged as an answer to the American grunge scene that had dominated the early-90s and drew heavily from British music of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Although they initially appeared to get on, the relationship between the two bands deteriorated and when news broke that they were releasing ‘Country House’ and ‘Roll With It’ at the same time, the British press jumped on it. Blur won the day as ‘Country House’ grabbed the number 1 spot. Liam Gallagher called an end to the feud in 2007, claiming to now “buzz off” Damon Albarn.
Tupac Shakur v Notorious B.I.G
Although neither rapper started the East/West Coast hip-hop rivalry, they took it to a sinister new level after 2Pac was shot in New York in 1994. Shakur accused his former friend – as well as label boss Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs – of knowing about the shooting, citing Biggie’s B-side ‘Who Shot Ya?’ as evidence. 2Pac aligned himself with Suge Knight’s California-based Death Row Records and a series of subsequent death threats were issued through tracks such as ‘Hit ‘Em Up’. In September 1996, 2Pac became the victim of a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas as he left a Mike Tyson fight. Six month later Biggie was also dead the apparent victim of a retaliatory attack.
Jay-Z v Nas
This feud essentially started over the use by Jay-Z of a Nas sample on his debut album, Reasonable Doubt in 1996. The latter felt he wasn’t credited properly, while the former was annoyed as Nas failed to show up to the studio after being invited to appear on a separate track, ‘Bring It On’. A cold war ensued until Jay-Z released The Blueprint in 2001, which featured the track ‘Takeover’ including a direct attack on Nas. Nas hit back with the single ‘Ether’, and although further insults were traded both men agreed to end the dispute in 2003. Since then, they have toured together, while Nas also appeared on Jay-Z’s ‘American Gangster’ album.
George Harrison v Eric Clapton
The Beatle formed a strong friendship with a young Eric Clapton during the 1960s, co-writing the song ‘Badge’ which was released on Cream’s 1969 Goodbye album. It must have been a kick in the teeth then when he found out in 1979 that Clapton had been having a five-year affair with his ex-wife Pattie Boyd. Clapton had offered Boyd a shoulder to cry on before the inevitable happened and wrote Derek and the Dominos’ hit ‘Layla’ about her. Harrison ultimately gave the relationship his blessing and proved to be the bigger man as he performed at their wedding.
Lily Allen v Katy Perry
Katy Perry felt the ire of Lily Allen after she described herself as a “fatter version of Amy Winehouse and a skinnier version of Lily Allen.” Lil wasn’t too impressed about the implication of Perry’s comments and told her to shut up as she wasn’t English and didn’t write her own songs, meow. Allen then stepped things up with a Facebook status that claimed she had Perry’s number and was waiting for her to say something before unleashing hell. Perry did the sensible thing, and said nothing while the feud just petered out.
Kanye West v the world
It wouldn’t be possible to complete this list without a quick nod to Mr West. First off was his Oasis-Blur style beef with fellow rapper 50 Cent, as they went head-to-head in the album charts on September 11 2007. Fiddy even threatened to quit music if West won, which Kanye promptly did. Since then he has enjoyed a few embarrassing moments, if not fully-blown feuds. First of all – just a month after outselling 50 Cent – he took exception to being beaten to the MTV Europe Music Award for best video by French dance outfit Justice and crashed the stage. Then at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, he was up to his old tricks as he took to the stage after Taylor Swift had beaten Beyoncé.
Learn more about the next Red Bull Soundclash in Recife, Brazil here.
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