A quiet tension between Joyner Lucas and Skepta has sharpened into a full-fledged rap feud—one that’s now echoing across both sides of the Atlantic. What started as a few pointed remarks has quickly evolved into a clash of bars, with Lucas’s latest track, “Nobody Cares,” released Tuesday, landing as a direct response to Skepta’s diss record, “Friendly Fire.” The moment is ripe: Skepta’s return to Wireless Festival only amplified the public back-and-forth.
On “Nobody Cares,” Lucas questions Skepta’s standing in the U.K. music scene. “Maybe you’re mad because you ain’t got buzz up in the U.K. no more,” he raps. “I heard your career just ain’t what it was and you don’t get paid no more.” The diss has gained traction online, with fans lining YouTube comment sections. “People need to keep sleeping on Joyner so he keeps giving us these gems,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Skepta gonna clap back for sure… I brought popcorn for this shiii.”
The tension between the two artists dates back to earlier this month when Skepta made comments suggesting that U.S. rappers often misunderstand or downplay the depth of U.K. lyricism. Lucas, quick to engage, challenged him publicly: “The moment I’ve been waiting for… say the word, Joyner Lucas vs @Skepta. #UKvsUS.” Skepta responded via Instagram, saying he hadn’t planned to reply but changed his mind out of respect. “I’m gonna respect the fact that you stood up and said something,” he said. “But this is just another example of the ignorance.”
Skepta and Joyner Lucas trade lyrical shots as Drake and fans look on
In “Friendly Fire,” Skepta counters with a sharp jab: “Joyner Lucas, you bastard / Why you rap like you studied at Harvard?” Lucas later posted a video listening to the track and responded with a cool but clear message: “Alright, say less, my boy.”
The back-and-forth has drawn attention beyond their respective fanbases. At Wireless, Drake appeared to weigh in on the brewing dispute, telling the crowd, “No disrespect to America, but nobody in the world can out-rap London rappers.” He later brought Skepta on stage, a moment fans viewed as a subtle show of support. Lucas replied with a single laughing emoji—cryptic, but unmistakably pointed.
As the exchange unfolds, both rappers seem ready for more. Whether it culminates in a defining lyrical moment or fizzles into silence, the rivalry has already carved out a space in the ever-competitive landscape of international hip-hop—and fans are watching closely to see who strikes next.
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