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

[tuckgod]

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

It was a debate when Reasonable Doubt Jay came out after Ready to Die Big.

When LAD dropped, the debate ended.

Big was nicer than Jay, flat out, that’s why 10 years later Jay had to say if I ain’t better than Big, I’m the closest one.

 

[Super Ramon]

Big L

 

[onelastdeath]

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

You old heads want it every way

It’s annoying as hell breh

 

[ThirdAct]

Thread title says in 96-97.

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

I got that part breh. im just saying Jay in 96 was extra nice with the pen. He was so nice in 96 that that year alone can compete with Big in 96 AND 97. But then when you add the cream of the crop from Vol 1 it puts him over the top.

That doesn't mean I think that RD and Vol 1 are better then LAD, far from it. Jay had more complex bars but that doesn't mean they are superior to Bigs.

 

[King_Sage]

BIG was way more polished at that point.

 

[904]

Lyrically Jay was ahead of BIG when they were both alive. I've been saying it forever and it's not crazy at all to me to think so

Like OP said BIG had the delivery and cadence but lyrically Jay was nice nice with the pen..

 

[tuckgod]

I got that part breh. im just saying Jay in 96 was extra nice with the pen. He was so nice in 96 that that year alone can compete with Big in 96 AND 97. But then when you add the cream of the crop from Vol 1 it puts him over the top.

That doesn't mean I think that RD and Vol 1 are better then LAD, far from it. Jay had more complex bars but that doesn't mean they are superior to Bigs.

I respectfully disagree breh.

‘96 Jay is one of my favorite emcees of all time but Big checked off all the boxes and had no weaknesses.

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

Jay z has never not been anything but the best

The best at wearing Hawaiian shirts while being lowered to a set by wires, maybe.​

 

[Amestafuu (Emeritus)]

Nas

 

[TheDarceKnight]

Nas

The thread was really interesting with some good back-and-forth discussion before this too.

 

[MurderToCassette]

I think Clark Kent said it right, Jay is the better MC and BIG was the better rapper.

 

[mobbinfms]

The thread was really interesting with some good back-and-forth discussion before this too.

IT's about to get even more interesting :prodigylol:
Prodigy was better than all tree of them :pdahellclean:
Put together :pwhitehat:
And its not even close :peeumad:

 

[DillaTUDE]

Hov. Only one rapper in '96 (and the following year) seeing him lyrically was Ras Kass

 

[ManBearPig]

Jay-Z

 

[old boy]

controversial topic right here lol... look in my eyes the only thing '96-'97 biggie had over '96-'97 jay z was that amazing voice & the edge in story telling ability. beyond that? i give it to that boy hov, i think he got biggie on brooklyn's finest & i love the dough

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.

bro i used to do the wop to joe ski love pee wee dance lol