Rick Ross settles the epic JAY-Z vs. Nas beef: A hip-hop showdown for the ages

In a candid conversation on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, Rick Ross, the larger-than-life rap icon, has finally put to rest the age-old debate: Who emerged victorious in the epic rap battle between JAY-Z and Nas? The feud, etched into hip-hop history, has fueled heated discussions for years, and Ross, who has collaborated with both legends, dropped some truth bombs.

The business of beef

Ross, known for his lyrical prowess and business acumen, didn’t mince words.

"That’s what I do love about Hip Hop because it always goes back to how much money a n-gg* got"

He quipped, responding to co-host Mike Majlak’s suggestion that JAY-Z had the upper hand “from a business standpoint.” Ross, however, took a broader view.

"Me being a fan of Nas and Hov,” he explained, “I feel like they both handled their business. They both shot back. And to me, that’s what it’s about because a lot of times n-ggas will tap out. They both shot back and they both kept going."

The Nas vs. JAY-Z verdict

While Ross remained diplomatic, others have been more definitive. Dame Dash, the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records alongside JAY-Z, didn’t hesitate. He believed Nas clinched the victory. Dash, reflecting on the legendary feud, criticized Hov’s response to Nas’s scathing track “Ether.”

"Jay’s response was terrible,” Dash asserted. “We had first hit him with ‘Takeover’ at Summer Jam, but when [Nas] came with ‘Ether,’ I was kinda hype because he said my name. I was like, ‘I guess I’m in a rap record.’ But the response, I wasn’t there for the response. I had landed, Irv Gotti messed that one up. Every time Irv Gotti got in my business, he messed shit up. He threw that ‘Ether’ on him. He had him apologizing. The rap that he did was wack — when I heard it, I was pissed."

The high-five that didn’t sit well

Dash’s frustration was palpable.

" I was coming from doing a Rocawear ad on a private jet,” he recalled. “I had just landed from Arizona, and I’m listening to this shit on the radio like, ‘What the f*** is this?’ So I was like, ‘Go to the Baseline Studios,’ you know, ’cause I wanna know what happened. I’m like, ‘What the f*** happened?’ And they in there high-fiving and shit. I’m like, ‘What you high-fiving for? This shit is wack.’ This n-gga talking about other n-ggas’ business and shit, like we don’t do that. And it was Irv. I was like, ‘Irv Gotti.’ I called Irv, told him don’t ever get in my business again, bro, like, ‘What you doing? You not about war."

In the end, Ross’s refusal to pick sides echoes the sentiment of many hip-hop aficionados. JAY-Z and Nas, two titans of the game, have since moved past their rivalry, collaborating on numerous occasions. The beef may have simmered down, but the legacy of their lyrical sparring remains etched in the annals of rap history.

Remember, in the world of hip-hop, it’s not just about bars; it’s about business.