"Every CD critics gave it a 3, then 3 Years later, they’d go back and re-rate it and call the Slim Shady LP the greatest
The Marshall Mathers was a classic The Eminem Show was fantastic
But Encore just didn’t have the caliber to match it
I guess enough time just ain’t passed, yet
A couple more years, that shit’ll be ill-matic"
-Line from "Careful What You Wish For" off Relapse (Deluxe iTunes edition)
So I did just what that line said, I stepped back and re listened without wanting or expectation. After the CD finished it hit me, with the "greatest" title constantly and irresponsibly being thrown around, I thought who really has a body of work to be called the greatest? There’s a million and one candidates from Chuck D to LL Cool J. But rarely do you hear Eminem taken seriously for the title, even after Vibe crowned him as the greatest rapper alive the hip-hop community from artist to fans seemed almost disappointed. Irv Gotti made his stance known and basically credited the fact that Eminem was white rather than talent for the reason he was awarded the title. (Probably nothing more than a publicity stunt for his show or even to divert attention from his failing marriage.) But lets forget about his color for a minute and let us see the evidence for why Eminem is true G.O.A.T.Content
Well many would call blasphemy on my suggestion of Eminem as the greatest and say what about Pac or Big? Pac was about Thug Life one minute than the next about the revolution. The unfortunate reality of Pac is that his bipolar nature can at times drown out the greatness of which he truly was. Then there’s Big, arguably the greatest storyteller rap has ever seen and this generation of music. But when it comes to artist like Big, Jay, and Pac, there’s one thing that Eminem has when it comes to music. Relatability before every E-Thug speaks on how "real" they keep lets just look at this rationally. The majority of America, hell even the majority of the hip-hop community doesn’t thug it like the characters our beloved hip-hop artists create does. The reality of the situation is that most of us struggle with the injustice of our judicial system, drug experimentation, neglectful parents, struggling with the fact we can’t provide for our seeds, and the many harsh realities the world holds for us. No other rappers speak on every one of those topics quite like Mr. Mathers. Sure other artist do I’m not saying that Eminem is was the first to do it but his creativity and flow and just the ease there is to put ourselves in his shoes is unparalleled. Music is an escape and listeners get lost in the escape and forget that the majority of the time we are feeling for the artist. But like The Beatles and many musical greats have done Eminem not only makes us sympathize with him but also makes us realize artists are just like us.
Here’s A Thought…
I was remember reading XXL and it was on the ten year anniversarry of Biggie’s death, and they stated one of the best thing about his death was that he was lucky to die before he was able to make bad music. Though Big and Pac were legendary artist, there’s no arguing that but they only were so young and in their primes when they passed. Big at 24 only had two albums (3 CDs with Life After Death being a double disc) of material. Pac at 25 had ass loads of material but many is forgotten with the constant releases of re releases of old material. So when everyone claims Big or Pac as the greatest remember this, would they have been able to do what Jay-Z couldn’t? Many bash numbers of artist for not being able to repeat the same quality of material from their first album yet Eminem hasn’t done that only once, or twice, but three times!
Oh and just for fun lets mention how Eminem is the only rapper to take a break and come out with a classic other than Dre. And when it comes to the potential “G.O.A.T.s” we all know how Kingdom Come came out.
Conclusion
Well this article could go on for ever just listen to the content and the choice really isn’t that hard, I know many may find it hard to give a white man the title of the greatest but just ignore his skin color and see his content for what it is. If it makes you feel better just imagine how youd rate the music if it came out of jay’s mouth, or Pac’s or Biggie’s.
Oh and for those that feel Jay-Z is the best rapper alive
Tell me with a straight face Jay had the better verses.
Oh big is my favorite rapper but I can admit when he gets outdone on a song
About the Writer
I was thinking and thought why not voice my opinion and see what others think about it? And no im not a rich white suburban stan im not black either but why does that matter? Sad I have to mention that but I’ve seen the comments users post.
Next Articles
Look out for my next articles that include,
-“50 isn’t the only one to get rich and stop tryin, here’s looking at you Jay and why for some reason you got a pass.”
-“”Ima make sure these light skinned niggaz, Never ever never come back in style,” words forgotten by Kanye”
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You seem to know alot about eminem. But you fall short to speak on 2pac, jay z, and others.
2Pac was NOT thug life one minute and revolutionary the best. He was HIM in every song. He didnt rap about walking up to the cutest girl and giving her a charlie horse. He rapped about the problems and pains growing up in a poor community. You might not indetify with it because you might not be from there or either you dont listen to 2pac, but thats the common mis-conception about him. We must not forget eminem puts 2pac in front of him. That speaks volumes for itself. And you claim that “Pac at 25 had ass loads of material but many is forgotten with the constant releases of re releases of old material.” If you look in the past at music, almost all great songs are re-done and remixed. How many redone or remixed eminem songs do you know of?
Then you said and i quote “The reality of the situation is that most of us struggle with the injustice of our judicial system, drug experimentation, neglectful parents, struggling with the fact we can’t provide for our seeds, and the many harsh realities the world holds for us. No other rappers speak on every one of those topics quite like Mr. Mathers.”
PAC was the first to do that!!! In a honest straight to the point form unlike MR mathers. Do i have to name songs?
BRendas got a baby
Baby Dont Cry
KEep Your Head Up
Me Against the world
So Many Tears
Life Goes On
Dear Mamma
Happy Home
Letter To My Unborn child
Point The Finger
Holla If You Hear Me
Changes
I wonder if heaven got a ghetto
I can go forever…
My point is he has done this. To say that pac was one way one song and the other is disrespectful. You should listen 2 his music and anylyze his lyrics more before you make a ludicrous statement like that.
Eminem is a great writer! He makes better Songs then pac, but his lyrics and writing isnt better. His content was consistent and relevant. I dont see how Crack the bottle or we made you is relevent. Common young jeezy is more relevant than that with his “RECESSION” album. You cant lie. If eminem wasnt white do you really think he would get as much record sales as he does? Since alot of his white listeners claim to relate to him so much? Im just saying. Pacs music was universal. So is em.
In conclusion i just wanst feeling how you got at 2pac like that. You can call me a stan, even though im not that, its ok. I think its just wrong speaking so falsy on someone who is no longer living. He contradicted himself but he cared. I never herd a “changes” type song from eminem. Eminem is one of the best rappers alive if not thee best lyrically. But as in making songs and actuall content no. We still have people like nas who talk about stuff that occurs around the world while making good music. Again, im not saying eminem dosnt. I only herd half of his new album. But what i herd so far hasnt been to universal. Much love MOS DEFFA great article. Hopefully you can reply i would love that brotha..
-Jasir
In the first sentence of the first paragraph i said “Pac was NOT thug life one minute and revolutionary the best”
I ment " Pac was NOT thug life one minute and revolutionary the next" ;)
Dumb ass ppl keep trying 2 call Em da greatest fuck outta here wit dat bullshit
Nas >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
but it’s so hard to pick one dude when you got so many other prolific rappers and so many different varieties of hip hop within the genre itself. Andre 3000 could go down as the greatest, cause I never heard a wack verse from him and he stay dropping knowledge. Nas the God MC is definitely in the running as his status in the game and poetry speaks for itself no matter how many records he sells (record sales have nothing to do with GOAT status).
I may get flamed for this next one, but honest to God I feel Lupe Fiasco is one of the greatest of all time as THIS DUDE HAS IT ALL and is really repping real hip hop HARD! Lyricism, content, flow, creativity, syntax, you name it Lupe has it… real talk.
As much as I hate to mention him, Hov is up there as well, might not be in my personal Top 5 but I can’t deny his skill if I’m looking at it as a neutral. 2Pac is also in the running even if he isn’t the best lyricist, or doesn’t have an incredible flow, the ability he had to dictate a whole generation of hip hoppers to believe in his words and the range of topics he addressed as well as the things he did for the black community can never be replaced by anyone let alone his influence.
And lastly, for now, Rakim The GOD MC was a beast, enough said there. Really is hard to crown a GOAT, but for me it’s a three way tie between Em, 3 Stacks and Lupe man… can never go wrong with those three, for real.
Renegade-Jay Z
Welcome to D Block- Jadakiss
Patiently Waiting- 50 Cent
Dead Wrong- Biggie
Dont Approach Me- Xzibit
Dont Push Me- Banks and 50 Cent
He eats everyone up
EMINEM BE GOAT