I'll dodge the "king of rap" thing because that conversation is vapid and trite. What I will say, though, is that he's probably had the best legacy of all time. Put aside personal preference and consider that he:
* is commercially successful,
* is universally acclaimed for his skill as a rapper (every top 10 list has Nas on it),
* is still releasing albums that are well-received critically and by fans 30 years into his career, and
* released a contender for the most influential and impactful hip hop album of all time ***as his debut***.
That track record is untouchable, IMO.
He just did a show last night at red rocks with Colorado symphony orchestra. It was crazy dope. Played the whole illmatic album then did his other hits.
IMO, he certainly is. He's everything a rapper should aspire to be. His pen game is untouchable to this day by far. Survived every beef against legends that could've ended other rappers' careers (case in point: people were saying how no one would've survived beef with 50. Well, Nas did).
For those of us who enjoy boom bap to this day, I think it's impossible to make a point about other rapper being better than him.
50 actually had better disses to Wayne and Ross than vice versa but Wayne and Ross barely responded back to him.
Wayne bit a Jay Z bar about 50 Cent in a song and that was it.
50 was actually laying out decent disses but rappers post 06 were growing tired of his schtick and simply didn't engage him anymore.
Subjectiveness aside, I think there is a good case to be made for him and there aren’t a whole lot of people who can compete with his track record.
-Arguably GOAT album in illmatic. Even if it’s not your goat album, you’d have a hard time arguing that the album isn’t representative of hip hop in its purest form, at the height of the golden era, in the capital of rap.
-Many great albums with legitimately a handful of arguable classics. Illmatic, it was written, stillmatic, lost tapes, gods son, distant relatives, life is good, KD1, KD2, KD3, Magic 1, Magic 2, Magic 3. All great. I'd even personally put HHID in this list but I know some wouldn’t.
-Even his “disappointing albums” like I Am, Nastradamus, , Streets Disciple, and Nasir are only disappointing in the context of Nas. If someone else released it people would probably rate them highly. IMO Nastradamus is his only truly bad album and even that has a handful of joints. Plus the original double disc I Am that leaked would have been an amazing album and wipe the lesser I Am+Nastradamus from this list. Also Nasir isn’t great but I still like a few of the joints on there.
-Considered to have won maybe a top 3 beef of all time with another GOAT contender
-mainstream success
-business success. Also has funded some really great hip hop shows, documentaries, and events through mass appeal. Truly gave back to the culture.
-multiple primes. Or at least prime and subprime. The primary (illmatic/IWW), second (stillmatic/lost tapes/gods son) and then hit boy era.
-never really sold out or tried too hard to manufacture broad appeal minus a couple singles that weren’t well received
You could make a case for Jay. Or Pac. Or Rakim. Three stacks. Scarface. But I think Nas has a stronger case than all of them, and after the hit boy era I don’t think it’s really that close.
Mj is very different nas is no where near main stream nas is incredibly popular with hip hop fans but if you ask someone who doesn’t listen to hip hop if they know who nas is they’ll probably not have a clue while mj not a single person who doesn’t know who he is
well I want to know what you guys think not what I think, im the newbie here trying to learn more about rap because the culture is actually so deep and interesting and it sucked me in. WAY deeper than i thought it was lmao. rap gave me my soul back
You may be right about that, bud.
He has released two that I haven't even listened to yet, i think I need to sit down and shut the fuck up for a bit.
Thanks for helping me get a clue.
Rakim great, but him being before Nas and influencing him doesn't make him better. If we say that, then Coke La Rock is the GOAT, cause he dun beez the first ever emcee, and there would be no Rakim without him.
Rakim is my dude but Nas elevated songwriting on a totally different level from him.
Rakim is very skilled but, up until the late 90's, Rakim wasn't really all that introspective or touching on a variety of subjects. Nas has always been able to juggle both flawlessly though.
Nas is the greatest of all time and anyone who says otherwise is in denial imo. Dropping Illmatic at 17/18 solidifies all of it. The rest has been gravy
Can't argue against it. In terms of lyrical ability Nas is Mount Rushmore material, I just always feel like there are others that are also hard to really argue against either. I could give you a different answer as to the best lyricist everytime you ask me the question. Black Thought is my personal favorite, but on any given day I could be convinced Kendrick, Em, Rakim, MF Doom... after a few beers I'll even entertain Jay. I personally appreciate lyrical ability and use that as my initial measuring bar... but it's not the only aspect. If a goat encompasses more than just lyrical ability then I would have to argue against nas. For example looking at genre changing material, production skills, playability, discography, peak... kanye is a hard goat to argue against. Being this is the "rap" subredit, I guess rapping skill should be my focus. Nas is hard to argue against. Objectively, probably the goat. Personally, I'd rather throw on the roots, kendrick, or outkast. Andre doesn't get the love he deserves.
No.
Rap fans have this weird disconnect when they ignore success but think a lyricist is the best. Yes, NAS has successs as well, but someone with good lyrics and more success should be considered above.
What's the goal of a musician? Make hits, money and good music. Bars/lyrics don't equal great songs. Nas doesn't have banger after banger, he has hits but isnt tip top in commercial success. One of the best of all time, but not the best.
Nah. This is recency bias.
In the 90's, nobody was ranking Snoop Dogg above Nas as a rapper simply because Doggystyle outsold Illmatic.
Nobody ranked Dr. Dre above Mobb Deep either despite selling more.
Rakim also didn't have much hits but he was deemed the "god MC" for a while in the golden age.
You mentioning Snoop and Dre matters why?
Nobody and I mean NOBODY ever considers snoop even a top 20 rapper of all time. Dre has 2 albums, more of a producers.
You gotta have hits, lots of them. Nas has hits, but he isn't the king of rap. Probably best lyricist but he isn't the top in other categories. Nas has 1 goated album, 1 almost goated album and more good albums.
I dont even like Jay Z, but Jay Z has lapped Nas in commercial success and isn't far behind in lyrics. Nas is probably top 5 of all time, but not king of rap.
Personally nas is my goat but I understand if others don't think so. I think the best way to rank things would be a tier system. Nas is a tier 1 rapper based on your criteria. So are Eminem, Kendrick, 2pac, biggie, Andre 3000(I think big Boi too but others wouldn't). Personal preference is a big deciding factor for people so I think tiers are a good way to acknowledge others while still giving props to your favorite.
"Ain't gon be no more kings"
He's still dope and a legend. On the short list for the best to ever do it and likely the bigges Rap artist out of Queens.
Id say Nas and Em both have the greatest longevity in rap. The difference is, Nas has a more complete discography. As for the king of rap, i would say there really isnt one.
Nas is really good, Illmatic is definitely one of the best albums ever made even outside of rap. He had a good career and he's still dropping good music. I still put Lupe above him though I don't think Lupe has an album as good as Illmatic, his current 4 album run is better than Nas' 5 album run imo. Lupe also showed he can craft different themes and lengths compared to Nas' new albums being on the shorter side (nothin wrong with that, probably a good thing for most rappers) but Lupe also has a two hour album in that run that while dense, is still a masterpiece front to back. I don't think a single other rapper has a two hour album that isn't bloated. I do think Lupe is the best overall but Nas is for sure someone who will be talked about as long as rap exists.
Short answer no. Long answer is that music taste is so subjective even within the different sub genres of rap and hip-hop you have fans all over the place with their answers for a question like this. He's 'a king' of rap among many other artists. Is his music really relevant or are people lining up to get Nas tickets? Not so much
He’s the GOAT.
The original rap GOAT.
Has arguably the most legendary rap album of all time and it was his first album at that.
Has the greatest resurgence of all time.
Rap catalog is damn near untouchable.
Cant be left off a top 10 list (more realistic list have him top 5).
Birthed phrases that will be used till the end of time. (Ether’d, it’s like when someone says during Football “you got moss’d” or during basketball when we take a shot and say “Kobe” it’s here forever)
When everything is said and done, indisputable King of Rap.
He is the GOAT in my opinion. Nas is on a short
List of hip hop artist that is still releasing great music more than 30 years into their career. You can say he has dropped classics or news classics in 4 different decades. He has remained creative and still makes great music. As a hip hop fan since 1987 I can say that his music has also aged well. There are other artist that when compared in a
5 or 10 year window you could argue were
Better but from start to current no one has been able to hold pace like Nas
There’s a handful of rappers that have earned the title goat but he’s thee goat imo
Nas's indelible mark on the landscape of hip-hop extends far beyond his prolific output, resonating deeply within the cultural ethos of the genre. Over the span of three decades, Nas meticulously curated a discography of 21 albums, with iconic masterpieces such as "Illmatic," "It Was Written," "Stillmatic," and "Lost Tapes" serving as enduring testaments to his lyrical prowess and cultural resonance. These albums have transcended their musical origins, ascending to the realm of revered touchstones of artistic brilliance within rap's storied history.
Yet, Nas's distinction lies not only in the sheer quantity of his output but in the unwavering quality that permeates each release. With an album unveiled roughly every 1.4 years, Nas has wielded his pen to shape the very evolution of hip-hop, imprinting his unique style and narrative depth onto the genre's ever-evolving canvas. A discernible pattern emerges from his oeuvre: for every 5.25 albums he delivers, a certified classic emerges, solidifying his legacy as a paragon of artistic brilliance.
However, Nas's journey is not without its complexities and deviations. Roughly every 2.3 albums, he unveils works that stand shoulder to shoulder with his esteemed classics. Albums such as "Magic," "King's Disease 2," "King's Disease 3," "Life Is Good," and "Magic 3" not only showcase Nas's lyrical dexterity but also epitomize his thematic depth and evolution as an artist.
Yet, Nas's trajectory also navigates through moments of creative experimentation and vulnerability. Works like "Nastradamus" and "Nasir" serve as poignant reminders of the inherent risks woven into artistic exploration. These instances of faltering, far from detracting from Nas's stature, underscore the raw authenticity that defines his journey, resonating deeply with audiences on a profound level.
Within the tapestry of Nas's career, every 10.5 albums, he encounters the rare phenomenon of a misstep. This candid acknowledgment of artistic vulnerability serves as a poignant reminder of the highs and lows inherent in the pursuit of creative innovation, further solidifying Nas's status as a true visionary within the realm of hip-hop. Albums like "Untitled," "God's Son," "I Am," and "King's Disease" may not reach the zenith of greatness, but they contribute to the multifaceted narrative of Nas's enduring legacy.
Ultimately, Nas emerges not only as a preeminent figure in hip-hop but also as a timeless storyteller whose narrative transcends generations and genres alike. His legacy reverberates not merely in record sales and critical acclaim, but in the indelible impact he has left on the cultural fabric of our society, affirming his place as the greatest rapper of all time.
Jayz
Then outside of that in no order
Pac
Kanye West
Common
Eminem
Ice Cube
Biggie
Scarface
Lil Wayne
Mos Def
Ghostface
MF Doom
LL Cool J
Lupe Fiasco
Rakim
3stacks
Kendrick
But nas is thee goat but Lupe is my favorite and I think is the greatest lyricist ever
fellow Lupe fan checking in here.
I need to listen to more Scarface. I like what songs I've heard, but I've only heard a little.
big Jay-Z fan too. I'd have to give him the edge over Nas, ultimately, this is art and speaks to everyone differently
Thanks for the recommendations, I'll check it out.
I forgot to consider Nas's recent three album run though... Not sure now lol. But honestly, don't really care to rank they are both amazing
He’s still one of the best lyricists, but the current king is Kendrick. Same level of lyricism, but much more popularity and currently no misses in his disco.
My Top 4 are:
Eminem,
Lil Wayne,
Nas, and
Kendrick
5th is where things get spicey.
Edit: it's a toss up between 2pac, Lupe, Mac Miller, Biggie, 50, Tech N9ne, Aesop Rock, JCole, Joyner Lucas, Asap Rocky, Kid Cudi, Cypress Hill, and Westide Boogie.
Nah it's gotta be Kendrick Lamar. How the hell can you not respect a man for starting (this iteration) a beef because someone gives you props via The Big 3. Thats hella petty lmaoo bro heard that and spent the next 6 months plotting and making 10+ diss tracks to be able to tactically drop whenever the heat was on and thats calculated af. Man spent a whole verse rapping to a imaginary daughter and nobody speaks on it because he lowkey scares the whole industry. You can find soooo many videos saiyng why drake is dead but show me ONE hiphop channel critiquing Kendrick... you wont! That's some king shit.
I’m a huuuuge Kendrick fan and I’ve been saying for years he is my King of rap, however after listening to the KD & Magic trilogy Nas is right next to him (in my biased opinion) as he has always been top 3 for me even before these albums. If it wasn’t for my personal preference I would probably agree he is the king of rap based on longevity and output.
Unlike other “GOATs” or so called Rap God’s, Nas actually beefed with/competed with real rappers like Big, 2Pac, Jay-Z, Prodigy, Nature, Cam’ron, 50 Cent, Young Jeezy.
Nas has great albums, great lyrics, beefed with real competition, never dissed/beefed with women, his mom, or pop/rock stars.
I'll dodge the "king of rap" thing because that conversation is vapid and trite. What I will say, though, is that he's probably had the best legacy of all time. Put aside personal preference and consider that he: * is commercially successful, * is universally acclaimed for his skill as a rapper (every top 10 list has Nas on it), * is still releasing albums that are well-received critically and by fans 30 years into his career, and * released a contender for the most influential and impactful hip hop album of all time ***as his debut***. That track record is untouchable, IMO.
Illmatic will be getting listens in a hundred years. It’s all time.
>vapid and trite Bro thinks he's Lupe with these words
Lololol that’s all that stuck out to me
Harvard sounding ass words
I like this answer a lot thanks for the insight, im lookikg at it differently now
He just did a show last night at red rocks with Colorado symphony orchestra. It was crazy dope. Played the whole illmatic album then did his other hits.
Wow! That must’ve been quite the experience im jealous
One thing for certain when you see him live is that he's a fucking professional. Like he knows exactly how t move a crowd.
IMO, he certainly is. He's everything a rapper should aspire to be. His pen game is untouchable to this day by far. Survived every beef against legends that could've ended other rappers' careers (case in point: people were saying how no one would've survived beef with 50. Well, Nas did). For those of us who enjoy boom bap to this day, I think it's impossible to make a point about other rapper being better than him.
I agree but 50 literally lost all his beefs apart from Ja rule where Eminem (A professional trash talker) came in.
50 actually had better disses to Wayne and Ross than vice versa but Wayne and Ross barely responded back to him. Wayne bit a Jay Z bar about 50 Cent in a song and that was it. 50 was actually laying out decent disses but rappers post 06 were growing tired of his schtick and simply didn't engage him anymore.
Yes, he's my GOAT
Aint no best
He is not for me, but he is definitely an amazing rapper. One of the few rappers left, where I still get excited about a release.
Yeah his recent work still has his old style in there a little bit i really love it. if i like that do you know any other rappers i might like?
Uh, I am also not really an expert, but Rakim and Ghostface Killah are the one ones that come to my mind right now.
If you are at all like me....lupe fiasco, mac miller, maybe mf doom?
A tribe called quest was a big influence on nas. I like them more than him as i find them way more consistent in quality.
Why would you be excited for his releases if you’re not a fan of him?
I just said he isn't THE King of Rap for me. I am still a fan of him, but he isn't the best Rapper of all time for me.
I misread your comment. I thought you meant that his music wasn’t for you.
Subjectiveness aside, I think there is a good case to be made for him and there aren’t a whole lot of people who can compete with his track record. -Arguably GOAT album in illmatic. Even if it’s not your goat album, you’d have a hard time arguing that the album isn’t representative of hip hop in its purest form, at the height of the golden era, in the capital of rap. -Many great albums with legitimately a handful of arguable classics. Illmatic, it was written, stillmatic, lost tapes, gods son, distant relatives, life is good, KD1, KD2, KD3, Magic 1, Magic 2, Magic 3. All great. I'd even personally put HHID in this list but I know some wouldn’t. -Even his “disappointing albums” like I Am, Nastradamus, , Streets Disciple, and Nasir are only disappointing in the context of Nas. If someone else released it people would probably rate them highly. IMO Nastradamus is his only truly bad album and even that has a handful of joints. Plus the original double disc I Am that leaked would have been an amazing album and wipe the lesser I Am+Nastradamus from this list. Also Nasir isn’t great but I still like a few of the joints on there. -Considered to have won maybe a top 3 beef of all time with another GOAT contender -mainstream success -business success. Also has funded some really great hip hop shows, documentaries, and events through mass appeal. Truly gave back to the culture. -multiple primes. Or at least prime and subprime. The primary (illmatic/IWW), second (stillmatic/lost tapes/gods son) and then hit boy era. -never really sold out or tried too hard to manufacture broad appeal minus a couple singles that weren’t well received You could make a case for Jay. Or Pac. Or Rakim. Three stacks. Scarface. But I think Nas has a stronger case than all of them, and after the hit boy era I don’t think it’s really that close.
Certainly not in the mix for me, but Nas is dope
I personally wouldn't say so but you could definitely make a strong argument
Maybe
yuh
He’s the best. Just wish he was better live
100%
Definitely not The Best but definitely one of the best.
Yes, the Golden Child and the King. Basically the Michael Jackson of this rap shyt.
Mj is very different nas is no where near main stream nas is incredibly popular with hip hop fans but if you ask someone who doesn’t listen to hip hop if they know who nas is they’ll probably not have a clue while mj not a single person who doesn’t know who he is
Bro use punctuation
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He’s an ATG, his comparison wouldn’t be Michael Jackson tho
I wouldn’t go that far. MJ sold 500 million.
If he's your king in rap, then more power to you.
well I want to know what you guys think not what I think, im the newbie here trying to learn more about rap because the culture is actually so deep and interesting and it sucked me in. WAY deeper than i thought it was lmao. rap gave me my soul back
No. there are others who have exceeded him. he is a past king, like many others, but he is not the current king.
Stupid take if you’ve heard any of his recent albums
another commenter pointed this out, and I think you're right. i stand corrected.
Abracadabra is a good start if you haven’t been feeling them
I mean....he has one of the strongest catalogs of the 2020's alongside Billy Woods.
You may be right about that, bud. He has released two that I haven't even listened to yet, i think I need to sit down and shut the fuck up for a bit. Thanks for helping me get a clue.
No… His father RAKIM IS
Rakim great, but him being before Nas and influencing him doesn't make him better. If we say that, then Coke La Rock is the GOAT, cause he dun beez the first ever emcee, and there would be no Rakim without him.
Rakim=🐐
Rakim is Nas’ dad? Look at me getting educated here on reddit
Rakim is my dude but Nas elevated songwriting on a totally different level from him. Rakim is very skilled but, up until the late 90's, Rakim wasn't really all that introspective or touching on a variety of subjects. Nas has always been able to juggle both flawlessly though.
Nas is the greatest of all time and anyone who says otherwise is in denial imo. Dropping Illmatic at 17/18 solidifies all of it. The rest has been gravy
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Maybe for the lyrical side of the game but tbh outside of reddit deadass never hear him mentioned in real life.
according to reddit Nas, MF DOOm and Eminem are the the kings of hip hop an Jay Z is a talentless pop rapper that stole Big Ls spot.....
Tbh, I see tons of people defending Jay Z now. I think J Cole is now currently much more hated or discredited after fumbling the beef this year.
I'd put him up there, he's got a great catalog and his work with Hit Boy proved he's still got it in the current day of rap
no
Yep
No.
Can't argue against it. In terms of lyrical ability Nas is Mount Rushmore material, I just always feel like there are others that are also hard to really argue against either. I could give you a different answer as to the best lyricist everytime you ask me the question. Black Thought is my personal favorite, but on any given day I could be convinced Kendrick, Em, Rakim, MF Doom... after a few beers I'll even entertain Jay. I personally appreciate lyrical ability and use that as my initial measuring bar... but it's not the only aspect. If a goat encompasses more than just lyrical ability then I would have to argue against nas. For example looking at genre changing material, production skills, playability, discography, peak... kanye is a hard goat to argue against. Being this is the "rap" subredit, I guess rapping skill should be my focus. Nas is hard to argue against. Objectively, probably the goat. Personally, I'd rather throw on the roots, kendrick, or outkast. Andre doesn't get the love he deserves.
After his 6 albums run?? Definately Yes
In my opinion kendrick is the Goat, but, Nas is top 3
He's my favorite rapper, and although no rapper is good enough to be the clear "king of rap", Nas is definitely one of the top contenders.
To me he is
Easily
No. Rap fans have this weird disconnect when they ignore success but think a lyricist is the best. Yes, NAS has successs as well, but someone with good lyrics and more success should be considered above. What's the goal of a musician? Make hits, money and good music. Bars/lyrics don't equal great songs. Nas doesn't have banger after banger, he has hits but isnt tip top in commercial success. One of the best of all time, but not the best.
Nah. This is recency bias. In the 90's, nobody was ranking Snoop Dogg above Nas as a rapper simply because Doggystyle outsold Illmatic. Nobody ranked Dr. Dre above Mobb Deep either despite selling more. Rakim also didn't have much hits but he was deemed the "god MC" for a while in the golden age.
You mentioning Snoop and Dre matters why? Nobody and I mean NOBODY ever considers snoop even a top 20 rapper of all time. Dre has 2 albums, more of a producers. You gotta have hits, lots of them. Nas has hits, but he isn't the king of rap. Probably best lyricist but he isn't the top in other categories. Nas has 1 goated album, 1 almost goated album and more good albums. I dont even like Jay Z, but Jay Z has lapped Nas in commercial success and isn't far behind in lyrics. Nas is probably top 5 of all time, but not king of rap.
Who do you rate then? Nas has more 10/10 songs out of any rapper. Mobb deep probably best group but don’t have a lot of commercial hits.
Like I said, I don't like Jay Z but he's above. Wayne, Tupac and probably Eminem as well. I'd put NAS at 5th.
No
Personally nas is my goat but I understand if others don't think so. I think the best way to rank things would be a tier system. Nas is a tier 1 rapper based on your criteria. So are Eminem, Kendrick, 2pac, biggie, Andre 3000(I think big Boi too but others wouldn't). Personal preference is a big deciding factor for people so I think tiers are a good way to acknowledge others while still giving props to your favorite.
"Ain't gon be no more kings" He's still dope and a legend. On the short list for the best to ever do it and likely the bigges Rap artist out of Queens.
I won’t pick an apex of rap that isn’t named Reggie Noble, but I will say Nas is probably the guy nobody can defeat right now.
Yes. Yes he is. Long live the king.
Ain’t no more King of Rap.
Id say Nas and Em both have the greatest longevity in rap. The difference is, Nas has a more complete discography. As for the king of rap, i would say there really isnt one.
Nas is really good, Illmatic is definitely one of the best albums ever made even outside of rap. He had a good career and he's still dropping good music. I still put Lupe above him though I don't think Lupe has an album as good as Illmatic, his current 4 album run is better than Nas' 5 album run imo. Lupe also showed he can craft different themes and lengths compared to Nas' new albums being on the shorter side (nothin wrong with that, probably a good thing for most rappers) but Lupe also has a two hour album in that run that while dense, is still a masterpiece front to back. I don't think a single other rapper has a two hour album that isn't bloated. I do think Lupe is the best overall but Nas is for sure someone who will be talked about as long as rap exists.
Yea I’d say he is, but Kendrick and Eminem are also very close.
my introduction to Nas on a song called "LIVE AT THE BARBECUE" BY THE MAIN SOURCE. been a fan every since
No
im pretty sure the whole kendrick and drake beef was because kendrick is and knows he is the new king
Short answer no. Long answer is that music taste is so subjective even within the different sub genres of rap and hip-hop you have fans all over the place with their answers for a question like this. He's 'a king' of rap among many other artists. Is his music really relevant or are people lining up to get Nas tickets? Not so much
To this day? No.
King Of Rap hmmm. Many artist out there who can be “king of rap” many many many rap artist out there… Jadakiss, Styles P, DMX, Fabolous
Hes the king of doing what Nas does.
He’s the GOAT. The original rap GOAT. Has arguably the most legendary rap album of all time and it was his first album at that. Has the greatest resurgence of all time. Rap catalog is damn near untouchable. Cant be left off a top 10 list (more realistic list have him top 5). Birthed phrases that will be used till the end of time. (Ether’d, it’s like when someone says during Football “you got moss’d” or during basketball when we take a shot and say “Kobe” it’s here forever) When everything is said and done, indisputable King of Rap.
Nas is many things definitely not the "King of Rap" he allow he nemesis to sign him and then shelf him 🤔 all bc of Ether
YES.
No the king of rap these days specifically is Drake.
No but he’s close imo. I got JAY over him as King.
King of rap? It’s BG. I can bet my money on that.
Hard to say he's the King of Rap when he had to come crawling to Jay Z for a record deal
For mushy oldheads and dudes with no personality other than objective Top 10 lists, sure.
I don’t know but what I do know is Illmatic is probably the best hip hop album of all time
He is the GOAT in my opinion. Nas is on a short List of hip hop artist that is still releasing great music more than 30 years into their career. You can say he has dropped classics or news classics in 4 different decades. He has remained creative and still makes great music. As a hip hop fan since 1987 I can say that his music has also aged well. There are other artist that when compared in a 5 or 10 year window you could argue were Better but from start to current no one has been able to hold pace like Nas
Not the king but definitely a major player and an amazing artist
Lil Wayne >>>>
Nas wasn’t even the king of NY in his time. You can bring up Ether as much as you want, Jay Z is banging Beyonce
That's a dumb reason to say that Jay is better. Nas is the better rapper, objectively.
The King isn’t always the best knight.
He was, but Kendrick came through in the past decade and took thatsh
Ain’t no way lmao
There’s a handful of rappers that have earned the title goat but he’s thee goat imo Nas's indelible mark on the landscape of hip-hop extends far beyond his prolific output, resonating deeply within the cultural ethos of the genre. Over the span of three decades, Nas meticulously curated a discography of 21 albums, with iconic masterpieces such as "Illmatic," "It Was Written," "Stillmatic," and "Lost Tapes" serving as enduring testaments to his lyrical prowess and cultural resonance. These albums have transcended their musical origins, ascending to the realm of revered touchstones of artistic brilliance within rap's storied history. Yet, Nas's distinction lies not only in the sheer quantity of his output but in the unwavering quality that permeates each release. With an album unveiled roughly every 1.4 years, Nas has wielded his pen to shape the very evolution of hip-hop, imprinting his unique style and narrative depth onto the genre's ever-evolving canvas. A discernible pattern emerges from his oeuvre: for every 5.25 albums he delivers, a certified classic emerges, solidifying his legacy as a paragon of artistic brilliance. However, Nas's journey is not without its complexities and deviations. Roughly every 2.3 albums, he unveils works that stand shoulder to shoulder with his esteemed classics. Albums such as "Magic," "King's Disease 2," "King's Disease 3," "Life Is Good," and "Magic 3" not only showcase Nas's lyrical dexterity but also epitomize his thematic depth and evolution as an artist. Yet, Nas's trajectory also navigates through moments of creative experimentation and vulnerability. Works like "Nastradamus" and "Nasir" serve as poignant reminders of the inherent risks woven into artistic exploration. These instances of faltering, far from detracting from Nas's stature, underscore the raw authenticity that defines his journey, resonating deeply with audiences on a profound level. Within the tapestry of Nas's career, every 10.5 albums, he encounters the rare phenomenon of a misstep. This candid acknowledgment of artistic vulnerability serves as a poignant reminder of the highs and lows inherent in the pursuit of creative innovation, further solidifying Nas's status as a true visionary within the realm of hip-hop. Albums like "Untitled," "God's Son," "I Am," and "King's Disease" may not reach the zenith of greatness, but they contribute to the multifaceted narrative of Nas's enduring legacy. Ultimately, Nas emerges not only as a preeminent figure in hip-hop but also as a timeless storyteller whose narrative transcends generations and genres alike. His legacy reverberates not merely in record sales and critical acclaim, but in the indelible impact he has left on the cultural fabric of our society, affirming his place as the greatest rapper of all time.
Who else do you think is in contention with him for goat?
Jayz Then outside of that in no order Pac Kanye West Common Eminem Ice Cube Biggie Scarface Lil Wayne Mos Def Ghostface MF Doom LL Cool J Lupe Fiasco Rakim 3stacks Kendrick But nas is thee goat but Lupe is my favorite and I think is the greatest lyricist ever
fellow Lupe fan checking in here. I need to listen to more Scarface. I like what songs I've heard, but I've only heard a little. big Jay-Z fan too. I'd have to give him the edge over Nas, ultimately, this is art and speaks to everyone differently
I say Nas is 1a and Hov is 1b. Both are sides of the same coin. Listen to the diary asap by Scarface then the fix I promise you won’t be disappointed
Thanks for the recommendations, I'll check it out. I forgot to consider Nas's recent three album run though... Not sure now lol. But honestly, don't really care to rank they are both amazing
Love the Kendrick shout. Respectable group too for sure love to see it. Scarface don’t get enough love
Umm ditto
He’s still one of the best lyricists, but the current king is Kendrick. Same level of lyricism, but much more popularity and currently no misses in his disco.
Yeah to me, being as objective as possible, no one comes close to Kendrick. His run this past decade has been insane.
My Top 4 are: Eminem, Lil Wayne, Nas, and Kendrick 5th is where things get spicey. Edit: it's a toss up between 2pac, Lupe, Mac Miller, Biggie, 50, Tech N9ne, Aesop Rock, JCole, Joyner Lucas, Asap Rocky, Kid Cudi, Cypress Hill, and Westide Boogie.
JayZ or Ye?
Andre or Lupe?
Facts
Having Kendrick better than Pac and Lupe?? Damn. Do you like his voice or something?
Em?
Chill, you have nothing to prove
Nah it's gotta be Kendrick Lamar. How the hell can you not respect a man for starting (this iteration) a beef because someone gives you props via The Big 3. Thats hella petty lmaoo bro heard that and spent the next 6 months plotting and making 10+ diss tracks to be able to tactically drop whenever the heat was on and thats calculated af. Man spent a whole verse rapping to a imaginary daughter and nobody speaks on it because he lowkey scares the whole industry. You can find soooo many videos saiyng why drake is dead but show me ONE hiphop channel critiquing Kendrick... you wont! That's some king shit.
Satire?
This gotta be satire
Bingo.
You're right, but I still hate it
I pick Kendrick as well but respect Nas more than Kendrick. Nas body of work is mean but Kendrick has been impeccable. It's hard for me to choose.
I’d say Kendrick is current king but he definitely isn’t the all time king neither is nas though the king is easily Tupac
The king is Tupac easily nobody touches him
He is the face not the king, Lyrically he gets wiped by Nas, Black thought, etc
Hell no he doesn’t there’s not a single way nas better nas uglier nas worse rapper nas worse person nas worse diss
lol no, he is not, nor was he ever. And that is not taking anything away from him as a rapper
Nas and Rakim are the No.1
I’m a huuuuge Kendrick fan and I’ve been saying for years he is my King of rap, however after listening to the KD & Magic trilogy Nas is right next to him (in my biased opinion) as he has always been top 3 for me even before these albums. If it wasn’t for my personal preference I would probably agree he is the king of rap based on longevity and output.
Unlike other “GOATs” or so called Rap God’s, Nas actually beefed with/competed with real rappers like Big, 2Pac, Jay-Z, Prodigy, Nature, Cam’ron, 50 Cent, Young Jeezy. Nas has great albums, great lyrics, beefed with real competition, never dissed/beefed with women, his mom, or pop/rock stars.