The Bridge: How Ya Like Me Now?

[This edition of my Hit Parade—“The Bridge” bonus series is available to Slate Plus subscribers only. A link to the episode show page is below. To sign up for Plus—and tell Slate that Hit Parade sent you!—visit slate.com/hitparadeplus.]

In this Slate Plus exclusive, host Chris Molanphy welcomes hip-hop historian and author Dan Charnas to break down the evolution of rap beefs from The Bridge Wars to Kendrick vs. Drake. Charnas reflects on some of his personal experiences with misunderstood rappers and those who took beef from bars to the streets. He also explores how diss tracks went mainstream and came to dominate social media.

Also: Chris tests a Slate Plus listener’s music knowledge, gives him a chance to turn the tables with a question of his own, and offers a sneak peek at the next episode of Hit Parade. Slate Plus members can sign up for a chance to be our trivia contestant on a future episode here.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.

This episode is for Slate Plus members only. Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of “The Bridge,” and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen.