Type keyword(s) to search

Features

“Say less” - Joyner Lucas reacts to Skepta's diss track "Friendly Fire"

Joyner Lucas takes Skepta diss in stride.
posted by Jasmine Alappat
Monday 7/14/2025 at 7:58AM EDT
  • Joyner Lucas takes Skepta diss in stride.
    Joyner Lucas takes Skepta diss in stride.

    The rap world's latest poker game has flipped into a full‑blown chess match, and it's between Skepta and Joyner Lucas. After calling out U.S. rappers via social media, Skepta followed through with “Friendly Fire,” a scathing diss track aimed squarely at Joyner Lucas. The result? A viral moment: Lucas seen nodding along, smirking, and delivering a cool, “Alright, say less my boy.”

    With fans buzzing about how Joyner will respond and what this means for the broader U.K. vs. U.S. rap rivalry, expect the heat to escalate. But how exactly did Joyner Lucas react to Skepta's diss track “Friendly Fire”? Let’s unpack the reactions, the bars, and the friendly fire that could spark something major.

    Joyner Lucas reacts to Skepta’s diss track “Friendly Fire”

    Joyner Lucas didn’t waste any time after Skepta dropped “Friendly Fire.” Within hours of the track hitting streaming services, he posted a reaction video on social media, sipping in every jab while offering playful nods and ear‑to‑ear grins. At the end of the clip, he leans into the camera and coolly says, “Alright, say less my boy.” That phrase alone felt like a gauntlet thrown down—Joyner’s way of signaling readiness for whatever’s next.

    In Skepta’s diss, he kicks things off by comparing Joyner to an Ivy League scholar, “Joyner Lucas, you b*stard / Why you rap like you studied at Harvard?”: a clever jab at both his lyrical style and perceived positioning. The track doesn’t stop there: Skepta lands more blows, targeting DJ Akademiks and Ebro Darden, making clear this isn’t just about crossing the pond, it’s personal and pointed.

    But Joyner’s vibe? Unshaken. His reaction video felt less like damage control and more like a mixtape trailer—he’s studying every lyric, plotting his angle, and letting the world see he’s locked in. That “say less” moment encapsulated the mood: give me what you’ve got, I’m ready. It’s reminiscent of past lyrical battles—think his exchange with Tory Lanez in 2018—where Joyner proved quick on the draw and fearless.

    Social media was quick to react, too. On Reddit’s hip‑hop threads, fans were clapping back Skepta’s bars, especially his Harvard line:

    “joyner lucas you b*sterd you rap like you studied at harvard” — “damn this might be the greatest diss of all time” Magazine.

    Ushering in this U.K. vs. U.S. showdown, Joyner’s composed reaction video set his stance: he’s listening, analyzing, and ready to drop the heat in return. Whether that'll come in the form of a freestyle, a proper diss track, or a public challenge, time will tell. But his body language spoke volumes: this rap fight is now official.

     

    A rivalry with history – Skepta and Joyner’s cross‑continental clash

    Before “Friendly Fire,” Skepta stirred the pot in early July with a bold tweet: he wanted to clash with a U.S. rapper. Joyner immediately tweeted,

    “The moment I’ve been waiting for… Joyner Lucas vs @Skepta #UKvsUS”.

     

    Skepta replied with confidence, teasing two bars for Joyner on a diss track, only to surprise everyone by dropping a full‑length song. In “Friendly Fire,” the London MC also fires shots at notable figures in the hip‑hop commentary game (DJ Akademiks, Ebro), signaling he wants to take aim at the whole culture, not just Joyner.

    Notably, fans are speculating that some lines, like “Too concerned with your clothes / You should be focusing on flows”— reference ASAP Rocky, adding another layer to the beef. Despite the tension, both sides keep throwing out talk of clashing over beef, more like competition‑style rap battles. Reddit’s discussion feeds that vibe:

    “Friendly competition between two rappers”.

    It's been mutual, no personal insults, no spilling family matters, just pure rap sport. And with Joyner’s reaction already staged, the ball’s now in his court.

    Joyner Lucas’s composed yet playful reaction to Skepta’s “Friendly Fire” makes one thing clear: he’s tuned in, he’s confident, and he’s ready to strike back. What started as a tweet challenge has turned into a full‑blown cross‑Atlantic rap showdown, and neither side’s holding back. Expect lyrical volleys, tweets with tension, and maybe even a head‑to‑head freestyle or track. One thing’s for sure: this “diss track” has already lit the spark.

    TOPICS: Joyner Lucas, Skeptas