Let's look at artists still alive (in no order):
Cube
Scarface
Jay
Nas
Rakim
Kane
Chuck D
Kanye
Lupe
DMX
Snoop
Common
Killer Mike
Beanie Sigel
Jadakiss
Styles P
LL Cool J
T.I.
Andre 3000
Bun B
Krayzie Bone
Twista
Q Tip
Busta Rhymes
Method Man
Ghostface
This is just a list of some of the dudes I consider to be among the best living MCs. Eminem might be a better rhymer than some of them (objectively), he definitely sold more records than all of them but musically he's not on par.
I can literally play LL records today, I can play BDK or Rakim records right now. Eminem? No.
Is Eminem a better rapper than Styles P? Absolutely but I'll play G&AG before any Eminem album. I'll rock Time is Money before any Eminem album.
Looking at everything, objectively, no. He's not top 10 DOA. He's had a major impact but theres living rappers with bigger impacts but sold fewer records.
Look at that list. You got pioneers (LL, Rakim and BDK), you got trendsetters (Jay, Cube, Snoop, Chuck D), you got niggas who influenced generations. You got Krayzie Bone who influenced the sing-song rap style that scored Nelly millions of albums sold and now that Drake is doing and sold millions of albums.
You've got lyricists, niggas that sold records, influenced styles and eras. Its easy as fuck to bypass Eminem...objectively.
Cube
Scarface
Jay
Nas
Rakim
Kane
Chuck D
Kanye
Lupe
DMX
Snoop
Common
Killer Mike
Beanie Sigel
Jadakiss
Styles P
LL Cool J
T.I.
Andre 3000
Bun B
Krayzie Bone
Twista
Q Tip
Busta Rhymes
Method Man
Ghostface
This is just a list of some of the dudes I consider to be among the best living MCs. Eminem might be a better rhymer than some of them (objectively), he definitely sold more records than all of them but musically he's not on par.
I can literally play LL records today, I can play BDK or Rakim records right now. Eminem? No.
Is Eminem a better rapper than Styles P? Absolutely but I'll play G&AG before any Eminem album. I'll rock Time is Money before any Eminem album.
Looking at everything, objectively, no. He's not top 10 DOA. He's had a major impact but theres living rappers with bigger impacts but sold fewer records.
Look at that list. You got pioneers (LL, Rakim and BDK), you got trendsetters (Jay, Cube, Snoop, Chuck D), you got niggas who influenced generations. You got Krayzie Bone who influenced the sing-song rap style that scored Nelly millions of albums sold and now that Drake is doing and sold millions of albums.
You've got lyricists, niggas that sold records, influenced styles and eras. Its easy as fuck to bypass Eminem...objectively.
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