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?

God have none of you heard of Vanilla Ice!?

YABVVVU. He’s probably the greatest white rapper.
Biggie, Nas, Mos Def, Lauryn Hill, missy Elliott, Jay Z, Queen Latifah,Common, KRS-One, Lil Wayne, Kanye.... and many many more MC’s would need to be involved in this conversation tbh.

Out of the usual mainstream stuff:

Most consistent artist - kanye - and my beautiful dark twisted fantasy is one of the best records of any genre

Best beats - Dr Dre

Funniest lyrics - biggie

Most authentic - tupac

Most business savvy - jay z (honourable mention for dre again)

Eminem - one superb record (Marshall Mathers suite) and that's it.

Christy Moore.

No it’s this guy by a mile

Tupac is the GOAT. Hit em up is utterly fabulous.

Eminem has produced some absolute bangers though. His first two albums were genius.

Agreed.

Was the poster who said LL Cool J joking?

I don't know much about rap but Eminem is the only one I can listen to and enjoy. His lyrics are very clever.

Love him! His music takes me back to my teen years.

Although saying that I love 50cent & Tupac as well, not sure if i can choose who the greatest is!

Tupac by far, Eminem doesn't come anywhere near. Tupac's lyrics and social message were so different and as a teenage white girl in rural Dorset I had never heard anything like it back then. I remember everyone raving about Eminem and considering him weak compared to the earlier black rappers, also including Warren G, Snoop Dogg and Ice T. I hate his whiny voice too, I never thought it suited the rap genre.

I love hip hop and I think he is very talented. His lyrics and way he rhymes is amazing. But his output varies massively in quality. Some amazing albums and some really awful ones. Seemingly related to what personal troubles he's going through as I know he's had drug issues etc.

You're not wrong in saying he's a great rapper though.

Can you quote any of these ‘brilliant and ‘genius’ lyrics by Eminem?

‘Stan’ (a term he didn’t invent) being in the OED doesn’t count.

You can’t be objective with music to say anything is the best, it’s too personal. Eminem is gifted but personally I prefer Biggie (first album, not keen on second), Eric B and Rakim, Nas, Pharcyde, Beastie Boys, Snoop, Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco and Jay Z. I’ve probably forgotten loads I love.

Ice T, Eazy-E, RZA top 3 for me.
Eminem is definitely lyrically gifted though. No denying that,

I'd use him as a human shield to defend Missy, any member of NWA and the incomparable Public enemy.

I mean Dre rates him so I suppose he can't be all bad. But the sheer statistical unlikelihood of a white rapper being the best in a sea of incredibly talented black musicians... there's probably another reason...

‘You can suck my dick if you don’t like my shit’ - very gifted.

Tell me he's anything approaching this.

Or this.

Thanks for mentioning common- classic favourite of mine
DMX, Missy, Tupac, Dre himself, Jay Z, Meek, OutKast
There are so many and a lot of underrated talent especially in the UK. Colour not everything to do with it but certainly the reason Eminem was famous and his elevation by Dr Dre. Eminem certainly has consistency and I would say one of the greatest Not the greatest

This thread is literally laughable- as if hardcore RAP enthusiasts would turn to your average MNer for advice on RAP music 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Pretty sure the average MNer is not the authority on RAP music LOL

I agree, lyrical genius.

This thread is literally laughable- as if hardcore RAP enthusiasts would turn to your average MNer for advice on RAP music

But as NWA would say It's crazy to see people be, what society wants them to be, but not me

I get the strong sense that Eminem is the only rapper the OP is actually decently familiar with, which is why she (I’m assuming ‘she’) think he’s the GOAT.

OP - do you genuinely know enough about the competition to make this call?

Because it really feels like a stretch.

I prefer Lowkey

He's definitely good but there are so many exceptional rappers out there and many who were doing it years before him.

Ed Sheeran definitely gives him a run for his money.