All good points, I just don't think ensemble entertainment value merits a mention on a top ten rapper list. wu-tangs a close call (find me a rza verse i wont skip), you made some good points, but we cant kid ourselves that q-tip or phife were anything more than quaint. enjoyable, but not impressive. they made good music, did a lot for hip hip, were not that skilled as rappers. dre produces his own music too, so the whole package together doesnt quite sell me. mos def does only rap on like 45% of his stuff...really. he sings constantly, he raps ab half the time in black on both sides, sporadically in new danger, dont get me wrong hes fire on the mic. but he blows kweli out the water when he raps, and anything on a top ten list is better than 95% of todays music so i dont consider black star to be special in that regard. not saying its bad, but i believe overhyped and theres so much better out there. and wu-tangs gone downhill every album since the first. ok sure first ones hard to top, just like nas, b theyve also gone downhill on every one since the second, too if u wanna look at it that way.Nikhil said:Alright, I have to disagree with some of the things you said
As far as the groups that I have mentioned, I feel that I listed groups who have members that feed off of one another and display absolute chemistry. You have to realize why Wu-tang is such an obvious pick: The absolute mayhem on the mic and their contrasting styles create, strange enough, a nice blend of imaginary, kung-fu, demented form of lyricism. This was enigmatic of the early 1990's, when Hip Hop was being retarded by Gangsta Rap. Wu-tang kept the aggressive, "attack the stage" mindset. The members you singled out may not have excellent solo projects but when they are in the group, as a number of rappers, they make you laugh your ass off and grin uncontrollably: See "The Mystery of Chessboxing."
A tribe called quest did SO much for hip hop, you're right. They were related to De La Soul, and Leaders of the New School. You said it already: they made awesome music by being lyricists and producing thier own music. Midnight Marauders is AMAZING.
Please don't hate on Blackstar. I cannot begin to tell you that thier one album is better than 95% of the crap that's out today STILL. I don't know what you mean by Mos Def rapping only 45% on his albums...do you mean he has a lot of cameo appearances, or that he sings alot? Either way, you can't blame the guy for having people like Rah Diggah/Pharaoh Monch come on occasionally, because his non-blackstar projects are ridiculous. Talib is definitely not overrated...please listen to Reflection Eternal Train of Thought 5 Billion times...the production on his other albums were horrendous compared to that album. I couldn't stand Quality or The beautiful struggle, so hopefully, IF he ever gets his second Reflections Eternal album out, he will be riding high again.
Honorable Mention: ONYX.
My favorite song: Scenario
i guess i cant talk since i only gave a top 5, but i consider my top 5 far and away better than anything else out there. "doing something for hip hop" is good but not everything, i mean 50 cent brought rap to countless suburban households expanding raps influence more than ever before. he still will burn in hell for all eternity for making the public listen to his music. i like this thread, especially the interesting choices that arent straight from a vh1 countdown. nikhil man, i see what youre sayin, i think we have different taste b im glad u brought up those good points.
