The Robert De Niro Beef With A Rap Legend
Hardcore hip-hop fans may still be reeling from the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef that played out this past spring, offering a flurry of scathing records that are still receiving daily play in clubs, radio stations, and playlists across the world. While not all feuds come with their own laundry list of diss tracks, some bizarre clashes from entertainment giants can be just as fascinating to the general public. One such example of this trend is the beef that took place between Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro and famed rap mogul Jay-Z, which raged on from 2012 to 2016.
A Feud Over Screening Phone Calls
While the Robert De Niro and Jay-Z beef is extremely fascinating, the years-long battle has mostly been forgotten by the general pop culture zeitgeist. This is a bit surprising, considering each of the affected parties has had highly publicized feuds with other prolific figures in their own respective circles over the years.
According to a write-up in Far Out Magazine, the issue began over claims that Jay-Z wasn’t showing the Killers of the Flower Moon actor enough basic respect by answering his phone calls.
An Argument At Leo’s
As the story goes, Robert De Niro and Jay-Z crossed paths during a 2012 event celebrating the birthday of Leonardo DiCaprio. The pair, who had previously expressed appreciation for one another, and were even neighbors at the time, engaged in a verbal tussle when De Niro demanded an explanation for Jay-Z failing to return his calls.
According to bystanders at the event, the Oscar-winning actor said something like, “If somebody calls you six times, you call them back. It doesn’t matter who you are; that is just rude.”
Not Even Beyonce Could Calm Things Down
In response to Robert De Niro’s harsh tone, Jay-Z became defensive, and the two engaged in a verbal exchange that left some partygoers genuinely frightened.
Even Jay-Z’s megastar wife Beyoncé stepped in to try to mediate at one point, though her efforts were ultimately fruitless. As word got around to the rest of the guests at the event, it became a popular subject of hushed whispers, leading the beef to continue long after the night was over.
Jay-Z Fights Back
Jay-Z later reflected on the conflict during a radio interview, where the “Empire State Of Mind” vocalist explained “I treat people based on who they are. Who they really are. Not the name, not Robert De Niro. Who you are as a person. It doesn’t matter who you are, everyone has to be respectful.”
Robert De Niro was even referenced on wax by Jay-Z in the 2013 song “F***WithMeYouKnowIGotIt,” which saw him rapping a series of double entendres, name-checking the actor and several of his best-known films.
Somehow Peace Was Made
For years, it seemed as though the two New York natives would never make up, despite sharing years of mutual respect, and tons of industry friends. That is, until Robert De Niro and Jay-Z were seen acting very friendly towards one another at an amfAR gala in 2016.
Neither of the acclaimed performers has directly explained to the public how they were able to bury the hatchet, but they have since been spotted together at numerous events, signaling that the beef was officially squashed behind the scenes.
Today, the Robert De Niro and Jay-Z beef may not be as well known in pop culture as other notable feuds. It surely did nothing to deliver a smash Summer hit as scathing as “Not Like Us.” Still, the four-year feud serves as a fascinating piece of lore for fans of both blockbuster cinema and rap history.
Source: Far Out Magazine
