NAS
Talented/MC-wise, they go toe to toe (very different, but both exceptional good)
Business-wise, it's Jay without a (reasonable) doubt. He puts in work, a real business...man
As Hip Hop Icon/Legend, its also a tie, at least IMO
No other MC from NY can match up with Nas and Jay
Longevity/skills/classic albums/impact/regional/USA/world-wide etc etc
Since Biggie died, New York had no real king anymore IMO
Nas and Jay never had the support Big had, he was the king, simple as that
After Big they had to share the throne, it was big enough for Biggie, but not for the 2 kings
No unity between the fans, people had to choose, It was a disaster. This kept on going for years
A few battles and a war later (still no king), nowadays most people call Jay the king of NY
Can't blame em, good choice. But it's because Jay is the biggest moneymaking-machine
And that's the part I don't like (and at the same time fully agreed with btw) money shouldn't be a issue
But it is, and I can understand that. So Jay can be labelled as king, going that route, then Nas should be next
No other way to turn it around, after Jay it HAS to be Nas
Wrong
Because NY has no king
I am a big fan of Nas & Jay
But I can't call them king like I did B.I.G
It's time for a Kendrick Lamar East Coast version