Bad Boy vs. Ruff Ryders: The Greatest Rap Crew Competition

In recognition of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, BET Digital, in partnership with Ambrosia For Headsis celebrating the culture by hosting a bracket-style competition that allows you to determine Hip-Hop’s greatest crew.

Rather than having “experts” tell you who is the greatest of all-time, this is your opportunity to collectively make that decision. After giving the opportunity to any and all fans to provide feedback on which crews should be included, 32 collectives from different regions, styles, and generations have been selected—all vying for that #1 spot. When the final battle is over and the last vote is cast, you will have determined who is your Greatest Rap Crew of All Time. The voting starts with eight crews from the East Coast, which were selected with your feedback.

One of the four East Coast battles is Bad Boy vs. Ruff Ryders.

BAD BOY VS. RUFF RYDERS

By the late 1990s, the Ruff Ryders and Bad Boy worked together—as two New York City movements with incredibly talented and diverse crews. In the middle of the decade, Biggie Smalls became one of the most talented and beloved rappers ever to touch a microphone. After B.I.G’s passing, DMX emerged with a raw intensity, grit, and soulful relatability that made for a new rap idol. Beyond their superstars, both Bad Bad and Ruff Ryders have successfully introduced and branded a handful of artists.

As three stalwarts of the Double-R crew, the LOX were also an integral part of Bad Boy during a transition. DMX leveraged feature appearances on The LOX debut and Ma$e albums to build momentum ahead of his five consecutive #1’s. These crews proved that steel sharpens steel, even into the 2010s, when X became a headliner on the Bad Boy Reunion Tour. While these rivals have broken bread together and uplifted one another, they must do battle in a Round 1 East Coast clash.

Go to BET.com to vote on which of these crews you believe should advance to the next round, and to learn of the other East Coast crews that are battling in this round. You can also vote on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #BETGreatestRapCrew and a hashtag with your favorite crew.