Grannies don't make diss records though. Nas is and will always be and icon within the culture regardless of how far his reach is outside of it. Those 3 names ring out when it comes to living legends/veterans. When Nas did decide throw his weight around on some superiority shyt he ended up getting hit with a flower pot
But he's been pretty humble and so is Eminem. Something that Jay is not (nor does he need to be)
Oh don't get me wrong, I don't criticize Jay for remaining relevant i'm just saying that he's in the mix. He's still trying (and succeeding) to dictate aspects of the culture and playing up to the trends that keep in him competition with everybody else. IE "death of auto tune"...unlike HHID as a commentary, he actually said "hey, stop making this type of song", or "hey, stop wearing this or that".
As for the flows...people have mentioned him kinda getting into two-chains pocket a couple times on MCHG, even M.I.A. which holds merit when you really listen and consider the strength of some of her records. He definitely adapts more current day raps into his style more than the other two, which has it's positives and negatives.Nas and Em do THEIR thing.
I disagree. especially when you consider that "emo rap" was really ushered into mainstream Hip Hop by 2pac. Which funnily enough is the only other person with sales comparable to Eminem. Him being white undoubtedly played a role in how inflated his sales are, but much like Pac, him being open about his insecurities and faults with his fans made him ENDEARING.
Nas and Jay aren't endearing to that degree. For the most part when the music cuts off they are out of sight out of mind...Pac and Eminem embodied the mindsets of the young black and white male in a way that made them sympathetic figures.
Now look at Kanye and all those he ushered in...nobody is ripping them apart for their insecurity as black artists. And if they are it hasn't stopped their success, critical acclaim or similar artists from popping up. I just think your bias keeps you from seeing the real in favor for harping on about "he's white doe!"
Correction, he called him a dikk riding faggit for his propensity to trend hop and stand next to nikkas who are poppin.
As for em saying gay stuff for shyts and giggles, nobody said a word when biggie did it either. When you come out and set a precedent (in the mainstream) for shock value and humor people will let you do your thing.
Jay couldn't get that type of shyt off any easier than em could get off raps about moving weight.
Meek mill said this not to long ago (and this is after he sampled one of his records and bit his flows I mind you). He wasn't disrespectful about it he just kept it real, said he didn't listen to em's albums that much but respected his talent. Nothing wrong with that.
But what if that's not the case? It's weird how nikkas just assume that RAPPERS, especially ones that are lyrical wouldn't listen to one of the greatest lyricists in the mainstream....we not hearing from random goons who don't even have time to really get into Hip Hop like that beyond it being a backdrop for criminal activity...we talking about people who practice and probably study rappers to find out how to be a good one.
I'm from the hood my nikka, I grew up in poverty, but I'm a Hip Hop head and used to rap a lil bit. The same cats that put me up on Eminem initially were hood nikkas who rapped as well.
I'm trying to figure out how growing up in Compton keeps Kendrick Lamar from thinking that Eminem is legendary...especially when early Eminem was joined at the hip with Dr. Dre and really apart of the lineage that gave birth to the west coast and all of it's legendary emcees.
Makes perfect sense to me regardless of how much it helps your talking points to conclude that it's 100% a PR move...dude is a rappers rapper.
