Sit this one out, Drake. Diss tracks, or songs released to intentionally dismiss, disrespect or mock another musician, have been around since at least the 1980s. The most famous exchange, which music historians call The Roxanne Wars, was started by rapper Roxanne Shanté, and directed at hip hop group U.T.F.O.’s 1984 release Roxanne, Roxanne (not to be confused with the earlier Police masterpiece Roxanne). By the end, it encompassed 50 releases by 35 different artists. Kendrick Lamar’s comebacks, in comparison, seem like playground potshots.

A good diss track will elevate an insult into art. Justin Timberlake’s Cry Me a River (2002) targeted Britney Spears over rumours that she had an affair with Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst while she was dating Timberlake. Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood (2014) put out a cameo-laden video in response to Katy Perry’s allegedly stealing of Swift’s backup dancers for her tour. Perry took three years to respond with Swish Swish in 2017, with Nicki Minaj.

Locally, KR$NA and Muhfaad have a total of 14 diss tracks between them. Straight Outta Srinagar (SOS) and Seedhe Maut’s diss tracks had fans decoding their songs on Reels. Rappers love it if someone writes a good diss about them. For those looking for a fight, Indian rap artists offer tips on making diss tracks that work.

Stay angry, stay articulate

“Treat making diss tracks like a sport,” says Rakht aka Rohan Saxena. The lyrics should be sharp, there should be wordplay. Don’t be afraid of getting a little personal. “Artists are supposed to have strong opinions. Clashes are inevitable. Better to exchange barbs creatively than have a physical fight.”

Referencing someone’s musical style or flow is good too. But don’t simply attack someone for attention – that’s low-hanging fruit. “Hate is like the quickest way to get a crowd. Roasting has become a norm. And it’s full of abuses,” Saxena says.

And be careful will actual name-dropping. “If you name someone you know and have been associated with, that’s seen as snitching and has no respect in the game,” says Rakht, who prefers to diss the local music scene in his works.

Keep talking, keep listening

“Most of us assume that a diss track is merely a putdown,” says Mumbai rapper Krantinaari, aka Ashwini Hiremath. “Think of it as a way to create a conversation which can help you understand someone else’s point of view.”

Hiremath, 29, has used diss tracks to point out what she thinks is wrong or unfair in the world today. Her songs have references to women freedom fighters, the caste system and the murder of a Dalit woman. In May 2006, Lil Wayne’s song Georgia Bush critiqued George W Bush the US President at the time, and the rest of White America’s response to Hurricane Katrina. In the 2016 song FDT, YG and Nipsey Hussle called out Donald Trump during his presidential campaign. “It’s crucial to name names because it shows that you have a reference of a backing and understanding of the subject,” says Hiremath.

And remember this is for an audience. “If all you want to do is keep releasing tracks replying to each other every other day, just call and abuse each other,” she says.

Point towards, point away

As with movies, Easter eggs are everywhere in diss tracks,” says Delhi rapper Saar Punch, 29, aka Saransh Batra. “It could be lyrics from another song, wordplay, or visual hints placed in the video.” Childish Gambino’s This is America packed in American gun violence and the CakeWalk dance step, drawn from the exaggerated facial expressions and movements that Black slaves used to mock White enslavers.

Timing matters too. With the Kendrick Lamar - Drake beef, counter strikes have released almost overnight. “Quicker rebuttals make it more relevant,” says Batra. Just brace for battle, and be clear about your stance, says Batra. Emiway Bantai and Divine’s feud began in 2018, with Bantai’s Samajh Mai Aaya Kya. It only ended two years later when they got on an Instagram Live to settle it!

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