Peter Rosenberg ranking best MCs and why everyone is a notch below Rakim

[The War Report]

Eminem himself will tell you his biggest influence is Redman. He came out like Nas and AZ is some shyt you was told while you did your hip hop goggling through the years. And moreover, that’s irrelevant to my argument. The rapper he was most influenced by and got most of his style from is Redman, that’s why he ranks him the number 1 MC ever.

Love how you ignored Royce, Sean Price and Ludacris who have all stated Redman had the biggest influence on their style of rapping. Three great MCs and arguably legends in the game

Busta was still influenced by Redman dummy. G Rap was influenced by stuff Nas did even though Nas was influenced by him. You realize influence can be a 2-way Street right?

And nobody who’s been from SOHH to here would ever question my Hip Hop knowledge newbie. You sound stupid even trying to play that game with me. Go back to google searching your Hip Hop knowledge, sis.

I bet you read this too.

I think Em was a mix of Redman, Masta Ace, and AZ when he was coming up. But the Redman part is the one that shined through in his first album.

 

[Piff Perkins]

You can say Rakim had a "short" run or was relegated to the 80s or whatever you want. But the fact remains Rakim is one of the few rappers who there is an undeniable, unmistakable BEFORE and AFTER in regards to his reign. People rapped a certain way before him, and after him people rapped a different way. That alone makes him someone comparable to the absolute greats of other music genres. Miles Davis, John Coltrane...guys who changed their genre. Prince, David Bowie.

Being a pioneer is hard though, and doesn't guarantee you a spot at the top of lists IMO. Rakim is in my top 10 no doubt but I wouldn't put him in my top 5 personally. I mean there's certainly an argument for it, but for me personally he's not there.

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

It's disgusting how people sleep on Redman
I'd throw Whut on right now if I didn't have my kids with me in the basement

Play 'Rated PG', the kids friendly version.


Album also features 'How to Ride a Bike' and 'Supermom loves ya'.

 

[The War Report]

Redman is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper.


"I use to sell crack and listen to Redman
Now I smoke black, while I'm getting some head, damn."

 

[FreshAIG]

I disagree.. on everything except more entertaining. Hell, Keith Murray is more entertaining than Nas.

Red has 3 classics.. very redundant material on most his albums.

You're entitled to your opinion, I'm not mad that. But I just want us to recognize this is Redman we're talking about not Benz from the Dreadknots.

 

[FreshAIG]

I think Em was a mix of Redman, Masta Ace, and AZ when he was coming up. But the Redman part is the one that shined through in his first album.

I don't see much Masta Ace in Eminem's style but the other three for sure. Redman influence was seen from the SS EP to now

 

[The War Report]

I don't see much Masta Ace in Eminem's style but the other three for sure. Redman influence was seen from the SS EP to now

I see Masta Ace's vocals in early Em.

 

[untaintedbeats]

naw... Question, is his catalogue better than Nas and Jay?

in all honesty.

With Eric B:

Paid in Full is dope. album really had bout 6 full songs. The follow-up was really good. after that ehhhh

Solo:

all of them are respectable but not groundbreaking whatsoever.


Im not elevating Rakim to 1. sorry

You must have never heard Let the rythem hit em and don't sweat the technique...Technique had the title song, know the ledge, whats on your mind on was very solid..plus his 1st solo joint was ill...

 

[Benefited]

yall missing the whole point. He saying rakim changed the game.The game had to adapt to him.He helped evolve rappers from dr suess status into real writers and lyricist. He not talking about runs. He talking about changing the whole game. Thats like if i say jackie robinson the goat black baseball player and you start telling me about another nikka stats. Non of them would be able to play if it wasnt for jackie robinson.Cant make a bigger contribution to the game than that. nikkas wouldnt b ryming how they do without rakim.

Are we saying guys like Run DMC,LL,weren't the same calibre because they weren't kicking knowledge? I would rank Rakim as probably the most influential/impactful emcee. But I don't know if I would say NOBODY can be above him like Rosenburg is saying. I think there are guys like LL and DOC who I could argue were more talented,or at least a better listen than Rakim,who probably weren't as inspired by him as they were some of Ra's predecessesors.

 

[L. Deezy]

You must have never heard Let the rythem hit em and don't sweat the technique...Technique had the title song, know the ledge, whats on your mind on was very solid..plus his 1st solo joint was ill...

I have not revisited them in years.. I will tho.

 

[Jesus Is Lord]

Kane was kinda done after his second album. He fell off a cliff after that

Not lyrically. Musically, yes. Even today his lyrics are crazy.

 

[qnsfinest]

I love seeing people’s opinions on what their top 10 or top 5 MC’s are. As long as you can give me valid reasons why they are in your top, we got no beef regardless if we agree or not. But if you’re just putting MC’s on your list to sound “hip hop”, that’s when I pull the bullshyt flag.

I just asked my older brother who is top 5 is and he straight up said “no specific order, rakim, krs, kool g, nas and pac”. Understand he is 40.

As for me my top 5 is pretty concrete and has been for years.

1. Nas
2. Pac
3. Black thought
4. Cube
5. Ghost