Im talking cats that did both with equal time. Otherwise the only logical answer is Rakim.
Only reason why i don't give the nod to rakim is.
Finesse actually garnered work.
on the old consensus best producer in rap dre's projects and made the pre-req gangsta i miss my homies record. Outside of the sweetspot.
of where finesse would generally be thought to have made credits.
With finesse being a syndicate member with ice t. Finesse got that insight.
to appeal to westcoast pundits naturally. Before wack vibe magazine made east v west into bullshyt.
If ra also had widespread placements.
on other nyc legends.
before they were legends lp's.
Ala finesse wirth biggie.
Ra would be the choice.
Plus ra never produced or had a battle on wax.
For me to give him the duke.
Whereas the finesse actual record to diss lordz of the underground. Was shelved or never heard.
It still exist in mystery.
If ra would have had credits and placements
That hit and placements in future legends work. While finesse arguably found the two best active grassroots emcees in history and put them on in :
Big l
Percee p
Art Barr
