Eminem is the best of all-time.

[Relapse.LP]

For those who truly believe that Eminem is the greatest rapper of all-time (not just saying that to look "cool"), list your reasons for why he is the best.

I'm curious to see what they are and we can all have a happy, little debate.

Please, refrain from name-calling, which is clearly immature, unless necessary, and don't turn this thread from a polite debate to a slaughterhouse.

No absolute Stannery too, by the way. This means that you can't just say bullshit like...

Because he just is. or Everyone else sucks.

Unless you back it up with legitimate contentions.

[ra1n]

hm, you must be bored.

Eminem is the greatest of all-time ANY genre. Everyone knows that.

[Relapse.LP]

Sigh, so much for my guidelines.

[Wic Kid]

Sigh, so much for my guidelines.

Relapse, this topic of yours can only bring one thing: beefs. Thats inevitable. It will only end up with SajN lockin it. Lotta people will state stupid statements, other will flame them. And so back n forth...
He's not my favorite rapper, but I still think he's the greatest. But its 3:30 AM here, so... You know...

[watevermannnn]

I put him at #1. Why? Because he has basically done everything you can do as a rapper. I don't think a rapper who just raps a dope 16 bars with ill metaphors should be even near a top 5.

Em has done story-telling tracks like Stan, cinematic tracks like Kim, comedy tracks like Just Dont give A, and inspirational tracks like Lose Yourself. He switches up his flow often, and has displayed some of the best lyricism when it comes to multi's.

His impact on the game. He has brought so many fans into the hip-hop genre. He's not just a rapper, he's a music icon. The only one I think could come close to him in this category is Pac.


He was also way ahead of his time when he came out. When Paid in Full dropped, shit was ahead because nobody rhymed like Rakim. If they dropped that shit today, it wouldn't have the same impact. People need to realize you don't need DJ Premier beats and a 90's sound record TODAY, to have a classic album. Look at Slaughterhouse and every dope lyricist and all those rappers putting out mixtape after mixtape. They're droppin' dope shit, but what's groundbreaking?

[Relapse.LP]

Sigh, so much for my guidelines.

Relapse, this topic of yours can only bring one thing: beefs. Thats inevitable. It will only end up with SajN lockin it. Lotta people will state stupid statements, other will flame them. And so back n forth...
He's not my favorite rapper, but I still think he's the greatest. But its 3:30 AM here, so... You know...

That's my point. To bring the best out of beefs.

[ra1n]

Well, from my perspective, Em draws me in the most. He's the most captivating in my eyes.

I listen to other great rappers,
some of my faves include; Vinnie Paz (JMT), Lupe Fiasco, Jay-z, Nas, B.i.g., Canibus etc.

and they are ill on the mic but they don't give me the same feeling I get when I listen to Em.

Em is the most entertaining to me and I can relate to him the most.

that being said, I don't believe in a universal "greatest of all time"

it's all relative and subjective.

but I do believe Em is equipped with the talent/skills to be considered one of the greats.

[Eminem4Life1006]

I like Eminem because of his amazing way to tell a story in his songs (Stan). Also, because of the emotion he gives out in some of his songs that just make it so much more better/inspirational (Lose Yourself, Till I Collapse, The Way I Am). Idk those are just my 2 cents .

[Relapse.LP]

I put him at #1. Why? Because he has basically done everything you can do as a rapper. I don't think a rapper who just raps a dope 16 bars with ill metaphors should be even near a top 5.

Em has done story-telling tracks like Stan, cinematic tracks like Kim, comedy tracks like Just Dont give A, and inspirational tracks like Lose Yourself. He switches up his flow often, and has displayed some of the best lyricism when it comes to multi's.

His impact on the game. He has brought so many fans into the hip-hop genre. He's not just a rapper, he's a music icon. The only one I think could come close to him in this category is Pac.


He was also way ahead of his time when he came out. When Paid in Full dropped, shit was ahead because nobody rhymed like Rakim. If they dropped that shit today, it wouldn't have the same impact. People need to realize you don't need DJ Premier beats and a 90's sound record TODAY, to have a classic album. Look at Slaughterhouse and every dope lyricist and all those rappers putting out mixtape after mixtape. They're droppin' dope shit, but what's groundbreaking?

Good argument; now it's my turn.

1. It is true Eminem has a variety of topics he covers in perhaps his first two albums. Stan is without a doubt a story-telling song, but many other rappers have done that before him. You call Kim cinematic? I suppose it does sound a little "movie-like", but Kim, despite its emotional impact on the listener, has very low-quality lyricism compared to other MMLP songs. Again, maybe this is a difference of analysis, but Just Don't Give a Fuck is a comedy track? I perceive it more of a outlet of built-up anger at his life, in general. Problem with this point is other rappers have done this, some better, so how does this prove Eminem is the best?

2. Although Eminem has perhaps become very well-known, partly due to his color, show me direct impact of his influence? Which MCs have changed their rapping a little after Eminem dropped his albums? What actual influence has he had. Sure, he made people like rap more and get introduced more, but he hasn't helped the game as a whole. He's definitely brought up "rappers", as you will, like "50 Cent" and "D12", but he hasn't really done much as an icon, besides staying secluded from the media for a hiatus of 5 years or so? On the other hand, just look at the late 80's rappers and all they've done for hip hop . Without Kool G Rap, multi-syllabic rhyming wouldn't have been as used as much as it is today. Without Rakim, MC flow would be entirely different. And I don't even need to bring up the greats. Slang was defined by many rappers back in the early 90's and influence is very visible.

3. True: when Paid in Full dropped, it was considered "ahead of its time", due to its groundbreaking lyricism. Its impact is obvious. Now, when The Slim Shady LP dropped, what was groundbreaking, besides a white MC had broke through the racism with Dr. Dre? Did it have new styles? Is rapping about "killing guys and raping girls" necessarily groundbreaking? To me, some of the content on that album is plainly embarrassing, and his delivery, at times, does not help. Give me legitimate examples of SSLP's "groundbreaking-ness".

Keep it coming.

Remember the rules...

[Relapse.LP]

Eminem is my favourite rapper. why? because he's the only one that leaves me in a sense of total awe. his story telling skills are impeccable, and no one can match his flow, no one can rap for as long as he can without taking a breath. i can almost guarantee that if ANY other rapper tried to spit 'the way i am' or '8 mile' .. then they would be exposed as rappers. there is no way anyone can rap the way he does. Eminem can do covers for other artist's songs, easy. but can many rappers cover an Eminem classic? i think not. they would end up ruining the track. another thing that makes Eminem the best, is his ability to tell a flawless story, in one verse, with the same rhyme scheme all the way through. just look at 'Renegade'. name me one rapper that has a better verse than his verse on Renegade. there is no one. and to disagree with that is a bit silly imo, because that has to be the most flawless verse of all time. Eminem is the best known rapper on planet earth right now. no doubt about it.

You surpassed Evan C. today.

The verse on Renegade is dope without a doubt, but the best verse of all time and is silly to disagree? I think not.

[Relapse.LP]

what? you not going to argue with the rest of it? so, you think i'm right? apart from the renegade comment?

No, I want to take a break and let other people try. I haven't "given up".

And writing another fucking 15-minute long rebut will tire my eyes/mind.

EDIT: So you agree with my Renegade refute?

[Wic Kid]

Good argument; now it's my turn.

1. It is true Eminem has a variety of topics he covers in perhaps his first two albums. Stan is without a doubt a story-telling song, but many other rappers have done that before him. You call Kim cinematic? I suppose it does sound a little "movie-like", but Kim, despite its emotional impact on the listener, has very low-quality lyricism compared to other MMLP songs. Again, maybe this is a difference of analysis, but Just Don't Give a Fuck is a comedy track? I perceive it more of a outlet of built-up anger at his life, in general. Problem with this point is other rappers have done this, some better, so how does this prove Eminem is the best?

2. Although Eminem has perhaps become very well-known, partly due to his color, show me direct impact of his influence? Which MCs have changed their rapping a little after Eminem dropped his albums? What actual influence has he had. Sure, he made people like rap more and get introduced more, but he hasn't helped the game as a whole. He's definitely brought up "rappers", as you will, like "50 Cent" and "D12", but he hasn't really done much as an icon, besides staying secluded from the media for a hiatus of 5 years or so? On the other hand, just look at the late 80's rappers and all they've done for hip hop . Without Kool G Rap, multi-syllabic rhyming wouldn't have been as used as much as it is today. Without Rakim, MC flow would be entirely different. And I don't even need to bring up the greats. Slang was defined by many rappers back in the early 90's and influence is very visible.

3. True: when Paid in Full dropped, it was considered "ahead of its time", due to its groundbreaking lyricism. Its impact is obvious. Now, when The Slim Shady LP dropped, what was groundbreaking, besides a white MC had broke through the racism with Dr. Dre? Did it have new styles? Is rapping about "killing guys and raping girls" necessarily groundbreaking? To me, some of the content on that album is plainly embarrassing, and his delivery, at times, does not help. Give me legitimate examples of SSLP's "groundbreaking-ness".

Keep it coming.

Remember the rules...

Sorry Relapse, but I think you're wrong with some of these stuff. How can Eminem, a white guy, have direct impact on a gangsta-ghetto rap game? He cant, not even if he was 10x more skilled. Imagine a black rapper makin songs like Em and addoptin Ems style. What would happen to that rapper? He'd be laughed at, thats what would happen.
I agree that he didnt have an impact on the rap as whole, but thats cuz of his unique style, and that style is determined by his SKIN.

[Relapse.LP]

well. another point is. in the world we live in when someone says "rapper" most people immediately think "eminem" before anyone else. you can't deny that. eminem is THE most famous, and THE most popular rapper. More people have heard of him, than any other rapper. More celebs, such as Christina Aguilara. Britney Spears, etc, talk about Eminem. i don't see them speaking about other rappers much at all. it's always Eminem.

Maybe that's the way in UK, but in the US, that's definitely not the case, unless you ask the country folk or the white children up the block skateboarding.

[Relapse.LP]

Good argument; now it's my turn.

1. It is true Eminem has a variety of topics he covers in perhaps his first two albums. Stan is without a doubt a story-telling song, but many other rappers have done that before him. You call Kim cinematic? I suppose it does sound a little "movie-like", but Kim, despite its emotional impact on the listener, has very low-quality lyricism compared to other MMLP songs. Again, maybe this is a difference of analysis, but Just Don't Give a Fuck is a comedy track? I perceive it more of a outlet of built-up anger at his life, in general. Problem with this point is other rappers have done this, some better, so how does this prove Eminem is the best?

2. Although Eminem has perhaps become very well-known, partly due to his color, show me direct impact of his influence? Which MCs have changed their rapping a little after Eminem dropped his albums? What actual influence has he had. Sure, he made people like rap more and get introduced more, but he hasn't helped the game as a whole. He's definitely brought up "rappers", as you will, like "50 Cent" and "D12", but he hasn't really done much as an icon, besides staying secluded from the media for a hiatus of 5 years or so? On the other hand, just look at the late 80's rappers and all they've done for hip hop . Without Kool G Rap, multi-syllabic rhyming wouldn't have been as used as much as it is today. Without Rakim, MC flow would be entirely different. And I don't even need to bring up the greats. Slang was defined by many rappers back in the early 90's and influence is very visible.

3. True: when Paid in Full dropped, it was considered "ahead of its time", due to its groundbreaking lyricism. Its impact is obvious. Now, when The Slim Shady LP dropped, what was groundbreaking, besides a white MC had broke through the racism with Dr. Dre? Did it have new styles? Is rapping about "killing guys and raping girls" necessarily groundbreaking? To me, some of the content on that album is plainly embarrassing, and his delivery, at times, does not help. Give me legitimate examples of SSLP's "groundbreaking-ness".

Keep it coming.

Remember the rules...

Sorry Relapse, but I think you're wrong with some of these stuff. How can Eminem, a white guy, have direct impact on a gangsta-ghetto rap game? He cant, not even if he was 10x more skilled. Imagine a black rapper makin songs like Em and addoptin Ems style. What would happen to that rapper? He'd be laughed at, thats what would happen.
I agree that he didnt have an impact on the rap as whole, but thats cuz of his unique style, and that style is determined by his SKIN.

Who said you have to rap about gangsta-ghetto themes? A Tribe Called Quest had so much influence upon the game and their themes contain almost zero mentions of street violence.

And who said you have to be black? Beastie Boys are a white group. But just look at their influence. They are respected as old school pioneers.

[Relapse.LP]

well, no one leaves me in as much awe as Eminem does, with his raps. that does it for me. that's what makes him the best in my opinion.

Respect your opinion, but in the debate, you're out.