The Dramatic Feud Between Diddy and Drake: From Music to Physical Confrontation

The song “0 to 100” by Drake is undoubtedly a classic, widely appreciated for its catchy beats and powerful lyrics. Released in 2014, the track quickly became a cultural phenomenon, earning accolades such as Grammy nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. However, the success of “0 to 100” is intertwined with a much darker story involving a heated rivalry between Drake and one of hip-hop’s biggest moguls, Sean “Diddy” Combs. What started as a professional misunderstanding escalated into a feud that would later make headlines for its dramatic and physical confrontations.

The Origins of the Feud: A Misunderstanding Over a Beat

The roots of the conflict between Diddy and Drake can be traced back to the creation of the iconic beat for “0 to 100.” The beat, initially made by producer Frank Dukes, was first sent to Boy W, who had previously worked with Diddy. Boy W worked on the beat, refining it into a track that Diddy initially declined. The idea was for Diddy to feature Drake on the song, with the possibility of adding his own verse. However, Diddy passed on the beat, deciding it wasn’t the right fit for his album at the time.

Undeterred, Drake, who had received the beat from Diddy’s camp, decided to work on the track himself. He added his own verses, made some changes, and uploaded “0 to 100” to SoundCloud in July 2014. Almost immediately, the song gained traction, quickly becoming one of the biggest hits of the year. Its success was undeniable, even surpassing Diddy’s expectations for the track. As the song began to rack up accolades, including a platinum certification and widespread critical acclaim, Diddy began to feel slighted.

The Growing Tension: From Collaboration to Conflict

Before the release of “0 to 100,” Drake and Diddy had enjoyed a positive professional relationship. Diddy featured on Drake’s 2010 track “Loving You No More” from his album Last Train to Paris, and Drake even brought Diddy and the legendary Mase to perform at his 2013 OVO Fest in Toronto. The two men had mutual respect for each other, with Drake considering Diddy a major influence. In fact, Drake revealed that performing alongside Diddy was one of the highlights of his career, reminiscing about being in the ninth row of a Diddy concert when he was a kid.

However, as the relationship grew, cracks began to form. The first public sign of trouble came during a 2014 performance at Club LIV in Miami. While performing “Worst Behavior,” Drake grabbed the microphone out of Diddy’s hands, leaving the hip-hop mogul to fumble as he tried to regain control. This public snub was perceived as disrespectful, and many believed it marked the beginning of their fallout. What followed was an intensifying feud that would eventually get physical.

The Slap Heard Around the Industry

In a bizarre turn of events, reports emerged claiming that Diddy physically confronted Drake after the incident at Club LIV. Multiple sources, including 50 Cent, stated that Diddy slapped Drake over the perceived disrespect. While Diddy later denied any physical altercation, stating, “I did not put hands on Drake,” the damage was done. According to 50 Cent, Diddy was furious that Drake had “stolen” the song, which Diddy had originally intended for himself.

50 Cent further explained that Diddy, despite being a legendary producer, no longer had the ability to spot a hit in the modern music landscape. Diddy’s inability to recognize the potential of the track and his subsequent anger over Drake’s success with the beat fueled the conflict between the two artists. According to 50 Cent, Diddy could not tolerate the fact that Drake had managed to turn a beat that he had passed on into one of the year’s biggest hits.

The Aftermath: Success and Resentment

Despite the tensions, “0 to 100” became one of Drake’s defining songs, capturing the essence of his career at the time. The song quickly went viral, and its success only deepened the rift between Drake and Diddy. As the song topped charts and was featured in commercials and even the soundtrack of NBA 2K16, Diddy’s resentment only grew. Adding to the frustration was the fact that “0 to 100” was nominated for two Grammy Awards—Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song—that same year, while Diddy watched from the sidelines as his former collaborator reaped the rewards of a track he had initially rejected.

For Diddy, this incident was a painful reminder of his inability to maintain the same level of influence he once had in the music industry. The fact that a beat he had passed on went on to become a hit only added fuel to his feelings of betrayal.

The Resolution: Making Amends

In the years following the dramatic feud, both Diddy and Drake have publicly made amends. The men have since reconciled, with Boy W, the producer who worked on “0 to 100,” stating that the whole situation was a misunderstanding. Though it may have been a case of bad timing and missed opportunities, it certainly sparked one of the most talked-about rivalries in hip-hop history.

What started as a minor issue over a beat ultimately turned into a major storyline in the public eye. The drama between Diddy and Drake not only highlighted the personal dynamics between two iconic figures but also underscored the highly competitive and often volatile nature of the music industry. While the situation may have cooled down, it remains a testament to the power of perspective and the unpredictable nature of fame and success in the world of hip-hop.