UK rap legend Skepta has set the internet ablaze by officially challenging American rappers to a lyrical war, declaring that it’s time to settle the long-running “UK vs US” debate once and for all. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Skepta posted: “I wanna clash an American rapper. Let’s finally get this UK/US rap debate sorted.” The bold statement immediately sent shockwaves through the global hip-hop community, igniting a storm of reactions and setting the stage for a potential transatlantic showdown.
Among the first U.S. artists to respond was Massachusetts rapper Joyner Lucas, who eagerly accepted the challenge. Joyner tweeted, “The moment I’ve been waiting for… say the word, Joyner Lucas vs @Skepta #UKvsUS.” Fans quickly jumped into the conversation, speculating on how a lyrical faceoff between the two would unfold. Known for his sharp wordplay and rapid-fire flows, Joyner made it clear he was ready to defend American rap’s honor, while also throwing subtle shade at Skepta’s challenge.
Skepta wasted no time addressing the hype. On July 10, he dropped a fiery new track titled “Friendly Fire,” where he takes direct shots at Joyner Lucas and other unnamed U.S. rappers. The diss includes lines like, “Joyner Lucas, you b–tard / Why you rap like you studied at Harvard?” and “Where I’m from, I’m a GOAT / Where you’re from, you’re a joke.” The track serves both as a warning shot and a declaration that UK artists aren’t backing down from lyrical warfare.
During his second headlining night at London’s Wireless Festival on July 12, Drake made headlines with a bold declaration: “London rappers are the best lyricists in the world.” He gifted fans with surprise performances from Skepta, Dave, Central Cee, and J Hus, emphasizing that “nobody in the world can out‑rap London rappers… This is the highest level—this is what I aspire to be.” He quickly added, “No disrespect to America, but nobody can out‑rap London rappers.”
Today, UK rapper Big Zuu challenged Eminem to a rap battle: Skepta is a GOAT. UK is ready for any type of war. I would clash anyone but my favorite clash would be Eminem. All you have to do to defeat Eminem is rap: ‘cinema, frimena, all femina, vinema, all dimena, sosinema.’ Check out the video below:
Big Zuu talking about going to war with Eminem
As someone from the UK, this is hilarious. Big Zuu is nobody in hip-hop. A nobody in the mainstream. A nobody in the underground scene. His biggest achievement is a song with KSI which means nothing in hip-hop. pic.twitter.com/7k79t0R2gD
— ᴘɪᴇᴄᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ᴘᴀɪɴ, ᴘʀᴇꜱꜱᴜʀᴇ, ᴘᴀʀᴀɴᴏɪᴀ (@AINTNOSYMPATHY) July 13, 2025
