Beefs.
Music
Jay-Z in Hamburg/Germany 2003NYC 1998

Jay-ZNas

Photo — Jay-Z: Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Nas: Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Music·Resolved·Since 1996
Beef Score measures the intensity and public prominence of a dispute. It does not indicate who is right.Factors considered·Heat·Public attention·Escalation·LongevityCurrently assigned editorially, not computed.

The Short Version

What began as subtle subs and missed studio sessions in 1996 grew into one of hip-hop's most defining feuds. The feud peaked in 2001 with iconic diss tracks 'Takeover' and 'Ether', before the pair formally squashed their beef onstage in October 2005 and went on to become frequent collaborators.

Latest Development

Nas Joins Jay-Z Onstage at Yankee Stadium

Jay-Z brought out Nas during his Reasonable Doubt 30th anniversary residency at Yankee Stadium. The two traded verses across a medley including 'Dead Presidents', 'The World Is Yours', 'N.Y. State of Mind', and 'Where I'm From'.

July 10, 2026 · Verified event

The Beef

Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.

Beef timeline

  1. July 10, 2026

    Nas Joins Jay-Z Onstage at Yankee Stadium

    Verified event

    Jay-Z brought out Nas during his Reasonable Doubt 30th anniversary residency at Yankee Stadium. The two traded verses across a medley including 'Dead Presidents', 'The World Is Yours', 'N.Y. State of Mind', and 'Where I'm From'.

    Source ↗

  2. April 30, 2021

    Jay-Z and Nas Release 'SORRY NOT SORRY' Collaboration

    Verified event

    Jay-Z and Nas reunited musically on the DJ Khaled track 'SORRY NOT SORRY', accompanied by a Tidal playlist curated by Jay-Z honoring Nas' catalog.

    Source ↗

  3. October 2005

    Jay-Z and Nas Publicly Squash Beef Onstage

    Verified event

    Jay-Z brought out Nas during his 'I Declare War' tour at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The two performed together, declaring their dispute officially over.

    Source ↗

  4. 2001

    Jay-Z Releases Scathing Diss Track 'Takeover'

    Public statement

    After previewing a freestyle at Hot 97's Summer Jam, Jay-Z released 'Takeover' on his album The Blueprint. On the track, he called Nas a has-been who averaged 'one hot album every ten year average' and questioned his street credibility.

    Source ↗

  5. 2001

    Nas Responds with Iconic Diss Track 'Ether'

    Public statement

    Nas released 'Ether' on Stillmatic, directly responding to Jay-Z by attacking his authenticity, asserting he had influenced Jay-Z's style, accusing him of selling out, and claiming Eminem outshined him on 'Renegade'.

    Source ↗

  6. 2001

    Jay-Z Drops 'Supa Ugly' and Issues Public Apology

    Public statement

    Jay-Z responded with 'Supa Ugly', boasting about an alleged affair with Nas' partner Carmen Bryan. After Jay-Z's mother, Gloria Carter, called into Hot 97 urging him to apologize, Jay-Z issued an on-air radio apology to his mother and female listeners.

    Source ↗

  7. 1997

    Jay-Z Lays Claim to New York Hip-Hop Throne

    Public statement

    Jay-Z released 'Where I'm From', mentioning Nas and Biggie Smalls in a line about top MCs. Following the death of Biggie Smalls in March 1997, Jay-Z asserted his claim to New York hip-hop leadership on 'The City Is Mine'.

    Source ↗

  8. 1996

    Missed Recording Session and Subliminal Lyrical Shots

    Reported

    Nas reportedly missed a recording session for Jay-Z's 'Bring It On' for his debut album Reasonable Doubt. Producer Ski Beatz sampled Nas' line from 'The World Is Yours' on Jay-Z's 'Dead Presidents II', and Nas subsequently referenced Jay-Z's Lexus in 'The Message' on It Was Written.

    Source ↗

Where It Stands

Resolved. The dispute is fully resolved. Jay-Z and Nas publicly reconciled in October 2005 during Jay-Z's 'I Declare War' tour, signed Nas to Def Jam shortly after, and have since collaborated on songs such as 'Black Republican' and 'SORRY NOT SORRY', as well as performing together at Yankee Stadium in July 2026.

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Sources

  1. 1.SourceNas Joins Jay-Z Onstage at Yankee Stadium · Jul 10, 2026
  2. 2.SourceJay-Z and Nas Release 'SORRY NOT SORRY' Collaboration · Apr 30, 2021
  3. 3.SourceJay-Z and Nas Publicly Squash Beef Onstage ·
  4. 4.SourceJay-Z Releases Scathing Diss Track 'Takeover' ·
  5. 5.SourceNas Responds with Iconic Diss Track 'Ether' ·
  6. 6.SourceJay-Z Drops 'Supa Ugly' and Issues Public Apology ·
  7. 7.SourceJay-Z Lays Claim to New York Hip-Hop Throne ·
  8. 8.SourceMissed Recording Session and Subliminal Lyrical Shots ·

Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.