by KillahBee » Jul 12th, '10, 22:43
Fucking hard one this, based on pure lyrics, not including cadence and what not, I think I'd give Em the edge - I'm not certain though.
Bar 2pac, Em has to be the most "relatable" rapper ever. I mean I could listen to something like the 1st verse of Sing For Moment and feel like somebody is describing my childhood, no other artist does that for me. Em can paint a picture with words, which very few other rappers can have the ability to do, in my opinion.
But if there is one rapper tht can match Em when it comes to lyrical ability, its Nas.
I mean every verse on Illmatic to me is a classic, every single line on that album is perfect.
I t Was Written, lyrically, is also very underrated, I'd actually say Nas was at his peak around that time, he had one of the best verses on both OB4CL and The Infamous, both of which crack my top 10 hip hop albums.
The thing about Nas though, for me, he's at his best when he's talking about Street shit, ie. Illmatic and It Was Written, but it's impossible to say when Em is at his best.
Some will say Em is at his best when serious (Rock Bottom, Sing For The Moment) some will say he's at his best when angry (The Way I Am, Marshall Mathers) some will say he's at his best when he's funny (Criminal, My Fault) some will say he's at his best when he's just straight spitting (Role Model, SDGAF) and some will say he's at his best when storytelling (Stan, Brain Damage), plus lot of his tracks contain most/all of these elements.
So I think for the fact that Em has more dimensions to his lyrics than Nas, I'd give it to him, but when both are at their best, its impossible to choose between them.
Same sword they knight you they gon' good night you with
Sh.., Thats' only half if they like you
That ain't even the half what they might do
Don't believe me, ask Michael
See Martin, see Malcolm
You see Biggie, see Pac, see success and its outcome
See Jesus, see Judas; see Caesar, see Brutus
See success is like suicide
Suicide, it's a suicide
If you succeed, prepare to be crucified[/i - Jay-Z
I'm on my balcony, seeing through the eyes of Tony