Rakim is only one year older than Jay-Z, yet he hasn't been relevant in 20 years

[L.Kizzle]

:biggums:

Something seems wrong with this picture.


While Rakim was dominating the rap scene in the late 80s' and early 90s', J-Zee was Jaz-O's flunkie. By the time J-Zee started to make a name for himself, Rakim was still around releasing top 5 billboard albums in 1997.


Then, he just suddenly disappeared ...

[-p.tiddy-]

yeah and he constantly gets cred as the greatest of all time or at least top-5 all time...

great he influenced a lot of rap that came after him but he himself didn't do nearly as much as others...



perhaps the most overrated rapper of all time

[L.Kizzle]

No pvssy tonight, Kizzle?
Probably not, I ain't even mad though.



yeah and he constantly gets cred as the greatest of all time or at least top-5 all time...

great he influenced a lot of rap that came after him but he himself didn't do nearly as much as others...



perhaps the most overrated rapper of all time
You just said he influenced a lot but didn't do as much as other ... doesn't influencing mean he did his part, or are you speaking on something else?

How is he overrated?

[DavisWarriorsFan]

yeah and he constantly gets cred as the greatest of all time or at least top-5 all time...

great he influenced a lot of rap that came after him but he himself didn't do nearly as much as others...



perhaps the most overrated rapper of all time
You sir, are an idiot.

[-p.tiddy-]

he did his part...of course

he is overrated to me because he is constantly rated #1 overall by many others


if I made a top-50 list, I think Rakim would be top-20...not top-10

I think there are at least 10 other rappers did more than him...

[L.Kizzle]

he did his part...of course

he is overrated to me because he is constantly rated #1 overall by many others


if I made a top-50 list, I think Rakim would be top-20...not top-10

I think there are at least 10 other rappers did more than him...
Who ranks him #1, most have either he RIP bros, Biggie or Pac or Jay-Z or Nas. You rarely see a list with Rakim ranked #1.


What do you mean by doing more, explain please?

[-p.tiddy-]

Who ranks him #1, most have either he RIP bros, Biggie or Pac or Jay-Z or Nas. You rarely see a list with Rakim ranked #1.


What do you mean by doing more, explain please?
I've seen him ranked #1 several times...I think BET did a top-100 countdown and he was #1 overall a few years back...(or maybe MTV idk)

if he isn't #1 he is at least in most top-5 lists...don't you agree?


he is constantly rated VERY HIGH...yet he wasn't relevant for very long, like you said

[andgar923]

he did his part...of course

he is overrated to me because he is constantly rated #1 overall by many others


if I made a top-50 list, I think Rakim would be top-20...not top-10

I think there are at least 10 other rappers did more than him...

His rapping from the 80s taken from that era is still better than most rapper's shit TODAY!

When we take into account how revolutionary his style was, it only enhances his legacy. He is the Beatles/Dylan of hip hop.

[AK47DR91]

He came from the Golden Era of hip-hop. How many rappers from that era are still around?

Also, rappers owning record labels didn't become a trend until 1998-ish and many rappers have benefited a lot from that especially Jay-Z. It was unheard of back then. Hammer didn't even owned a record label or became an executive, yet he was labeled as a sell-out for being too mainstream and family-friendly.

A lot of rappers who sticks around for 10+ years do it on multiple layers of media. Not just hip-hop/rap alone. Movies, clothing, advertisements and of course owning a record label. Those who can't multitask into other fields of entertainment disappear.

It's all about branding yourself in hip-hop.

[-p.tiddy-]

His rapping from the 80s taken from that era is still better than most rapper's shit TODAY!

When we take into account how revolutionary his style was, it only enhances his legacy. He is the Beatles/Dylan of hip hop.
agreed

so he is top-20

[L.Kizzle]

I've seen him ranked #1 several times...I think BET did a top-100 countdown and he was #1 overall a few years back...(or maybe MTV idk)

if he isn't #1 he is at least in most top-5 lists...don't you agree?


he is constantly rated VERY HIGH...yet he wasn't relevant for very long, like you said
That's my question, why is that? That could go for Big Daddy Kane, Heavy D, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, ect. Something happened between 92-94.

[L.Kizzle]

He came from the Golden Era of hip-hop. How many rappers from that era are still around?

Also, rappers owning record labels didn't become a trend until 1998-ish and many rappers have benefited a lot from that especially Jay-Z. It was unheard of back then. Hammer didn't even owned a record label or became an executive, yet he was labeled as a sell-out for being too mainstream and family-friendly.
Master P, E-40, Eazy-E, and a few others were label heads before Jay-Z.

[-p.tiddy-]

He came from the Golden Era of hip-hop. How many rappers from that era are still around?

Also, rappers owning record labels didn't become a trend until 1998-ish and many rappers have benefited a lot from that especially Jay-Z. It was unheard of back then. Hammer didn't even owned a record label or became an executive, yet he was labeled as a sell-out for being too mainstream and family-friendly.
Cube...Dre


to me the Golden Era was the early 90s though...and I am in my mid 30s...I lived through ALL OF IT

[-p.tiddy-]

That's my question, why is that? That could go for Big Daddy Kane, Heavy D, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, ect. Something happened between 92-94.
BDK gets rated high as hell too on lists...not those othes so much

something happened?...yeah, gangsta rap happened

[AK47DR91]

Cube...Dre


to me the Golden Era was the early 90s though...and I am in my mid 30s...I lived through ALL OF IT
Cube = movies keep him around

Dre = record label owner and producer

I think the first Golden Era was from 1986-1991 before the "Gangsta Rap" boom. You had the Beasties, Run DMC, Eric B & Rakim and a few others.

[AK47DR91]

Master P, E-40, Eazy-E, and a few others were label heads before Jay-Z.
E-40 is more regional than national.

Master P became mainstream around the same time "rapper record label ownership" became a trend.

Anyway, my point is. Rappers need to be "more than just rapper" to stay in the game.

[-p.tiddy-]

okay they might not be relevant as rappers TODAY, but they lasted quite a while as rap artists

[L.Kizzle]

cube is around in movies/tv/commercials not in rap. dre is in headphone business and that is almost all that keeps him relevant.
Wow, Al Thornton the ISH Hip-Hop God doesn't know that Cube just dropped a new single last week for his upcoming album.

[andgar923]

I've seen him ranked #1 several times...I think BET did a top-100 countdown and he was #1 overall a few years back...(or maybe MTV idk)

if he isn't #1 he is at least in most top-5 lists...don't you agree?


he is constantly rated VERY HIGH...yet he wasn't relevant for very long, like you said

So because fickle hip hop fans don't appreciate him he's overrated?

:coleman:

Only in hip hop do you hear such arguments.

I have yet to hear somebody say silly shit like this in the rock world or even pop world. Nobody says, "What has Michael Jackson done lately?"

[-p.tiddy-]

So because fickle hip hop fans don't appreciate him he's overrated?

:coleman:

Only in hip hop do you hear such arguments.

I have yet to hear somebody say silly shit like this in the rock world or even pop world. Nobody says, "What has Michael Jackson done lately?"
when did I say any of that about "fickle" fans? :wtf:

MJ was relevant for DECADES...peopel STILL listen to his shit today

horrible analogy

[AK47DR91]

okay they might not be relevant as rappers TODAY, but they lasted quite a while as rap artistsCube's "Good Day" and "Check Yourself" were hot in '92?

Then just 3 years later, Friday was released. So between '93-present, Cube was primary famous for his movies. He had a few stuff with Westside Connection and other stuff but a lot of it is due to his film success. Music-wise after '92, his shit was/is irreverent.

[-p.tiddy-]

Cube's "Good Day" and "Check Yourself" were hot in '92?

Then just 3 years later, Friday was released. So between '93-present, Cube was primary famous for his movies. He had a few stuff with Westside Connection and other stuff but a lot of it is due to his film success. Music-wise after '92, his shit was/is irreverent.
Not true at all...We be clubin?

[-p.tiddy-]

The fact that Rakim is being compared to The Beattles and MJ in this thread really demonstrates my point...

[L.Kizzle]

The fact that Rakim is being compared to The Beattles and MJ in this thread really demonstrates my point...
He was comparing them in Hip-Hop terminology.

[AK47DR91]

Not true at all...We be clubin?
Was that the one off "The Player's Club" soundtrack?

Anyway, do you think Cube would be relevant into the late 90's, 2000's and now if it wasn't for "Friday"? If he had just stuck to rap alone, I don't think so. I don't think "We Be Clubbin'" would have even been on heavy rap rotation in '98 either.

I'll add this though, I also think the reason why hip-hop critics and certain fans hold artists and albums from the 80's and 90's in high regards is because there's a sense of nostalgia for pure hip-hop/rap without all the influences of movies, commercialism, branding that's so highly associated with hip-hop nowadays. I think that's why Rakim, Nas, Biggie, Wu-Tang, "Paid in Full," "Illmatic," etc are always in the lists of Top 10's. It was strictly music for most part, back then.

[-p.tiddy-]

He was comparing them in Hip-Hop terminology.
I know...do you think Rakim is the MJ of hip hop? Someone that had a hundred hits and maybe greatest selling of all time...lol

[L.Kizzle]

I know...do you think Rakim is the MJ of hip hop? Someone that had a hundred hits and maybe greatest selling of all time...lol
I think MC Hammer has the highest selling rap album of all time and he was compared to MJ when Hammer was at his peak ...

[MMM]

we be clubbin was not a relevant track at least not relatively speaking

[L.Kizzle]

we be clubbin was not a relevant track at least not relatively speaking
Clubin, Pushin Weight and Go To Church.

[ace23]

As far as skill is concerned, Rakim is not a top-100 rapper.

And who gives a **** about mainstream relevance? :facepalm

[L.Kizzle]

As far as skill is concerned, Rakim is not a top-100 rapper.

And who gives a **** about mainstream relevance? :facepalm
Ain't you the same nigha that said LL isn't top 100 either ... :biggums:

[Tarik One]

BDK gets rated high as hell too on lists...not those othes so much

something happened?...yeah, gangsta rap happened
Lyrically Big Daddy Kane is in the elite. Problem was he was a little ahead of his time. Hip hop wasn't quite ready for the r&b influence at that time. It wasn't until Biggie came on the scene before that style became popular.

[andgar923]

As far as skill is concerned, Rakim is not a top-100 rapper.

And who gives a **** about mainstream relevance? :facepalm
:facepalm

He has a message for you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7_NlIDwvwc

[ace23]

:facepalm

He has a message for you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7_NlIDwvwc
That song is subpar. Paid in Full is probably the most overrated rap album ever.

[Tarik One]

That song is subpar. Paid in Full is probably the most overrated rap album ever.
Paid in Full was the radio track which gave them exposure. Radio tracks are usually divorce.

[StateOfMind12]

Who?

[daballa13]

Relevance in today's music scene is a whole bunch of BS. People like Future are considered hot artists these days and ASAP Rocky who's music sounds like it was written by a 12 year old are considered 'HOT' these days. Rakim is a legend and his influence alone makes him one of the greats.

Sidebar: Jay-Z hasn't been nice in a LONG time, ever since Eminem murdered him on his own shit. I really see no way possible that Jay-Z can be ahead of a guy like Eminem. Break down the art form of rapping and Eminem matches if not beats Jay-Z in most categories. Not like it matters but people like to bring up record sales and Eminem has sold way more records and is actually an International Icon unlike Jay-Z, Rick Ross, etc. You can bring up the albums too and really Jay-Z's only nice albums were Reasonable Doubt (which was EASILY his best album) and The Blueprint. Eminem had The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP (his best album IMO). You can include The Black Album for Jay-Z and The Eminem Show for Eminem but they are not at the same level as those albums. Then you can include the huge classic tracks and I think Eminem takes this one pretty easily. I think Jay's business success is confusing people and their counting that when rating him as an MC. Take away all this Roc shit and focus on the rapping and he ain't no GOD MC.

[kNIOKAS]

Rakim > Jay-Z, even when Jay-Z had 20 more years:coleman:

[LEFT4DEAD]

2pac is the only rapper I rate higher than Rakim. You are just bunch of retarded kids who need one hard slap in the face.

[L.Kizzle]

That song is subpar. Paid in Full is probably the most overrated rap album ever.
Danny Brown and Elzhi are better right

:facepalm

[Pointguard]

Rakim is usually ranked very high as a lyricist. Top 5 almost everywhere. I think its deserved because he was the first to really harmonize flow, voice, metaphors, symbolism, successive thoughtful one liners, a natural tough way about himself, was mega skilled, first real poet and was a 5 percenter. He came across as very sincere. He was himself first a showman second. He's championed because he's as much himself as anybody who played the game. He couldn't last long in the industry because he was himself and didn't want to adapt or go thru industry changes.

[ace23]

Danny Brown and Elzhi are better right

:facepalm
Danny Brown? No

Elzhi? Easily

[Vragrant]

Rakim is revered by many because he advanced hip hop skill in terms of multisyllabic rhyme structure/alliteration/assonance etc.

He also changed the way rappers flowed. Initially Rakim was criticized because he raps at a very measured almost clinical pace. Back then you had emcees rhyming extremely fast.

To the OP Rakim is revered because he is more influential than Jay Z in terms of rapping.

Raekwon said if it wasn't for him listening to Rakim (and Slick Rick) he would not be rapping. In fact he did a tribute song to him.

He was a huge influence on Nas and AZ.


Eminem said the first time he wanted to rap was because of Rakim when he first heard him on the radio growing up in Detroit and from what I remember he did a song dedicated to Rakim

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3LaCwmWVAI/TaRF70_6k_I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/NM1sv-bqw4A/s1600/eminem%2Brakim.jpg

Many of the contemporary legends in hip hop cite Rakim as one of their main influences. It's about the quality of his influence rather than the quantity of material, that is why he is so revered.

[YouAintGrizz]

GOAT rappers:

1. Nas
2. Rakim
3. Biggie

JMO.

[Bigsmoke]

Blame that on Rakim's shitty work ethic.

[IInvented]

whats your point

[IInvented]

As far as skill is concerned, Rakim is not a top-100 rapper.

And who gives a **** about mainstream relevance? :facepalm
This is a ****in joke right ? :oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

[Pointguard]

Rakim is revered by many because he advanced hip hop skill in terms of multisyllabic rhyme structure/alliteration/assonance etc.

He also changed the way rappers flowed. Initially Rakim was criticized because he raps at a very measured almost clinical pace. Back then you had emcees rhyming extremely fast.


The fast rhyming was a bit later. I was in the studio when Eric B first heard Rakim. In fact, it was only because another MC failed to show up that Rakim was put on. And that's why he is very loyal to Eric B. The uptown boys, Harlem and the Bronx (primarily KRS1, Slick Rick and Kool Moe Dee and their groups), rapped a little bit faster. The Queens crew said things more emphatically and deliberately (RunDMC, LL Kool J, MC Shan). Actually these were the first rap beefs, different parts of NYC. The Queens crew was the new school rap, while Harlem and the Bronx were the ones who started it all and were kind of shocked that another place could rise up that quickly and eventually change everything.

But Rakim's talent was recognized right away - he clearly didn't have to punch out the lyrics like the Queens rappers and had a way of flowing over the beat/bass unlike anybody before him, he was also more rhythmic. Later on he would vary his pace and rocked different rhyme schemes more so than anybody for years to come.

[Bigsmoke]

That song is subpar. Paid in Full is probably the most overrated rap album ever.

Follow the Leader is his best album to me anyway.

i wouldnt say that was subpar. u are trolling *****