Better Overall Career: LL Cool J VS. Nas

[H. Selassie]

Both from Queens and have enjoyed ridiculous longevity. Both have had successful careers outside of Rap (LL with film and television, Nas with all of his business ventures).

I’d argue that Nas had a much longer prime as an emcee but LL reached pop cultural heights at his peak that Nas never did.

Who you got?

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

Nas had better albums & LL lasted longer as a commercial artists

 

[bobbiewishbone]

Net worth aside, I'll say Nas. Nas had The Firm, Distant Relatives and these Mass Appeal releases. Can't remember LL collabing with anyone else. He's a consummate solo artist.

 

[ThirdAct]

Discography Nas, hit singles LL

 

[Diondon]

Nas > LL in everything except movies/TV

 

[Pete Wrigley]

Discography Nas, hit singles LL

This is the answer

 

[Cladyclad]

LL easy

 

[Plankton]

Nas > LL in everything except movies/TV

You obviously wasn't around in the 80's when LL was the top solo rapper of the decade and Nas didn't even exist.

 

[Stick Up Kid]

Both from Queens and have enjoyed ridiculous longevity. Both have had successful careers outside of Rap (LL with film and television, Nas with all of his business ventures).

I’d argue that Nas had a much longer prime as an emcee but LL reached pop cultural heights at his peak that Nas never did.

Who you got?

LL Cool J's highest selling album is Bigger and Deffer which sold 2.7M
Nas highest selling album is It Was Written, which in 2002 was at 3M.. (We can assume its at 4M) right now.

LL's highest first week sales was GOAT in 2000.... 208,000
Nas highest first week sales was I AM -- 480,000

LL Cool J has 9 Top 10 Albums.
Nas has 15 Billboard Top 10 albums.

LL Cool J has 28 songs on the Billboard Top 100
Nas has 27 Songs on the Top 100

 

[H. Selassie]

LL Cool J's highest selling album is Bigger and Deffer which sold 2.7M
Nas highest selling album is It Was Written, which in 2002 was at 3M.. (We can assume its at 4M) right now.

LL's highest first week sales was GOAT in 2000.... 208,000
Nas highest first week sales was I AM -- 480,000

LL Cool J has 9 Top 10 Albums.
Nas has 15 Billboard Top 10 albums.

LL Cool J has 28 songs on the Billboard Top 100
Nas has 27 Songs on the Top 100

When I’m talking pop cultural heights… LL Cool J is more ubiquitous to non-Rap/casual music and tv fans than Nas…

There are middle aged people who’ve seen Deep Blue Sea and Any Given Sunday…who know “I’m Bad”, “I Need Love”, or “Mama Said Knock You Out” when they hear it…that don’t know who Nas is.

 

[Diondon]

You obviously wasn't around in the 80's when LL was the top solo rapper of the decade and Nas didn't even exist.

I've listened to every LL album
Not denying he was the man back then

 

[skillz2]

Kinda of mad how they didn't do a record together till last year.

 

[Ziggiy]

Nas has the better discography, the more revered reputation and better business acumen.

Nas definitely has the better career.

 

[WesCrook]

I'd much rather have Nas' career than LL's.......regardless of who is the bigger star.

 

[Cladyclad]

Nas career is not anywhere near LL