Who is the best Emcee of all time

[Diakonos]

This question is for all of the hip-hop fans out there. Who is the greatest emcee of all time? I only ask two things from everyone who answers this question.

• Support your answer.
• Be open to criticism if your answer is wack. Don’t get bent out shape of somebody clowns your answer. We are just talkin hip-hop, so let’s have some fun.

I’ll start.



You got to give it up to my man KRS 1 (the teacha). Some rappers are great lyricist, but the content of their rhymes are less than positive. Others have positive messages, but their rhyme skills is lackin. KRS 1 is in nice in both areas, and his longevity in the rap game is a testament to that.



JMO



Let’s here yours



Holla!

 

[propane]

Nobody can "clown" anybody's answer, because obviously this is 100% opinion. How anybody could pick a "best" is beyond me though lol. Maybe a favourite, but not a "best".

Just as long as nobody says Tupac . Tupac simply wasn't very good.

Kweli, Common, Mos Def and Mad Skillz are all rappers with well structured lyrics (far better than krs-one) and good content.

Personally, my favourite emcee is Qwel. Sure he sounds bad because of poor production, but that isn't exactly his fault, and his rhymes are crazy. The only thing Qwel doesn't do is exude a unique style... Big L, Juice, Swann and Many Styles all do/did that extremely well though, and they'd also be some of my favourites.

Add on people that have stood the test of time such as KRS-One, Nas, and Canibus. Then some unbelievably talented underground emcees such as Immortal Technique, Diabolic, Okwerdz, Franco, Ex-I, and PackFM (lol).

There, while trying to think of some of my favourites emcees I came up with:

Kweli, Common, Mos Def, Mad Skillz, Qwel, Big L, Juice, Swann, Many Styles, KRS-One, Nas, Canibus, Immortal Technique, Diabolic, Okwerdz, Franco, Ex-I, PackFM... and that's only the start really.

See what I'm trying to say? It's stupid to pick one "best" emcee...

 

[Diakonos]

Just as long as nobody says Tupac . Tupac simply wasn't very good.

Oh know you didn’t dis Pac son.



On the real, let’s get this one thing straight. Although he wasn’t the best lyricist out there, Pac was a social profit. That’s right, I said it; a social profit. If you don’t believe that, look at how classes are being taught at Harvard, Berkley and other colleges on the poetry of Tupac Shakur. Nearly a decade after his death, people are still touched by his music. The problem is, the record industry has a bad habit of milking the memories of slain rappers, long after they are dead. That’s why I have made respect for Run DMC for announcing that they would no longer perform without Jam Master Jay.



At any rate, I said all of that to say this. Tupac Shakur was a heavy hitter in the rap scene in his lifetime, and long after his death.



Recognize.



By the way…



Canibus? LL Cool J ended his career years ago.

 

[Western Deity]

Influential =/= skilled.

 

[KenobiKid]

You know I was going to say Tupac upon first seeing this thread, and I still do. I'm not sure how much a middle class white male who's primary interest is early Punk Rock opinion counts, but as far as Hip Hop/Rap goes Tupac was one of the only reasons I ever listened to Rap music. The man had some good ideas, did he convey in the best possible way? Maybe not, but atleast the man had some good if not great ideas on ways to change this world for the better. I guess you can't always practice what you preach. I'm going for Tupac on this one.

 

[Diakonos]

You know I was going to say Tupac upon first seeing this thread, and I still do. I'm not sure how much a middle class white male who's primary interest is early Punk Rock opinion counts, but as far as Hip Hop/Rap goes Tupac was one of the only reasons I ever listened to Rap music. The man had some good ideas, did he convey in the best possible way? Maybe not, but atleast the man had some good if not great ideas on ways to change this world for the better. I guess you can't always practice what you preach. I'm going for Tupac on this one.

Good point for a middle class white male punk rocker