Prologue: Who is Joe Budden and who are Migos?
Joe Budden is a Harlem born rapper, member of hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, and one of three hosts of Everyday Struggle - a news show featuring interviews with rappers and discussions about pop culture with Budden and DJ Akademiks, hosted by Navendra Alexis of Complex News.
The 37 year-old is known for his strong opinions on his rap peers and those newer to the game than himself. He’s had beef with Drake, Chance the Rapper, and many more.
One of the latest beefs to come to a simmer has been between himself and Migos - the Atlanta rap trio that continue their reign of the rap world with collabs with the best in the game, not to mention their certified-Platinum album Culture with its singles like "Bad and Boujee" and "T-Shirt."
Chapter 1: The 2017 BET Awards Red Carpet Interview
Beef first hit the pan earlier this year at the 2017 BET Awards. Things got rather heated at a red carpet interview with Migos and the Everyday Struggle crew. It even inspired a slew of hilarious memes, thanks to the internet.
It all started when DJ Akademiks brought up the fact that Takeoff does not have a verse on the group’s biggest hit “Bad and Boujee,” claiming it’s a “running joke.”
Takeoff was less than amused, replying, “You said I’m left off ‘Bad and Boujee?’ Does it look like I’m left off ‘Bad and Boujee?’”
Co-host Joe Budden then said they had to wrap things up, dropped his mic and walked away. Migos stood up and there was a brief altercation before security stepped in.
Chapter 2: Beef served courtesy of Quavo & Lil Yachty’s “Ice Tray”
Things seemed fine between Migos and Budden, until one third of the rap trio, Quavo, posted a preview of a new song “Ice Tray” on December 6.
In one line, Quavo very obviously throws shade at Joe Budden – “Ice tray, a n***a flooded / If a n***a hatin’ call him Joe Budden (pussy!),” he raps in the song snippet. Both Quavo and Lil Yachty, via his very own Everyday Struggle argument with Budden, have a bone to pick with the Harlem rapper.
Soon after, Budden took to Twitter to respond to Quavo’s diss, writing “Quavo want smoke ? Lol. N***a called me pussy on the adlib track. Soon as it’s all peace he decides to unleash this lyrical venom in my direction… that’s crazy. smh.”
Chapter 3: The stewed beef thickens.
Quavo & Lil Yachty’s “Ice Tray” officially dropped on the Quality Control: Control the Streets Vol. 1 compilation on Friday, December 8.
Since its official release, Quavo has added some serious spice to the Budden beef stew. On Sunday, December 10, he posted unofficial artwork for the track featuring a photoshopped image of Budden wearing Migos chains, with fingers (index and middle fingers, it should be noted), pointed at him.
Budden has not yet responded to the video casting, but he did seemingly approve of Quavo’s “Ice Tray” masterpiece.
Chapter 4: The “Ice Tray” music video spice
The other hosts from Everyday Struggle, DJ Akademiks and Nadeska Alexis, took to social media to share information they uncovered about a Migos video shoot casting, which is on the lookout for look-a-likes of all three personalities, including Budden.
Both seem to be in good spirits about the whole ordeal, with Nadeska joking about her character calling security.
DJ Akademiks even tried to audition to play himself in the "Ice Tray" music video...
DJ Akademiks, the rapper and journalist extraordinaire who apparently never sleeps, managed to get fake Nadeska on the line for an hour-long interview, which you can watch below.
Chapter 5: The “Ice Tray” music video arrives
After being teased, Quavo and Lil Yachty unleash the much-anticipated "Ice Tray" visual. The clip finds actors portraying Budden and his Everyday Struggle co-hosts DJ Akademiks and Nadeska Alexis, with the Slaughterhouse rapper speaking on his issues with Migos and Lil Boat.
Epilogue: To be continued … ?
Well, Budden, it's on you now. What will we get next?
In the meantime, here’s Lil Pump bumping “Ice Tray”:
For more moments in rap, read our brief history of Rich Chigga's unlikely come-up right here.
