Did You Know The Rap Beef Between Rapper Mystikal and Rap Group UNLV Wasn’t Real?

In the rich history of New Orleans hip-hop, few rivalries have stood out quite like the one between Mystikal and the legendary rap group U.N.L.V.. Representing opposing sides of the city’s booming rap scene in the 1990s, Mystikal held it down for Big Boy Records, while U.N.L.V. represented Cash Money Records—two powerhouse labels that defined an era. But what many fans don’t know is that this infamous rap beef wasn’t actually real.

Both acts were rising stars at the time, and their lyrical clash helped elevate the competitive energy between New Orleans’ top record labels. However, behind the bars and diss tracks, Mystikal and members of U.N.L.V. actually had a personal connection. Mystikal and Lil Ya of U.N.L.V. went to school together Uptown, which meant they knew plenty about each other—including details like Mystikal once being a cheerleader in school and later joining the Army. That familiarity made the lyrical shots feel incredibly personal to fans.

According to Lil Ya, the entire beef started after Mystikal approached him directly, asking if he could diss the group for attention. Lil Ya reportedly told him he didn’t care, giving Mystikal the green light. Mystikal’s first diss track went largely unnoticed, but when he came back with a second, more personal record, it got everyone’s attention. That track shook the local rap scene and forced U.N.L.V. to respond in a major way.

The result was “Drag ’Em N Tha River,” one of the most iconic diss records in New Orleans rap history. The song cemented U.N.L.V.’s place as street legends and added fuel to the already growing tension between Cash Money and Big Boy Records.

In hindsight, the so-called beef turned out to be more strategic than personal, showcasing just how sharp and competitive the New Orleans rap scene was during that golden era. What started as a friendly challenge between two artists who knew each other well evolved into one of the most talked-about moments in local hip-hop history.

Even though it wasn’t a real feud, the Mystikal vs. U.N.L.V. storyline remains a defining chapter in New Orleans rap, reminding fans of the city’s unmatched energy, creativity, and raw authenticity.