Ranking artists in hip-hop

[Emadyville]

I have thought about this before, just decided to post this and put the question/idea out there about how we rank rappers in terms of "the best". I mean we all see how with em a bunch of ppl on the forum say he is the best, and it's an em fansite so I get that, but arguments always happen when people disagree. And as you all have seen and been a part of, this happens with anyone who names someone as the best, and people try to give reasons why someone else is, and we're all entitled to our own opinions.

But, at the same time, if opinions is all we have then there really cannot be a rapper who is the "best". So what comes to my is two things: First, since opinion is obviously not fact, is the only way to judge those as being the best or not then become based on numbers (album sales, chart success, awards, etc.)? Or, is it that rappers themselves can only become the "best" if they have the most opinions of people saying they are the best (meaning that numbers are not a way to rank, therefore meaning the only thing left are our opinions)?

I'm just curious what you all think in regards to how we should rank rappers, if we shouldn't, etc.

[Brood]

I just rank them in tiers. The top tier consists of hip-hop's heavyweights, and none really stand out against the rest.

I don't necessarily believe that only one rapper can be classified as the absolute greatest. People can claim "Biggie is the GOAT" etc etc, but at the end of the day, it's merely an opinion. Also, album sales/awards (and all that jazz) is irrelevant to the discussion of "GOAT".

In short:
"One of the Best"
"Best Rapper Ever"

[Slim's Shady]

I've always thought if it's actually possible to label a rapper as the GOAT and make it a fact.

[mcZu]

There is no GOAT, there is no best, there is no nothing. Only thing out there that dominates these terms is preference. We can break it down in all kind of categories, but at the end of the day, it's still preference. I might like a certain punchline, rhyme scheme, or concept that you don't like.

It is impossible to determine who's best. And, luckily, we don't have to determine who's best. What happened to liking more rappers than one at the same time? There is no God emcee, there is no perfect emcee. Humans aren't perfect in the first place, so the craft humans perfrom can never be perfect.

Music is music, music is what feelings sound like. Hip Hop artists make music, if we relate to said feelings conveyed in said artist's music/work, then that artist get's labeled as one of the best in our books. Sales have nothing to do with how good an artist is, neither does the fact that X amount of people like said artist's work any relevance. Because, point blank, taste differs. It all comes down to preference.

[Devil'sAdvocate]

its opinions.

IMO opinion Em is The GOAT,and everyone thinks his opinion is right....

[One Mic]

There is no definitive G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time), only the G.O.A.T that you personally elect.

Harmless debate, chat, and discussion about hip-hop is fine, and arguing your points about your personal favourite rappers is also fine. I just don't see the logic in people getting continously stressed and arguing endlessly trying to preach to people that "the best rapper is _____ ", because at the end of the day it means nothing.

It's why I don't get mad when I see opinions or personal taste that differs from mine. Whats the point?

My favourite rapper of all time is Eminem, and no one can tell me any different. Whether you agree or disagree, I couldn't care less. I am influenced by nobody and I make my own conscious decisions. Life is short, and I intend to enjoy it while I'm here. This might sound gay but fuck it; there is no other rapper in the world whose music I "enjoy" more than Eminem's.

As long as you stay true to yourself, enjoy and listen to the music you want to....then fuck anyone else.

[brenn]

Nas said a few months back in an interview there is no G.O.A.T in hip-hop yet as its not old enough to have one. Which I can understand where he is coming from. Like a lot of the time people refer G.O.A.T to LL Cool J because of his album was titled G.O.A.T.

[Emadyville]

There is no GOAT, there is no best, there is no nothing. Only thing out there that dominates these terms is preference. We can break it down in all kind of categories, but at the end of the day, it's still preference. I might like a certain punchline, rhyme scheme, or concept that you don't like.

It is impossible to determine who's best. And, luckily, we don't have to determine who's best. What happened to liking more rappers than one at the same time? There is no God emcee, there is no perfect emcee. Humans aren't perfect in the first place, so the craft humans perfrom can never be perfect.

Music is music, music is what feelings sound like. Hip Hop artists make music, if we relate to said feelings conveyed in said artist's music/work, then that artist get's labeled as one of the best in our books. Sales have nothing to do with how good an artist is, neither does the fact that X amount of people like said artist's work any relevance. Because, point blank, taste differs. It all comes down to preference.

I'm glad you jumped in this, great post, also love the "Who" joe budden line you threw in there

[NicoleEM]

As you guys said above,it's all about preferences.If i think Em is the GOAT doesn't mean everyone else has to agree with me.We all have our own GOAT!That's why i never understood arguments about Biggie/Pac or Nas/Em or Nicki/Kim for that fact.In the end it's just an OPINION.