Suge Knight Reveals Who Killed Tupac

I remember the day vividly; hearing on the radio that Tupac had been shot and killed after the Tyson fight was like a movie to me; it didn't feel real. And then came all the theories on who killed him. L.A Crips? Biggie? Suge Knight? An unknown enemy? 

People Are Saying Kendrick Lamar is Better Than Nas

I am always online, on Youtube, and blogs, and Hip Hop websites, reading comments, and a lot of people have been insinuating that Kendrick Lamar is better than Nas. Before I go on, I would like to clear the air and say- No, I do not think Kendrick Lamar is better than Nas; but this is the opinion of a lot of people, and it kinda bothered me a bit, so I decided to write about it. Don't get me wrong, Kendrick Lamar is a dope rapper, and probably the best of his generation, but it is disturbing to hear people say he is better than Nas.

I think the problem of some Hip Hop music listeners is that they have a very short memory. One new kid comes on the scene, and after his second album, they start calling  him the G.O,A.T. Even Jay Z, Nas, and Eminem didn't start claiming that title till they were 10 years deep in the game with more than 5-6 albums under their belts. So, why are people saying Kendrick Lamar is better than Nas, who has been in the game for 20 plus years, and showed time and time again, with 10 albums that he is an exceptionally skilled rapper?




So, you my readers, I want to hear from you. What do you have to say about this. 

Who Do You Consider to be The Greatest Rapper Of all Time

Who is the greatest rapper of all time? When I checked a couple of online dictionaries, these were some of the definition of greatest I saw- 'of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above average. Or- 'of ability, quality, or eminence considerably above average. Or- 'of outstanding significance or importance.' Or- 'superior in quality or character; noble.' I never saw any definition that had to do with success of the said person, and I realized I had been caught in the crazy mentality of most Rap music listener, who believe the greatest of all time has to be the most successful artist of all time. And my thinking changed. Actually, a discussion with my friend (Full Effex), who is also a rapper, changed the way I looked at this subject.

Is Eminem Better Than Biggie?

Is Eminem better than Biggie? Some would say this question is blasphemous, but some people do believe Eminem is lyrically better than the late Notorious B.I.G. Well, if it is based on just one aspect of their rapping skills, then I think we might have an interesting discussion here.

Female rapper from New Jersey, Lady Luck once said she believed Eminem is better than Biggie, and she was greatly criticized for that statement. In a recent Interview with DJ VLAD, she spoke on what she really meant.

50 Cent Says Eminem is Better than All Black Rappers

The issue of color will always come up in Hip Hop, and the latest person to discuss that is 50 Cent. In a recent interview with Music Choice, he was speaking on whether or not Hip Hop is a black thing, and he came to the conclusion that Hip Hop is black music. He also added that though it is a black thing, Eminem, a white rapper, is better than every black rapper out there. 










Read 50's words below. 



“Hip Hop is Black music, without question, and, unfortunately for some people, it’s tough to accept that you have a White artist that does it better than Black artists. It is what it is. You can get like whoever you think is the best Black artist and stand them face-to-face in a room with Em and he will eat that [guy] alive. Right now if you had 'em prepare themselves, whatever way they would have to prepare themselves to come battle…I bet what I have, everything” that Eminem would win." (Music Choice Interview)






This is a tough subject, cos people sometimes people judge based on who they like, or what sub-genre of rap music they like. Eminem is not my choice of 'The Best Rapper' alive right now, but I do have to agree that when it comes to flow and delivery on a song, Eminem will eat any rapper alive. That is not all there is to rap, and I do know Eminem has other qualities as an artist, but that is one of the qualities that people look at when they speak on who is better than who in Hip Hop. And ofcos the other criteria of commercial success; Eminem has no opponent in this department...he is light years ahead of any black rapper in this area, so 50 Cent has a point. 

Kendrick Lamar Says he Wants To be Here For a Long Time

Lizzy Goodman, who writes for The New York Times said that's what Kendrick Lamar said to her. Well, maybe not exactly in those words, but in that line. He actually said he doesn't want to be someone that comes and goes. This was early this year, around the time the Grammy nominations was released, and Kendrick was nominated multiple times. He became uncomfortable, and Goodman revealed that he said...









“I’m the worst,” he eventually said, breaking the silence. “Whenever I get good news about anything . . . man, I guess I’m bad at receiving compliments.” He stopped typing but didn’t look up from the phone, his face all but obscured beneath his black hood. “Like yesterday with the nominations, things like that — it made me feel like I had to be in the studio because I had to do it, not again, but. . . .” He couldn’t quite finish his thought. “It just bothers me,” he said finally. “I don’t want to be something that just comes and goes.” (as written by Lizzy Goodman for The New York Times)





I understand what Kendrick is trying to say. Sometimes, it is better to grow slowly to the top, than just come, BANG! It can be so scary, and you might feel the only way to go is down after that. I remember reading somewhere where Rich Boy said he blew up too fast, and it scared him, and that was why he disappeared off the rap scene. I guess that's why Kendrick went to the studio to work again, cos he feels he has to live up to the accolades his first album got with his next album. 

Don't worry Kendrick; you got what it takes to last in Hip Hop...you will be here for a long time. 

Ab-Soul Says He Wants to be 'The Best Rapper in the World'

During his recent interview with DJ Skee, TDE rapper, Ab-Soul said he wants to be the best rapper in the world. Well, which rapper doesn't want to be the best? It is good for the art, as it keep rappers on their toes, and keeps them creative. He made this statement while speaking on the success of TDE, and how they are like brother's at the label. 





“We’re really brothers. We all really want to see each other do well. As much as it is friendly competition—I do want to be the best rapper in the world, too—it’s in the same way I want Kendrick to be the best, I want to see Q be the best. It’s a real interesting feeling but I think that’s what kind of keeps us all in line.”







Cool. By the way, Ab-Soul's These Days album drops next week Tuesday; June 24. 

Nicki Minaj Says She Wants to be Remembered as One of the Greatest

Hate her or love her, you can't deny the fact that Nicki Minaj has done a lot in her 5 year run in Hip Hop. She has leveraged on her popularity as a rapper, and has diversified into other industries like the movie industry, and the fashion world. In her recent interview with I-D Vice, she spoke on what she would like to be remembered for. 





"I want to be a mogul; I want to have multiple businesses where I can employ hungry people, people who are eager to learn. I want to have foundations where I can put people through college; I want my Barbs to be smart, not to be crazy and foolish and not to depend on boys. I want to do something to inspire people all around the 
world. I'd like to be remembered as one of the great rappers and a mogul, an actress, a mother and a wife." 










That's cool. She has achieved a lot so far, and I wish her all the best with her next business moves. 

Evidence Says Jay Z Has Surpassed Nas

There has always been, and there will always be an argument on who is a better rapper between Jay Z and Nas. I have always liked that the argument is always like 50/50...like half think Jay is better, and the other half people in Hip Hop feel Nas is better. If they weren't formidable opponents, then there would never have been a beef between them, and it wouldn't have been as interesting as it was. Evidence (member of the hip hop group, Dilated People) was on B Real's Smoke Box show recently, and he got talking about the whole Jay Z and Nas comparison thing. He said he always felt Nas was better at the beginning, but that Jay Z has surpassed Nas right now. 





"To me, Nas is one of the most gifted rappers of all time. From God though. Not from what he made of it. My man Planet Asia is the same way. They just got that shit on the mic. For me, I look at early Jay Z work and I don't see that God-given thing. [B-Real: He had to work on it] And God-damn-did-he. And look what he turned it into…I think Jay Z surpassed Nas at a certain point. It’s debatable, but at least it’s debatable... Maybe Nas is sharper than Jay Z right now. Maybe because Nas is on some b-boy shit. But Jay Z [may be] so powerful. It’s a debate.”






The main reason why I wasn't a Jay Z fan from the beginning was that I thought he was a basic rapper, so I understand what Evidence was saying at the beginning of his statement. And yea, it is also true that Jay Z worked on his craft. Even-though I was on Nas's side 100% during their beef in 2001, I couldn't deny the fact that The Blueprint was a masterpiece. I think that was Jay at his peak. In my opinion, that is his best album ever...and he got to that level by consistently working on his craft, unlike Nas who came in the game with a bang. Right now, in 2014, I enjoy what each of them contribute to Hip Hop, I don't compare them anymore. They the gods of rap right now. 

Does Every New Rapper Need A Drake Feature to Blow Up

It almost feels like every new rapper needs that Drake stamp...that Drake feature to attain commercial success. Of cos there are some that have enjoyed a little fame without assistance from Drake, but sink into oblivion after a while. I have come to notice that most of the hottest rappers in the last five years or so have needed that Drake stamp.






How so? Okay, let's look at some of the hottest rappers of right now...without thinking much, I would say Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, A$ap Rocky, YG, 2 Chainz...all these rappers have needed that Drake feature at one time or the other. I am not saying Drake is the dopest rapper out, but he has a winning formula. Rappers and rap listeners need to understand that is not all about who can rap the dopest lines, you also have to be able to make a constructive song, deliver a good melody on your song's hook, ride the beat...all these makes you a great overall artist. This are the qualities Drake brings to the table.







See what he did for 2 Chainz with No Lie; or do we want to say his impact wasn't felt on Kendrick's Poetic Justice track off GKMC. I am more of J Cole fan than a Drake fan, but I didn't even like the Kendrick and Cole feature on Born Sinner. Lets go back to 2010, and someone tell me he didn't make that Rick Ross's Aston Martin Music song phenomenal? Look what he does to every DJ Khaled feature. Are we talking A$AP Rocky's 'Fuckin Problems?' Come on! You got to give it to this dude. Hate him or love him, you just have to give it to him.







Which other rapper can sing on a song with gangster rappers on it, and then switch up to rap, and still hold his own with the rappers? He has done songs with almost every type of rapper...Trapstars, gangsters, conscious rappers, backpackers, strip club rappers, and he is still does his thing every damn time. 

Schoolboy Q Says He is The Best Rapper in Black Hippy

Schoolboy Q has been known to make some very controversial statements in the last couple of months, so this does not surprise me. I guess it is all for publicity. During an interview with Torae of Hip Hop Nation, he said he was the best rapper from Black Hippy. In case you don't know, Black Hippy is a rap clique which comprises him, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, and Ab-Soul. 






Read his words below-
“Me." (He answered, when asked who the best rapper from Black Hippy was). "Cause I am. I smoke weed. The most girls like me. I dress nicer than them. I rap better than them. You can listen to me by yo self. You can listen to me with the homies. You can play certain songs for your mama. You can play me in the strip club. I’m everywhere. I’m better than them niggas.”





His album (Oxymoron) drops in a couple of weeks (Feb. 25), and headlines like this will surely get him great publicity, so it's all good. 

Olamide is The Best Rapper in Nigeria (2014)

Yea, I said it; Olamide is currently the best rapper in Nigeria. If you wanna dispute that fact, you will have to name someone better than him right now. There are a lot of Godfather's of rap in Nigeria like Modenine and Ruggedman that I will always give respect to; but right now, in 2014, Olamide is the best rapper in the country. His consistency is unparallelled. He keeps dropping hit after hit after hit, and he never seems lose steam.




You might want to put up Ice Prince or Naeto C as contenders for that position, but those two are too one-dimensional with their raps. And also, they have a machine behind that make sure they get the best beats, the best features, and the best marketing. Olamide is a one-man-army, and you can't contest his skills on the mic. He switches from Yoruba to English, without losing the listener. And he has also shown that he is very versatile...rapping fast, slow, switching up his flow to fit into a guest appearance with not just rap artist, but R&B singers, and even Fuji singers too.




For the last 3 years, the kid has been on fire. Every guest appearance he gets on, he kills it. With all the songs you hear him on, you would think he would have spread himself thin by now, but he delivers all the time. The kid is is the most hard-working rapper in the country (he dropped two albums in the space of the last14 months), and definitely the best rapper out right now. He knows the basics of the art of rap; he has clever witty lines; the message is there, and his delivery is always on point. He is just the total Package. From First of All, to Durosoke, to Turn Up, to Dope Money, his hits are endless.

Schoolboy Q Names Which Rapper He Considers The Best Ever

There is always a debate in Hip Hop of who is the best rapper ever, or who is the greatest of all time. I feel this a touchy subject cos people's opinions change every year. Sometimes, you are only as hot as the last project you dropped. In a recent interview with BRealTV, Schoolboy Q was asked who his rap influences were, and he said...




“I was inspired by a lot of East Coast rappers, from Mobb Deep, Biggie, even 50 Cent. Nas is my favourite rapper. I also think Jay Z is the best rapper to ever rap, just because he’s at his age and what he’s doing and he still is relevant. He’s been doing it for years and [he’s] consistent. You like his album or not. The people liked it. I didn’t like everything Jay Z did. The majority of the people liked it, so that’s consistency. Everybody just expect me to say ‘Pac, Dogg Pound, everybody else...Cypress. It’s nothing against nobody from the Coast. I was just in the car as a kid coming up in the car with somebody who listened to East Coast music. My older cousin, all he would listen to was like East Coast stuff, like Nas and all them, so I had to get into that. I got into that first before I actually got into the other stuff."(BRealTV)



I have always said it over again that I think Nas is the best that ever did it, and Jay Z is the G.O.A.T. There is a big difference. I think this is what Schoolboy Q was trying to say too.

Wale Says Jay Z Is The Greatest To Ever Do It

The debate for the greatest rapper of all time is an endless one. Sometimes it makes me really consider abandoning hip hop music as a whole, and just stick to listening to African music, and some good ol rock music where people don't spend all day arguing who the best is, or who has sold the most records. Art is not supposed to be appreciated that way. I just think I am too old for these debates. Anyway, Roc Nation managed artist, Wale just called Jay Z the greatest rapper to ever do it.



Below is what Wale had to say in a recent interview with XXL, when he was asked about what he had learnt from Jay Z's success...




"Jay Z? Greatest to ever do it. Hands down. No debate. If you debate, you’re really just mad. You got some kinda inner joint, but he knows it though. I think that’s the greatest thing about knowing him is like, being around somebody who knows. It’s just like when Steve Young learned from Joe Montana." 

Who Is The Best Rapper From Slaughterhouse

My friend and I have this conversation all the time, and we never seem to come to a conclusion. In fact, cos we are fans’ of each individual rapper in the group, it gets harder to pick one and say he is best. It’s more like they complement each other. For many years, I never thought another rap group would come along that I would like the way I like The L.O.X, till Joe Budden, Crooked I, Royce Da 5’9 and Joell Ortiz decided to form Slaughterhouse.

Of cos, Joe Budden and Royce Da 5’9 have been around longer than Ortiz and Crooked, but that shouldn't be a criteria to judge who is better right now. So, let me speak on their individual strengths. Joell Ortiz brings humour to the table, which is a needed quality in a rap group like Slaughterhouse in this times of gimmicky rap. Asides from the humour, when he does decide to get serious, he shreds beats...and he has that ability to carry you along with every line. He is very good with the narrative, without loosing a notch of his fine delivery.

Joe Budden always gives you that emotional rap. Budden has, through the years, through all his Mood Muzik series, perfected the art of telling his audience his dark stories; not drug tales, but his life as an effect of excessive drug use...and every day stories of heart break and family stories that anyone can relate to. Royce has the upper hand when it comes to delivery and flow. For someone that can hold his own with Eminem on every song on a 9 track EP, you know he got what it takes to rip any beat to pieces.  Even though he has the ability to spazz out on every track, he knows when to hold back, and give you some deep and personal words. Crooked on the other hand is raw, and he got that multi-syllabic thing going to a “T.”

So, who is the best? I don’t know. As I said earlier, I think they compliment each-other greatly. But, if I had a gun to my head, and had to say who I feel is the best, I would probably say, Royce...no, Joell Ortiz. Lol! You see how hard it is? But those are my favourite two. But, as much as I love every Joell verse, and always anticipate it when any Slaughterhouse song comes on, I know that Royce Da 5’9 and Joe Budden make better solo songs than Joell. I also know that Joe Budden had the best verse from all of them at last year’s B.E.T Cypher. So, what am saying is that each member has his strengths  based on what type of songs they are making, or what mode of rapping they are doing, each member shines differently. But, if I would really really have to say who the best is, I would say Royce Da 5’9...he is more rounded overall.

Ricky Ruckus Says J. Cole Is One Of The Greats

North Carolina rapper, Ricky Ruckus says he thinks J. Cole should be considered amongst the greats in Hip Hop history. Well, J. Cole has just one album out, and has been on the scene for just about 4 years, but I think I agree with him on this. J. Cole is one of the new generation of rappers that is really doing what Hip Hop was known for in the past...passing a message, in a very constructive and creative way.

"I wouldn't go as far as to say J. Cole is the greatest of all time, but he's definitely one of the greats. He's so underrated," Ruckus told SOHH. "His first album was one of my favorite albums of the last five years. Out of all time, Nas is my favorite artist, he mirrors Nas a lot, to me. Just past him being from North Carolina, lyrically and content-wise, his shows [are incredible]. If you've ever been to one of his shows, it's great. I don't see any bad things about the whole J. Cole brand. And to me, that's what makes you great. If you've got great lyrics, you put out a great album, you put in work, he's been grinding. He's been underJay[-Z] for four years, we heard about him but before is album came out he was with him for three or four years." (SOHH)

Alicia Keys Picks Favourite Between Jay-Z And Nas

Songstress, Alicia Keys was put on the spot in a recent radio interview when she was asked who she felt was a better rapper between Jay-Z and Nas. She has collaborated with the two in the past, but the latest being the feature she had on Jay's Empire State of Mind (Blueprint 3 Album- 2009). She featured on Nas's Warrior Song off the Godson album ( 2002), and she featured Nas (and Rakim) on a track titled Streets Of New York.















Check out here response to the question below-

Jay-Z or Nas. I will say Nas, but obviously they’re both incredible lyrically. But Nas–for me–goes into a place where he’s able to access concepts and storylines that most people won’t be able to pull together.









She was also asked who she felt was a better singer between Beyonce and Mary J Blige.

Beyoncé or Mary J. I’m gonna go for Bey; I think that she actually has a really (at the heart and core of it all) if you just heard her at a piano or a guitar–it’s really spectacular how she sings.

Who is The Best Rapper at G.O.O.D Music

There is Kanye West himself, 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Pusha T; I would have counted Kid Cudi, but he is more of a harmonizer. So, who do i think is the best rapper at G.O.O.D Music? I think they are all cool for the kind of music they do. I am still finding it hard to believe that Kanye has 2 Chainz and Pusha T on his team; those dudes do Gangsta rap, and Kanye...well, Kanye does Kanye music. I think Big Sean is more of the type of rapper to be associated with Knaye. I think they have a very good thing going.

Personally, when i think of them in hip hop, i am happy that people like them and slaughterhouse are still in hip hop. To jump right to it, i would say Pusha T is the best in the crew. Just look at what he did on the Mercy track. The guy killed it! Not that the others didn't do good, but he killed it, period!

Can There Be Another Eminem?

I was inspired to write this post after i heard Billionaire Businessman, Donald Trump say Mack Miller Is the next Eminem. In case you don't know, Mack Miller is a new comer white rapper, that sounds a bit like Whiz Khalifa. He had a popular track called "Donald Trump", which explains why Trump would comment on him. But Trump definitely knows nothing about hip hop.



I believe Eminem being white has contributed hugely to his commercial success through his career so far, but you definitely can't take away the fact that Eminem is a beast on the mic. If you would ask me, i would say the combination of word play, delivery, his "whiteness", his ability to say what no one else will, his personal troubles and his ability to share it with the world made Eminem who he is.



Right now, you have so many white rappers on the scene, and if you ask me, they are just average rappers, not outstanding in anyway. You have Mack Miller, Yelawolf, Machine Gun Kelly...none of them can deliver on the mic like Eminem. I am note saying they are wack, i am just saying they are not as unique as eminem. I consider Eminem top 5 rappers of all time, and i don't think they would be another Eminem. And this is the same reason why they probably wouldn't be another Jay-Z or another Nas. I am happy that, of recent, there have been a couple of rappers like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and the likes that are original with it. They do their thing, and don't try to be anyone that is already a star...and they don't care what people say.



A lot of upcoming rappers are always pressured to sound like someone that has already done it. They feel they would get recognistion that way. they fail to learn that those people that they are trying to be like, were definitely influenced by other rappers, but they carved their own niche, and stayed true to that. That is the way to be great. You can never be a better version of the person you are trying to be like...just be the best you you can be. That is the advise i would give to up and coming rappers. And on that note, i would say there would never be another Eminem.

Hottest Rappers in The Game Right Now (2011)

I have attempted to make a list of the top 10 hottest rappers in the game right now. This list has nothing to do with past success, but the presence of the individual rapper, and what they are contributing to hip hop right now.
Check out the list below-

10. Meek Mill

9.  Ace Hood

8.  Bad Meets Evil (Eminem and Royce Da 5'9)

7.  Lupe Fiasco

6.  Nicki Minaj

5.  The Throne (Jay-Z and Kanye West

4.  Big Sean

3.  Rick Ross

2.  Drake

1.  Lil Wayne

So, those are the rappers i consider the hottest in Hip Hop right now. Please, i would like to here your opinion on my list. As i said earlier, the list has nothing to do with past success...i am judging purely on present contribution to hip hop. Basically, radio play, guest appearances, hot verses, album sales...Some artist might be number one in one category, but i wasn't looking at just one feature, so you might wonder why some artist are higher on the list than others...it would have to be that they pass in more than one criteria.