British rapper Skepta has kicked off a rap battle with American rapper Joyner Lucas by releasing a diss track titled “Friendly Fire” on July 10. The song criticizes Joyner’s style and questions his respect in the US, while highlighting Skepta’s own status as a key figure in London’s grime and UK rap scene.
The track’s name suggests Skepta wants a competitive rap showdown rather than a personal feud. Earlier this week, Skepta challenged American rappers in an interview, which sparked reactions from Joyner Lucas, A$AP Rocky, and Maiya The Don on social media.
Following the track’s release, Skepta and Joyner Lucas engaged in a back-and-forth online, fueling excitement among fans. This UK vs. US rap rivalry follows a similar battle earlier this year between West Coast and East Coast rappers led by Joey Bada$$.
Fans have shared mixed opinions on social media and Reddit. Some praised Skepta’s diss as one of the greatest, while others called for UK rappers like Dave to join the battle. Supporters of Joyner are confident he will respond strongly, pointing to his past battles with Logic and Tory Lanez.
Joyner Lucas is currently working on his upcoming album ADHD 2, having released the lead single “One of Them Ones” in June. A response track from Joyner is widely expected in the near future.
