Who's Really The Best Rapper Since BIG Ain't Here?

Written by Antwain Jackson |

 

 

Disclaimer: This is just my opinion. Don't Kill Me.  

 

“Who’s really the best rapper since BIG ain’t here,” Jadakiss.

This is a very tough question. Who is to even say the best rapper is the Notorious BIG? As fans we are all critics of the music we listen to. We all have the right to our opinion. So with that said, I am saying Jay-Z is the best rapper ever. Here are three reasons why Jay-Z is the best rapper ever.

Most Consistent/Classic Albums:

He is the most consistent rapper in the history of rap. Unfortunately Biggie and Tupac were unable to complete their careers due to untimely deaths. From 1996-2003 he dropped an album each year. Out of those 8 albums he has two certified classics by his peers, publications and true hip-hop fans. Reasonable Doubt and Blueprint are considered two of the best rap albums of all-time, not just the best Jay-Z album. It is very difficult to have a classic. There are rappers like Jadakiss, who is probably the best pound for pound rapper in terms of writing 16s, but he doesn’t have a classic album. Some big Jada fans may have personal favorites/classics, but not a classic in the sense that the majority of the hip-hop community will agree.

 Along with his classic albums he has classic verses. Classic verses are the verses that when the song comes on and you are in a room with a group of people everyone will stop and start to recite the lyrics (i.e Renegade, Intro to Volume 3 and many more).

 He was able to retire from rap and return right where he left off. The quality of his work matches his quantity of work. It has gotten to the point where the “Jay-Z Haters” compare his works with each other. For example “Kingdom Come is his worst album.” However, saying that is his worst album really isn’t saying it’s a bad album. All they are saying is that it isn’t as good as his other works. Meaning they admire his other works.

Bridging the Gap:

“Meanwhile, had Oprah chillin in the projects, had her out in Bedstuy, chillin on the steps, Drinkin quarter waters, gotta be the best, MJ at Summer Jam, Obama on the text,” (Jay-Z “On to the Next One”). One of the biggest steps for hip-hop next to the RUN DMC collaboration with Aerosmith is becoming the first rapper on the Oprah Winfrey Show. After complaints from 50 cent, Ludacris and a few other rappers about how Oprah doesn’t like rap and how she never had a rapper on her show, Jay-Z finally made an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He has the appeal and demeanor to bridge the gap between hip-hop and the rest of society. He is able to keep his creditability (which is extremely important in hip-hop) and at the same time mingle with politicians and business executives.

Language, Lyrics and Diversity of his Raps:

Jay-Z is one of Hip-Hop’s biggest social analysts. Many critiques deny him as being one of the premiere social analysts because of his misogynistic and materialistic persona. When that is not the case, all of his songs that are being heard nationally may be a little ignorant and pompous, because that is how he and the record companies make money, but the songs with character are the songs that are on the CD, so in order to get the full effect of his entire character you have to actually listen to him. His lyrics provoke conversations. He has the balance the majority of the rappers lack. Either they are too lyrical and deep i.e. Talib Kweli (who lacks commercial appeal) or their lyrics are too simple and elementary i.e. Soulja Boy Tell Em. He can make a song that can have you dancing in the club i.e. “I Just Wanna Love You” or he can make the song that reflects life’s trials and tribulations i.e. “This Can’t Be Life.”

Overall, Jay-Z is the greatest rapper because he has great lyrics, ability to sell records and he makes great songs and albums. He covers every counter argument for him. If a rapper is better lyrical, he makes better songs than them. If a rapper sells more records, he is better lyrically. And it is hard to deny the fact that he makes good songs and has 11 number one albums. “Men lie, Women Lie, but numbers don’t.” Jay-Z.