Looked it up because I was curious. Alphonse Pierre runs the rap editor room at Pitchfork now. You may remember him from Fader and some other spots. Dipset stan, Gucci tape worshiper, DS2 acolyte...tells you everything you need to know.
The issue I have is that when punk, metal, and grunge took over at various points in music history - each of which included fans and young critics who hated on the Beatles, dismissed Dylan, etc - nobody retroactively went back and altered rock canon. The Beatles and others largely stayed where they were on "best of" rock albums list. Because the old farts who loved that shyt stayed on as editors and ensured it. Even in the hipster eras of Pitchfork, or doing Radiohead's reign, you didn't see the seminal bands get phased out too much.
Point I'm making is that no such guard rails or cultural center exists for rap. The mantle is simply handed from one guy in tight pants to the next, and they all like the exact same type of rap shyt while belittling rap they deem to be swagless (you know, like Nas). I do think DS2 deserves a spot on a top 100 list. I have no issue with Rich Gang making the list, given the influence. No, I don't think the top ten should just be Nas/Rakim/Biggie/Jay/etc. But this list is laughable. Like...it's not serious work to put Doggystyle at 100 on a rap list, behind SexxyRedd, unless the point is to make a statement.
We need Black media more than ever because trash hipsters and podcasters are trying to change the digital footprint of what is actually up with the intended demographic.
