Most Overrated MCs

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I love Kanye West.

I also love when there are people who hate on him just because they'll never be as entertaining as him. Honestly, the dude makes the best beats in the game no matter what anyone says. His raps really aren't that bad either.

But if you wanna talk underrated just take a look at Lupe Fiasco, everyone's pretty much only heard of him through the Kanye track 'Touch the Sky' but his first album is coming out soon and the stuff you can find online of his is really great.

Overrated-wise the names that come to mind are the entire G-Unit crew, definetly Dipset as a whole as well as Snoop. I never really got how Snoop was a good rapper, but maybe it's just me.

I can really understand why people would call Kanye overrated, seeing as he gets so much acclaim from critics. But in all honesty, the guys music is 90% of the time very good. If you grab one of his tracks before MTV and the radio hypes it and overplays it, that's where he's great. I was really down with Gold Digger before it was released as a single, and once it blew up I really got tired of it -- fast.

Anyways, there's my two cents.
 
I don't know man...

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting THE DREAM:</div><div class="quote_post">Now this isn't a thread meant to name who sucks, just people who you feel are overrated......let me remind people, that overrated, does not mean you're not good, it just means you're overrated.

1. Jay Z - Reasonable Doubt was classic material, but Jay really dumbed himself down after RD.........
</div>
He's had his cheeseball moments as an MC, but the constant has always been Good Music - music that sounds good a few years later - for the most part. What I think of Jay-Z is he brings two things - one, his personality which he has more of than 95% of rappers out there, and two, he talks about stuff that he feels. He went through a bling-bling phase, but that's cause that's what he was feeling at the time, not just cause that's what what selling, As a writer of dope lines, one listen to "Change The Game", "Guilty Until Proven Innocent", should prove he could write some amazing stuff.
but What makes him better than 95% of the other cats is he puts his SOUL into it. WHen you listen to a Jay-Z record you feel like he just came over to your house and hung out with you. Some of these other cats have No Soul and no personality.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">2. 2 Pac - unlike Jay Z, I consider myself a fan of pac....with that being said, I'm tired of people calling him the greatest, just because they hear MTV say it......I grew up listening to Pac, but I hate to see people jock the man, just because it's the "cool thing to do"</div>Hey, death helps your legend grow, no doubt. But same as Jigga he put his entire soul into it and it came out through the speakers. I know you're a Nas and a Rakim fan, those guys are awesome but I don't think they have as much soul as Pac or Jay. 2Pac bleeds through the tracks like no other MC - ever....

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">3. Biggie - see 2 Pac</div>
This guy is a rap genius plain and simple. Look at his image - he had NO BUSINESS being a star. Name one other obese star in any genre. OKay big pun, fat joe, but still Biggie was on another level. So you knew his rapping had to be off the charts. And he was so courageous being himself for the world to see - the stuff he spits on Ready To Die "my mama got cancer in the breast, don't ask me why i'm mofther**in stressed" to "I'm a piece of **** it aint hard to tell" - how many rappers would reveal their demons like this unafraid? Most of these guys with "skills" such as Canibus, JR Writer, Ras Kass, Kurupt, Jadakiss choose their words carefully, when you're talking about Biggie, Jay Z, they exposed themselves more through their raps. The best rappers are like great actors - their charisma comes through and you remember their stories......

To me, the Number One overrated MC is Nas!
When Illmatic came out, it was all I listened to - FOR A YEAR.
Same with It was Written.
Just don't ask me to listen to either of those albums now - I won't, they do not hold up. And those are his best records.
I Am... - garbage
Stillmatic - garbage
The worst is his latest - when I first got it, I was excited, like Nas is back, alright! After a few spins, I realized that Nas is one of those artists that shines bright early in life, then the candle fades out and there's nothing left...
I'm actually surprised he's still on a major label he stinks so bad these days.
 
^^Are you ok, do you need some mental help? NaS may be the best lyricist of our generation. All the ablums you just mentioned are CLASICS! Have your heard Ether where he just runs Hov into the ground? I'm speechless, also listen to a song of his called Nazareth Savage. All those who say without Dre NWA would've been nowhere, I doubt it because Eazy n Cub'es lyrical skills make up for his beats. Also, Dre is not untouchable, as far as I know wasn't he in some R&B group before NWA that Eazy Ripped him for on Real Mutha****** G's. Also, I'm pretty sure Jay's lyrical skills could've gotten him signed to any label where he could get beats, and he is by no means overated, you try memerizing every rhyme without using paper or pencil. Kanye is actually pretty good IMO. Listen to his song Roses and you'll see his talent. I went to his concert down here and he is an incredible entertainer as well. I agree Dipset is overated but JR Writer is their only legit guy. Snoop used to be the **** but then he went all hollywood and his music has really declined. As for 50, he makes some great songs. Listen to I'm supposed to die tonight on the Massacre, he also has a song with Snoop on R&G that's outta control.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker15:</div><div class="quote_post">All those who say without Dre NWA would've been nowhere, I doubt it because Eazy n Cub'es lyrical skills make up for his beats. Also, Dre is not untouchable, as far as I know wasn't he in some R&B group before NWA that Eazy Ripped him for on Real Mutha****** G's.</div>

The World Class Wreckin Cru. Dre wore makeup, and Eazy ripped him. On Eazys 187umkilla album, he shows pictures of Dre dressed in womens clothes and wearing makeup.
laugh.gif


All of a sudden Dr. Dre is a G thang/
but on his old album covers he was a she thang/
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Honestly, the dude makes the best beats in the game no matter what anyone says.</div>
i beg to differ, DJ Premier & Green Lantern anyone?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I never really got how Snoop was a good rapper, but maybe it's just me.</div>
listen to Doggystyle, you'll see what he used to be..
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">All the ablums you just mentioned are CLASICS! Have your heard Ether where he just runs Hov into the ground?</div>
Well, not all of Nas' albums are classics. Illmatic, It was written, and Stillmatic could definitely be argued, but the rest were good or average (Nastradamus). I do, however, agree that Nas is definitely not overrated. And it's really debateable which diss track hit harder, Takeover or Ether. Nas obviously had kicked the rhymes and his flow and delivery were far superior, but Takeover a lot of strong punchlines, which Ether did not. Both were great though..
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">i beg to differ, DJ Premier & Green Lantern anyone?
</div>

All i can think of when I hear those two names are them ruining songs by screaming their names in the beginning of them.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">listen to Doggystyle, you'll see what he used to be..</div>

That's the point, I have listened to Doggystyle and it's decent, but not good enough for him to get his own Girls Gone Wild DVD.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_fan:</div><div class="quote_post">Without Dre's beats, it's arguable if they would have got where they were.</div>

Dre is a great beatmaker, but his beats didn't make NWA. When you got talents like Cube and Eazy, you don't need crazy beats to make a good song. Dre didn't make NWA, Eazy was the one who signed Dre and Yella to Ruthless. Dre had very limited success with WCWC, and then as we all know, the music industry changed NWA came along.
 
Ether definitely was better than Takeover.

Rocafella died of AIDS that was the end of his chapter/
and that's the guy y'all chose to name your company after?

Put it together, I rock hoes, y'all rock fellas/
and now y'all tryna take my spot, fellas?

PWNed
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Dre is a great beatmaker, but his beats didn't make NWA. When you got talents like Cube and Eazy, you don't need crazy beats to make a good song. Dre didn't make NWA, Eazy was the one who signed Dre and Yella to Ruthless. Dre had very limited success with WCWC, and then as we all know, the music industry changed NWA came along.</div>
Agree 100%. To me Cube IS NWA, not Dre at all. Dre did make Snoop and Eminem though. I doubt Snoop would have made it without Dre - Dre figured out how to present him the best. Have you heard Snoop's No Limit album Paid tha cost to be tha boss - that's what snoop would have been without Dre - i.e. a sub-gold-selling performer.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ether definitely was better than Takeover.

Rocafella died of AIDS that was the end of his chapter/
and that's the guy y'all chose to name your company after?

Put it together, I rock hoes, y'all rock fellas/
and now y'all tryna take my spot, fellas?

PWNed</div>

"So yeah I sampled your voice, you was usin it wrong/
You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song"

"Because you know who (who) did you know what (what)/
with you know who (yeah) but just keep that between me and you for now"

"That's a one hot album every ten year average"
=just as strong - his baby-mama/ Carmen line sonned the sh*t outta Nas.

But like I said, Ether = Takeover.
 
^Ether > Takeover for sure, but the beef is over, so it doesn't even matter.

Kanye as a musicioan is talented and makes hits, and overall good music to lisen to. His lyrics are weak and he's riding way too hard on his whole collegfe theme. But on the topic of Jesus Walks, iuts good that Kanye gave Rhymefest credi t for it, but Rhymefest certianly doesn't have the cred that he desreves for it. 'Fest brough the sample and the whole concept to 'Ye. Fest was supposed to drop a couple verses too I believe. But they are down, so it doesn't even matter.

As for Lupe being underrated, definitely not IMO. He's been making crazy waves with his FNF mixtapes(, and his role in the streetwear game is gaining him crazy exposure. It hink the resaon why he can be perceived as "underrated" is becuase people only know him as the emcee featured on Touch the Sky and if anything his underexposure.

As for the issue of the quality of rap, I agree and think that most of the stuff out there is garbage. I think Mike Shinoda's production movement shown on Fort Minor is the right direction to go to(or back to). Stop using the digitalized drum kits, and v iolin samples and what not, go out and get a band/real instruments nad play them to get what you want. Real sound. Kanye did it similarly with...John Singleton?(thats the first name that came to mind), but Kanye did not have his own vision in creating that. He neede da third paty to make his beats better. As for shinoda, he had vision and would play the drums, and piano. He even bought a tambourine for one of the beats. Continuing on the production issues, I think the proliferation of beatmakers is sort of killing a large chunk of the music(but i sneeded to let emcee's let their lyrics be heard). I think we need more producers, that work with artists and help get each one of their vision out to be shown in the music.

Lyrically, I thik the game is garbage, but moreso because the consumers just don't care and want club bangers to vibe to and don't care about lyrics. If the vast majority of consumers start demanding more, I truly believe the record companies will deliver with quality emcees who are passionate about the music.
 
50 cent is the most overrated. What a bunch of crap.

I happen to think 2pac is still the greatest of his era. His lyrics and intensity cannot be compared to anyone. Have you read his poetry book? Deep stuff.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Honestly, the dude makes the best beats in the game no matter what anyone says</div>

Premo, RZA, And a whole list of others >>> Kanye (when it comes to producing)

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Hey, death helps your legend grow, no doubt. But same as Jigga he put his entire soul into it and it came out through the speakers. I know you're a Nas and a Rakim fan, those guys are awesome but I don't think they have as much soul as Pac or Jay. 2Pac bleeds through the tracks like no other MC - ever....
</div>

While Pac was one of the most emotional MC's, he's not the only one, and if you listen to his music throughout his career you can see how certain artist influenced him....when Pac first came out, he was a poor man's Chuck D/ Ice Cube....then as he evolved you can see that he took a page from Scarface's book, when he started becoming deep on the mic.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This guy is a rap genius plain and simple. Look at his image - he had NO BUSINESS being a star. Name one other obese star in any genre. OKay big pun, fat joe, but still Biggie was on another level. So you knew his rapping had to be off the charts. And he was so courageous being himself for the world to see - the stuff he spits on Ready To Die "my mama got cancer in the breast, don't ask me why i'm mofther**in stressed" to "I'm a piece of **** it aint hard to tell" - how many rappers would reveal their demons like this unafraid? Most of these guys with "skills" such as Canibus, JR Writer, Ras Kass, Kurupt, Jadakiss choose their words carefully, when you're talking about Biggie, Jay Z, they exposed themselves more through their raps. The best rappers are like great actors - their charisma comes through and you remember their stories......
</div>

While biggie was great, I tend to think Big Pun was better.....Big had more swagger, but the way Pun put words together so precisely is just amazing....Biggie was a great MC, but lyrically I think some overrate him......I can think 20-30 people off of my head who I'd say are better lyricist than biggie, I'm not trying to say all of the people who are better lyrically than biggie are better than him overall, but you can make an argument for some

underrated lyricist/great artist/great MC's

Rakim
Ras Kass
Big Pun
Andre 3000
Cube
Redman
Ghostface
Black Thought
GZA
KRS One
Chino XL
Scarface
Killah Priest
Nas
Kool G. Rap
Common
Mos Def
Cormega
AZ
Cee Lo Green

and that's just my shortlist

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">To me, the Number One overrated MC is Nas!
When Illmatic came out, it was all I listened to - FOR A YEAR.
Same with It was Written.
Just don't ask me to listen to either of those albums now - I won't, they do not hold up. And those are his best records.
I Am... - garbage
Stillmatic - garbage
The worst is his latest - when I first got it, I was excited, like Nas is back, alright! After a few spins, I realized that Nas is one of those artists that shines bright early in life, then the candle fades out and there's nothing left...
I'm actually surprised he's still on a major label he stinks so bad these days.
</div>

Illmatic - classic
IWW - very good
I Am - okay
Nastraudamus - wack
Stillmatic - great
Gods Son - great
Lost Tapes - great
Streets Disciple - great


EDIT

As far as Jigga is concerned, I find most of his albums to be rather boring...the only jigga albums that really get spins from me are RD,BP, and black album (on occassion).....I just think he's released a lot of mediocre material, but because he has a hot single, everyone labels him "mr. consistent".....he's consitent at making hits and putting his name out there and selling albums, but artistically there are whole bunch of MC's who have been more consitent than Jay.
 
I don't get how anyone can say that Pac, Biggie, or Jay-Z is overrated.

I also don't get how you can say that someone like Lil Wayne is overrated. Its not like he gets tons of accolades to begin with, the general public pretty much realizes that he sucks.

Here's my list of some overrated MCs.

Kanye (although I like him)
T.I.
50 cent
Ludacris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DMX
Young Buck!
Lil Jon
Chingy

With the exception of Kanye, all those MCs spit straight garbage.
 
How is Lil Jon overrated? The guy doesn't even rap. He's known for his club beats, and thats the only thing he gets recognition for.

I don't think DMX gets his due either. His first two albums were amazing. He brought the game away from that gay R&B rap.
 
DMX overated? I love X and he makes some intesne ****. He's always been one of my faves. Also, Ludacris is a reli good rapper n chingy jsut died after one call away lol.
 
Lil John does rap...listen to Crunk Juice 2004 (specifically Real N**** Roll Call feat Ice Cube). He mainly does hooks, but all he does is yell and cuss. Nate Dogg is a good example of someone who does mainly hooks but does it well.

DMX is great but his lyrics have no substance. He comes out and barks like a dog in every track! I realize its his trademark, but come on.

I also really like Ludacris back when he dropped the Album with Area Codes, and Move. But he's fallen off. I'm tired of his style, over enunciating and whatnot. Isn't as good as people give him credit for.
 
Anyone from the damn G-Unit click is overrated. I love their hooks and their beats, but their lyrics are really wack.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With the exception of Kanye, all those MCs spit straight garbage.
</div>

DMX & Luda >>>> Kanye.....but you can make an argument for both being overrated, eventhough I'm a big DMX fan (at least his old stuff)

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">the general public pretty much realizes that he sucks.</div>

the general public that I hang around treat the man as if he's the greatest thing since sliced cheese, so that's why I think he's overrated.
 
How about Joe Buddens, he's fallen off since pump it up which was a pretty good club banger.
 
Buddens has actually grown on me, although some do still overrate him, I can't deny that the man has talent (check 3 sides to a story)
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker15:</div><div class="quote_post">How about Joe Buddens, he's fallen off since pump it up which was a pretty good club banger.</div>

He has fallen off, but if you follow him, the guy has some crazy tracks. His lyrics, his flow and verses have gotten better. I was a huge fan of him before he became mainstream, when he was making tracks and freestyles with Fab and Paul Cain, but he's matured a bit.
 
^^^^speaking of fabolous.....add his wack ass to my list......mixtape punchline rappers = overrated and boring.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting THE DREAM:</div><div class="quote_post">DMX & Luda >>>> Kanye.</div>

Are you saying this based on longevity or ability? Ludacris made a whole cd where every single track was talking about ho's and rhyming the word ho. You can't even argue that Ludacris' rhymes have more substance than Kanye's.

On a side note, I went to the Mos Def concert here in Seattle on Friday. It was off the hook. The man is an amazing lyricist. Dropped multiple freestyles for the crowd while they were adjusting/fixing his equipment (he actually stopped mid-song to make them get the bass right so it would sound perfect). Download some Mos.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting H.ayes:</div><div class="quote_post">All i can think of when I hear those two names are them ruining songs by screaming their names in the beginning of them.
</div>What?

I have every Gang Starr album and most of the other songs Premier has produced...and I can honestly say that I cannot recall one instance in which his voice is audible in any single one of his songs.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you saying this based on longevity or ability? Ludacris made a whole cd where every single track was talking about ho's and rhyming the word ho. You can't even argue that Ludacris' rhymes have more substance than Kanye's.
</div>


I want everyone to understand something.....Kanye West is not the first (nor the best) rapper to talk about social issues in his music....Secondly most of the time Kanye isn't even "socially conscious" in most of his songs......let's take his last 2 singles for the album "Late Registration" and analyze them closely.....

"Diamonds from Sierra Lione" - It was nice how the video was made about the diamond mining problems in Africa...........the only problem is the song had NOTHING to do with the video....instead Kanye chose to talk about himself (like he normally does).....we had to wait for the remix until he finally addressed the issue.

"Gold Digger" - nothing revolutionary about this song.

Just because the man doesn't talk about his grill in every song and just because he mades a song about Jesus, doesn't make the dude some kind of rap God that everyone trys to make him out to be.


Kanye West as a MC = avg.....and sometimes below

Kanye West as a producer = pretty damn good


End of discussion.
 
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