DISS

A diss, short for disrespect, is an insult or challenge directed at a person, group, or idea. As a verb, to diss means to show disrespect or belittle someone. As a noun, a diss can refer to a single remark or to a broader exchange intended to undermine or insult the target. Dissing is common in many social settings, but it is especially prominent in hip-hop culture and online discourse.

In music, a diss track is a song explicitly aimed at another artist, often featuring pointed lyrics, allusions, and claims about skill, credibility, or character. Diss tracks and rivalries known as "beef" have helped propel artists and shaped eras in rap history. Outside music, disses appear in social media posts, interviews, freestyles, and live performances, where performers use quick, crafted lines to gain crowd support or reputation.

Disses vary in tone and intention. Some are seen as competitive artistry that rewards wit and lyrical craft, while others are criticized as harassment or aggressive bullying. The culture surrounding disses emphasizes performance, implied or explicit threats, and the ability to craft memorable lines under pressure.

Notable examples in popular music include Tupac Shakur’s Hit ’Em Up (1996), a direct attack on The Notorious B.I.G.; Nas’s Ether (2001) targeting Jay-Z; and Ice Cube’s No Vaseline (1991), a widely cited early diss aimed at N.W.A. These works illustrate how disses function as both rhetorical devices and catalysts for broader artistic and rivalrous exchanges.