A bitter feud has erupted in the New York hip-hop scene following a series of blistering lyrical attacks that have left veteran rappers Jada Kiss and Jim Jones on the defensive, with upstart Rochester artist 38 Spesh claiming victory in a high-stakes rap battle. The conflict has now taken a dramatic turn as Buffalo heavyweight Benny the Butcher is being labeled a “snake” after openly aligning with the NYC-based legends, breaking ranks with the upstate New York solidarity that had been building.
The controversy began when 38 Spesh, a respected rapper from Rochester, squared off against Jada Kiss in a recorded battle that quickly went šæš¾šš¶š. In the track, Spesh delivered a scathing critique of Jada’s decades-long career, questioning his hook-writing ability and beat selection. “After 30 years, three decades in the White Institution, Jada Kiss still have a problem putting together a good record with some good hooks,” Spesh declared during a livestream commentary obtained by this outlet.
“And then his beat selections, man. He always going back to the ice cream beat, the Jay-Z cough up a long beat. Same old rap style, the same old rap flow.”
The Rochester rapper did not stop at Jada Kiss. He then turned his sights on Jim Jones, another iconic figure from New York City’s Dipset era, claiming to have “chewed Jim Jones like a bubblegum” in their verbal sparring session. The attacks were unrelenting, and within days, 38 Spesh had emerged as the victorious underdog, prompting celebrations among upstate New York rappers who have long felt overshadowed by the dominant NYC scene.
In the aftermath, a collective sense of regional pride swelled. 38 Spesh, speaking on the livestream, issued a sweeping declaration: “Shout out to the whole upstate man. I’m a upstate [expletive] upstate [expletive] right here.
We did it in this mother. The best rappers come from upstate New York.” He specifically name-dropped Benny the Butcher and Westside Gunn, both Buffalo natives, as part of a unified front against the city.
“He’s giving Benny the Butcher his flowers, giving Westside Gunner their flowers and saying it’s us against them,” the commentator noted.
Enter Benny the Butcher. The Grammy-nominated rapper, who has built a powerful brand on gritty street narratives and collaborations with Griselda Records, had been expected to stand with his upstate brethren. Instead, he was spotted in New York City filming a music video with Dave East, a Harlem rapper whose career the commentator described as “died like a car engine.”
The sighting sent shockwaves through the underground hip-hop community. “Benny the Butcher heavy in attendance in NYC doing a music video for Dave East,” the livestream host exclaimed. “Homeboy is looking for a come up in this situation and trying to get in the algorithm.
And that’s why they calling Benny the Butcher a snake.”
The accusation of betrayal is rooted in what insiders call a violation of “arm protocol” ā the unwritten rule that regional allies must back each other in times of conflict. “He was supposed to be riding with his homies, standing behind Spesh,” the commentator argued. “I don’t care if it’s a battle or not.
You supposed to be standing next to your homie and supporting your homie.” By appearing alongside Dave East and, by extension, cozying up to the very NYC figures that 38 Spesh had vanquished, Benny the Butcher has effectively chosen sides against the upstate movement that helped launch his career.
Sources close to Benny the Butcher have not yet issued a statement. However, industry insiders suggest that the Buffalo rapper may be seeking to expand his commercial reach by maintaining ties with major label affiliates in New York City. This move, while pragmatic, has been met with fierce backlash on social media, where fans are branding him a “YouTube [expletive] boy” and accusing him of selling out for algorithmic relevance.
“He’s going against the grain, going against the system and not following mother [expletive] arm protocol,” the commentator added. “Things that makes you go hmm.”
The feud casts a harsh light on the long-simmering tension between upstate New York and New York City hip-hop scenes. For decades, artists from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany have struggled to gain the same recognition as their city counterparts, despite producing legendary talent like Benny the Butcher, Westside Gunn, and Conway the Machine. 38 Spesh’s victories over Jada Kiss and Jim Jones were seen as a landmark moment ā proof that upstate rappers could not only compete but dominate in lyrical warfare.
Now, Benny the Butcher’s apparent defection threatens to fracture that fragile unity. Fellow upstate artists have remained publicly silent, but behind the scenes, conversations are intense. The commentator, speaking on behalf of a growing faction, issued a warning: “This is Benny the Butcher being snake.
In the middle of a war, a battlefield, you supposed to be riding with your homies.” The phrase “riding with” has become a rallying cry, echoing through comment sections and livestream chats nationwide.
Jada Kiss and Jim Jones, meanwhile, have not publicly responded to the diss tracks or the ensuing controversy. Their silence is interpreted by some as a tacit acknowledgment of defeat, but others believe they are simply waiting for the right moment to strike back. Jim Jones, known for his street credibility and longstanding beefs, is not one to let a slight go unanswered.
Jada Kiss, a seasoned veteran with ties to The LOX, has weathered worse storms in his career.
Dave East, the Harlem rapper whose video shoot inadvertently became the flashpoint, has also declined comment. His career trajectory has been uneven since his debut, but he maintains a loyal fan base. The irony is not lost on observers: Dave East, whose rise was once fueled by collaborations with upstate artists, is now at the center of their internal conflict.
The broader implications for the rap industry are significant. If upstate artists begin to turn on each other, their collective bargaining power diminishes. Major labels, streaming platforms, and booking agents often exploit such divisions.
The commentator warned that this incident could set back years of progress: “You see the statistic Math Hoffa is 56 losses and zero wins. So this is the last time I felt like this until Jakus decided to swave it out with Rochester rapper 38 Spesh.”
As of press time, no direct confrontation has occurred between Benny the Butcher and 38 Spesh. But the online war of words is escalating rapidly. Fans are demanding clarity: Is Benny the Butcher truly aligned with NYC over his upstate roots, or is this a strategic misstep?
Will 38 Spesh retaliate with a diss track targeting Benny? The hip-hop community waits with bated breath.
In the meantime, the livestream host who first broke the story continues to fan the flames, urging viewers to “like, comment, share, subscribe.” The video has already amassed hundreds of thousands of views, with commenters split between defending Benny’s right to network in NYC and condemning his perceived disloyalty. “He’s chewing Jim Jones like some tobacco,” the host said, referencing Spesh’s earlier victory, “and then whoop, there it is, Benny the Butcher snake in the middle.”
This breaking story is developing rapidly. We will provide updates as new statements or recordings emerge. For now, one thing is clear: the battle lines have been drawn, and the once-united upstate front is showing cracks.
Whether Benny the Butcher can repair his reputation or whether this schism deepens will shape the future of New York rap for years to come. Stay tuned.
