In 2025, while most artists avoided lyrical warfare with Top Dawg Entertainment, two bold emcees stepped forward: Joey Bada$$ and rising underground firebrand Hakeem Prime. Both artists made headlines by doing what few dared—calling out Kendrick Lamar and TDE directly, not through tweets or podcasts, but through bars.
This wasn’t just about music. It was about legacy, regional pride, and the unfiltered spirit of hip-hop competition.
January 2025 – “The Ruler’s Back”
Joey Bada$$ kicked off the beef with “The Ruler’s Back,” a fiery declaration against what he perceived as blind reverence for Kendrick Lamar and the West Coast. The line “too much West Coast d**k-licking” sent shockwaves across the culture.
This wasn’t just a Kendrick diss—it was a shot at the entire narrative following Kendrick’s 2024 battle with Drake, in which K.Dot was crowned by many as the undisputed king.
The hit with – SORRY NOT SORRY
Joey Bada$$ – Sorry Not Sorry (Official Video)
Ray Vaughn & Daylyt Respond Swiftly
Ray Vaughn, a TDE lyricist, clapped back quickly with “Crashout Heritage,” a venomous track over Kendrick’s “The Heart Pt. 6” instrumental. Vaughn didn’t just diss Joey—he targeted Tory Lanez, DDG, and other figures he saw as opportunists.
https://youtu.be/77TuEhAK1A8?si=kW4O6CrveP5UE6EG
Daylyt, the respected lyrical mystic with TDE ties, took a more cerebral approach with his response, “Hiyu.” His tone was calmer, but his message was no less firm. He respected Joey’s talent but challenged his motive and timing.
May 12, 2025 – Red Bull Spiral Freestyle
Joey Bada$$ doubled down during a high-profile Red Bull Spiral Freestyle with Big Sean and Ab-Soul.
- Joey took fresh shots at Ray Vaughn and Daylyt, fueling the fire.
- Ab-Soul, ever the observer and alchemist of thought, acknowledged the tension, but uplifted both sides. He reminded listeners of hip-hop’s roots in competition and the importance of the art form over ego.
May 14–15, 2025 – “Hoe Era” vs “The Finals”
Just two days later, Ray Vaughn escalated the beef with a full-on diss record titled “Hoe Era.” It was unfiltered, direct, and personally tailored to dismantle Joey’s image.
https://youtu.be/Qd4F-Woh8KU?si=973sCFUBfbhgL0pU
In under 24 hours, Joey Bada$$ fired back with “The Finals,” an elite-level response that critics and fans alike called his most aggressive lyrical showing in years. Joey made it clear: this wasn’t clout chasing—this was competition at its sharpest.
Enter Hakeem Prime: The Underground General with a Purpose
While Joey battled the TDE front line, Hakeem Prime waged his own lyrical war from the independent trenches.
April 7, 2025 – “Boise Distortion | CTRL+C”
https://youtu.be/-Rn74Xty1X8?si=G42WOTx8oTM0vziP
Hakeem dropped a diss aimed squarely at Kendrick Lamar, directly challenging his authenticity, legacy, and responsibility to the culture. Unlike others, Hakeem didn’t dance around his intent.
April 8–10, 2025 – Reactions & Clarifications
The diss sparked debate online. Was this a marketing stunt or a real critique? Hakeem clarified that his issue wasn’t personal—it was cultural. He criticized major artists for not doing enough to elevate underground voices and give back to the art that raised them.
April 22, 2025 – “Meet The Duckworths”
https://youtu.be/EG8phqY8nNI?si=drSnpaUAi5yHTaEN
A masterstroke.
Hakeem released “Meet The Duckworths,” a track that flipped Kendrick’s “Meet the Grahams” (his Drake diss) into a scathing reflection back at K.Dot. The song was so impactful that AllHipHop.com covered it.
The track included a reference to Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old victim of the Frisco, Texas shooting, using the moment to highlight unheard voices and unspoken truths.
May 6, 2025 – “6:11 in Boise”
https://youtu.be/ZeNQYiGKhzU?si=IG1CJtnu_ubR3TQb
Hakeem released his third Kendrick diss, “611 in Boise,” a dedication to Karmelo Anthony and other overlooked youth. It positioned Prime not just as a challenger, but as a messenger, blending activism and artistry in the middle of his lyrical war.
So Who Really Took On TDE?
While the internet loves to focus on the “top dogs” the barbershop debates about who’s “better,” this moment in hip-hop history is more about who’s brave. It’s about who gets it.
- Joey Bada$$ challenged Kendrick and the West directly, absorbing backlash and returning lyrical fire without flinching.
- Hakeem Prime called out the Kendrick from the underground, with surgical bars, emotional weight, and cultural conviction.
- Ray Vaughn and Daylyt proved they’re not just supporting cast—they’re lethal defenders of the TDE brand & Dot.
- Ab-Soul remained a bridge, honoring both the spirit of the battle and the depth of the culture.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t your average rap beef—it’s a cross-generational, coast-to-coast cultural standoff. Joey Bada$$ and Hakeem Prime dared to step where few would, and they did it with purpose, craft, and conviction.
The ball is now in Kendrick’s court.
Will he respond? Or does silence speak louder than bars?