Classic Black Celebrity Feuds Over the Years

Beefs don’t just occur in hip-hop. They happen in the entire entertainment industry and involve actors, singers, dancers, directors, and even athletes.

Photo: Getty Images Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect

The year 2024 is all about beef. Not just in hip-hop, but the entire entertainment industry.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Meet the Masterminds Behind the Beats: Celebrating Black Music Producers by Region

Maybe Katt Williams kicked it off with his now-infamous interview at the top of the year, but people have no problem openly discussing the hate for their foes in recent months.

With that in mind, we’re going to run down some of the most notable feuds between notable figures in the entertainment industry. The variety of vocations here is just as wide as the disputes: singers, actors, producers, directors, athletes, and rappers all show up here, with some of these feuds going back as far as ten years.

Monique vs Lee Daniels

Photo: Getty Images David Livingston Photo: Getty Images David Livingston

Monique and Lee Daniels were feuding for more than 13 years before they reconciled in 2022. Reportedly, the feud between the two began because Monique wasn’t going to be paid during the promotional tour for the 2009 film Precious, which was directed and co-produced by Daniels. They just recently worked together on a horror film titled “The Deliverance.”

Kobe Bryant vs Shaquille O’Neal

Photo: Getty Images John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated Photo: Getty Images John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated

Although they were known as one of the most dominant duos in sports history, they also had a nasty break up. The two were complete opposites in their approach to the game. Kobe was all about relentlessly working as hard as possible to be the best. Shaq, on the other hand, was more lax in his approach, relying more on his physical gifts. They won three championships in a row, but after losing in the 2004 Finals, Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat.

2Pac vs Notorious B.I.G.

Photo: Getty Images Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives Photo: Getty Images Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives

The tension between these two rap legends began after Pac accused Biggie of having him shot while the former was headed to record with him in Brooklyn. This led to an all-out feud between the rappers’ respective West and East Coasts. While Big never took his issues with 2Pac beyond subliminals, Pac bombed on the entire East Coast with “Hit ‘Em Up.” Even Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound got involved when they released “New York, New York.”

Bobby Brown vs New Edition

Photo: Getty Images Vinnie Zuffante Photo: Getty Images Vinnie Zuffante

The feud between New Edition and Bobby Brown is well-documented. While he was with the group in the early 1980s, Brown always felt like he was meant to be a solo star. As a result, he left the band and released his solo debut King of Stage in 1986. His breakout album was 1988’s Don’t Be Cruel.

Jay-Z vs Dame Dash

Photo: Getty Images Ray Mickshaw/WireImage Photo: Getty Images Ray Mickshaw/WireImage

The two broke into the music industry together. Jay-Z was the rap star and Dame Dash was the hotshot business executive, building the dynastic Roc-A-Fella Records label. But their partnership ended in 2004 when Roc-A-Fella was sold to Def Jam and Hov became the president, essentially leaving Dame out of the deal. Both have addressed the fallout in interviews and, in Jay’s case, music.

Brandy vs Monica

Photo: Getty Images Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage Photo: Getty Images Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

The relationship between these two R&B stars is tricky. They were both teenage stars in the 1990s, but were often compared to each other due to being around the same age. They put their rivalry aside in to release the 1998 single “The Boy is Mine.” But it was later rekindled during the 1998 VMAs, when Monica, according to Dallas Austin, punched Brandy before they were set to perform their hit song.

50 Cent vs Floyd Mayweather

Photo: Getty Images Denise Truscello/WireImage Photo: Getty Images Denise Truscello/WireImage

50 Cent has been a feud with damn near every celebrity in existence. But his beef with Floyd Mayweather is one of his most infamous. The two were originally business partners, forming the company TMT (The Money Team) in 2012. Everything was good between the two until 50 Cent claimed that Floyd owed him some money that he was never paid. This led to a long-running feud, which peaked when the rapper constantly made fun of Mayweather’s perceived illiteracy.

Aretha Franklin vs Dionne Warwick

Photo: Getty Images Lisa Lake/WireImage Photo: Getty Images Lisa Lake/WireImage

Aretha Franklin has openly admitted that she and Dionne Warwick have never gotten along. She even stated when they ran into each other during a screening for “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives,” Warwick offered to hug her and Franklin said, “Oh hell no.”

Tyra Banks vs Naomi Campbell

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/WireImage Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

Tyra Banks felt that Naomi Campbell did not make her feel welcome in the modeling industry and claimed that she was “intimidated” by her. Campbell later came on Banks’ talk show in 2005 to discuss their feud and clear the air.

Will Smith vs Janet Hubert

Photo: Getty Images Chris Cuffaio/NBCU Photo Bank Photo: Getty Images Chris Cuffaio/NBCU Photo Bank

In 1993, Will Smith openly criticized Janet Hubert during a radio interview and essentially stated she was jealous that he got his own show at such a young age. Hubert was on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for three seasons and left after being offered a contract she was dissatisfied with. She even promised that she would never do a reunion episode with the cast. But in 2021 she did just that, squashing her beef with Smith for good and appearing on the reunion that aired on Max.

Keri Wilson vs Beyoncé

Photo: Getty Images VALERIE MACON/AFP // Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Photo: Getty Images VALERIE MACON/AFP // Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Everything seemed cordial between these two artists until Hilson released the remix to her 2009 song “Turnin Me On,” where she took shots at Queen Bey. “Your vision cloudy if you think that you da best,” she rapped. “You can dance, she can sing, but need to move it to the left.”

Lil Bow Wow vs Lil Romeo

Photo: Getty Images John Ricard/FilmMagic // J.Sciulli/WireImage Photo: Getty Images John Ricard/FilmMagic // J.Sciulli/WireImage

These two were always compared to each other due to their styles and personas as child stars being so similar. This led to an all-out beef, with both artists eventually releasing diss tracks. Lil Romeo released “U Can’t Shine Like Me,” while Bow Wow dropped “Fresh Az I’m Iz.”

Ne-Yo vs Trey Songz

Photo: Getty Images Johnny Nunez/WireImage Photo: Getty Images Johnny Nunez/WireImage

The feud between these two began in 2012, when Ne-Yo made an appearance on The Breakfast Club and critiqued Trey Songz’ music. Song was frustrated with the criticism and stated that Ne-Yo could’ve shared his opinion privately instead in public for the whole world to hear. Ne-Yo has since apologized.

Kanye West vs 50 Cent

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter

The two biggest trolls in hip-hop. There wasn’t really any bad blood between these two artists, it was more of a promotional rivalry that was exaggerated to boost album sales. In 2007, their albums were set to release on the same date, with Kanye releasing Graduation and 50 Cent coming out with Curtis. The two faced off to see who would have the biggest first-week album sales. West was the clear winner, selling more than 957,000 units compared to 50’s 691,000 units.

Lil Kim vs Foxy Brown

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection // Shane Gritzinger/FilmMagic Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection // Shane Gritzinger/FilmMagic

Due to them both being the biggest women in rap during the mid-1990s, a feud was naturally born. They often lobbed disses each other’s way on wax, which eventually led to a physical altercation in 2001 when their entourages clashed at a radio station.

Nene Leakes vs Star Jones

Photo: Getty Images Jim Spellman/WireImage // Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic Photo: Getty Images Jim Spellman/WireImage // Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

These two reality TV stars did not get along from the moment they both appeared on the 2011 season of Celebrity Apprentice. Reportedly, Star once pointed her finger in Leakes’ face, and Nene responded by slapping away her hand and rushing at her.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Trump Is Getting Away With These Dangerous Actions Right Under Our Noses

Trump Is Getting Away With These Dangerous Actions Right Under Our Noses

From rolling back civil rights protections to Trump’s violent threats against Americans, here’s all the political events happening right under you nose …
The Untold Story of Jimmie Lee Jackson, Whose Killing Sparked the 'Bloody Sunday' Marches

The Untold Story of Jimmie Lee Jackson, Whose Killing Sparked the ‘Bloody Sunday’ Marches

We know the leaders of the movement, but how well do you know the story behind the 26-year-old martyr whose death sparked Bloody Sunday? …
Selma Was Not Just History, It Was a Warning

Selma Was Not Just History, It Was a Warning

Opinion: Sixty-one years after “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, we are once again watching the machinery of state violence turn toward Black and Brown communities …
Melyssa Ford Reveals the Unexpected Remedy That Helped Her Cope With Her Mother’s Death

Melyssa Ford Reveals the Unexpected Remedy That Helped Her Cope With Her Mother’s Death

Melyssa Ford is pulling back the curtain on her mental health journey, proving that sometimes, unconventional healing can help with unimaginable grief …
Big News On Sidney Dorsey, The Ex-Georgia Sheriff Convicted of Murder Conspiracy

Big News On Sidney Dorsey, The Ex-Georgia Sheriff Convicted of Murder Conspiracy

Sidney Dorsey died in prison after serving a life sentence for the shocking 2000 political murder after losing his reelection bid …
Eric Benét's Viral New War Protest Song is Exactly What We Needed

Eric Benét’s Viral New War Protest Song is Exactly What We Needed

The “Spend My Life With You” singer gave us a much-needed soulful protest anthem calling out the Trump administration decision to bomb Iran …
This Viral Content Creator is Keeping Our Black Food Traditions Alive - And Looking Great While Doing it!

This Viral Content Creator is Keeping Our Black Food Traditions Alive – And Looking Great While Doing it!

Sonja Norwood (aka Wick’d Creations) has built a massive social media following sharing the Black recipes you won’t find in cookbooks …
Queen Latifah Death Rumor Spurs This Unusual Development

Queen Latifah Death Rumor Spurs This Unusual Development

After a viral rumor spread on Facebook that Queen Latifah was dead, she hopped on Instagram to address her fans’ concerns …
Viral 'Sinners' Test Footage Has Fans Wanting More Behind-the-Scenes Content

Viral ‘Sinners’ Test Footage Has Fans Wanting More Behind-the-Scenes Content

Test footage from the first days of filming “Sinners” has fans wanting more behind-the-scenes content …
Why Stefon Diggs Is Having The Worst Week Ever, Black Twitter Responds

Why Stefon Diggs Is Having The Worst Week Ever, Black Twitter Responds

The NFL veteran wide receiver has been racking a bunch of L’s this week …
Black America Explodes After Trump Fires Kristi Noem

Black America Explodes After Trump Fires Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem spoke in Nashville during a conference right as Trump dropped the bombshell news of her replacement …
Is the Fear of Getting ‘Too Dark’ in the Summer a Personal Choice for Black Folks or Deep-Rooted Colorism?

Is the Fear of Getting ‘Too Dark’ in the Summer a Personal Choice for Black Folks or Deep-Rooted Colorism?

After a tweet calling out Black folks who avoid the summer sun went viral, a debate about loving one’s complexion versus colorism had the timeline on fire …
What Will Happen to Rep. Al Green Now That He Is Forced into a Runoff Against Rep. Christian Menefee?

What Will Happen to Rep. Al Green Now That He Is Forced into a Runoff Against Rep. Christian Menefee?

Rep. Al Green up against Rep. Christian Menefee– the new kid on the block– in the upcoming Texas runoff election …
Teyana Taylor Wants 'One Battle After Another' Sequel, But Fans Aren't Feeling It

Teyana Taylor Wants ‘One Battle After Another’ Sequel, But Fans Aren’t Feeling It

Though Teyana Taylor’s role in ‘One Battle After Another’ earned her an Oscar nomination, it looks like fans aren’t so hyped to see a spinoff of her character …
Black ‘Klan Whisperer’ Has Led Hundreds Away From White Supremacy —And Has the Robes to Prove It

Black ‘Klan Whisperer’ Has Led Hundreds Away From White Supremacy —And Has the Robes to Prove It

Daryl Davis has used open conversation and music to persuade hundreds to leave hate behind, collecting their Klan regalia as symbols of change …
5 Times That Stephen A. Smith Crossed The Line

5 Times That Stephen A. Smith Crossed The Line

The controversial host of ESPN’s “First Take” has a track record of being a habitual linestepper …
They Wanted Tendernism. Just Not The Black Man Who Created It.

They Wanted Tendernism. Just Not The Black Man Who Created It.

Walter “Mr. Tendernism” Johnson made a restaurant famous. Then the fight over his creation began …
T.I Tells Us What He Really Thinks About His Sons Jumping in Beef With 50 Cent

T.I Tells Us What He Really Thinks About His Sons Jumping in Beef With 50 Cent

After Domani and King Harris released jaw-dropping diss tracks against 50 Cent, T.I. shares his thoughts on the whole ordeal …
Memphis Cemetery Sued for Allegedly Segregating Bathrooms and Forcing Black Workers to Use Gas Station Toilets—But it Gets Worse

Memphis Cemetery Sued for Allegedly Segregating Bathrooms and Forcing Black Workers to Use Gas Station Toilets—But it Gets Worse

A federal lawsuit claims a Memphis cemetery resurrected segregated facilities, then axed a manager for refusing to silence his Black crew …
See Oprah Stepping Out Looking Fit and Fly at Paris Fashion Week

See Oprah Stepping Out Looking Fit and Fly at Paris Fashion Week

Oprah Winfrey has been spotted with bestie Gayle King at Paris Fashion Week. Now, one red carpet look has the internet talking …