R & Beef
Miguel declares he's better than Frank Ocean.
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R & Beef - Their crooning may be soothing, but R&B singers can definitely bring the ruckus, and we don't just mean on a track. Occasionally, off-the-record beefing between vocalists makes its way to the public eye through interviews or — especially if you're Bad Gal RiRi — via social media. Read on for some of the rowdiest side-eyes and showdowns that have gone down in R&B. (Photos from left: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, Michael Buckner/Getty Images for GQ, Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images)
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Miguel vs. Frank Ocean - Miguel and Frank Ocean have a history. Though we're not sure where things went wrong between them, we're certain things aren't sweet right now. Speaking with The Sunday Times, the "Adorn" crooner stunted on Ocean stating, "I wouldn’t say we were friends. To be completely honest — and no disrespect to anyone — I genuinely believe that I make better music, all the way around."Well, now we'll just have to sit and wait to see how this frienemy saga plays out. (Photos from Left: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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Coco of SWV vs. K. Michelle - Fans of SWV's Coko pulled out the red marker and went to work on K. Michelle's rendition of Patti LaBelle's classic "If Only You Knew" this weekend at the BET Awards, and Coko had no problem retweeting some of the attacks, which included, "And I love K Michelle but know your d**n range and limit... If you not KeKe or @Only1Coko don't sing that song. Except in the shower."Not letting the '90s R&B star hide behind her followers, K. Michelle fired back, stating, "Coko but they didn't ask you or your [sic] chopped teeth to perform. Your [sic] at home. Stop trying it. Love wins." Ouch!(Photos from Left: Taylor Hill/Getty Images, Prince Williams/WireImage)
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Cheryl Lynn vs. Anita Baker - We've heard of R&B singers beefing, but a Twitter dispute between R&B divas in their late '50s is a new one. "Got to Be Real" hit maker Cheryl Lynn fired off on Anita Baker last night for blocking her on Twitter. Her rants included, "What did I ever do to you? Oh, I get it probably cuz I will sing you down on the stage is that it?"Anita has yet to respond since she'd already blocked Cheryl before her rant, but let's hope the two don't break out the Vaseline and sneakers over this. (Photos from left: Jason Merritt/Getty Images, D Dipasupil/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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K. Michelle vs. Elle Varner - Former Love and Hip Hop star K. Michelle made her way into the industry known not only for her singing chops but for beefing with other artists. Her most recent victim: former BFF and fellow R&B diva Elle Varner. Images of Varner snuggle up with MMG affiliate Meek Mill surfaced during the 2014 BET Awards weekend, and apparently K. Michelle isn’t fond of the alleged new couple. As per her usual, Michelle took to social media to bash Elle calling her a “copycat” and “fake.” “You definitely need a refill as thirsty as you are, jokes on you and you don’t even know it,” Michelle wrote in an Instagram post, which she later removed. Ouch, it’s a shame because the two were once close as they shared the same management.(Photos: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for BET; Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)
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August Alsina vs. Trey Songz - After teaming up with Trey Songz and Chris Brown for the remix of his hit "I Luv This S--t," August Alsina said the friendship between him and Trey fell apart. "I don't really f--k with Trey right now. We don't get along right now. We ain't on the same page," he said. "We were supposed to have a show together and it just went left 'cause I can’t deal with n---as' egos and attitudes 'cause I’m just a real n---a comin' through and I'm rockin'."However Trigga and Alsina buried the hatched and put on a shocking performance alongside Breezy and the 2014 BET Awards.(Photos from left: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images, Chris Phelps/Atlantic Records)
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K. Michelle vs. Tamar Braxton - Reality stars/singers K. Michelle and Tamar Braxton have gotten into some heated back-and-forth via Twitter. They've shaded each other's appearances and vocal abilities, and have perhaps only agreed on one thing: to disagree.(Photos from left: Cindy Ord/BET/Getty Images for BET, Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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Kelly Rowland vs. Keyshia Cole - Kelly Rowland took a swipe at R&B songtress Keyshia Cole after Cole made a harsh critique of her fellow Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams' Super Bowl performance. Rowland told Rollingstone.com, "We matter to a lot more people, with all due respect, than her. So, I really don't care what she said." Ouch! (Photos from left: Jason Merritt/Getty Images, John Ricard / BET)
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Keyshia Cole vs. Michelle Williams - All hell broke loose after Keyshia Cole tweeted that Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams stage presence nearly caused her to vomit up her lunch. Williams took the high road by not responding directly but instead encouraging that female singers should stick together instead of trying to tear one another down. (Photos from left: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET, AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file)
Photo By Photos from left: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET
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K. Michelle vs. Lyfe Jennings - Things got a tad bit messy after K. Michelle refused to open up for fellow R&B singer Lyfe Jennings at a show in Tampa last year. The VH1 reality show star felt that Jennings should be opening up for her since he'd just been released from prison and absent from the spotlight. The two went back and forth on Twitter before K. acknowledged her wrong doing in the situation. (Photos from left: Paras Griffin /Landov, Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)
Photo By Photos from left: Paras Griffin /Landov
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Brian McKnight vs. Chris Brown - Responding to criticism over the appropriateness of his adult-themed mixtape, R&B veteran Brian McKnight sarcastically asked his Twitter followers on June 2 what was appropriate if his mixtape was not and in the process alluded to the public scandals of both Chris Brown and R. Kelly. "I'm thinking rent a lambo and beat the s--- outta my girl…That's acceptable these days… Or maybe have sex with a 14 year-old girl on film if that's acceptable these days," McKnight tweeted. Breezy took offense and took to Twitter a few hours later to strike back, by calling McKnight "old" and "irrelevant." (Photos from left: Serg Alexander/Getty Images, Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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The-Dream vs. The Weeknd - After two years off the scene, The-Dream returned to the stage for a special two night performance at New York City's S.o.B.'s. During one of the shows, the crooner had some words for the R&B copycats that cropped up in his absence, "I haven't done a show in close to two years," The-Dream told the audience. "And ever since then, there's like, four n----s that sound like me now. I'm just being honest."This prompted Canadian singer The Weeknd to respond angrily via Twitter and thus began another chapter of R & Beef. (Photos: John Ricard/BET; Clinton Gilders/FilmMagic)
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Lloyd vs. Miguel - This pint-sized R&B singers' showdown got started over a haircut. Lloyd appeared on 106 & Park (July 5) with a freshly cut mohawk. Miguel, who has been rocking a similar cut for some time, then tweeted, "Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Shout to Lloyd." In turn Lloyd said he would settle the issue in person. Once the hairdo-conscious singers crossed paths weeks later, all was settled in a professional manner.(Photos from left: http://www.younggoldie.blogspot.com, FA FOTOS/PictureGroup)
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Chris Brown vs. Frank Ocean - At an Odd Future performance with Tyler the Creator and Frank Ocean, OFWGKTA fans chanted “F--k Chris Brown." Just a few days before, Ocean mistook a compliment from Brown as an insult and compared Breezy to Sisqo and Ike Turner. Breezy then “let off some steam” via a series of threatening Twitter rants. Ocean never peeped another word, though Tyler got in the mix. Chris eventually apologized to his fans for flying off the handle once again.(Photos: Ben Hider/PictureGroup; Def Jam Records)
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R. Kelly vs. Trey Songz - When Trey Songz first burst on the music scene in 2005, he wore the title of heir apparent to R. Kelly. By 2009, the upstart crooner was taking shots at the R&B master’s throne. Borrowing the beat from Jay Z's "D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)," Trigga released the R&B freestyle "Death of Autotune Kellz," where he implored the music vet to step his game up and to quit messing around with autotune vocals. Kelly had previously used the popular vocal enhancer on his 2007 album Double Up. Playing the role of the bigger man, Kellz had little to say in response. He only offered, "When you're a king…I don't get into challenges anymore."(Photos: Ben Rose/PictureGroup; Anthony Harvey/MTV/PictureGroup)
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Rihanna vs. Ciara - It all began on Joan Rivers’ Fashion Police when guest Ciara called Rihanna out for being rude the last time she saw the pop star. Upon hearing the news, Ri Ri took to Twitter to lash out at CiCi, insulting her about not being able to book a show. But within a few hours, someone must’ve intervened as the ladies played nice with Rihanna tweeting an apology and Ciara requesting an in-person chat.(Photos: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)
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R. Kelly vs. Sisqo - Offended by Sisqo’s claim that he was running the R&B game in 2002, R. Kelly unleashed two diss tracks that were aimed directly at the blond-haired singer. On the ’02 track “Hold Up,” Kellz sang, “20's on the drop/Blue and yellow rocks/Keke yelling stop/Sisqó's album flopped." Then on another cut, “Shake Your Body,” the Chi-town hitmaker called out the Dru Hill frontman among the R&B singers biting his style. Of course Sisqo shot back with the fleeting “This Is My Heart,” where he sang "Nas and R. Kelly tried to hold me/Getting no airplay/Now they bore me/...Ain't nobody gonna take what's mine." Ultimately this dispute ended with Kellz moving on to bigger things and Sis…well you know.(Photos: Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup; Sven Hoogerhuis/PictureGroup)
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Prince vs. Madonna - This January, Prince and Madonna put an end to their decade long feud. The two dated briefly in the '80s and even recorded a song together for Madonna’s Like a Prayer album. But a few years later, Madonna dissed Prince, calling him a “troll” and calling his table manners “dainty.” Ouch!(Photos: Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)
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Patti LaBelle vs. Diana Ross - Definitely the longest standing feud on our list, the two divas shared 40 years of beef between them. It all began when Cindy Birdsong jumped ship from LaBelle’s Bluebelles to The Supremes. Though Ms. Patti forgave Birdsong a year after her departure, she threw shade at Diana until being seated together for a three-hour luncheon at Oprah’s Legend’s Ball in 2005.(Photos: Marc Andrew Deley/PictureGroup; Gregg DeGuirePictureGroup)
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Mary J. Blige vs. Faith Evans - While Faith Evans sang backup on early Mary J. Blige albums, things were never peachy between the two R&B stalwarts. With Faith going from a backup role to the position of First Lady of Bad Boy Records, it left little time for MJB to work with longtime producer Sean “Puffy” Combs. Save for a duet on Faith’s self-titled debut in 1995, the two stars have never really worked together or been overly friendly in public. Their relationship has kind of a “you do you, I’ll do me” vibe.(Photos: Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup; Brad Barket/PictureGroup)
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Madonna vs. Janet Jackson - Janet Jackson was furious that Madonna was poppin' slick about the Jackson clan. Janet reportedly said, “She has said things about my family and I don't like people talking about my family. I don't give a f--k who you are. I love my family.” Note to Madge: it’s Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty!(Photos: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup; Brian Dowling/PictureGroup)
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Lionel vs. Brenda Richie - Married in 1975, the college sweethearts made beautiful music together. While Lionel wrote and performed as a solo artist, Brenda published some of his biggest hits including “We Are the World,” “Truly,” “Dancing on the Ceiling” and even the Commodores hit “(She’s A) Brickhouse.” But in 1988, when Brenda discovered Lionel in a Beverly Hills hotel room with the woman Lionel would later marry and divorce, Diane Alexander, she ended 13 years of marriage kicking a--. The two are still linked, however, through adopted daughter Nicole, who has made Lionel and Brenda grandparents two times over.(Photos: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup; Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Justin Timberlake vs. Prince - Justin rubbed Prince the wrong way in 2006 with his hit single “Sexy Back.” When asked about the song, Prince made it clear that sexy never left. JT shot back with a subliminal diss on the Timbaland song “Give It to Me.” The pop star sang, “Could you speak up and stop mumbling/I don’t think you’re even clear/When you’re sitting on the top it’s hard to hear you from way up there/I saw you tryin’ to act cute on TV/Just let me clear the air/We missed you on the charts last week/Damn that’s right, you wasn’t there.”(Photos: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup; Lamond Goodloe/PictureGroup)
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Jennifer Lopez vs. Mariah Carey - Once asked her thoughts on Beyoncé and J.Lo, Mariah gushed about Bey’s talents. But when it came to La Lopez, Mariah didn’t miss a beat, saying, “I don’t know her.” This year, however, Jennifer called into Mariah’s husband Nick Cannon’s radio show to promote American Idol and said that the feud between she and Mariah was just a rumor. Um, Jennifer, guess you never saw this clip.(Photos: Andrew Marks/PictureGroup; Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)
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Etta James vs. Beyoncé - Not impressed by Beyoncé’s performance of her classic song “At Last” at the 2009 presidential inauguration, late music icon Etta James blasted the music superstar as well as President Barack Obama. During a show in Seattle the cantankerous legend said Bey was “going to get her a— whipped” for her performance of the song. “She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol' president day, gonna be singing my song that I've been singing forever." While Bey respectfully never responded, James later said she was only kidding when she made the remarks.(Photos: Vince Bucci/Getty Images; Ray Mickshaw/Fox/PictureGroup)
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Brandy vs. Monica - During the mid-1990s, R&B stars Brandy & Monica were vying for the attention of the same fan base. Their relationship was very icy in public until they came together in 1998 for the smash hit “The Boy Is Mine.”(Photos: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup; Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)
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Danity Kane vs. Keyshia Cole - In 2008, the ladies of Danity Kane claimed that Bay Area songstress Keyshia Cole was super rude to them. During an interview with radio personality Miss Jones, DK revealed that KC slammed her dressing room door in their faces when they went to pay her a compliment. The now-defunct group has questioned Keyshia’s singing ability. We’re not even going to go there.(Photos: Scott Gries/PictureGroup; Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)