Let's just back this up for a moment. The problem with honorable mentions is that it lets people off the hook from having to make the hard choices.
Go back to this original list:
10. LL Cool J 9. Eminem 8. Ice Cube 7. Big Daddy Kane 6. KRS-ONE 5. Nas 4. Rakim 3. Biggie 2. 2Pac 1. Jay-Z
Ok, so fine, your favorite rapper got left off. Put them back on but you gotta take someone off to do it.
Personally, I think this is a pretty solid list (though, like many, I might quibble with the order. I'd put Rakim ahead of Biggie and move 'Pac a few positions down. I think Ice Cube, despite falling the fuck off, is a wise choice and suprisingly, I think I'd actually keep Cube up here too). I'm actually not inclined to take anyone off.
Take Eminem off, you poptart. And add 'Face. Chuck D
I am going to drop a revelation of earthshaking proportions here and say that while I love P.E. for how they sounded and what they represented, I have always thought Chuck D was a little forced and awkward as lyricist.
Seriously? To me, Chuck had one of the most powerful voices in hiphop and a delivery that commanded your attention on a moments notice. His lyrics were top notch and for the part of hiphop he represented, nobody could duplicate it then OR now.
HarveyCanal"a distraction from my main thesis." 13,234 Posts
I have to agree with Dr. Rillz, Chuck D seems to lack a certain sense of musical phrasing. But he's one of greatest artists period. But strictly looking at MC skills, that was his weakness.
On the other hand, I always liked Guru's phrasing and tone, but felt he lacked in overall lyrical content. And after Jazzmatazz Vol. 8 (the Starbucks tapes), I seriously wanted to kill him.
As for blaming KK for this babbling backpacker "lyrical" dada. Fine, but a rockist might suggest that's like hating on the Minutemen and blaming them for Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More and shit like that.
Just for the record I use criteria for the MC GOAT shits or similar type lists that includes:
overall Content word choice Flow Musical Phrasing consistency in their recorded output longevity in their recorded output a sense of improvement over time.
but it does not include: gender race location media image
Hip Hop isn't on MTV!! So this list or any other is frivilous in my eyes. MTV knows teen pop and contemporary(trendy only for the radio & billboard charts)rap.
Hip Hop isn't on MTV!! So this list or any other is frivilous in my eyes. MTV knows teen pop and contemporary(trendy only for the radio & billboard charts)rap.
did you click on the link and read through it? it is probably better than you think.
Hip Hop isn't on MTV!! So this list or any other is frivilous in my eyes. MTV knows teen pop and contemporary(trendy only for the radio & billboard charts)rap.
WORDD UPP WIF YO SKIRT UP SUN ALL DA RILL HEDZ NO MTV2 IZ FO DAT NEKK DOGG
Hip Hop isn't on MTV!! So this list or any other is frivilous in my eyes. MTV knows teen pop and contemporary(trendy only for the radio & billboard charts)rap.
Hip Hop isn't on MTV!! So this list or any other is frivilous in my eyes. MTV knows teen pop and contemporary(trendy only for the radio & billboard charts)rap.
This argument is so tired, like 1985 tired.
No see that's where you're wrong. Its classic Friday material.
I'm not saying that Eminem is #1 ??? though he is to me. But I am saying that he is way better than #9. And Ice Cube at #8? Above Eminem? That is idiotic. Do the list over. Matt, 23 McHenry, IL
Co-Signer: Common "Eminem is the essence of an MC. He can get on any subject matter and rock it, and ... he's coming from his heart. He can get onstage and have a presence. His patterns are real good: He can flow like an instrument. He rides them beats right and says clever stuff. MCing, to me, is when you hear a dude say something and you tell your homie, 'You heard what he said?' Eminem has that 'Oooh, you heard what he said?' That's somebody you gotta step up with your game before [challenging]. He's an MC by heart. You know it. He's eating it, breathing it."
bonus:
Lauryn Hill: One of the illest MCs to ever rip a mic, male or female. Charles, 19 Portland, OR
11th? Shit I thought it was 10th. Damnit my list is all fucked up. Where's my Kufi.
i've found it helpful to make an elements spreadsheet... it's very easy to reorganize when new elements pop up... be sure to post it on okayplayer for approval before hitting that save button, though
Comments
Seriously? To me, Chuck had one of the most powerful voices in hiphop and a delivery that commanded your attention on a moments notice. His lyrics were top notch and for the part of hiphop he represented, nobody could duplicate it then OR now.
The game will benefit.
You wouldn't know game if it hired you a fashion consultant.
hee hee!
Is the hiring of fashion consultants one of the pre-approved ways to "get in the game"?
There's something we can agree on.
Oh schnap--he took it there!
Shiezy, you seem like that dude whose wardrobe consists entirely of pleated khakis paired with ill-fitted washed-out promo tees.
He may have picked up the whole "khakis-n-sneakers" look from his years in the Bay. You gotta walk the walk to talk the talk, you know?
i know that dude!
Never pleats.
you are that dude!
On the other hand, I always liked Guru's phrasing and tone, but felt he lacked in overall lyrical content. And after Jazzmatazz Vol. 8 (the Starbucks tapes), I seriously wanted to kill him.
As for blaming KK for this babbling backpacker "lyrical" dada. Fine, but a rockist might suggest that's like hating on the Minutemen and blaming them for Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More and shit like that.
Just for the record I use criteria for the MC GOAT shits or similar type lists that includes:
overall Content
word choice
Flow
Musical Phrasing
consistency in their recorded output
longevity in their recorded output
a sense of improvement over time.
but it does not include:
gender
race
location
media image
NEVER ILL FITTED
MTV knows teen pop and contemporary(trendy only for the radio & billboard charts)rap.
did you click on the link and read through it? it is probably better than you think.
WORDD UPP WIF YO SKIRT UP SUN ALL DA RILL HEDZ NO MTV2 IZ FO DAT NEKK DOGG
This argument is so tired, like 1985 tired.
No see that's where you're wrong. Its classic Friday material.
Cue: Project Blowed Angle
Further Cue: Guzzo yelling at Archaic
Great first post, dude. You really brought something to the game with that.
Matt, 23
McHenry, IL
Co-Signer: Common
"Eminem is the essence of an MC. He can get on any subject matter and rock it, and ... he's coming from his heart. He can get onstage and have a presence. His patterns are real good: He can flow like an instrument. He rides them beats right and says clever stuff. MCing, to me, is when you hear a dude say something and you tell your homie, 'You heard what he said?' Eminem has that 'Oooh, you heard what he said?' That's somebody you gotta step up with your game before [challenging]. He's an MC by heart. You know it. He's eating it, breathing it."
bonus:
Lauryn Hill: One of the illest MCs to ever rip a mic, male or female.
Charles, 19
Portland, OR
11th? Shit I thought it was 10th. Damnit my list is all fucked up. Where's my Kufi.
Leave Jinx out of this.
Several of his promo tees are VG.
But do they have VG+ smell?
i've found it helpful to make an elements spreadsheet... it's very easy to reorganize when new elements pop up... be sure to post it on okayplayer for approval before hitting that save button, though
Classic Material