The P Army // Sincerely, The P / lyrics / store / instagram /

1. JK93
   

   EP
   Joined: Aug '05
   Posts: 262

   Posted 12 years ago #

   SO this has been done to death, I know, I know...

   I was reading through the linear notes for the 10YOTO box set and was reading what Thes says about J-Live being one of the best MCs ever.

   Personally, I'd go as far as to say that J-Live is the greatest MC of all time, bar none. For the most part, I think his production lets him down, but his early sh!t is immense. For content, depth and wit, there is nobody even close to J-Live. Dunno how everyone else feels about this.

   Every time the question is asked, who is the greatest MC, the usual names come up. Kane, KRS, Rakim. Personally, I think that's bullsh!t. MCing has evolved. Kane, KRS and Rakim are the Godfathers, but are they really the greatest MCs of all time?

   Let me put this out there. Regardless of influence (which will always be dictated by time) and hip hop politics, who do you think is the greatest MC of all time? And you're NOT allowed to say Thes or Double K - that's too easy.

   Just a side-note, Ice Cube would be my 2nd choice, with Juju and Psycho Les joint 3rd.

   Hit me!

   Admin

2. esomedina
   

   P fan #1
   Joined: May '05
   Posts: 1,528

   Posted 12 years ago #

   I base this almost exclusively on live performance. Common during the Like Water for Chocolate and Electric Circus eras were the greatest performances I've ever seen. Imagine doing an hour and a half set with no hype man to fill in the gaps and you're giving 100% from start to finish. That was a Common show back then. Then you have Black Thought and the Roots. Everyone must see them live. A PUTS live show is no joke either.

   But if you have to pick the greatest it has to be Rakim. No need to discuss. It just is. Just put on a Rakim record and listen. The voice captivates you from the moment he speaks.

3. SactownConnection
   

   P fan #1
   Joined: Oct '08
   Posts: 3,255

   Posted 12 years ago #

   Can of worms... *Sactown ducks*

4. SactownConnection
   

   P fan #1
   Joined: Oct '08
   Posts: 3,255

   Posted 12 years ago #

   Honestly, I think it depends on the flow style you're taking about. It's like some character stats in a fantasy RPG. Some MCs have good flow, but they're lyrically simple. Some people battle rap like psychos, but can't do anything else. Some people freestyle, but they can't seem to get albums right.

   So who do you think kills it in EVERY area?? Well, first of all, let's define what's important: 1) lyricism, 2) flow, 3) confidence, 4) spontaneity, 5) message.

   I think that'll cut through a lot of it, 'cause different things are important for different people.

5. SactownConnection
   

   P fan #1
   Joined: Oct '08
   Posts: 3,255

   Posted 12 years ago #

   Just to clarify: lyricism is the use of words, message is the point. Good example: Raw Poetic has good word use/lyricism, but sometimes his message gets a little lost in abstractions (although I still like it)

6. esomedina
   

   P fan #1
   Joined: May '05
   Posts: 1,528

   Posted 12 years ago #

   A good example of good lyricism and lost meaning is Eminem. At times he just rhymes words together to finish the pattern.

7. MrQc
   

   P fan #1
   Joined: Oct '08
   Posts: 584

   Posted 12 years ago #

   I'd have to put in a shout for Black Thought, constantly kills it & can go from raw to thoughtful with dropping a beat.

8. callmemistertibbs
   

   P fan #1
   Joined: Sep '11
   Posts: 975

   Posted 12 years ago #

   esomedina said:

   But if you have to pick the greatest it has to be Rakim. No need to discuss. It just is. Just put on a Rakim record and listen. The voice captivates you from the moment he speaks.

   Can't argue with that.

9. OceanMan
   

   P fan #1
   Joined: Mar '11
   Posts: 727

   Posted 12 years ago #

   ^would never argue w/that.

   but i would add:
   'Uncle L'
   Biggy
   Big L
   C L Smooth
   Gift of Gab
   Larry O

   and my own personal favorite,
   Double K

   but then again, WTF do i know?

10. ri067953
    

    7
    Joined: Aug '13
    Posts: 35

    Posted 12 years ago #

    I think something like this will always be subjective. It really depends on what the criteria is. Is it technical ability or is it subject matter? Is it stage presence or is it their effect on the culture? What a person grew up listening to is also a major factor.

    I mean, many people consider Jay Z as the GOAT but I don't see it. I really don't. Reasonable Doubt and the Blueprint were great albums but the rest of his catalog is mediocre to me. Plus his stage presence is average at best.

    Also, Biggie was a great lyricist but he was only able to put out two albums worth of material so how do we know if he would have been able to uphold a lengthy career. Rakim was consistent for 4 albums over a span of 6 years but his most recent work isn't that stellar.

    So with all that said, my greatest MC of all times would have to be Kool G. Rap. His punchlines, technical ability, influence on the culture is all undeniable. Also, Road to the Riches is one of the first albums I went out and actually bought because I was so in awe of his rapping skills.

    But, as I said this is subjective. I don't think we will ever have a definitive answer.

11. disiskurt
    

    7
    Joined: Aug '08
    Posts: 36

    Posted 12 years ago #

    His later stuff has certainly been inconsistent (and really, with the obvious exception of the P, this is is the case with almost everyone going way past the decade mark,) but Pharoahe Monch is definitely one of the better examples (imo) of having "the whole package."

12. MrQc
    

    P fan #1
    Joined: Oct '08
    Posts: 584

    Posted 12 years ago #

    Although not to everyone's taste the de la soul boys have an interesting flow & have certainly as a long & productive career.

13. esomedina
    

    P fan #1
    Joined: May '05
    Posts: 1,528

    Posted 12 years ago #

    MrQc said:
    Although not to everyone's taste the de la soul boys have an interesting flow & have certainly as a long & productive career.

    I'd argue that De La are the most technically gifted emcees ever. If you look at how they piece together their patterns it's somewhat amazing.

14. MrQc
    

    P fan #1
    Joined: Oct '08
    Posts: 584

    Posted 12 years ago #

    esomedina said:

    MrQc said:
    Although not to everyone's taste the de la soul boys have an interesting flow & have certainly as a long & productive career.

    I'd argue that De La are the most technically gifted emcees ever. If you look at how they piece together their patterns it's somewhat amazing.

    Well said sir, very well said.

15. armaspaskiainen
    

    7
    Joined: Feb '11
    Posts: 49

    Posted 12 years ago #

    Like it has already been said, this is totally subjective and personally I can't name any GOATs besides the P. It really boils down to what you're looking for. Personally I like wordplay and innovative rhyme schemes, and in that mind DOOM is untouchable. His projects tend to be a hit or miss for me though, for example his work of 5 past years or so isn't anywhere as good as Madvillainy. However, as a non-native English speaker it's always fascinating to try to decipher his lines.

    Sage Francis is kind of the same. Dude has put out a good amount of stuff over a decade but some of it is just sh!tty demo versions, unreleased unmastered songs and other filler. Then again, at his best he is very skilled when it comes to introspection (Best of Times) and political songs (Slow Down Gandhi). His latest album Li(f)e also had interesting production.

    I really can't say who is the greatest, partly because my knowledge isn't sufficient when it comes to the legends you guys already have mentioned. When it comes to Finnish rap (it exists and is doing pretty good right now, believe it or not) I could name the greatest without any hesitation though, mainly because as a genre it's quite new round here.

Reply »

You must log in to post.