One name conspicuously absent from MTV’s list — Marshall Mathers.
And the thought has been running side to side in my mind the past two weeks…
When people name their top 5 rappers of all-time, it usually goes as follows.
(In no particular order)
1. Jay-Z
2. Nas
3. Rakim
4. Biggie
That 5th slot, it usually varies. In some of those orders, you’ll see mentions of Pac or perhaps Big Daddy Kane’s name pop up. But generally three to four slots are reserved for those names.
But where does Em fit in when ranking Hip-Hop’s greatest emcees, the ones with the most impact & who influenced so many?
Previously Posted — (C)Rank It! – 50 Cent
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Em could fall in the top 10. Kanye is moving up the list. Scarface deserves a nod in the top 10.
“It goes Reggie, Jay-Z, 2Pac and Biggie, Andre from Outkast, Jada, Kurupt, Nas and then me.”
Although I would put Big higher and Pac lower, Em is definitely on the list.
Rakim never moved me. I guess I’m too young. But Scarface moved me, so yeah, he def goes in that top 10.
My top is Jigga, Nas, Biggie, then yeah, it varies.
guess there’s no room for Kane, Com, Ghost, Chuck, Thought, etc…
pretty sad if this comes downs to an age/region/who’s list issue(s).
another reason these lists bug me.
“When people name their top 5 rappers of all-time, it usually goes as follows.
(In no particular order)
1. Jay-Z
2. Nas
3. Rakim
4. Biggie”
Are people who dont have more than 5 albums over 10 years old.
Subjective.
Although Em is a lyrical dude I could never take him in for long periods of time. Maybe it’s the voice or something. Besides, Em isn’t even the illest white MC. That would go to Virtuoso. The times has changed so much that it’s tough to name a top 5 list of MC’S. Although there may be nicer MC’S spittin right now, my top 6 are Ra, G Rap, Kane, Kris, Slick and Chuck. Of course when it’s all said and done I believe Nas will hold the distinction of being the greatest MC ever. Jay never moved me because it seems as nice as he may be, he seems to lack growth. Biggie didn’t have the material. I would take Pun over both Jay and Big anyday, although like Big he wasn’t able to bless us with enough albums.
Em doesn’t crack the top ten but probably would make the 13-17 range if you really wanted to buckle down and do the chemistry. His body of work his biggest Achilles’ Heel. While we all love the music, his albums have proved not be as timeless as most of his competition.
1. Jay-Z
2. Rakim
3, Biggie
4. Nas
5. Big Daddy Kane
6. 2pac
7.Scarface
8. Kool G Rap
9. Eminem
10. Chuck D
@ woodywood
How did B.I.G. not have the material but you would pick Pun who and one seriously dope album and clocked out right after he gave us some goofy shit? Makes no semse. U have to consider what B.I.G. accomplished his short career. Even to be considered the greatest by so many after 2 LPs (which have been certified classics by even more), speaks volumes. The trends, influencing an entire coast to ride for him, etc, etc…he definitely earned his spot top 5 dead or alive…
Ha, no KRS from anyone to this point…
*rubs chin*
we gotta narrow down the criteria, b/c a list according to skills, would look a lot different than sales, or impact, or etc, etc…
it really depends on what you are judging, if you are judging them on still Kanye isn’t ANYWHERE near the top 10, nor is Ross, Snoop and a number of others but if you are going on popularity throw talent out the window and keep it moving. I mean the music industry is reminiscent of that movie Idiocracy right now and it makes me sad to say that. On a side note can anyone help me with Ryan Shaw?
Here goes though:
KRS, Slick Rick, Rakim, BDK
BIG, Pac, Em, Dre 3 Stacks, Nas, Jay
I meant if you judge them on skill of course, damn spell check fucks me up as often as it helps me
BFO
we gotta narrow down the criteria, b/c a list according to skills, would look a lot different than sales, or impact, or etc, etc…
==============================
^ Very true.
If it was a most influential Em would get a slot just based on the fact that He was the first White MC to be successful on a comercial level & at the same time be respected for His skill level. At His peak, remember how many White Cats dyed their hair blond & tried to rap like Marshall? But “Greatest Rapper” of all time? He’d be lucky to crack the top twenty.
andre 3000
big boi
jay-z
pac
biggie
em
pun
nas
redman
nas
scarface
Ahem…Dirk really like Nas .
=)
honorable mention:
Face, Redman, Posdnous, Ras Kass, Chuck D, Busta, Monch, Ghostface, Black Thought, Common
i’m leaning more towards actual MIC skills and creative flow than album sales w/this list.
lol @ Amp
Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan ….
damn…lol
take off 1 nas and add busta rhymes
Tastes are subjective, criteria shouldn’t be. It should be the same for every argument, every publication, every post.
Thing is, everybody’s not qualified to make their opinions factual. Don’t get me wrong, we all like what we like, sway towards one sound or another but for “top” or “greatest” lists, you should always consider besides the obvious mic skills, albums (did this person drop full bodies of work that made significant impact in the game) song structure and concepts (i.e. a song like Scarface’s “I Seen A Man Die), longevity (lets face it: some of our forefathers couldn’t hang when the beats got better] and basically just overall impact. (If you’re expert opinion on a rapper says one thing and the people are saying another, U might wanna take another listen cuz you may be on the wrong side of the fence. I underestimated Jeezy and DMX’s value when they rose to popularity and a lot of people do the same to Pac.)
I’m just saying…
1. biggie
2. tupac
3. nas
4. ghostface
5. krs
No matter how you look at it… skills, influence, sales, lyrical capability, creativity, or overall impact on “hip-hop” in general, Mr. Mathers has to be placed in the top 10. No, he’s not number one, but the man definitly deserves a spot in the top.
Big Fame One?
Cowboy.
That MTV list was “popularity.” I’m speaking of all-time.
I was listenin to some old KRS and no matter what stupid shit he might spew now, he gets a pass for his early body of work which is capable of shittin’ on most cats easy.
Only artists mention G.Rap as an inspiration, so how come fans never mention him?
‘Face…I’ve listened to him my whole life. He’d HAVE to be on my list.
biggie, jigga, nasty nas, the blastmaster, the abstract
GOTTY
cowboy
been good man. I am with you dude, Face is a fav of mine and g rap too. I listen to road to the riches almost daily. ALSO I think AZ should get more nods.
few people have stopped me with their songs like Em did with his second album. sorry y’all, he is in the top 10. i understand kool g and kane did alot for hip hop, but this kid did it all. he is top 10. virtuoso is better than Em? Really? i’m a hip hop head and i have never heard of Virtuoso until you said his name. i listened to him, it is pretty good, but nowhere near the impact Em has had. i know i’m out theunderground circle, but to each is own.
i refuse to give my list because it is culturally biast
I like em fine, his album work is mostly crap to me but like the stuff he did with Sway and Tech and the OCCASIONAL album cut was good. I just feel like the man is super talented but he crafted his music into the audio equivalent of McDonalds cheeseburgers in an attempt to reach the record sales he was after. I mean Mickey D’s ain’t the best burger around, it is not th cheapest, it is not even the best they could offer. It is everywhere though, and the masses don’t expect more. As long as the people buying albums are willing to let their chain hang while they walk it out or do the fucking superman music will not improve. I am not saying that there is no quality out there but there is a huge difference between “making noise” in hip hop and making music. Swag is shit to me, I don’t care who makes your fucking sunglasses. I don’t know that I can drop a top 5 on you, it will change over time, on the other hand it is a little like porn. They say they can’t define it but they can tell you when they see it. Well I may not be able to tell you the top 5, but I can tell you who is in the running, and who isn’t.
Why should EM make a top ten list? To me he is a quitter, the man went on a hitatus after his man died. While other artist on most top ten list gained momentum when their partner was slained i.e: Krs-One (Scott La Rock), Bun-B (Pimp C)…. Why isnt he on any list so far?? Bun and Scarface were poineers for a whole entire coast. Besides Djs the midwest really dont make any noise Nelly, Bone, Kanye and Lupe are a couple exceptions. But EM lost the love or sold his soul to the industry……
ps.
His Shade 45 satilite company and his G-unit label may be the reason hes not thinking about writting new material.
@G014
The best album 4m those artist ARE over 10 years old hommie
@Blaze everybody takes death differently. You cant knock that man 4 fallin back, He had more shit that popped off besides Proof dying. All happening at the same time
So did many other artist, but like i said they used it as momentum. We’re talking about a top 5 or top 10 list, I don’t think he deserves to be on neither. But he sold so many records its hard not to debate for him, he is still young so maybe he is brewing up grown man material.
@Cell
So did many other artist, but like i said they used it as momentum. We’re talking about a top 5 or top 10 list, I don’t think he deserves to be on neither. But he sold so many records its hard not to debate for him, he is still young so maybe he is brewing up grown man material.
vinnie paz….top 10?
I don’t care how he handled his homies death, I can only judge him as an artist and he fell the fuck off. He was gone a while and came back with an Akon track? a fucking Akon track? Get the hell out of here.
His Shade 45 satilite company and his G-unit label may be the reason hes not thinking about writting new material.
====================
hehe…I was waiting on someone to bring it up.
the motherfucker don’t need to rap anymore lol.
Fame – Nice McD’s comparison.
Virtuo..who?
Cell Therapy – 10 years? Then I’d say those joints stood the test of time, wouldn’t you?
@ Cell
I agree completely the man is going though a difficult stage at his career, but everyone had a song with Akon and T-pain for a long stretch so that’s not the reason he should not make a greatest of all-time’s list. He only rapped about one or to things, his family and his addictions. Although thats what the game has come to everyone wanna talk about they life but they are not trying to be lyrical its more poetic, IMO. Don’t get me wrong I understand that in this day and age you don’t have to be a lyricist to be regarded as one of the greatest, but he actually has the ability to be super-lyrical ala Reggie “Redman” Noble. Until then I am not mentioning him on any lists, except a most selling list…
I refuse to rank emcees anymore… That shit gives me a headache. I think I just like too much stuff. There’s just so much out there. So many different artists have influenced the hip-hop culture in so many different ways.
Here’s my little biased-as-fuck list:
Nas
Biggie
Jay-z
Kool G Rap
Big Daddy Kane
Like I’ve said before Eminem has put out waaaaaaay too many stupid songs for me to even consider him a top emcee; I don’t give a fuck how many dope “freestyles” or “battles” he has done.
@Doug
I could not of explained it in better terms, that’s exactly the way I feel, I mean I had a top ten list every five years while I was going up. I mean from the Schooly D, Kurtis Blow days to the Slick Rick, Cool C days there has been to many artist that impact my love for hip-hop.
@ D.Howser: Real talk man, I like a lot of stuff too so even my list was just spur of the moment. After the 90′s I think “Top MC Lists” were irrelevant because now in the 2000′s we have so much more artists and material, and contrary to what some of you might think a lot of it is pretty good. Hiphop is ultra-competitive now so becoming a “top ten” or “top five” artist is more difficult.
I think your age might dictate whom you feel deserves “top 5″ status also. A lot of the “old school” artists that some of you have put on your lists I was too young at the time to even remember. I guess whomever you were listening to during your formative years and solidified your love for hiphop will be on your list.
a timeless MC must have a least one timeless album. in his mainstream popularity, Em doesn’t have a start-to-finish banger of an album.
but i listen to Infinite almost every week, and it is one of the very few hip hop albums i can listen from start to finish and not have a care in the fuckin world. i dont understand why so many people sleep on that.
I will never be convinced that Biggie belongs in any top 5 list, unless it is heavyweights and refers to actual pounds. I am a fan but, he is no top 5 MC to me. I think the east coast needed a champion and found one in him and his status has benefited from his death and subsequent martyrdom. I mean RIP, and we have all missed out on the music he didn’t get to make, and those that knew him I am sure miss far more than that. That said he is no top fife guy.
@TC… While I do agree that Pun probably had even less material than Big, I feel if people place Big in the top 5,I could do the same with Pun. Lyrically, Pun was much nicer than Big. It’s all just a matter of opinion and I for one always felt that Big was slightly overated.
@Fame
LOL, slow ya roll, nah really Biggie brought in a new era of hip-hop and he still kept to his roots. He shouted out poineers in his raps, he knew his street history, and give the east coast a 2nd wind after the west coast had a strong hold on the game. Biggie definitely deserves to be a top five list, the same goes to Pun, because of the ablity to make everyone around them sound so much better. D-12 still sucks to me and EM speaks of them as some of the best talents he ever heard….
Slick Rick, G- Rap, KRS, BIG, Pharoah, Pun, Black Thought, 3000, Jigga, Face, Ace, Mos Def, Ghost, Meth, Beans, Kane, Treach, Pos, Lord Jamar, Com, Nas, Puba, Chill Rob G, Del, Crooked, Lauren Hill, Canibus, Eminem…
Top 5 dead or alive…no particular
Shawn Corey
Mr. Wallace
Reggie (1st hardcore rap album I purchased before that stupid Parental Advisory crap)
Dwight Grant & Brad Jordan
Kris Parker
yo, biggie isnt in my top 5.
and he’s overrated as far as the goats go.
no apologies, but he had 2 albums.
TWO ALBUMS.
not that its his fault, but he didnt have the catalogue to make me think “damn, he’s one of the greats”.
i dont have a top 5, but jay-z is up there, eminem before encore is up there, and if lupEND is better than “the cool”, i might stop listening to music altogether.
As many have stated it’s almost impossible to name the top 5 mc’s. I’m sure we all have certain mc’s who could possibly make the list based off of skills alone (Elzhi for example) but many of those just don’t have the material that others have. Then you have some that have the material (LL) who I felt was never really a “lyrical” dude. The list just can’t be created. Someone mentioned Vinnie Paz and while some would say NO WAY, obviously, that person feels differently. I for one did not say that Virtuoso is in the top 5, I stated that I felt he was better than Em. Once again, there were a couple of people that were like “i’ve never heard of dude”. I think it goes without saying that alot of people don’t really get down with the underground like that and have the feeling of “if i haven’t heard of this or that person” then how can they be a top MC. Then you have MC’s like Red, BT, Monch, Ras etc who would murder most of everyone’s top 10 or 5 list but just don’t garner the attention.
@Al
I agree that Biggie only had 2 albums but as far as I am concerned tha man wrote all Puff albums, Kim albums, and most of Craig Mac’s, Junior Mafia’s and (I don’t want to say this, but…) Jigga’s music so you do the math how many albums does that add up too…
If Big wrote Puff’s, Kim’s,Craig’s and JM albums then he doesn’t deserve to be mentioned at all when it comes to greatest MC’s. That may show that he has the material but it doesn’t say much for him being a lyricist.
Imma have to agree with flea here fuc EM…..”too many stupid songs”…
LL anyone Mr. Smith longevity speaks for itself…
@woody
Touché, lol, I am just saying those people actually have singles in there catalog that Biggie wrote for them, some may have been nominated for an award, while EM may have written some of D-12′s material but that shit didn’t last past that region….
Being an MC is about your skill. An artist, is judged by the quality of what they produce.
So he is a top 5 rapper because he knew his street history? Or maybe because he shouted out pioneers? Are you kidding me? I notice you talk him up but nowhere do you mention his lyrics. You are right that the west coast had a hold of things, a stranglehold. This is as much a reflection of the watered down quality of the music coming out of the east at the time as it is about goods coming out over here. We are talking about a musical genre that as been out for over 30 years (30 years JUST in its commercial form) and any top 5 has got to be the most elite of the elite. If you name the top 5 NBA players of all time a LOT of talent will be left out, a lot of really, really dope players with championships galore. Top 5 is top 5 though. Biggie is no top 5 MC, he isn’t (and I understand that it is just my opinion), and Pun certainly isn’t either. I mean just start naming DOPE MCs. Monch, Nas, Jigga, Kane, KRS, Biggie, Pac, Rakim, AZ, Meth, Redman, Andre3000, Cube. I could just keep going, and the point doesn’t change, talent will be left out, a top 5 is extremely high praise. That was 12 names, and an argument could be made for them all, which means AT LEAST 7 can’t make a top 5.
oh yeah what about the ladies….
@Deez. While I respect your opinion having LL mentioned as a top 5 MC proves my point. What are people judging their opinions on??.. Obviously, if you look at body of work, LL, Jay, Too Short for that matter would be on the list, but I wouldn’t say that any of these kats are lyricist. You would have to break down a list like that into different categories. Lyricist list, Impact list, Body of work etc. If there was one MC who probably did a little something of everything then that would have to be Pac. On top of that his music will stand the test of time. Still I believe the greatest “MC” is Nasir Jones. No question about it
@Fame
My man, that was my point. Biggie not only bring back hip-hop form the west but he also created a new form of hip-hop that was based on raw lyrics, till this day I still listen to his demo tape TSS posted a couple months back,and all of it is lyrical from start to finish I will post if you have any doubts….
I’m done peeps. I’ll catch yall on the flip side
@woody
We are still trying to determine a top 10 list and you have already claimed your G.O.A.T., that is a lot of explaining to do my friend no questions just but just give us some facts….
@ Blaze.. I need to produce facts why Nas in my opinion is the greatest of all time????…. As I stated before I can’t come up with a top 10 aside from the fact that Nas would be No. 1…. This time I’m out for real. Hope yall kats enjoy Sunday service……
He created a “new form of hip-hop that was based on raw lyrics”? Are you nuts? He didn’t take anything back from the west dude. He in fact made an album using a west coast blueprint. It was dope, but he didn’t invent anything. You are never, going to convince me he is a top 5 MC. I never said he wasn’t dope, but top 5 is some elite company and he does not belong there. In fact I would say that he would have done better without Puffy changing up his sound and trying to make him a pop sensation. Raw lyrics huh? What is it that they were making until then? Rakim wasn’t Raw? G rap? Early LL wasn’t Raw? Biggie didn’t invent anything, he didn’t change anything, and he isn’t a top 5 MC. How old are you? Just curious, that might explain your POV. I am old man, I am not new to this, and as much as I would like the link for that demo, it will not change anything. Like I said I wouldn’t say Biggie was wack, far from it. I would argue that he is in fact a top notch MC, one I am a fan of but top 5 man? Not a chance in hell.
West Coast had the game on lock and chain back in the early 90′s cause everyone on the east coast were getting that crakk-cocaine money, but when Biggie came on to the scene artist in N.Y. started to see that you can get money from rapping so the days of Leaders of the New School, Digable Planets, and uhh lets say (excuse my french) De La Soul were over and the era of crakk-rap started to evole as the way to rap till this day….all influenced by Biggie. I agree with the Puff statement, but I think you are contradicting yourself by saying that. You are asking about Raw lyrics, but than you say ‘he would have done better without Puffy changing up his sound and trying to make him a pop sensation.’ what was his sound before pop tried to make him go pop? My age isn’t a issue but I am 26…..
All those artist were raw and that’s who Biggie speaks of, but before Biggie pack-back rap ruled the east coast, and conscious material, I see that Ima have to post that demo for you cause you have no clue….
Biggie didn’t invent anything, he didn’t change anything
********************************************************
Not lyrically, but I’ve been under the impression for quite some time that Ready To Die gave every MC/rapper from then on, a blueprint for how to construct an album (although his was a double album) that appealed to ladies, club folk, grimey dudes and still sell off the racks…
Big wasn’t in the lyrical class of the Pun’s or Rakim’s, but as a jack of all trades (someone that excelled in every facet of emceeing) , I challenge you to name better…
Em is nice, howewer, i DO NOT owe not ONE album of his.
So how can this be?
He is very outstanding on the freestyle tip, but I would NOT PAY any amount of currency to listen to him live or any recording of his.
In the content of history, there are so MANY more other emcees I can put ABOVE Mr. Mathers!
Top 5, NO!
Top 25 YES!
I love hip-hop… fcuk it.
Your age is an issue, you were 12 when he dropped. So you think the reason east coast music was down was because all the dope rappers were getting money selling drugs? Until Biggie rapped about drugs? Or maybe that is what the west coast had been doing for years. You clearly are passionate about rap music man, that I can respect. I didn’t contradict myself at all. My point was that the man was dope, but he didn’t even go full speed cause Diddy held him back (only in quality, obviously NOT in quantity) Saying he invented raw lyrics is ridiculos.G Rap made a career of it before him, Fat Joe started there, Mobb Deep, The Wu, early Nas? That is JUST the quality east caost stuff out at that same time. The little east coast quality out at the time was raw. Just there was very little of that good stuff out. Post the link, or don’t post the link. It will not change anything, and in reality I can just call Gotty up and have him shoot it to me if need be. In any case you can not convince me, but you can further take steps backwards.
Whoa slow down partner, I didnt say he invented the crakk rap. I didnt say he invented raw lryics I said he brung hip-hop back to the east coast with his raw lyrics like G. Rap, Kane, and Rakim….I dunno how to post but I can e-mail it to you or something matter of fact ima put in the TSS search…
OED
Ready to Die was the blueprint for an album that appealed to guys and the gals?
So we should all remember Sept of 94 because guys and girls could for once listen to the same album?
Ready to Die wasn’t a double album either, it was a single disk, and the DJ release was a double vinyl. The re-releases added songs, but it was Life After Death that was a double disk.
I dont care what album girls listen to, appeal doesn’t equate to skill. Chicks love Soulja Boy.
But since you asked me to name someone better at that.
2Pac.
While single mothers were at home hot combing their kids hair, there baby daddies were out selling crack and they were listening to the same damn album.
so anybody that’s a derivative can never claim a spot above his or her predecessor?
by that definition, Coke La Rock is Absolute Best Number One Emcee EVER.
remember too, you arguing with a Biggie fan. The argument is not whether he is good or not, or even whether he is great or not. We both agree that he is, the disagreement is that he is not one of the top 5 ever to do this thing. That you can never prove to me, he just isn’t.
My B on the album name.. glad you picked up. been up a long time today.
I have to completely disagree w/you regarding Tupac (but then again these lists are personal).
My comment was regarding your statement regarding Biggie not “inventing” anything. What I was getting at is that he crafted an album that artists still use as a current checklist for topics and subject matter to this day.
You named Pac, but Pac was at many times poetic, but Pac was NOT lyrical. Biggie was a very good lyricist.
Big wasn’t Slick Rick, but a song like Story To Tell was seamless…
He could make a club song, but keep it lyrical enough that it didn’t sound cut & pasted. I love AZ, but he’s still attempting to make a song for the masses that doesn’t come off as awkward.
Dude just did it all very well/ Well enough to leapfrog many who excel at just one facet of rhyming.
He didn’t invent a cure for cancer, he made a good album, modeled after a successful west coast example.Well enough to leapfrog many many artists, but not into the top 5.
Heres my list of who i really like (and are pretty damn good):
Black Thought
3000
Phonte
Face
Ice Cube
Cee-Lo
Biggie actually DID invent the cure for thyroid cancer while writing Kick In The Door, but as he attempted to send it to Pac in Cuba via UPS, it was stolen and stored in a laboratory in Area 51.
^ little known factoid
A lot of these rappers that cats name in their top whatever couldn’t rock a fuckin’ stadium or arena….even though that’s just one facet of what makes an MC the best of the best, it DOES count for a lot
case & point: Peep “Fade To Block”.
Jay OWNED Madison Square Garden.
Ghost had a bit part in that show doing his his guest verse for a Beyonce song…result? a lull in the crowd’s energy….
I remember seeing “The Show” & Biggie had the whole arena on lock as well
with that said…Biggie Top 5….? hard for me to say…ditto for Eminem
^ correction: “Fade To Black”
Regarding Biggie;
his status has benefited from his death and subsequent martyrdom
*****************************************
VERY true btw
OED I am sorry I just can’t believe you at all. A UPS package that didn’t make its destination? Ducktales son…
HANDS DOWN…
GREATEST MC OF ALL TIME (NO EXCEPTIONS)
GOES TO….
KRS-ONE
Knowledge Reign Supreme Over Nearly Everybody
Nuff said.
http://www.divshare.com/download/launch/2279247-0ed
found a working link for that Biggie demo….
ps
PAC sucks, the man could never make up what kind of artist he wanted to be one day he conscious next has gangsta, too much feminine shit going with that cat…
so, what are the criteria that we like to use, and in what order of importance?
(Mostly Tha) Voice?
WordPlay?
Charisma/Swag/Attitude/Confidence?
The Art Of Story Telling?
Freestyling (Spontaneously Improvising)?
making an album a cinematic experience from front to back?
hold your list up to these criteria, and your list gets mad smaller, kid…
@ Teef
being able to shift gears/change up styles (cough, cough… Jada) should also be thrown on that criteria list as well…
^ add having indelible quotables to that
I swore of these debates like 2 posts ago….and here I am….
12 step program and I ain’t even get my 2nd foot down before I relapsed… rehab is for quitters
another litmus test that’s no longer used: having paid dues on Sway & Tech and/or Stretch & Bobbito’s shows
Jay & Big came through the hallowed halls of WKCR at Columbia U.
Eminem was a dude that got shine on The Wake Up Show
having a co-sign from those 4 dudes (Bob, Stretch, Sway, Tech) was no joke, work to Rakim Allah….that shit meant a lot….THEY WOULD DISOWN MOST OF THESE CATS DOIN’ IT TODAY
met Bobbito for the first time in 94, always wanted to go have the man cut his hair. Seattle and NYC are too far for a taper though. Sway just makes me sad now.
so….
you say rocking an arena full of Jay-Z stans (zit-faced teenagers rocking Mitchell & Ness jerseys, chickenheads) like Jay did in “Fade To Black” doesn’t mean much…really, it doesn’t….
take that same stadium and fill it with fans who know better…not zit-faced backpackers either…
KRS-ONE would own that joint…he meets all the criteria that I previously mentioned
MC means MOVE the FUCKIN’ CROWD…
NOT JUST
provide some Johnny Cash-esque lyrics to accompany the knock for the subs in your old-school w/ candy paint
OR
using big-ass words and trying to fit 20 syllables into 1 bar
^ and what does all this have to do with Marshall?
I remember the Anger Management Tour…great show…yeah, he rocked the crowd…mostly kids who dyed their hair blond, though…if you know what I’m sayin….
top 5…nah…perhaps top 10
btw…no mention of Kane or KRS in anyone’s list gets The Gas Face
oh
King Asiatic Nobody’s Equal >>>> G Rap
Actually both were named
I’m catching flashbacks of Road To The Riches, Live And Let Die, & Wanted: Dead or Alive…i may eat my words later…
what was G Rap’s most lyrical song where he wasn’t on some ultra-violent thug shit?
who cares.
Maybe Break a Bitches Back with Fat Joe?
you’re right
Michael Buffer is the best m.c.
Thyroid cancer! ha ha nig. Somebody tell me pac cured lupus, and ghost cured prodigies sickle cell! Now THAT RIGHT THUR’ is TOP 5 MC’ !!!
spaghetti spaghetti spaghetti
and wayne gave some of those shit knots to locks of LOVE.
and cellophane is the best wrapper, with foil a close second
If we are going on skills alone, how can Big L not be on the list. Yeah he only dropped one album while he was alive, but he put the new generation of Harlem on the map ( Dipset and Mase are straight up garbage now but My Hood was kind of a tight song) and the list of rappers that straight up bight his style is supper long. Just ask J.
No Ice Cube on anybody’s list. I think i’ve seen Common mentioned thrice–once by me earlier.
No Chuck D. Once again, no Chuck D.
So Slick Rick? Dude merits a top 10 at least.
Not one Female on anybody’s list either.
Y’all gone tell me L-Boogie’s 2 solos and three 2 Fugee joints aren’t enough to merit her a top 10 slot?
It’s funny that for all the Talib and Immortal Tech heads out here, no mention of either.
No Mos Def…
Some things people do. Why does everyone have to make everything so difficult. The question is simple, who is the best. We all know what that means there is no need for some criteria bullshit or who can rock a crowd better (for real?) or whatever else anyone is coming up with. Who is the best, it’s simple. When you think the best basketball player you say MJ, not cus he had the best crossover, the best shot, most hops, best shoes whatever bullshit it’s cus mother fuckers know he’s the best, ain’t no one better at playing basketball. So when it’s the best rapper why we make up so much bullshit.
1/2. Rakim
1/2. Nas For me it’s really a toss up between em
3. KRS – ONE
4. Biggie
5. Big Daddy Kane
6. 2Pac
6. Kool G Rap
7. Slick Rick
8. Dre 3000
9. Jay-Z
10. Masta Ace
That’s how I feel right now.
That’s meant to be 11
no Melle Mel? No Rev Run?
No Plug One from De La… Posdonous got the catalog (in a group context, at least.)
Plus i got your true number one…
Gil.
Scott.
Heron.
Yup, I said it. Gil Scott Heron.
Dude had the catalog, the flows, the beats, the content, the swag….
all before everybody else.
if y’all say Gil Scott ain’t hiphop, then the discussion’s over.
Wow. Very interesting stuff. Honestly it is hard to make a “greatest rapper list”. Especially with the different age groups. But i feel that the young age group does not have an excuse. With amazon and websites such as this i feel any young hip hop head should download/buy all the great rap albums and actually listen to them. That is what i have been doing these last 5yrs. But i def think that eminem is a top 10 rapper. I want to say top 5 but if EMINEM himself considers other rappers better then him youhave to take that into consideration. But who the hell is this REGGIE? that Eminem is talkin bout?. I know eminem has some crazy dumb songs but they are fillers and EVERY RAPPER has fillers and tracks that you skip so that is not an excuse. But damn ghostface aint getting no love on the boards. Somebody said honorable mention??? WTF is ur problem! Ghostface aint never had a whack album. Some say bulletproof wallets but that is a solid album to me. He still doing it big. Here go my list
Ghostface- any criteria you can think of he is in it
Pac- he is one of the best even though im not lyrically moved by him
Biggie. Is def one of the greatest idk what people are talkin bout. Ready To Die is a TRUE CLASSIC and def is a blueprint. MANY rappers have copied that cd’s formula.
Nas- might be the greatest rapper ever on some real shit. He better then Jay-Z.
Jay-z- is def a great but he bites off of NAS and BIG and to me is a limited rapper. Reasonable Doubt is his best album and its about drugs etc. and we see the bad reception he gets when he strays away from that (kingdom come).
eminem- the only rapper who didnt use hustling and killing people like most rappers to sell records (biggie,jay-z,pac) and that is one reason i think he dont get the respect he deserves.
AZ- i dont get why him and ghost dont get more respect they stay wit hot albums and always get overlooked.
the rest are legends but they are not the greatest to me
Need I mention Jay-Z pretty much sucks
The only album I like from him is Sean Carter Vol. 3
then Can I Get a Fuck You and My first song, but that’s just because of ye’s production
I fux with Nas but I don’t understand why He’s held in such a high regard. He’s had just as many weak albums as anyone else.
The top 3 should be:
Pac, Em and Big.
No way Em is top three.
Em is def. in my top 3.
Please name your top 3 or 5 to see what you be bout.
1.biggie
2. Jay-z
3.mos def (when on form)
4. Phonte
5.slick rick (justbased on great adventures)
And Jay and Nas are def. not near any top list of mines..
There are and have been so many better MC’s like Kool Keith, Ill Bill, Scarface, Raekwon, Prodigy, KRS, Bushwick Bill, Ghostface, Big PUN, Kool G. Rap that spit realer and better on doper product and should be on any top 10 list..
Even Tim Dog,Big L, Immortal Technique, Red and Meth should be on there if any space left..
But Em, Pac and Big are the greatest.
Put Your aGreement !
! put shit agreement,
fuck!
lol
One List !
1. redman
2. nas
3. Kool G Rap (invented gangsta rap and multisyllable rhymeschemes… sleeping)
4. Gza
5. Big L
but its hard… pharohe monch/ ghostface/ 2 other bigs deserve their way in… not to mention ras kass/eminem/vakill/crooked
come on big has 3 albums !
1 album + 1 double album
and a supa lyrical man aka a legend iz “with one album”. tha list is top five (solo?) mc
so 5 best albums of all time !
peace yall. but a great career is also a thing in the list so …
MC means MOVE the FUCKIN’ CROWD…
NOT JUST
provide some Johnny Cash-esque lyrics to accompany the knock for the subs in your old-school w/ candy paint
OR
using big-ass words and trying to fit 20 syllables into 1 bar
=====================
Cosign
Top 3?
1. B.I.G.
2. Pac
3. KRS-One
So until I die, I wanna be with you
You’re everything !
klaççik damn çong
aveU Got the JoDeCi’s song – ”cry for you”,
off bun b – youre everythin” sample. on II Trill !
Wow!!!
pleasethx.
Whether anybody has felt the Shady has fallen off in the past couple years or not , We are talking bout the classics he put out before, You can’t take that from him. when Em had it, who could spit better. I mean the left Jay on one if Jays arguably best albums. Even on his wack albums now……HeGOTsBARS!
“Brace yourself for the main event
Y’all impatiently waitin
It’s like an AIDS test, what’s the results?
Not positive, who’s the best? Pac, Nas and Big
Ain’t no best, East, West, North, South, flossed out” – Nas from “Ether”
There you have it, good day.
nobody mentions Melle Mel- yeah it was a 100 years ago but today his rhymes will crush half these bums spoke of! Wise Intelligent deserves the list. Black Thought, KRS1
I see Pac and Em are up for debate.
I don’t see Pac so high on the list if he did not get into so much trouble. Before he had all those problems, no one was talking about him.
Em, could be a top 3 on my list. After a while, all his stuff sounds the same. He hates his baby mama, his mom made him into this evil person, and his family sucks.
Kane, Slick Rick, Rakim should be on everyone’s top 10. Jay is nice, but I think he got lazy with his lyrics. If people still think you are the best, you are putting out so so material, why would you try harder.
Jay came around at the right time. Biggie and Pac were gone and no one could really understand what point Nas was trying to make.
In 5-7 years, Lupe, Bun B, 3000, Big Boi, Budden and Saigon will be on people’s top 10.
password for that Primo mix up above: 1karu5
@TSS
GOOD MORNING, its the beginning of a new week, whats in store, gotty??
I agree with val’s list….thats pretty damn accurate overall except reggie at number one. I am a huge red fan but the number one spot may be for Kris or Rah…..what about special ed does he deserve a mention??
My Top 20
1. BIG
2. Common
3. Jay-Z
4. Black Thought
5. Ras Kass
6. NaS
7. Big Daddy Kane
8. KRS-One
9. Big L
10. Andre 3000
11. Big Pun
12. G Rap
13. 2Pac
14. Eminem
15. Rakim
16. Kweli
17. Scarface
18. Redman
19. Jadakiss
20. Phonte
21. Ice Cube
22. Kanye
23. Beanie Sigel
24. Ghostface
25. Snoop
anybody got the Re-Release of “And Justus For All” without all the unnecessary annoying DJ drops, skits & interludes…?
^ 4 new tracks on it too
Some of ya’ll are nuts I see lists on here that nobody could possibly make a legitimate argument in favor of. Most are legit, when you consider that it is all personal.
Still nobody have a Ryan Shaw link?
This is kinda old & totally off topic, but it’s sooo crazy…
Ryan Leslie makes “Addiction”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ix5dicdL7c&feature=user
Dude is the R&B Kanye West…yeah, I said it. Genius.
How come no one has mentioned Flo-Rida?
^ How come you mentioned Flo-Rida??
@ Gotty’s co-sign
That’s why I don’t consider Rakim or Kool G to be up there like that, although they pioneered a lot of today’s superstars. Rakim got a slew of classic cuts but he never strayed from those typical battle rhymes, and Kool G flipped his flow like none before him but he doesn’t have too many songs (or albums for that matter) in the HH Hall Of Fame
@ Ray Money
Reggie = Redman. Come on dude
From a 20 year old white dude I can tell you that today’s youth considers it Jay-Z, Biggie, 2Pac, Eminem, and then Nas or some random they love. Almost ALWAYS true.
@ Me
1.Nas
2.Jay-Z
3.Greums
4.Biggie
5.Raekwon
Southstatus : ScarfAce, BUnGK, OutkAndrest
Legendarnycus: Krs-One, Rakim, Kane Daddy Big
Death: Big L, Pun, Pac
Hov has to number 1 he is the greates
1. Hov (has the most classics with Reasonable Doubt, Blueprint, Black Album and American Gangster)
2. BIG Ready to die, Life After Death was a classic)
3. 2Pac (All eyes on me was a classic)
4. nas (illmatic is the great hip hop album of all time)
5. Snoop Dogg (Doggystyle, he was the best mc on both Dr Dre albums and Chronic, 2001 were both classics).
He would definitely make my top 10 and he would definitely be over Jay.
In no particular order:
Rakim
Biggie
Krs-One
Nas
Eminem
Slick Rick
Black Thought
Jay-Z
Chuck D.
Kool G. Rap
eh, I hate these lists in every shape form or fashion. Their only redeeming factor is the discussions/arguements that surround them. (Once again interesting here). They’re by nature extremely subjective. What’s the criteria and more than that WHY should we care? Some list gonna tell us what is good? The beauty of hiphop is the varied expression, different styles through a united experience. A lil bit of this, a lil bit of that. Making something from nothing. Sometimes I wanna listen to this, sometimes I wanna listen to that. Top xx lists are as ridiculous as the Hip-Hop vs. Rap debate. Cuz yeah Too Short is as much Hip Hop as KRS-One, period. And for that matter, Soulja Boy is as much Hip Hop as KRS-One. Too much division. Everything doesn’t fit into a box and it shouldn’t.
And for that matter, Soulja Boy is as much Hip Hop as KRS-One.
==================================
You are buggin’.
Ahhhhh! These convos run and run, no right or wrong answer. My 5 are…
1.KRS 1
2. Nas
3.Rakim
4.Biggie Smalls
5.Andre 3000
Okay, I’m done
@amp, all falls in the genre. Aint say I liked em, then I’d be buggin.
em defintely deserves to be on the list. Not just cuz of my opinion and others but even the top rappers on the list would put him on. Jada has said Em was on his top, Jay and Nas repeatedly give there respect to Em, Pun said the only person he thought that could fuk with him was Em and rakim said he was the greatest rapper alive. Not only that, check his track record. To be a great emcee, lyrics are first but along with that you have to be great in other areas like making radio friendly songs, selling tons of records and breaking barriers. If Em being the only white rapper to be successful I dont know what breaking barriers is. I seriously believe that Em made it easier for other rappers 2 be played prominate pop radio stations, mtv and vh1. he’s also the highest selling rapper living today with over 65 million records sold under his belt. His first three albums were amazingly great and his last album was just good, yea he had a handful of songs that coulda stayed off it but his talent in rap didnt go anywhere. Em is still my favorite rapper and hes still the illest rapper alive and def deserves to be on that list…He’ll be out soon once more
…and I’ma black dude by the way
How y’all forget about me?
Bitches.
eh, em’s had some really nice shit & some “what the fuck is wrong with you and why did you put this on ur cd” songs. Eh, but still people can’t post opinions without “white” in the commentary; kinda fucked up.
@Amp
H.E.R. got me checkin’ for his album.
I co-sign 100%
ryan is killin’ it.
Pure genius.
———————————————
Oh and I’ll stay on topic,
Em is unquestionably Top 10. He’s top 5 lyrically while maintaining his mainstream-ness, underground battle tested and un-manufactured.
And now like it’s been said, he owns some of that Sirius satelite money.
That alone makes you at least top 10.
Especially if Jigga has his automatic assumption at top 3.
Isn’t Em due for an album too?
——————————————–
SMH @ Biggie even being questioned about being in the top 5. When one album defeats people’s catalogue, when so many people can quote his lines, when one verse of his > one hot song out today…
hip-hop blasphemy.
r u serious, Jay-Z is higher than Biggie and Tupac, somebody who had umteen of years in the business versus those who died after only a couple of albums. Yet their impact is greater than Jay-Z yet he is the highest.
Man shut the fuck up, go outside the US and look on the inner city walls, u see paintings of Biggie and Tupac, no one else, full stop.
Jay-Z, people really…
Tupac and Biggie have done for rap music what Bob Marley did for reggae music
http://bashmentyard.com
L MOTHERFUCKIN L!!!!!!
In order:
nas,
jay-z,
koolgrap,
icecube,
biggie,
2pac,
rakim,
bigdaddykane,
blackthought,
llcoolj
BIGGIE
NAS
JAY-Z
RAKIM
PAC
KRS-1
BIG DADDY KANE
SCARFACE
EMINEM
REDMAN
ANDRE 3000
SLICK RICK
CHUCK D
BIG PUN
BIG L
KOOL G RAP
JADAKISS
BEANIE SIGEL
SNOOP DOGG
ICE CUBE
Rev. 1 amendment:
In order:
nas,
jay-z,
koolgrap,
ghostface,
icecube,
biggie,
2pac,
rakim,
bigdaddykane,
llcoolj
note: forgot about ghost.damn.
Idiots Always Forget About E-40 And Tech N9ne. Rakim is Was good 10-15 years ago. No One Can Touch Tech N9ne
if you take the time to LISTEN!!!
raekwon made one of the greatest albums ever and he is barely mentioned on this post….guru held it down with the worlds greatest producer for almost 15 years there’s something to be said for that
Tech N9ne? OMG are you serious, dude is cool, I have actually performed with him here but you need to put that theory to rest man.
It really comes down to preference. This is who I always fuck with
1. Big L – Crazy smooth style no one can fuck with
2. Cormega – Underated as fuck, effortless crack flow
3. Slick Rick – Charisma and storytelling master
4. Pac – The dude had an aura, and the shit was orange
5. Nas – Nasty Nas
D.O.C.
If you can make it on the strength of one album, why is he not mentioned in the same light.
MTV’s list was for current, not all time. If it was all time, they deserve to die. Slowly.
em is definately a top 10 -15 – 20 mc no question. regarding the list as a whole. most of the actual lists that people have posted contain the same few mc’s. if this was taken as a census of peeps in the know, then we could safely assume that these emcees are in there. but putting them in order is damn near impossible so a list with no best or worst could be another way to go.
…even that way i could fill the 1st 10 – 15 quite easliy. but i could chop & change the last 5 for the rest of my life & i still wouldnt be completely happy with it.
p e a c e
export top 25 of good rap artists
1.outkast
2.roccett
3.tupac
4.snoop doggy dogg
5.export ghost
6.forensik
7.lodge boyz
8.211
9.ludacris
10.yung joc
11.T.I.
12.Lloyd Banks
13.50 Cent
14.Rick Ross
15.Gucci Mane
16.Eminem
17.The Game
18.Redman
19.Method Man
20.Max B
21.Jim Jones
22.Blade Icewood
23.Biggie
24.Eazy-E
25.Young Jeezy
Based on skills lyrically and the ability to market and sell it. Although many of these artists did not sell well, their skills are too good to be overlooked.
1. Jay
2. Pac
3. Nas
4. Em
5. B.I.G. (should be higher but only 2.5 cds)
6. OutKast
7. Rakim
8. KRS
9. Jadakiss
10. Big Daddy Kane
eminem pac mase biggie smallz and kanye
top 5 mc’s
#1 rap group, bone thugs n harmony
BEST BELIEVE
your a retarded sicked if pac’s not #1 or not in the top 2..wut kind of crack u on to not have pac in your top 2
top 5 all time
andre 3000
pac
big
nas
redman
ahh ya’ll need 2 stfu with that shit,every one takes death of some1 dey were close 2 differently deals with it in a certain way,em haz done alot he blew up quickly,those lyrics are ill and if u say em only talked about one or two thingz u are a sucka coz u havent listend to em,i heard all of his shit nd no dats not all he talks about,get ur facts right b4 ya’ll talk shit,jst coz he out da spotlight dont mean shit,he achieved hiz goals he blew up now he can do wuteva da fuck he feels like,but he is comin out with a new album soon,i think he is one of the best lyrisist of all the time
1.dy-lan
2.dy-lan
3.dy-lan
4.dy-lan
5.dy-lan
mine is the same as alot of e-nerds
nas, andre, ghost, rae, mos
If you wanna talk about top 5 or 10 rappers of all time you gotta make a list of rappers that changed the history and made sth for the Hip-Hop. Every period in the Hip-Hop is known by some artist so my list goes on like this:
1. Run-D.M.C
2. Krs One
3. Rakim
4. Big Daddy Kane
5. 2 Pac
6. Notorious B.I.G
7. Nas
8. Dr. Dre (and whole N.W.A)
9. Eminem (my favorite artist but trully the list goes like this)
10. I’m gon’ leave you to pick somebody
this is just my opinion so… If y’all agree, that’s fine.
If you don’t it’s fine again
PEACE
Eminem is the best rapper alive. He murdered Jay-Z on his own shit. Renegade. Who in anyone’s top 5 would’ve outshined Em on that song. Or even Patiently Waiting for that matter. No creativity or storytelling? What do you call Stan? He’ll murder Lil Wayne if they ever go at it and they probably will since Lil Wayne said Eminem is scared to get on a track with him. No one can fuck with Em’s patterns and no one can clown him cuz he clowns himself harder than anyone else can. He’d be more of an influence if emcees knew how to get to his level and his impact won’t be realized til he’s six feet deep. You can focus on his funny-style songs that he made to go not only platinum but double-diamond. Is Eminem hot right now? Who gives a fuck, he’s the illest.
mos def,busta rhymes,eminem,canibus,method man,big L.is the tightest mcs ever.jayz is forever talking about himself.BIG(rip) was a lyricist but didnt really bring much to the table in versitility.Pac was cool but he wasnt really a lyricist. Nas is cool but it sounds like he freestyles whole songs to the point where the shit sound sketchy.Rakim had lyrics before his time.i wasnt big on him back in the day cause i wasnt feelin them new jack swing type beats,but when i hear his old shit i say that if he was a young up and comin mc today he would give everyone on my list a run for they money.now before anyone get they pannys in a bunch im not talkin about record sales,im talking about talent.
When Em was shown to the crowd in 1996 it started a new era in the Hip-Hop culture. New school hip hop so he brought the Hip-Hop to higher lvl. And also he’s the first white rapper who got respect from everybody. He’s the best lyricist cuz in when he was battleing everybody since he was 15
Now this youngguns are shit. If someone doesn’t do anything
Hip-Hop will be never Hip-Hop again like it was in the 80′s or 90′s. So i think that Em’s newest album feat. Dj Premier and Dre will bring the REAL Hip-Hop to the fans all around the world
There’s a mistake “he was battleing”
1) Tupac
2) Jay-Z
3) Notorious B.I.G.
4) NaS
5) Andre 3000
6) Rakim
7) Kanye West
8)Snoop Dogg
9) Eminem
10) Big Pun
thats my list and im sticking 2 it, ya digg……….
Nas, Biggie, Pac, Rakim, Ghostface, Big Pun, Dre 3000, Common Sense, Pharoahe Monch, Black Thought
No rapper can never be compared to the late Notorious Big.Even 2pac crumbled under his power.He was ahead of our times and second to none.None shall ever come close.Why do you think Jay-z dominates rap now?It is because he imminates everything Big was.
Big was a legend and his legacy leaves forever.He should be placed in the same history books as Bob Marley,Marvin Gaye and all the legends of our times.
okay. i have seen some good and bad stuff amongst all of the arguing, so i will just state my plain and simple opinion.
i feel like Em spearheaded a movement when he came out, to make rappers step their lyrics up.
not to say that lyrics back then were as bad as today, but when Em made it to front street (around 98-99) he made a lot of rappers STEP THEIR RAP GAME UP
some didn’t step high enough and got out shined (sorry Jay)
but nobody can deny that for about a five year period, nobody in their right mind was trying to hop on an Eminem featured track. mostly because they knew his rhymes would eat anybody’s alive.
point blank period.
now who strikes fear into other rappers hearts, for years on end, just by hopping on the same song with them???
there are some who outshine (Luda, Busta, etc.) on features.
But there are also those who strike fear.
Eminem deserves a top ten spot (atleast) just based on that alone.
LL came with a new (for back then) style and made the game step up.
Rakim came with a newer style that changed the game forever.
Eminem dropped, and he made cats take pride in their pens again.
HE DESERVES TOP TEN IF NOTHING ELSE.
now here is my top 10 in order from 10 to 1
mind you, this particular list is also based on my personal preference. i wouldn’t expect anyone else to have an identical list. there will never be a list set in stone (and you should never close your ears to new comers just so old heads can save face.)
big l
canibus
krs-one
big daddy kane
rakim
tupac
biggie
eminem
nas
jay-z
p.s.
honorable mention after one more album….Lupe. nobody will agree with this one, but he mesmorizes me with his bodies of work (especially if you include mixtapes).
em has respect, originality, and skills what more can a rapper have. em killed jay-z on his own song and made that song one of the most popular songs on blueprint. He not only destroys the solo songs he is on but destroys the songs he is featured on. If any artist on the lists above were on em’s song they wouldn’t last a single minute
Everybody that says Eminem murdered Jay-Z on his own shit–Have You Ever listened 2 the original version of Renegade? Royce destroys Eminem on that!
you all are dumb the only reason eminem is not considered the best ever is because he is white, r u all for real he would kill anyone out there lyricly…anytime he features in a song he kills the other person in there own shit…. and i didnt see ludacris on anyones list, wow alot of these guys yall have named are wack. Half of these rappers just talk about money and bitches, thats y i like tupac so much he talks about what he lives. Not like half rappers out there.
Most people usually said that biggie rapped with the flow and was a rapper whereas Pac was only a poet. Yeah it’s true Biggie rapped with the flow and Pac was aware of that but he never focuses his attentions too much on that. He only focuses his attention on his lyrics because it is throught them that people know you plus lyrics had impact on people, so Pac did not prioritize what Biggie or other rappers did as rapping with the flow. What he saw as important was the message.
Flowing rhymes is not a thing to Pac. He could do that but he saw it as unimportant. Rap was first a political movement where gutter people used to use it as a means of communicating with higher or political people and Pac as we all know was raised by a single mother that was a member of the Black Panther that fights for Black Rights and him for sure held the beliefs and moral of Black Panther thus shading light to the fact that rapping to the flow was not important to Pac cos it couldn’t tell a story or said what you wanted to say so these made Tupac better than Biggie.
Rap to with the flow is not only done by Biggie cos most rappers do that like this old time Jay Z and this new white Eminem. Jay Z is a also a best rapper and he too could rap with the flow and in the D12 song ‘Party Out’, Eminem rapped his verse with the flow till the chorus comes in and not to mention, the rhyme was same from the beginning to the end so once again, rapped with the flow is not a thing to take note of. Everybody can do it. It is what you said that matters because it tells a story and could have impacts on people.
So to conclude Pac is much better than Biggie and all other rappers.
R.I.P Tupac Amaru Shakur A.K.A Makaveli (A big thug luv from the Ghupo Klanz in Solomon Islands)