by EminemBase » Apr 2nd, '12, 22:23
Nobody that I have personally heard comes close.
I've never heard such an effortless combination of technical craft, attention to detail and yet... totally naturalistic conversational, realistic, true-to-life lyricism as in Em's best emotional work.
It's like he's just spewing his feelings and rhymes are happening by accident, constantly.
Aside from his technical prowess... I've never heard such bare-bones, right to the knuckle truth or self-analysis as him at his best. And his delivery is... it's like he's a voice actor. "Kim", sounds real.
I've heard other rappers trying to be emotional or write introspective content but, it feels cheesy, and contrived. And the lyrics feel stretched / forced and unnatural.
So, I can't name one, that I know of.
2Pac, as you said, is the only one... I can think of where, he's releasing emotion and energy and it feels real, and forceful. Rather than embarrassing and 'off', or forced / cheap. But, he didn't have as many dimensions in his character, as much humour, as many shades. Eminem is better.
Xzibit is an honourable mention actually, X has a spark in that area.