16 thoughts on “No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Why Every ‘Greatest Rapper of All-Time’ Discussion Is Wrong”
If any product is described as the greatest anything, it’s usually hype or an advertising gimmick. We’re told that any decent rapper has to believe himself to be the best to compete, but when the media and fans start buying into that it feeds the insecurities and power trips of many rappers.
How can any rapper claim to be the greatest ever when he would never exist without those who came before him in which ever sub-type or style he himself belongs in? Similar to ‘self made millionaires’ or whatever, they usually claim total independence but didn’t the have teachers, any support, and did they give birth to themselves?
One thing I’ve learned is never have a greatest rapper discussion with 2pac, eminent, nas, or lil Wayne fans lol
There is NO SUCH THING as the greatest MC of all time. Too many variables, too many eras, let it go, already…Nah, Tim Dog is the greatest…
Its like the greatest baseball player of all time is babe ruth, theres always someone better.
Rundmc is the greatest as they brought more listeners to the hip hop culture than any other rap act out there.
Agreed. After listening to nothing but golden era albums for the last 8 months like an out of touch piece of shit, there’s just too may great rappers to make a top 5. On any given day depending on mood, weather, or system, it could be completely different.
I think the answer lies in the pic above..
There will never be the greatest of all time. These “GOAT” debates are based on opinions and bias. There’s too many rappers that can be considered great but like I said it’s all opinion.
the only reason someone would say jay is the best is because someone else told them so.
It’s like boxing so many greats in many weight divisions over the course of hundred years. However, most boxing fans champion Ali the greatest. So, there’s still always one greatest according to majority rule. Still though, fact? really?.
If it’s possible to determine the greatest boxer can we use the same methods of deduction to determine in the future the greatest rapper ever. However i try to come to some sort of concrete conclusion it always boils down to subjective – fact.
Maybe in a around about way im just repeating what Robbie already said in the article. Im confused. Fun subject, serious head fck.
@P: It’s easier to name the greatest in sport since you can base it on statistics and wins. Music doesn’t have that benefit.
If I don’t over analyze it … Rakim. Easy!
(Tomorrow it might be Krs One though)
TOP 5
1. Big Daddy Kane
2. Blastmaster KRS-ONE
3. Kid Wizard Rakim
4. T La Rock
5. Kool Moe Dee
6. Schoolly D
7. Just-Ice
8. Chuck D
9. LL Cool J
10. Ice-T
Alternative Top
1. Grand Poobah (The Krown Rulers)
2. King Sun
3. MC Rell
4. Gradmaster Melle Mel
5. Percee P
Reggie Noble is the goat. I base that on him never falling off. I can’t even think of a wack verse.
Top Ten
1. Rakim
2. Big Daddy Kane
3. Kool Keith
4. KRS One
5. Chuck D
6. Nas
7. MF DOOM
8. Melle Mel
9. Schoolly D
10.Rammellzee
PeAcE…. Nappie Rash Melbourne OZ
YOU ARE TOTALLY CORRECT..FAVORITES THOUGH..
KRS-ONE
PHAROAHE MONCH
MOS-DEF
BLACK THOUGHT
BUSTA RHYMES
WU TANG CLAN INCLUDING CAPPADONNA
THAT’S MY FAVORITE 15..
KANE
RAKIM
KGR
CHUCK D
AND LL ROUND OUT THE TOP/FAVORITE 20 FOR ME..
If any product is described as the greatest anything, it’s usually hype or an advertising gimmick. We’re told that any decent rapper has to believe himself to be the best to compete, but when the media and fans start buying into that it feeds the insecurities and power trips of many rappers.
How can any rapper claim to be the greatest ever when he would never exist without those who came before him in which ever sub-type or style he himself belongs in? Similar to ‘self made millionaires’ or whatever, they usually claim total independence but didn’t the have teachers, any support, and did they give birth to themselves?
One thing I’ve learned is never have a greatest rapper discussion with 2pac, eminent, nas, or lil Wayne fans lol
There is NO SUCH THING as the greatest MC of all time. Too many variables, too many eras, let it go, already…Nah, Tim Dog is the greatest…
Its like the greatest baseball player of all time is babe ruth, theres always someone better.
Rundmc is the greatest as they brought more listeners to the hip hop culture than any other rap act out there.
Agreed. After listening to nothing but golden era albums for the last 8 months like an out of touch piece of shit, there’s just too may great rappers to make a top 5. On any given day depending on mood, weather, or system, it could be completely different.
I think the answer lies in the pic above..
There will never be the greatest of all time. These “GOAT” debates are based on opinions and bias. There’s too many rappers that can be considered great but like I said it’s all opinion.
the only reason someone would say jay is the best is because someone else told them so.
It’s like boxing so many greats in many weight divisions over the course of hundred years. However, most boxing fans champion Ali the greatest. So, there’s still always one greatest according to majority rule. Still though, fact? really?.
If it’s possible to determine the greatest boxer can we use the same methods of deduction to determine in the future the greatest rapper ever. However i try to come to some sort of concrete conclusion it always boils down to subjective – fact.
Maybe in a around about way im just repeating what Robbie already said in the article. Im confused. Fun subject, serious head fck.
@P: It’s easier to name the greatest in sport since you can base it on statistics and wins. Music doesn’t have that benefit.
If I don’t over analyze it … Rakim. Easy!
(Tomorrow it might be Krs One though)
TOP 5
1. Big Daddy Kane
2. Blastmaster KRS-ONE
3. Kid Wizard Rakim
4. T La Rock
5. Kool Moe Dee
6. Schoolly D
7. Just-Ice
8. Chuck D
9. LL Cool J
10. Ice-T
Alternative Top
1. Grand Poobah (The Krown Rulers)
2. King Sun
3. MC Rell
4. Gradmaster Melle Mel
5. Percee P
Reggie Noble is the goat. I base that on him never falling off. I can’t even think of a wack verse.
Top Ten
1. Rakim
2. Big Daddy Kane
3. Kool Keith
4. KRS One
5. Chuck D
6. Nas
7. MF DOOM
8. Melle Mel
9. Schoolly D
10.Rammellzee
PeAcE…. Nappie Rash Melbourne OZ
YOU ARE TOTALLY CORRECT..FAVORITES THOUGH..
KRS-ONE
PHAROAHE MONCH
MOS-DEF
BLACK THOUGHT
BUSTA RHYMES
WU TANG CLAN INCLUDING CAPPADONNA
THAT’S MY FAVORITE 15..
KANE
RAKIM
KGR
CHUCK D
AND LL ROUND OUT THE TOP/FAVORITE 20 FOR ME..