I think the rapper I would completely erase is Jay Z. In terms of flow and cleverness Jay is definitely up there, but in terms of subject matter he ranks at the bottom of the barrel. In terms of all of rap music, I would pick Puff Daddy, but he is really a producer. Jay Z made his fame of songs where all he rapped about was ICE and Jewels and bitches, he even admitted in vibe to making a whole album of songs dictated by what the radio would feel. He definitely has the skills of an MC, but he took Pac's "How Do U Want It" image and ran with it full throttle. He helped bring the bling bling faze of rap to the front and as a result we have a bunch of MCs rapping about the diamonds in their grill instead of the state of the streets, the disproportionate number of minorities and impoverished citizens in the military, and several other civil rights and liberty issues that seem to remain un-talked about today. Rap has always been about partying since the NWA days and before, but it was never about aqquiring material goods to prove your worth until AFTER Pac died. When Pac died, Big stepped in, Mase and Jay Z came in, P Diddy was the top producer. Master P made his fame from Pac and then followed the crowd. So did CMR. That fucked up rap music PERIOD. Whatever happened to keeping in touch with the streets? The concept was lost when rappers lost touch with the streets. Of course Jay Z aint stricktly to blame, but Jay had the spotlight and ruined his chance to take rap in the direction of the people. Ever Since Can I Get a What What whiteboys in rich neighborhoods like Atherton can identify with rap music more than your average ghetto kid from the MOE.
As far as BIG, he was DEFINITELY a GOOD MC. But he will always be a 4 MIC MC in my book. Ready 2 Die was a classic, but lets face it, had Pac never have been killed, Biggie would never be considered on the same level. What I mean is, its like since the West lost the greatest rapper of all-time and the East lost a great rapper all the sudden the East considers it an equal loss. Nas, Redman, Method Man and other artists have much more talent then BIG, but since BIG died its like hes some kind of East Coast matryr or something. Not to cast a shadow on BIGS rap career but it makes me sick when people call him the GOAT. People wouldnt be saying that shit if BIG was here today, or if BIG was dead but there wasnt a Pac to compare.
Kinda controversal, prolly get a lotta shit for this, but MY 2 CENTS like it or not.
Signed,
One drunk mothafucka @ 2:18Am.
As far as BIG, he was DEFINITELY a GOOD MC. But he will always be a 4 MIC MC in my book. Ready 2 Die was a classic, but lets face it, had Pac never have been killed, Biggie would never be considered on the same level. What I mean is, its like since the West lost the greatest rapper of all-time and the East lost a great rapper all the sudden the East considers it an equal loss. Nas, Redman, Method Man and other artists have much more talent then BIG, but since BIG died its like hes some kind of East Coast matryr or something. Not to cast a shadow on BIGS rap career but it makes me sick when people call him the GOAT. People wouldnt be saying that shit if BIG was here today, or if BIG was dead but there wasnt a Pac to compare.
Kinda controversal, prolly get a lotta shit for this, but MY 2 CENTS like it or not.
Signed,
One drunk mothafucka @ 2:18Am.
