Top 10 Greatest (East) #1

Rakim

Top 10, for his clearly huge influence, originality, and skill, 2 classic albums, and other good work. He doesn't make the top 5 for me because he didn't maintain a high quality output of work as long as some others, and while he we a huge part in laying a foundation for rappers after him, I think he was surpassed by some of those rappers to a greater extent than is often acknowledged.

Top 5

Rakim is not in my top 10

Top 5 or 10. My opinion changes frequently. There's a few east artists I prefer over him but he's an undoubted legend.

I went with top 10. Overall he probably lands at #6 east coast for me.

Top 5 EASILY!!!!

T. Myers wrote:

Rakim is not in my top 10

You've got 10 East Coast MC's rated ahead of him, really??? That's crazy. You can make an argument for him being number one (he's 3rd on my list) But there's no way that there's 10 better than him.

Top 5

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

Rakim is not in my top 10

You've got 10 East Coast MC's rated ahead of him, really??? That's crazy. You can make an argument for him being number one (he's 3rd on my list) But there's no way that there's 10 better than him.

It is debatable whether or not their 10 better mc's than Rakim, but what is not debatable is that there are at least 10 mc's that i enjoy more.

He's not in my top 10 either but I voted top 10 because he belongs imo.

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

Rakim is not in my top 10

You've got 10 East Coast MC's rated ahead of him, really??? That's crazy. You can make an argument for him being number one (he's 3rd on my list) But there's no way that there's 10 better than him.

It is debatable whether or not their 10 better mc's than Rakim, but what is not debatable is that there are at least 10 mc's that i enjoy more.

Ok that's fine. But just so you know, if you ever criticize the way I vote from here on out, I will throw this move back at you.

Neither. There are easily 10+ east coast rappers I like more.

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

Rakim is not in my top 10

You've got 10 East Coast MC's rated ahead of him, really??? That's crazy. You can make an argument for him being number one (he's 3rd on my list) But there's no way that there's 10 better than him.

It is debatable whether or not their 10 better mc's than Rakim, but what is not debatable is that there are at least 10 mc's that i enjoy more.

Bullseye.

Just because he is a consensus top 5-10 from the east doesn't mean he makes it in my top personal top 10.

Top 10.

I vote Top 5. Sure, emcees progress. So, naturally, there are better rappers.

He gets top 5 from me for raising the bar when he came out and giving birth to said rappers...

All I know is when I vote neither on some of y'alls favorites. I'm gonna point out those who voted neither on Rakim and be like "how can you criticize me on that shit?"

KJ Styles wrote:

All I know is when I vote neither on some of y'alls favorites. I'm gonna point out those who voted neither on Rakim and be like "how can you criticize me on that shit?"

KJ, what is so hard to understand?

Rakim may be a pioneer and groundbreaking artist, but why is it hard to believe that somebody can name 10 rappers they like better? Especially from the east coast. You can criticize somebody's opinion all you want. But you do realize that it's their opinion, right? You aren't going to win that argument.

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

Rakim is not in my top 10

You've got 10 East Coast MC's rated ahead of him, really??? That's crazy. You can make an argument for him being number one (he's 3rd on my list) But there's no way that there's 10 better than him.

It is debatable whether or not their 10 better mc's than Rakim, but what is not debatable is that there are at least 10 mc's that i enjoy more.

Ok that's fine. But just so you know, if you ever criticize the way I vote from here on out, I will throw this move back at you.

I will never stop criticizing the way you vote as long as you try to justify your answers with bullshit reasons. simply say you're bias(i.e. you have personal favorites) and move on.

"I will never stop criticizing the way you vote as long as you try to justify your answers with bullshit reasons. simply say you're bias(i.e. you have personal favorites) and move on."

See, I'm not the only one calling you out for your bullshit reasons...

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

Rakim is not in my top 10

You've got 10 East Coast MC's rated ahead of him, really??? That's crazy. You can make an argument for him being number one (he's 3rd on my list) But there's no way that there's 10 better than him.

It is debatable whether or not their 10 better mc's than Rakim, but what is not debatable is that there are at least 10 mc's that i enjoy more.

Ok that's fine. But just so you know, if you ever criticize the way I vote from here on out, I will throw this move back at you.

I will never stop criticizing the way you vote as long as you try to justify your answers with bullshit reasons. simply say you're bias(i.e. you have personal favorites) and move on.

LOL well isn't that the reason you vote the way you do?

wrote:

"I will never stop criticizing the way you vote as long as you try to justify your answers with bullshit reasons. simply say you're bias(i.e. you have personal favorites) and move on."

See, I'm not the only one calling you out for your bullshit reasons...

Fuck you and the dick you rode it in on!

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

Rakim is not in my top 10

You've got 10 East Coast MC's rated ahead of him, really??? That's crazy. You can make an argument for him being number one (he's 3rd on my list) But there's no way that there's 10 better than him.

It is debatable whether or not their 10 better mc's than Rakim, but what is not debatable is that there are at least 10 mc's that i enjoy more.

Ok that's fine. But just so you know, if you ever criticize the way I vote from here on out, I will throw this move back at you.

I will never stop criticizing the way you vote as long as you try to justify your answers with bullshit reasons. simply say you're bias(i.e. you have personal favorites) and move on.

LOL well isn't that the reason you vote the way you do?

Yes, that is exactly how i vote, and i have been saying it from day 1. I thought that was obvious.

go fuck a hippo

Alan wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

All I know is when I vote neither on some of y'alls favorites. I'm gonna point out those who voted neither on Rakim and be like "how can you criticize me on that shit?"

KJ, what is so hard to understand?

Rakim may be a pioneer and groundbreaking artist, but why is it hard to believe that somebody can name 10 rappers they like better? Especially from the east coast. You can criticize somebody's opinion all you want. But you do realize that it's their opinion, right? You aren't going to win that argument.

That's fine Alan, it's just that I get blasted to hell whenever I vote against somebody that the majority of the forum loves (usually an underground/pseudo-mainstream MC).

I know you don't do that to me so it wasn't necessarily directed towards you, but others do. I'm just lettin them know ahead of time.

wrote:

go fuck a hippo

Is your mom busy tonight? If so then I'm assed out.

"That's fine Alan, it's just that I get blasted to hell whenever I vote against somebody that the majority of the forum loves (usually an underground/pseudo-mainstream MC). "

Usually, though, you say something about the underground/pseudo-mainstream MC that is generalizing or inaccurate, and use that to downplay said MC. No one would give an ish if you said "to me, this dude isn't top whatever"

top 5 EASILY

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

nope, it shows that some people are not east coast bias. Responses like this are why you get blasted all the time. It's ignorant and condescending. Just admit you are biased towards old school NYC mc's, and move on.

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

nope, it shows that some people are not east coast bias. Responses like this are why you get blasted all the time. It's ignorant and condescending. Just admit you are biased towards old school NYC mc's, and move on.

I don't see where east coast bias comes into it, seeing as this is a top 10 for the east coast, so he's only up against other easy coast rappers.

Jason wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

nope, it shows that some people are not east coast bias. Responses like this are why you get blasted all the time. It's ignorant and condescending. Just admit you are biased towards old school NYC mc's, and move on.

I don't see where east coast bias comes into it, seeing as this is a top 10 for the east coast, so he's only up against other easy coast rappers.

I think you meant EAST coast rappers Jason, but yes you are correct.

As for Terry, I'm not even gonna dignify that wack ass statement with a response.

Jason wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

nope, it shows that some people are not east coast bias. Responses like this are why you get blasted all the time. It's ignorant and condescending. Just admit you are biased towards old school NYC mc's, and move on.

I don't see where east coast bias comes into it, seeing as this is a top 10 for the east coast, so he's only up against other easy coast rappers.

Hey Mr. Tambourine Man, East coast heads specifically overrate Rakim(i.e east coast bias). Do you think those neither votes came from anyone from the east coast?

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

I can't speak for everyone, but the reason Rakim does not make my top 5 or 10 is because he has very little diversity. If my top 10 criteria was all about battle skills, punchlines, and ill lyricism, Rakim would make it. I'm looking for more depth than Rakim. And when you think about the east coast, it's quite easily to think of 10 (or more) artists I like more.

Here was my east coast top 10 (with groups) I listed in the initial thread for this "game":

Boogie Down Productions/KRS-One
Beastie Boys
A Tribe Called Quest
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Gang Starr
Masta Ace
Run-DMC
Heavy D (& The Boyz)
Public Enemy/Chuck D

It's not that I don't like Rakim. He would make it a little more down the line on my list.

KJ Styles wrote:

Jason wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

nope, it shows that some people are not east coast bias. Responses like this are why you get blasted all the time. It's ignorant and condescending. Just admit you are biased towards old school NYC mc's, and move on.

I don't see where east coast bias comes into it, seeing as this is a top 10 for the east coast, so he's only up against other easy coast rappers.

I think you meant EAST coast rappers Jason, but yes you are correct.

As for Terry, I'm not even gonna dignify that wack ass statement with a response.

I really don't care what you choose to dignify and what you choose to not dignify. It is what it is, and it appears that there are more people than just myself that agree. I'm sure that doesn't mean anything cause everyone else you know would disagree. Oh wait, everyone else you know is from the east coast. Hmmm! that's interesting.

Alan wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

I can't speak for everyone, but the reason Rakim does not make my top 5 or 10 is because he has very little diversity. If my top 10 criteria was all about battle skills, punchlines, and ill lyricism, Rakim would make it. I'm looking for more depth than Rakim. And when you think about the east coast, it's quite easily to think of 10 (or more) artists I like more.

Here was my east coast top 10 (with groups) I listed in the initial thread for this "game":

Boogie Down Productions/KRS-One
Beastie Boys
A Tribe Called Quest
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Gang Starr
Masta Ace
Run-DMC
Heavy D (& The Boyz)
Public Enemy/Chuck D

It's not that I don't like Rakim. He would make it a little more down the line on my list.

You don't need to explain yourself to anyone Pounds. People have been explaining themselves for ages(myself included). It falls on deaf ears. If you are a hip hop fan, you are expected to worship at the throne of Rakim Allah.

Alan wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

I can't speak for everyone, but the reason Rakim does not make my top 5 or 10 is because he has very little diversity. If my top 10 criteria was all about battle skills, punchlines, and ill lyricism, Rakim would make it. I'm looking for more depth than Rakim. And when you think about the east coast, it's quite easily to think of 10 (or more) artists I like more.

Here was my east coast top 10 (with groups) I listed in the initial thread for this "game":

Boogie Down Productions/KRS-One
Beastie Boys
A Tribe Called Quest
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Gang Starr
Masta Ace
Run-DMC
Heavy D (& The Boyz)
Public Enemy/Chuck D

It's not that I don't like Rakim. He would make it a little more down the line on my list.

That's not a bad list. Other than Will Smith all of those that you mentioned are in my Top 50 acts. I think groups are being done on a separate poll later though.

T. Myers wrote:

Alan wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

I can't speak for everyone, but the reason Rakim does not make my top 5 or 10 is because he has very little diversity. If my top 10 criteria was all about battle skills, punchlines, and ill lyricism, Rakim would make it. I'm looking for more depth than Rakim. And when you think about the east coast, it's quite easily to think of 10 (or more) artists I like more.

Here was my east coast top 10 (with groups) I listed in the initial thread for this "game":

Boogie Down Productions/KRS-One
Beastie Boys
A Tribe Called Quest
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Gang Starr
Masta Ace
Run-DMC
Heavy D (& The Boyz)
Public Enemy/Chuck D

It's not that I don't like Rakim. He would make it a little more down the line on my list.

You don't need to explain yourself to anyone Pounds. People have been explaining themselves for ages(myself included). It falls on deaf ears. If you are a hip hop fan, you are expected to worship at the throne of Rakim Allah.

LOL - I know. I was just explaining that there is not that much depth to Rakim and some people look for something different in their favorite rappers.

KJ Styles wrote:

That's not a bad list. Other than Will Smith all of those that you mentioned are in my Top 50 acts. I think groups are being done on a separate poll later though.

Yep, all personal preference.

easily top 5 theres a reason they call him the God motherfuckers

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

Jason wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

nope, it shows that some people are not east coast bias. Responses like this are why you get blasted all the time. It's ignorant and condescending. Just admit you are biased towards old school NYC mc's, and move on.

I don't see where east coast bias comes into it, seeing as this is a top 10 for the east coast, so he's only up against other easy coast rappers.

I think you meant EAST coast rappers Jason, but yes you are correct.

As for Terry, I'm not even gonna dignify that wack ass statement with a response.

I really don't care what you choose to dignify and what you choose to not dignify. It is what it is, and it appears that there are more people than just myself that agree. I'm sure that doesn't mean anything cause everyone else you know would disagree. Oh wait, everyone else you know is from the east coast. Hmmm! that's interesting.

Well as Jason pointed out Terry, this is an EAST COAST THREAD!

KJ Styles wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

Jason wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

KRob86 wrote:

I can't believe the god is having such a hard time.....

I know right??? That's some bullshit! Just shows that some in this forum have questionable taste.

nope, it shows that some people are not east coast bias. Responses like this are why you get blasted all the time. It's ignorant and condescending. Just admit you are biased towards old school NYC mc's, and move on.

I don't see where east coast bias comes into it, seeing as this is a top 10 for the east coast, so he's only up against other easy coast rappers.

I think you meant EAST coast rappers Jason, but yes you are correct.

As for Terry, I'm not even gonna dignify that wack ass statement with a response.

I really don't care what you choose to dignify and what you choose to not dignify. It is what it is, and it appears that there are more people than just myself that agree. I'm sure that doesn't mean anything cause everyone else you know would disagree. Oh wait, everyone else you know is from the east coast. Hmmm! that's interesting.

Well as Jason pointed out Terry, this is an EAST COAST THREAD!

If you still don't get it, you're a hopeless moron. I'm not gonna break it down for you. We'll just agree that that your a simpleton and move on. Also, i like how you quote me, but you don't address anything i say.

Fuck You Terry, if you're gonna come at me with insults then don't expect me to take heed to what you're saying.

Well, i already explained why, and you still did not get it. I don't know what else you want from me.

Play nice bitches....