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

[BigTyme Records]

jay is my GOAT so I'll go with him

 

[REAL6]

Big L

 

[LiveFromLondon]

Biggie had the edge in flow/delivery/mic presence. But if we're talking straight lyrics, then Jay definitely takes IMO.

I've always said that when it comes to lyricism, Big has the most digestible lyrics of any top tier rapper. Which is his appeal lyrically. Biggie is the ultimate "sounds great" rapper. Like it's better to listen to Big's lyrics than to read them. Which isn't a bad thing at all (love Big, so I'm not trying to diss him). It is what it is.

But to me, 96/97 Jay is fukking amazing lyrically. There's just so much more layers to his lyrics. You could sit down and break down/decipher Jay lyrics for days.
Unfortunately Jay's lyrics aren't nearly as digestible.

I guess it depends on what's your cup of tea

This is so on point, People tend to conflate Big flow and delivery as being a top lyricist, no way is Big better than Jigga lyrically

 

[Threnody]

Jay-Z was at his lyrical PEAK in 97.....

Biggie at his illest during that time was at the same level as what Jay was spitting normally

This almost isn't even up for debate really lol

 

[Zero]

this song pretty much deads anything..



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

"Time to separate the pros from the cons
The platinum from the bronze
That butter soft shyt from that leather on the Fonz
A S1 diamond from a eye class don
A Cham' Dom' sipper from a Rosay nikka"

 

[Knicksman20]

"Time to separate the pros from the cons
The platinum from the bronze
That butter soft shyt from that leather on the Fonz
A S1 diamond from a eye class don
A Cham' Dom' sipper from a Rosay nikka"

"My Bed-Stuy flow's malicious, delicious
fukk three wishes, made my road to riches
from 62's, gem stars, my moms dishes
Gram choppin, police van dockin
D's at my doors knockin"

 

[pimpineasy]

Anybody who doesn't say biggie is suspect to me.
Only thing Jay had was he was more focused on the business side more than biggie .

 

[hustlemania]

"Time to separate the pros from the cons
The platinum from the bronze
That butter soft shyt from that leather on the Fonz
A S1 diamond from a eye class don
A Cham' Dom' sipper from a Rosay nikka"

"My Bed-Stuy flow's malicious, delicious
fukk three wishes, made my road to riches
from 62's, gem stars, my moms dishes
Gram choppin, police van dockin
D's at my doors knockin"

 

[NYC Rebel]

So glad to be a Brooklyn niqqa in his prime during that era and not giving two shyts about these internet dweeb current day opinions

 

[MooseMouthMthafuga]

Jay over Big is like taking Bruce Lie over Bruce Lee

 

[NigerianDonDada]

Biggie