California rapper Ray Vaughn has revealed that his label repeatedly told him to “chill out,” blocking some of his more aggressive diss tracks aimed at Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada.Vaughn explained on Gina Views and DJ Hed’s “Effective Immediately” podcast that his planned response to Joey’s May release “CRASH DUMMY” was deemed too disrespectful by his label, who restricted its release. He said his unreleased track was even more ruthless than “Golden Eye,” which took shots not only at Joey Bada$$ but also referenced Joey’s then-pregnant fiancée Serayah and called Pro Era “broke and fried.”
Vaughn admitted he had as many as four diss tracks on hold, with at least one also targeting rapper Kai Ca$h, known for its own shots on “KNICKS IN 6.” Although pressed about which label halted the releases—Top Dawg Entertainment or RCA Records—Vaughn did not specify.
The long-running feud between Joey Bada$$ and Ray Vaughn reignited tensions between Pro Era and TDE, with Joey possibly escalating the beef again in his recent track “ABK,” where he delivered pointed lines referencing TDE and the ongoing conflict. Vaughn, favored by many for tracks like “Golden Eye,” commented that he preferred Joey’s “THE FINALS” diss track over “CRASH DUMMY,” liking the hook but not the verses.
This rivalry has been part of a broader East Coast-West Coast lyrical battle in 2025, involving many rappers on both sides. Despite the harsh lyrics, industry figures like Pusha T have praised the feud as a healthy display of competitive lyricism within the hip-hop scene. The conflict remains active, with fans watching closely for further responses from both sides.