The summer of 2001 was already set to be a monumental moment for Hot 97’s Summer Jam, primarily due to Jay-Z’s headline performance for the third consecutive year. Fans were thrilled by appearances from Missy Elliott and Beanie Sigel, and were absolutely stunned when Michael Jackson himself graced the stage to greet the crowd. However, it was a preview of a new Jay-Z song, “Takeover,” that truly ignited the hip-hop world and left a lasting impact. This diss track, aimed squarely at New York rap figures Mobb Deep and, most notably, Nas, became an instant talking point, overshadowing even Jackson’s surprise appearance.
“Takeover,” riding a menacing beat crafted by Kanye West, who skillfully wove together samples from The Doors, KRS-One, and David Bowie, served as the perfect sonic backdrop for Jay-Z’s lyrical assault. The Jay-Z song wasn’t just a typical diss track; it was a meticulous and calculated dissection of his rivals, particularly Nas. Jay-Z went as far as to controversially claim that his previous sampling of Nas’s voice was not homage, but correction, asserting his superior artistry: “So yeah I sampled your voice, you was usin’ it wrong/You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song.”
This bold declaration escalated the already simmering tensions into one of hip-hop’s most legendary beefs. The Jay-Z and Nas feud dominated headlines and airwaves, resulting in a series of retaliatory tracks, including Nas’s iconic diss, “Ether,” released later in 2001. The back-and-forth continued until 2005 when, at a concert dubbed “I Declare War” at Continental Airlines Arena, Jay-Z surprisingly shifted gears. Addressing the crowd, he declared, “All that beef shit is done, we had our fun,” signaling a truce. In a powerful moment of unity, Jay-Z then brought Nas onstage. The rivals embraced and performed “Dead Presidents,” a Jay-Z song that ironically sampled Nas, burying the hatchet and marking a significant turning point in hip-hop history. This performance solidified “Takeover’s” place not just as a diss track, but as a catalyst for a crucial moment of reconciliation in the genre, forever linking Jay-Z songs to narratives of both conflict and resolution.
