Diddy (formerly Puff Daddy) is one of the most influential figures in the music industry, but throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous controversies, confrontations, and rivalries, particularly with other hip-hop artists. While many rappers and celebrities have aligned themselves with Diddy or feared his power, there are some who have never backed down from him. These rappers have openly expressed their disdain for Diddy, either through public feuds or by distancing themselves from the mogul’s lifestyle. Here are a few notable rappers who never feared Diddy:
50 Cent
50 Cent and Diddy have had a longstanding feud that goes back over a decade. Their animosity started when 50 Cent began taking jabs at Diddy for his connections to the death of Tupac Shakur, as well as his management of Rick Ross, 50’s longtime rival. 50 Cent has always called out Diddy on his behavior, including mocking Diddy’s relationships and parties. In one of his infamous statements, 50 Cent refused to attend Diddy’s parties, claiming it was uncomfortable because Diddy allegedly hugs people “from the front and the back at the same time.” 50 has also openly mocked Diddy on social media, especially after Diddy’s arrest and personal troubles in 2024. Despite Diddy’s power, 50 Cent has never been intimidated, consistently trolling him with memes and videos.
Suge Knight
Suge Knight, the founder of Death Row Records, was one of the most fearsome figures in hip-hop, known for his aggressive tactics in the music industry. Knight and Diddy had a well-documented rivalry, which began in the ’90s when Knight believed that Diddy’s Bad Boy Records was profiting off of the Death Row’s sound and Biggie Smalls’ influence. The tension between Knight and Diddy escalated after Tupac Shakur was shot at Quad Studios in 1994, an incident that Tupac believed Diddy had a hand in orchestrating. Suge Knight’s disdain for Diddy only grew after Tupac’s death, with Knight calling Diddy out in public and even hinting at taking drastic actions against him. Their beef also led to violent confrontations, with Suge Knight allegedly sending his associates after Diddy and his crew. Suge never feared Diddy, always voicing his discontent, especially after Diddy’s ties to the East Coast-West Coast rivalry.
Kanye West
Kanye West is another artist who has had no issue publicly criticizing Diddy. The two were once close, but their relationship soured over the years. Kanye has made it clear that he is not intimidated by Diddy, even when he publicly feuded with him over issues such as the “White Lives Matter” shirt controversy. In 2022, after Diddy’s interview with The Breakfast Club where he refused to condemn Kanye’s controversial shirt, Kanye texted Diddy, expressing his frustration and telling him to “do something illegal to me now” if he was really about it. The relationship hit a boiling point when Kanye completely ignored Diddy’s attempts to meet up and talk things through at Rolling Loud in 2023, showing that he was uninterested in reconciling. Kanye’s bluntness and willingness to speak out against Diddy are clear indicators that he is not afraid of the music mogul.
Drake
Drake and Diddy had an infamous encounter in 2014 at a nightclub, where it was rumored that Diddy slapped Drake after a dispute over the song “0 to 100.” Reports say that Diddy was furious with Drake for keeping the song for himself instead of ghostwriting for Diddy. Despite rumors of the slap, Drake never publicly addressed the incident, but it’s clear that he has never feared Diddy’s power. Drake has continued to thrive in the music industry, and in interviews, he has remained relatively unbothered by Diddy’s past actions. The fact that Drake never let the incident affect his career, despite Diddy’s history of power moves, is a testament to his resilience and confidence.
The LOX
The LOX, consisting of Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch, were initially signed to Diddy’s Bad Boy Records in the ’90s, but they quickly became frustrated with Diddy’s business practices. Their departure from the label was marked by intense disputes over ownership of their music and publishing rights. The group was vocal about Diddy’s exploitation of their work, and in one infamous incident, Styles P threw a chair at Diddy, signaling the end of their relationship with the mogul. Although the LOX and Diddy eventually reconciled, the fact that they stood up to him when they felt they were being mistreated shows that they never feared Diddy. Even years after their split, the LOX remained vocal about their experiences and continued to express their independence.
J. Cole
J. Cole has also had a tense relationship with Diddy, especially after Diddy allegedly threatened to harm him in 2013 over a rivalry with Kendrick Lamar. Diddy reportedly confronted J. Cole and threatened to slit his throat with a bottle if he disrespected him further. The incident occurred at a party, where tensions between the artists were high. Cole himself rapped about this confrontation in his track “Let Go of My Hand,” showing that he didn’t fear Diddy. Despite the encounter, J. Cole’s career continued to thrive, and he remains one of the most respected artists in hip-hop, proving that he’s not easily intimidated.
Conclusion
While Diddy has certainly amassed power and influence over the years, these rappers have shown that they are not afraid to challenge or speak out against him when necessary. Whether it’s a public feud, a business dispute, or an outburst in the media, these artists have never been intimidated by Diddy’s status in the music industry. Their defiance shows that even the most powerful figures in hip-hop can be challenged by those who aren’t afraid to stand their ground.
