I've been reading up on some of the hip hop news out there and I'm sure some of you have heard about the beef (rift) between 50cent and Ja Rul.

Beef between rap stars is kind of interesting cause they release undergound tracks, mix tapes and what not in response to each others verbal assualts.

Anyway, it is my contention that both of them end up looking good. A high profile beef can raise your profile and perhaps record sales. You end up looking tough for all those fans by verbally taking on the other guy. unless you lose by a wide margin I would say that you will come out on top regardless.

you don't think these things could be semi staged? or at least encoraged by management?

Definately some of them would be set up/staged to gain publicity.

I think in the rap business "any publicity is good publicity." If it get's record sales or their name on the TV, why not do it? That's not what I personally think but I would imagine that happens quite often. It seems like an American thing to do too...it never happens in Australia.