Nas vs. Jay Z (Official thread)

[Rafael]

Before I start this, let me just state my opinion on the matter...

I, like many others on this forum, say Nas is by far the superior emcee.

Jay Z is undoubtedly one of the most longest running emcees in the genre, Jay has been at it for more than 20 years, and many see him as the face of hip-hop itself. But he really better than Nas? Its safe to say that Hov has 3 classics under his belt, (The Blueprint, Reasonable Doubt, The Black Album) some of the greatest hip hop albums I have ever heard, but what does Nasir have? Illmatic has been referred to by many as the greatest hip hop album of ALL TIME. You could argue it has aged dramatically, but its legacy is forever cemented. RD, on the other hand, I would say hasn't aged as much, if at all. It is still a fresh listen every time I play it. Same goes with Blueprint and TBA.
But what about the rest? Jay has 12 studio albums.. Nas has 10.
Despite Jay's 3 classics.. The rest have been incredibly subpar, plagued with fillers and lazy lyrics. And some albums being complete disappointments. The only album I think comes close to any other those is American Gangster, and it is a great album, and i would consider it one of his best. As of the Jay we hear today, he stays relevant by his ear for incredible instrumentals (a trait which has served him well, far better than Nas's ear for them), and his immense social status..

Now Nas.
From the get-go, I believe Nas has been the far greater emcee, with a use of words far greater than Jay has ever reached. Nas has at least four albums that rival Jay's three classics (Illmatic, ITW, Stillmatic and God's Son), one great album (LIG), two incredible non-studio albums (Lost Tapes, Distant Relatives), a few subpar albums (i am.., SD, HHID & Untitled) and one terrible album (you know which lol).
And despite those the few subpar albums along the way, Nas's lyrics and rapping ability on the projects have been WAYYYYYYYYYYY more advanced than some of Jay's best work. He hasn't ever lost his touch or way with words. Life Is Good is a perfect example of how he has never lost his rapping prime. He's still spitting that Illmatic shit, while Jay 's lyrics have been greatly deteriorating. Embarrassing at times.

He's lost his touch.

While Nas hasn't.

He no longer has the great social status Jay has, his last album even failed to gold.. he's by far one the most influential rappers and forever one of the GOATS, while Jay is quickly ruining his legacy.. And I would even consider him top 5 anymore. So whatever it may be, internet memes, or just funny ass "Nas Lost" tr posts.. Its safe to argue Nas has always been the better rapper.

Love ya'll.. Have at it motherfuckers.

[DƎRDYPK]

Pyth Wonder!

[Raul]

Nas is the best emcee but Jay has the best discography and ear for beats.

[Trimss]

Nas is the best emcee but Jay has the best discography and ear for beats.

What do you mean?

[PAINKILLƎR]

Nas #1

[King Lance]

Jay because he has more classics

[PAINKILLƎR]

Nas because his work shows more consistency and has less trash-mediocre albums than Jay

[King Lance]

Jay because Nas lost

[PAINKILLƎR]

Nas because illmatic > anything Jay has ever made

[King Lance]

Nas because illmatic > anything Jay has ever made

Illmatic isn't even Nas's best album, it's reasonable Doubt

[Flamez]

Nas

[ronnie56]

nas lyrically easily for me and also nas still dropping classic material in 2014
i don't even got to mention the albums he dropped in his discography like illmatic and it was written the firm lost tapes untitled stillmatic hip hop is dead etc.

[PAINKILLƎR]

Nas because illmatic > anything Jay has ever made

Illmatic isn't even Nas's best album, it's reasonable Doubt

illmatic & It Was Written > all 3 of Jays classics

[Raul]

Nas is the best emcee but Jay has the best discography and ear for beats.

What do you mean?

I think Jay has the better albums. Both of them have mediocre/good ones, but I think Jay has more 'classics'/great albums.

[Josh]

Both are one of the best emcees ever touched the mic .
Nas -Illmatic > JayZ -RD (sorry)


@Raul your pic is .......!!!!
Who is that ??