Nowadays does Em have any competition in terms of raw rap?

[Evan C.]

No one really in the mainstream, other than Jay Z.

Not for a while. Jay-Z hasn't rhymed well at all in years.

[Throwback24]

in term of skill he hasn't in term of selling rap album there is someone...btw royce maybe will be the one who can be betten than eminem, maybe

lol @ mention of Royce.

Jay Elec, Lupe, Elzhi, couple others I'm forgetting.

[Almostlity]

Slaughterhouse & Tech.. no doubt.

[Elision]

Tech Nine comes closest. But nothing tops Despicable right now.

EDIT: Oh, and Mos Def.

[nujet2002]

Elzhi is pretty amazing and i'd say is competition. Most rappers that have been named in here I agree with too. All of Slaughterhouse outside of Budden are competition, if they have a track together its gonna be sick.

But ya mainstream theres nothing which is a shame that the best rappers can't make it big because everybody is just interested in lollipop rap these days. Who knows if Eminem would've even blown up if he came out during this time period.

[csg370]

This is a tough one guy's. Who's the rawest ever, Miley Cyrus or Justin Beiber?

Yo I think the Jonas Brothers straight smash dem both fo sho.

[sully10x]

Real hip-hop/rap currently in the game, based on overall body and ability:

1. Eminem
2. Jay-Z
3. Jay Electronica
4. Nas
5. Lil Wayne
6. Royce 5'9
7. 50 Cent
8. Crooked I
9. Lloyd Banks
10. Tech N9ne
HM. Game, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, Fabolous

[TheShadyest]

Real hip-hop/rap currently in the game, based on overall body and ability:

1. Eminem
2. Jay-Z
3. Jay Electronica
4. Nas
5. Lil Wayne
6. Royce 5'9
7. 50 Cent
8. Crooked I
9. Lloyd Banks
10. Tech N9ne
HM. Game, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, Fabolous

[ohimesama]

Real hip-hop/rap currently in the game, based on overall body and ability:

1. Eminem
2. Jay-Z
3. Jay Electronica
4. Nas
5. Lil Wayne
6. Royce 5'9
7. 50 Cent
8. Crooked I
9. Lloyd Banks
10. Tech N9ne
HM. Game, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, Fabolous

[Chilli]

Real hip-hop/rap currently in the game, based on overall body and ability:

1. Eminem
2. Jay-Z
3. Jay Electronica
4. Nas
5. Lil Wayne
6. Royce 5'9
7. 50 Cent
8. Crooked I
9. Lloyd Banks
10. Tech N9ne
HM. Game, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, Fabolous

Can we get a definition of real rap? Do you mean staying true to hip-hop culture or what?

[nujet2002]

Real hip-hop/rap currently in the game, based on overall body and ability:

1. Eminem
2. Jay-Z
3. Jay Electronica
4. Nas
5. Lil Wayne
6. Royce 5'9
7. 50 Cent
8. Crooked I
9. Lloyd Banks
10. Tech N9ne
HM. Game, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, Fabolous

Not a bad list by any means... I'm assuming your including record sales into this which is why Wayne and 50 are higher than I'd put them. I'm not all that impressed by Lloyd Banks either and while I'm a fan of Jay Electronica I don't think he's done enough to be put in the top ten. Common should be somewhere on your list as well as Method Man and Rakim. I know I keep repeating myself but as just a lyricist Elzhi right now has to be in the top 5 in my opinion. If you include sales and whatnot I can see how he could be left off though.

[Elision]

Real hip-hop/rap currently in the game, based on overall body and ability:

1. Eminem
2. Jay-Z
3. Jay Electronica
4. Nas
5. Lil Wayne
6. Royce 5'9
7. 50 Cent
8. Crooked I
9. Lloyd Banks
10. Tech N9ne
HM. Game, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, Fabolous

You're really telling me that Wayne and Jay-Z/Jay Electronica are all better than Royce and Tech N9ne?

[Wisheezy]

No one really in the mainstream, other than Jay Z.

Jay-Z is probably one of the most overrated rappers.

[sully10x]

Jay-Z has like 25+ hit singles. Weather or not you like those songs cannot take away from what he has accomplished.

Lil Wayne is in a simiar boat, but its his mixtape work rather than his mainstream work that got him on this list.

Go listen to: Cannon, Sky is the Limit, Knuck if you buck freestyle, ice-cream paint job freestyle, among others.

[sully10x]

You're really telling me that Wayne and Jay-Z/Jay Electronica are all better than Royce and Tech N9ne?

Tech N9ne has the larger body of work but while many of his songs I love, his style is a bit played and many songs by him I find unlistenable. Royce is great too but once again I think his style is played.

Wayne and Jay-Z have so many different styles and songs, plus the mainstream success.

And I just think Jay Electronica is a beast. Flow is unbelievable. Just check out "So what you sayin" (makes Eminem reference).