From 96-97, who was the better lyricist: Biggie or Hov?

[Newark88]

Now in real time (while BIG was still alive), I always thought back then and now that Jay was a better lyricist then BIG. To me BIG had Jay on flow/delivery/cadence. And in 96/97, as far as having the formula down pack (balance of making commercial hits, guest appearances on R&B tracks, and street joints) of course BIG had that mastered and Jay had to grow into that over time. But pound for pound on some lyrical sh*t, Jay always had that over BI imo.

 

[CrimsonTider]

Jay z has never not been anything but the best

 

[hustlemania]

this song pretty much deads anything..



Big ate his lunch.. Jay was a lil dude compared to B-I..

 

[tuckgod]

End of discussion.

 

[onelastdeath]

Jay easily

Big better technical rapper back then

But Hov among the best lyricists to ever do it.

Top 3 at worst

 

[Sinister]

Jay

 

[ThirdAct]

One of my favorite things to do on this site is poke fun at the camel but even Ill give props where they are due...he was a cold ass lyricist in 96, the smooth, detached hustler with a witty, poetic side

Big was a little more raw, straight to the gut type of lyrics...the no frills grimy dude standing on the corner who became a superstar was his persona and he mastered it during his short time

I'm leaning towards Jay if we talking strictly lyrics...but what pushes Big beyond basically every rapper is having the GOAT flow

 

[onelastdeath]

One of my favorite things to do on this site is poke fun at the camel but even Ill give props where they are due...he was a cold ass lyricist in 96, the smooth, detached hustler with a witty, poetic side

Big was a little more raw, straight to the gut type of lyrics...the no frills grimy street dude who became a superstar was his persona and he mastered it during his short time

I'm leaning towards Jay if we talking strictly lyrics...but what pushes Big beyond basically every rapper is having the GOAT flow

Couldn’t have said it better

 

[...and some waffle fries]

If the answer aint Biggie you didnt experience it in real time. Bunch of 20 yr olds discussing a topic and they wasnt born yet.

 

[Knicksman20]

I'm not mad at anyone considering Hov the better lyricist. I've thought Big was a little better personally because he could better inject his personality in his rhymes like adding humor but still keep it gutter. Jay's always been nice lyrically but it took him a little to really hit his stride. Big came out the gate doing what he did & was only getting better

 

[Billy Ocean]

Jay never reached Biggie's peak. Never. Not when they both was alive and not after.

 

[Figaro]

Biggie.....people have their own criteria of being a great lyricist & a top 1 of mine is story telling & Jay isn't touching B.I.G in that aspect...

 

[tuckgod]

Jay easily

Big better technical rapper back then

But Hov among the best lyricists to ever do it.

Top 3 at worst

One of my favorite things to do on this site is poke fun at the camel but even Ill give props where they are due...he was a cold ass lyricist in 96, the smooth, detached hustler with a witty, poetic side

Big was a little more raw, straight to the gut type of lyrics...the no frills grimy dude standing on the corner who became a superstar was his persona and he mastered it during his short time

I'm leaning towards Jay if we talking strictly lyrics...but what pushes Big beyond basically every rapper is having the GOAT flow

Couldn’t have said it better

Thread title says in 96-97.

One of the booth’s least favorite things to do is read.

 

[Newark88]

If the answer aint Biggie you didnt experience it in real time. Bunch of 20 yr olds discussing a topic and they wasnt born yet.

I'll be 42 in June and was 19/20 during the said time frame. Back then in real time, I use to debate people up and down that Jay was a better spitter then BIG while he was still alive. That doesn't take anything away from BIG because he's still a GOAT. I just always leaned more towards Jay

 

[NormanConnors]

this song pretty much deads anything..



Big ate his lunch.. Jay was a lil dude compared to B-I..

yep easily, Jay should have learned a lot from this.

he still got murdered on quite a few collabos later on in his career