Who is the greatest MC of all time?

[B.e.]

EDIT: If you HAD to chose..lol

Pound for pound?

I'm going with B.I.G.

I don't think he has a bad song...and there isn't a song that he CAN'T do...and execute amazingly. You've got positive tracks, you've got crazy story telling tracks, you've got club friendly songs that still maintain ill lyrics, you got the female songs, you got the 'battle' type tracks where he just show off lyrically (ie Kick in the Door). Flow is on point...delivery of course, persona and swagger is there, versatility is there, his music is universal as well....the only thing Biggie couldn't have is longevity...but I still think he is the best to do it.

 

[NTC]

It's impossible to pick one guy as the greatest, but if I HAD to choose one guy who I think is the greatest, it would likely be Rakim or Guru.

 

[B.e.]

NTC I honestly don't see what you see in Guru...even though I admit I haven't checked much for Gangstarr when I did dude had the charisma of a wall.

 

[Mr. J]

Like NTC said, you really can't pinpoint the greatest. But B.I.G. is definitely up there. He's the only rapper that can say "I'll suck on your daddy's dick!" and not get really get criticized. He also had a ridiculous flow, I must say.

Some of my favorites: classic Jay-Z, classic Nas, Rakim, and Pac.

 

[Chutney]

I've never really been the biggest B.I.G. fan, although I can't deny how good he was. My pick would be Rakim, although like everyone's said already, its all a bit subjective in the end.

 

[The Dream]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think he has a bad song...and there isn't a song that he CAN'T do...and execute amazingly.</div>

One thing Biggie never did was talk about politics or political subject matter in his songs....he made a couple of Julianni referrences but nothing really major.....but that's beside the point


my favorite MC is Rakim, but imo the greatest of all time is KRS One

when you look at everything.

 

[Legacy]

Post there best songs. I want to get in on all this "old school rap" stuff.

 

[B.e.]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Post there best songs. I want to get in on all this "old school rap" stuff.</div>
Go get their albums...you'll be missing out if you just go by best song...

if you listen to the albums you'll likely discover your own favorite tracks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">One thing Biggie never did was talk about politics or political subject matter in his songs....he made a couple of Julianni referrences but nothing really major.....but that's beside the point
</div>
Well we can play by "ifs" if he would have stayed alive, he would have likely matured into including a little politics into his music. But not many mainstream MCs do it. Especially after the late 80s and early 90s.

I haven't really gotten into KRS much either...from what I hear has release a lot of frisbees.

 

[NTC]

<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">NTC I honestly don't see what you see in Guru...even though I admit I haven't checked much for Gangstarr when I did dude had the charisma of a wall.</div>

There are ALOT of emcee's out there who lack charisma, Rakim is one of them also.

 

[The Dream]

yeah I've seen Ra live and one thing I'll definitely say that Kris has over him is Mic presence....Rakim probably has him beat in the lyrics category and I think his flow is smoother, but Kris has a better voice.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> haven't really gotten into KRS much either...from what I hear has release a lot of frisbees.</div>

him and Marley Marl actually just released "Hip Hop Lives" I've yet to pick it up, but from what I hear it's supposed to be pretty good.......I personally recommend the self titled "KRS One" and "Return of the Boom Bap".

EDIT

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Post there best songs. I want to get in on all this "old school rap" stuff.</div>


Rakim (since you're probably younger)

When I Be on the Mic
It's Been A Long Time
After You Die
18th Letter
New York (You Out There)


if you like those then you can really get in to his older material like

My Melody, Lyrics of Fury, As the Rhyme Goes On, Follow the Leader, Mahogany, Let the Rhythm Hit Em, The Punisher, I Ain't No Joke, Eric B. is President, Move the Crowd, Microphone Fiend, Shades of Black, Know-the-ledge,Casualties of War, etc.

 

[M Two One]

MC Pee Pants, Chutney will agree.

 

[Mamba]

KRS-One's son blew his head off last week.

 

[The Dream]

yeah that was terrible....Sticky Fingaz brother was also killed not too long ago.

 

[B.e.]

<div class="quote_poster">NTC Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">There are ALOT of emcee's out there who lack charisma, Rakim is one of them also.</div>

Yea...well I guess some people look into it more than others....cause I definitely like MCs to put feeling into their lyrics.

 

[Legacy]

DREAM, I can't believe you said Eminem was top 30. I could say he was atleast in the top 20, maybe even top 10. What about songs like: Lose Yourself, The Way I Am, Guilty Conscience, Till I Collapse, Stan, Without Me, The Real Slim Shady? The third verse in Lose Yourself is unbelievable.

 

[44Thrilla]

This question is impossible to answer, but I think Talib Kweli should be in the discussion.

 

[Legacy]

Maybe there should be a poll.

 

[The Dream]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">DREAM, I can't believe you said Eminem was top 30. I could say he was atleast in the top 20, maybe even top 10. What about songs like: Lose Yourself, The Way I Am, Guilty Conscience, Till I Collapse, Stan, Without Me, The Real Slim Shady? The third verse in Lose Yourself is unbelievable.</div>

When looking at lyrical abilities alone maybe yes, but when looking at the "entire" package I can't put him ahead of

Rakim, KRS, Chuck D, Ice Cube, Ice T, 2 Pac, Andre 3000, Scarface, Common, Nas, Black Thought, Kool G. Rap, Ghostface and others...but that's just me.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">but I think Talib Kweli should be in the discussion.
</div>

I like Talib, but he's fell off.....he needs to get back with Hi-tek, because they work well together.

 

[Chutney]

<div class="quote_poster">M Two One Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">MC Pee Pants, Chutney will agree.</div>
Word. "I Want Candy" is a hot track.

Invalid Video Link

 

[NTC]

<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yea...well I guess some people look into it more than others....cause I definitely like MCs to put feeling into their lyrics.</div>

And so do I. Guru and Rakim put feeling into their lyrics, they just lack the charisma or mic prescense of say an Eminem, KRS-One or Mos Def. It doesnt mean they're just there saying stuff for the sake of it, thats just the kind of people they are.

You'll find that there is a greater majority of emcee's who lack charisma opposed to those who dont. Biggie for example had a good mic presence, although he was fairly monotonous himself. Prodigy and Havoc are other examples.

 

[Mr. J]

Mos Def should most definitely be a candidate.

 

[B.e.]

Sure Mos Def and Kweli are great MCs...but they just don't have the "numero uno" factor about them. I don't consider selling records a measure for great quality hip hop...but popularity is a factor at the end of the day.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
And so do I. Guru and Rakim put feeling into their lyrics, they just lack the charisma or mic prescense of say an Eminem, KRS-One or Mos Def. It doesnt mean they're just there saying stuff for the sake of it, thats just the kind of people they are.</div>
I know they feel their lyrics...but all I'm saying is I don't feel the emotion-which kinda takes away from the "total package" aspect of an MC.

I would not call BIG monotonous either...he has a deep, projecting voice (pause), hence the famous sounds people make from BIG, you know, "UHHHH" lol.

 

[Chutney]

I don't think it should be. Rakim, KRS, Guru, etc. are ridiculously slept on by the majority of hip hop fans. It shouldn't be held against them, just because they don't get hype of a 2pac or B.I.G. In the end, their material is the only thing that counts.

 

[umair]

[j/k]Who? Mike Jones![/jk]

 

[B.e.]

I think most people who know hip hops roots and are well informed about the Genre have KRS-One and Rakim top 10 top 5 and I see Ra #1 a lot as well. It's all about the generation of fans you discuss it with...I doubt you'll find many 90s babys like me who will tell you Rakim, KRS, etc are the greatest...meanwhile I hardly ever see Guru in top 10s.

 

[NTC]

<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Sure Mos Def and Kweli are great MCs...but they just don't have the "numero uno" factor about them. I don't consider selling records a measure for great quality hip hop...but popularity is a factor at the end of the day.</div>

What is the "numero uno" factor then? Because Mos Def is one of the most well rounded emcee's in the game.

I'm the same as you, in that record sales, or how many albums you have released doesnt factor into my assessment when calling some one a great emcee, I think that if you've got it, you've got it, if thats after one album, or 4, it doesnt matter to me. Popularity means jack to me aswell, I think thats a very weak area to take into consideration on a topic such as this one, it has very little to do with anything really, as I said earlier, if an emcee has "it", then they have it.

<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I know they feel their lyrics...but all I'm saying is I don't feel the emotion-which kinda takes away from the "total package" aspect of an MC.</div>

Ok, who are some emcee's that you would say make you "feel" what they're saying in their delivery? I'm just interested to know.

<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I would not call BIG monotonous either...he has a deep, projecting voice (pause), hence the famous sounds people make from BIG, you know, "UHHHH" lol.</div>

He was definatley monotonous, this is coming from one of the biggest B.I.G. fans you'll find. Like I said, he had a great mic presence, however his tone was rather boring. He had the 'deep voice' thing going for him like you said, but his tone was just as boring as Guru's. Although the great thing about Biggie, was he made you feel his emotion through his lyrics, and not through his delivery, at the end of the day I think that is a much better tool to have up your sleeve, and thats the type of thing Guru and Rakim work with too.

 

[B.e.]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ok, who are some emcee's that you would say make you "feel" what they're saying in their delivery?</div>
There's a lot of MCs...Tupac, Jay, BIG, Ghost-GZA-RZA, Kanye, Em, Beanie Sigel, Ice Cube, Common, Nas (even though he can be a bit boring at times well), KRS, Kool G Rap, Dre 3000....

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">What is the "numero uno" factor then? Because Mos Def is one of the most well rounded emcee's in the game.</div>
I think being #1 you have to be a great MC which Mos Definitely is....but the number one spot is for like a household name...lol I know yall are gonna get at this...

Monotonous-Sounded or spoken in an unvarying tone.

You can't tell me you can describe Biggie is that. I just don't hear it...because he varies his tone on various songs...look at a song like Gimmie The Loot or Things Done Changed...

OT/EDIT: NTC, Common was just on Hot 97...and they asked him who he liked in the rap game right now...I'ma let you guess who he said amongst a few rapper....and I'm pretty sure this man knows his hip hop lol....

 

[NTC]

<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">There's a lot of MCs...Tupac, Jay, BIG, Ghost-GZA-RZA, Kanye, Em, Beanie Sigel, Ice Cube, Common, Nas (even though he can be a bit boring at times well), KRS, Kool G Rap, Dre 3000....</div>

Fair enough.

<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think being #1 you have to be a great MC which Mos Definitely is....but the number one spot is for like a household name...lol I know yall are gonna get at this...</div>

This doesnt make sense to me, because you're putting more emphasis on being known that how much talent you have.

<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Monotonous-Sounded or spoken in an unvarying tone.

You can't tell me you can describe Biggie is that. I just don't hear it...because he varies his tone on various songs...look at a song like Gimmie The Loot or Things Done Changed...</div>

No, you're right, those are good examples. I was wrong.

I still think he has a rather boring voice, but you are right, he did switch up his tone here and there.

<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">OT/EDIT: NTC, Common was just on Hot 97...and they asked him who he liked in the rap game right now...I'ma let you guess who he said amongst a few rapper....and I'm pretty sure this man knows his hip hop lol....</div>

Lil' Wayne? LOL

Like I said, I dont care who comes out and says it, the dude is still garbage. I mean c'mon, you cant honestly tell me a guy who comes up with rhymes like: "I see she wearing them jeans that show her butt crack, My girls can't wear that why that's where my stash at" is good. I can name millions upon millions of emcees out right now 100 times better than Lil' Wayne is, or ever will be.

 

[fatballer_10]

I am making a conservative list to start with and will re-arrange as everyone undoubtedly makes arguments for and against. In no particular order:

Nas, Jay Z, Biggie, Kool G Rap, Rakim
Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharaoe Monch, Common, Kanye
2Pac, Ice Cube, Easy E.

That is as good of a breakdown as possible. Of course, you can't list everyone and a lot of GOOD mc's have been left off, but these are the GREAT ones for me!!!

 

[B.e.]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lil' Wayne? LOL

Like I said, I dont care who comes out and says it, the dude is still garbage. I mean c'mon, you cant honestly tell me a guy who comes up with rhymes like: "I see she wearing them jeans that show her butt crack, My girls can't wear that why that's where my stash at" is good. I can name millions upon millions of emcees out right now 100 times better than Lil' Wayne is, or ever will be.</div>
Does Wayne have wack music? Yes. Does Wayne have good music? Yes.

I'm not going to turn this to a Wayne thread. But my only point was real hip hop fans, and even real hip hop artists who have contributed heavily to the genre like Lil' Wayne.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
This doesnt make sense to me, because you're putting more emphasis on being known that how much talent you have.</div>
I'm not putting more emphasis on being known, compared to how much talent you have. All I am saying is popularity should play a factor into who is the greatest of all time, not how great of an MC you are.

Try to look at it like this. In anybodies top 10 rappers or whatever, most of the time you will have 10 very talented artists who have had high points and low points in their careers. At the end of the day, what separates 1 of those rappers from the rest of the pack? I think popularity can have a say from that standpoint.

<div class="quote_poster">fatballer_10 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I am making a conservative list to start with and will re-arrange as everyone undoubtedly makes arguments for and against. In no particular order:

Nas, Jay Z, Biggie, Kool G Rap, Rakim
Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharaoe Monch, Common, Kanye
2Pac, Ice Cube, Easy E.

That is as good of a breakdown as possible. Of course, you can't list everyone and a lot of GOOD mc's have been left off, but these are the GREAT ones for me!!!</div>

What is Eazy doing in there? Yeah he is very important because he helped build the whole west coast thing, but as far as emceeing goes...you know he doesn't even write his own rhymes right?