AIBU to think Eminem is the greatest rapper of all time?

[canary1]

Just going through those early great albums, The Slim Shady, The Marshall Mathers LP, the Eminem show...and thinking what a genius. I’ve also had some glasses of wine so am rambling. But those brilliant lyrics. Sigh....anyone agree?

@Blackberrycream

I want to meet the people who still listen to Rakim or Nas on a monthly basis though.

Whether for right or wrong many hip-hop fans seem to be in two broad churches:

• The "real" hip hop is the conscious lyrical stuff, captured in the golden age of 88-93. Think Tribe called Quest, Public Enemy, Rakim, Nas, early 2Pac . And that Mos Def and Talib Kweli are the spiritual sons of this movement. All hip hop should have meaning.

• Fuck all that shit - where the party at? Hip hop was always about the party. So give me some Biggie, some Jay, some Nellly, some Weezy, some Missy etc. Busta is what's it all about. Doesn't have to be po faced all the time.

I am firmly in the second category and personally I can't stand Nas or any of his music, it holds no appeal to me, would rather listen to Puff Daddy's whole discography than one Nas album.

That’s fine Genuwine ( your name is a bit of a giveaway on your tastes). We’re all different. Yes though, plenty do listen, including my sons and nephews in London. Lots of friends who were around the scene in this city too but we’re older. I’m group 1 I guess although I think Tribe are anything but po faced. Quite like a bit of Biggie, Busta Rhymes( who worked with Tribe ). and respect their skills.
Jay Z not so much. Not back in the day or now.

You're all wrong, it was Vanilla Ice.

I agree. Ice ice baby.

@jonny9487

You're all wrong, it was Vanilla Ice.

Ha, I got time for Vanilla Ice! Felt sorry for him when I realised he was allegedly suspended over a balcony by Suge Knight in later years but that's another story..

People also need to put more respect on MC Hammer's name. There was a time in 1990/1991 when it was him on his own planet of global superstar rap and then the rest in another division.

I mean... he still holds the record for the biggest selling rap album of all time. Damn.

Actually 'Kris Kross' wins.

Actually @Blackberrycream I thought about it afterwards and I love Moving Mountains by KO and he's a white Canadian rapper so maybe I'm not the snob purist I think I am 

And @Ginuwine I have Public Enemy on rotation but only Harder Than You Think which doesn't really count. 2007 and very squishy compared to earlier stuff. I do find then quite 'musical' for want of a better word so they'd get there before the others.

And I agree this has been a great discussion. I know a middle aged MNer isn't the classic market but this thread has inspired a few listens and downloads so thanks everyone.

I want to meet the people who still listen to Rakim or Nas on a monthly basis though.

*Whether for right or wrong many hip-hop fans seem to be in two broad churches:

• The "real" hip hop is the conscious lyrical stuff, captured in the golden age of 88-93. Think Tribe called Quest, Public Enemy, Rakim, Nas, early 2Pac . And that Mos Def and Talib Kweli are the spiritual sons of this movement. All hip hop should have meaning.

• Fuck all that shit - where the party at? Hip hop was always about the party. So give me some Biggie, some Jay, some Nellly, some Weezy, some Missy etc. Busta is what's it all about. Doesn't have to be po faced all the time.

I still listen to alot of classic stuff, never enjoyed Nas so much other than a few tunes but Paris, mobb deep, public enemy, rakim still get alot of play. There's people from the second group that I love Missy, busta made some of my favourite tunes ever and funnily enough never really got into talib kweli or mos def although I wouldn't turn em off. People like pharcyde, heiro and their offshoots, ultramagnetic MCs and his other projects still also get quite frequent play. As I got older my musical taste broadened alot and aside from outkast, Saul Williams and a few others, people I thought were genuinely bringing something different to it I haven't listened to much newer stuff... Kendrick Lamar I like for the same reasons

Not into rap but YABU there are plenty good rappers, Eminem is pop really.

@Chanjer

I want to meet the people who still listen to Rakim or Nas on a monthly basis though.

*Whether for right or wrong many hip-hop fans seem to be in two broad churches:

• The "real" hip hop is the conscious lyrical stuff, captured in the golden age of 88-93. Think Tribe called Quest, Public Enemy, Rakim, Nas, early 2Pac . And that Mos Def and Talib Kweli are the spiritual sons of this movement. All hip hop should have meaning.

• Fuck all that shit - where the party at? Hip hop was always about the party. So give me some Biggie, some Jay, some Nellly, some Weezy, some Missy etc. Busta is what's it all about. Doesn't have to be po faced all the time.

I still listen to alot of classic stuff, never enjoyed Nas so much other than a few tunes but Paris, mobb deep, public enemy, rakim still get alot of play. There's people from the second group that I love Missy, busta made some of my favourite tunes ever and funnily enough never really got into talib kweli or mos def although I wouldn't turn em off. People like pharcyde, heiro and their offshoots, ultramagnetic MCs and his other projects still also get quite frequent play. As I got older my musical taste broadened alot and aside from outkast, Saul Williams and a few others, people I thought were genuinely bringing something different to it I haven't listened to much newer stuff... Kendrick Lamar I like for the same reasons

Real hip hop is Jazz from around the 1930's New York, HTH

I just looked it up MrsTerryPratchet. I liked it.
There’s also another Canadian track, hard not to like, Inforrrrrmer ...😀
It’s definitely taken me back to many suchlike real life discussions. We took it very seriously.
The Pharcyde gets lots of play here too Chanjer.
Great thread @canary1.

@MrsTerryPratchett

Actually *@Blackberrycream* I thought about it afterwards and I love Moving Mountains by KO and he's a white Canadian rapper so maybe I'm not the snob purist I think I am 

And @Ginuwine I have Public Enemy on rotation but only Harder Than You Think which doesn't really count. 2007 and very squishy compared to earlier stuff. I do find then quite 'musical' for want of a better word so they'd get there before the others.

And I agree this has been a great discussion. I know a middle aged MNer isn't the classic market but this thread has inspired a few listens and downloads so thanks everyone.

Harder Than You Think is so wonderful though!! Those horns are magical. I hear this

Kanye is a musical genius

I'm always perplexed when people say that...how?! I reckon one person said it one time (probably Kanye himself!) and then everyone went along with it. Musical genius he is not IMO.

@Countrycode

Kanye is a musical genius

I'm always perplexed when people say that...how?! I reckon one person said it one time (probably Kanye himself!) and then everyone went along with it. Musical genius he is not IMO.

Define genius.

Hm, tricky one but I'd have to lyrically go with JayZ as he never writes anything down 90% of his music is freestyle, Nas is also exceptionally talented. I'd have to personally categorise Eminem alongside EasyE, Dr.Dre, Snoop & Tupac and the likes, lyrically brilliant but I think in terms of GOAT status JayZ stand out far and away his talent just knows no bounds.

I thought I liked you @Blackberrycream

Now I have an ear worm!!!

He is talented but a bit extreme in his lyrics and not as good as he used to be notorious big and Tupac are the greatest rappers of all time

Blackberrycream I’d forgotten Informer.....arrrrgh! 😂

😂You’re welcome MrsTerryPratchet

Don't know enough about rap to agree with you but absolutely love Eminem ❤

he is amazing!

I know this is about Eminem but just decided to listen to some old music today and of course, came across Pac. I remember why I really enjoyed a lot of his songs - once again, enjoyed Dear mama and I ain't mad atcha but one song I forgot I really liked then was 'Life goes on'.

Pac was one deep thinker, wise beyond his years and a product of his birth and environment. He seemed to accept where he was - the hood - but didn't shy away from the fact that that sort of life was shit and he'll likely go/be killed like many others. His constant smile and handsome face made him even more endearing as he rapped about his reality. His childhood story is heart breaking (Dear mama) - as is that of a lot of rappers.

The juxtaposition of these lines from a verse in the 'Life goes on' song, "Life in the hood is all good for nobody" and later, "Thug till I die" just makes it all the more real how many people are there, not because they want to but as an accident of birth. They have to survive and get on with life the way they can. They are who they are because of where they are. Who else could he be?

The melody of the song is beautiful too and it's one of the reasons I enjoyed TuPac's songs. They're littered with the n-word and swearing but the message within is apt. Even more important to note he was very young during all of this. Died at 25 iirc.

Not my kind of songs now but was nice hearing some of them again and understanding a bit more about their lives.

'Until the end of time' is another one. Cleaner than the others and just as impactful.

Rap? Why would MNers listen to that misogynistic crap?

Not all rap songs are sexist. Rap itself as a genre can be used to sing about anything but yea a lot of them are ridiculous especially the party ones - loads of bitches this, hoes that, money this and egomaniac lyrics.