[1] Beef takes a chronological look at battles (some friendly, but many personal) dating back to rap music's infancy in the early 1980s.

The notable rivalries discussed include KRS-One vs. MC Shan, Kool Moe Dee vs. Busy Bee, 50 Cent/G-Unit Records vs. Ja Rule/Murder Inc Records, Tru Life vs. Mobb Deep, Common vs. Ice Cube & Westside Connection, the break-up of legendary group N.W.A, which includes Ice Cube's abrupt departure, and the later animosity between Dr. Dre and Eazy-E, the highly publicized Jay-Z vs. Nas rivalry and the most infamous feud of all, 2Pac vs.

One portion of the extended interviews features part of an interview with Nate Dogg discussing an incident from around 1995 at a Dogg Pound video shoot, where entourage members from Ruthless Records arrived and started a big brawl with members of then-rival Death Row Records.

These sequels are a continuation of the original film, but cover lesser-known confrontations and developing beefs just prior to the release of each respective installment.

In 2011, Spirer speculated on the possibility of a fourth film, suggesting he was a little tired of the "he said/she said" drama but he might produce further specials in future.