Jay-Z

Sam

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Aug 1, 2007
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So, quite simply...is he the G.O.A.T (Greatest of all time)?

I'm sure this will cause quite a lot of different opinions. Strong ones at that. Is he even the greatest alive, never mind of all time? The likes of Biggie, 2pac, Nas, Eminem etc must all be considered. Had the first 2 not died so early in their lives, would it even be a debate, or would Jay-z have held is own against them? And if he aint the greatest ever, who is?
 
Lets have some names then :D

I'd be interested to hear peoples opinions
 
Yes... am I bias? Yes.

Top 5 dead or alive, one of the most influential figures in the culture, still going strong at damn near 40 and not letting off the gas.

He's never released a BAD album... a few okay albums (Blueprint 2, Kingdom Come) but there aren't too many in hip-hop who can stake claim to his catalogue.
 
Dr. Dwayne said:
If I had to choose, I'd probably choose Chuck D.
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As your greatest ever, or just an MC you think is better then Jay?

Anderson Searl said:
Yes... am I bias? Yes.

Top 5 dead or alive, one of the most influential figures in the culture, still going strong at damn near 40 and not letting off the gas.

He's never released a BAD album... a few okay albums (Blueprint 2, Kingdom Come) but there aren't too many in hip-hop who can stake claim to his catalogue.
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Do you reckon it'd be any different if Biggie and 2pac hadn't died at such young ages?

Or would Jay still be, in his own words, 'the ruler'?
 
Sam#1 said:
Do you reckon it'd be any different if Biggie and 2pac hadn't died at such young ages?

Or would Jay still be, in his own words, 'the ruler'?
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Well as they have proven their posthumous careers have been very profitable in different ways (Pac in sales, Biggie in terms of I think a cult following in NYC)... I think Jay-Z would have always garnered the crown, regardless of the demise of those 2.

In my honest opinion.
 
roodboy said:
a couple of takes on this:
http://wendellwallace.wordpress.com/2008/04/26/greatest-hip-hop-artists-of-all-time/
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that article seems quite credible until you get one up from jay-z at number 9 and find queen latifah, she should be nowhere near a top ten emcees listing, personally i think the only female rapper that should be is lauryn hill and even then there isnt enough of a case to justify her being in the top 10

dont even get me started on the fact that in the 10 theres no jada
 
I know this will be controversial, but The Game is the best rapper alive IMHO

the-game-2.jpg
 
Talking about The Game...apparently him and Jay have now started a 'never ending war', could be interesting.
 
20solskjaer said:
that article seems quite credible until you get one up from jay-z at number 9 and find queen latifah, she should be nowhere near a top ten emcees listing, personally i think the only female rapper that should be is lauryn hill and even then there isnt enough of a case to justify her being in the top 10

dont even get me started on the fact that in the 10 theres no jada
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I dont actually agree with all the choice in there but I think it is still a good read - dunno what the feck Queen Latifa is doing in there, cant say Ive heard much from Kool Moe Dee either. CL Smooth is also an leftfield choice - not saying he isnt any good but I wouldnt have expected his name to apear in a Top 5 All Time List.
 
Dr. Dwayne said:
If I had to choose, I'd probably choose Chuck D.
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For content and mic presence, yes, but not the most skilful mc when it comes to wordplay or flow.

Jay is definitely up there, but there are a lot of other very good mcs but its really down to personal preference. I love MF Doom and Ghostface, and never liked Tupac and only some Biggie.
 
Immortal Technique is the only hiphop artist I'm into at the moment.
 
He is.

Absolutely no doubt, he is the best performer as well. The way he creates verses off the top of his head, with the quality he produces consistantly as well.

I'm obviously biased though, I been a fan since reasonable doubt.
 
Sam#1 said:
Talking about The Game...apparently him and Jay have now started a 'never ending war', could be interesting.
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Its funny how Jay don't even consider him a rival, lyrically Jay would blow Game away.

Game is just another west coast rapper. He's a FAD who is lyrically poor and can't compete with the greats.

Anyone (Paz) suggesting that he is the G.O.A.T needs their heads checking. Average.

And I have all his albums too.
 
20solskjaer said:
that article seems quite credible until you get one up from jay-z at number 9 and find queen latifah, she should be nowhere near a top ten emcees listing, personally i think the only female rapper that should be is lauryn hill and even then there isnt enough of a case to justify her being in the top 10

dont even get me started on the fact that in the 10 theres no jada
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agreed.
 
HsJ said:
Its funny how Jay don't even consider him a rival, lyrically Jay would blow Game away.

Game is just another west coast rapper. He's a FAD who is lyrically poor and can't compete with the greats.

Anyone (Paz) suggesting that he is the G.O.A.T needs their heads checking. Average.

And I have all his albums too.
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Thats not true
 
If we're looking at this from a cultural perspective, surely Eminem has a shout? He opened up rap/hip-hop to a whole new segment of society (ie, middle-class white teens).
 
i think there were already plenty of white middle class teens listening to hiphop when eminem turned up but he did hit the meanstream - has got some skills but hasnt done anything fresh for a while, needs to work with a new producer
 
Eminem is easily one of the best. He's a genius, just watch any of his freestyles. Gotta be right up there imo.
 
Jay-Z is so overrated it isnt even funny, fair play to him on being so rich and doing well in the industry, that said he still aint shit on a lot of the top acts.
 
Sam#1 said:
Eminem is easily one of the best. He's a genius, just watch any of his freestyles. Gotta be right up there imo.
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Good rapper but I could name you 20 better ones.

It's a big shame how his career has gone because with better music he could have been one of the best because all the raw materials are there. Superb lyricist, good delivery and individual flow. Just a pity most of his stuff is overproduced commercial shite.
 
Tumbling-Dice said:
Good rapper but I could name you 20 better ones.

It's a big shame how his career has gone because with better music he could have been one of the best because all the raw materials are there. Superb lyricist, good delivery and individual flow. Just a pity most of his stuff is overproduced commercial shite.
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Yeah Em has puttered out, that said The Masrhalll Mathers LP is one of the best discs I have ever bought
 
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