The "other" Rapper

Every group has there main rapper that shines over the rest. Whether its 3000, Bun B, Scarface, Ghost & Meth, or whoever the other member(s) seems to get lost in the frontman's hype rhyme skill wise. So who are your top 3 "other" rappers and why?

That is really cold to say Big Boi is second banana to 3 Stacks. I think they're about as equal as it gets. Same for Bun B and Pimp-C (RIP).

I would say:

Sen Dog
Havoc
Vinnie (NBN)

1. Willie D- he was the front man of the Geto Boys during the Grip It era but Face took over after that. IMO Willie D is not as far behind Face as some may perceive. Willie D is one of the most rawest rappers I have ever heard. No thrills, no hidden messages, or style flexing. Just str8 up telling it like it is.

2. Khujo- Cee-Lo is the one who gets all the props in Goodie. But Khujo to me was the 2nd best easily. But no one seems to notice. He had some complex lyricism and a very unique rhyme style that a lot of southern emcees have molded themselves off of.

3. Havoc- Wand just gave me my 3rd. When I listen to Mobb Deep I have always noticed how Hav is no slouch lyrically and had better or eqaul verses to Prod on a good amount of songs. But for some reason he only gets props for his beats.

I misunderstood this thread. I thought it was naming the most buried behind the scenes, not the best of those that are buried. I'll have to think it over some more.

My top 3 off the top would be

1. MC Ren
2. Hell Razah
3. Flesh N Bone

Flesh is a good pick because I never saw the point of him being in Bone. He's aiight but very forgettable. Mainly because of all his long vacations.

Big Boi- On the real, I'm almost starting to like him MORE than 3 Stacks. He's easily had the better solo career between the two, and Dre doesn't seem to be doing much lately. I hope that Outkast does another group project soon, but if not then Dre had better drop a dope solo or he'll be end up being the "other" rapper in the group while Big Boi takes over as the leader.

Phife Dawg- On People's Instinctive Travels he was just finding his way, but he was AWESOME on Can I Kick It. But Phife BEASTED IT on The Low End Theory, Midnight Marauders and Beats, Rhymes, and Life. There were a few times where he outshined Q-Tip, and Tip is one of my all time favorite MC's.

Malik B/Dice Raw (tie)- These two have been dope as fuck on Roots albums. Black Thought is the best rapper in the group, but I've always enjoyed both of these guys as well. Had Malik been on How I Got Over, it probably would have hit 5 stars.

Big Daddy Kool wrote:

Even though Malik wasn't on How I Got Over, it's still 5 stars

CO-SIGN!!!!!!!!!

I'll co-sign KJ's mention of Phife and Big Boi.

I've always liked Phife better than Q but for whatever reason he doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves.

Big Boi isn't far off Dre by any means. Its a case of 1A and 1B as far as their group status is concerned.

As for a third mention I'll go with the Akin from CYNE. Cise Starr gets the bulk of the credit and deservedly so but Akin ain't no slouch.

Cise wrote:

I'll co-sign KJ's mention of Phife and Big Boi.

I've always liked Phife better than Q but for whatever reason he doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves.

Big Boi isn't far off Dre by any means. Its a case of 1A and 1B as far as their group status is concerned.

As for a third mention I'll go with the Akin from CYNE. Cise Starr gets the bulk of the credit and deservedly so but Akin ain't no slouch.

I left off dudes like Big Boi, MJG, and Pimp C cause they're not the "other" rapper. Depending on the person, they are arguably the best MC in their group.

Ren, Phife Dawg, and Vinnie would be my picks off the top of my head.

U-God
Phife Dawg
Malice - i like him more than Pusha T

T. Myers wrote:

Cise wrote:

I'll co-sign KJ's mention of Phife and Big Boi.

I've always liked Phife better than Q but for whatever reason he doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves.

Big Boi isn't far off Dre by any means. Its a case of 1A and 1B as far as their group status is concerned.

As for a third mention I'll go with the Akin from CYNE. Cise Starr gets the bulk of the credit and deservedly so but Akin ain't no slouch.

I left off dudes like Big Boi, MJG, and Pimp C cause they're not the "other" rapper. Depending on the person, they are arguably the best MC in their group.

Yeah, it's stupid to assume the greatest groups of all time have a weaker link or a weak rapper in the group. For the most part these groups are dope because everyone is talents. This topic would be best suited for maybe groups with a lot of rappers or with hype men emcees that were weak... like vinnie to treach.

Wayne wrote:

Ren, Phife Dawg, and Vinnie would be my picks off the top of my head.

Yeah poor Vinnie. The lil guy just trys to rap his heart out but.........

Vinnie has some dope rhymes no doubt and he adds to Naughty in his own way.

MJG
Big Boi
MC Ren
(However I think all 3 are as talented as their musical brethren. They just don't get the immediate shine.)

*Lord Infamous

Hey guys:

Big Boi > Andre

Phife > Q-Tip

Just in case you forgot.

Only 2 come to mind.

Money-B
TL (N2Deep)

Slang Editorial wrote:

Malice - i like him more than Pusha T

Cosign. Malice>Pusha T

Another mc that deserves a mention is Fredro. Sticky is a beast, but I like Fredro a lot too.

T. Myers wrote:

Another mc that deserves a mention is Fredro. Sticky is a beast, but I like Fredro a lot too.

True, but he's sort of famous from acting. I think Seez is the "other" guy in that group. Anybody hear his solo/s?

KRob TheRapGod wrote:

1. Willie D- he was the front man of the Geto Boys during the Grip It era but Face took over after that. IMO Willie D is not as far behind Face as some may perceive. Willie D is one of the most rawest rappers I have ever heard. No thrills, no hidden messages, or style flexing. Just str8 up telling it like it is.

2. Khujo- Cee-Lo is the one who gets all the props in Goodie. But Khujo to me was the 2nd best easily. But no one seems to notice. He had some complex lyricism and a very unique rhyme style that a lot of southern emcees have molded themselves off of.

3. Havoc- Wand just gave me my 3rd. When I listen to Mobb Deep I have always noticed how Hav is no slouch lyrically and had better or eqaul verses to Prod on a good amount of songs. But for some reason he only gets props for his beats.

there is NO fuckin way that Havoc has put it down on Mobb Deep projects LYRICALLY anywhere close to Prodigy IMO.....I'm not sure what songs your hearing that on unless your referring to Blood Money, and as far as the Wil-lay D comments man that dude better thank his lucky stars that 'Face joined the damn group otherwise they would go down in hip-hop history as being the hip-hop equals to THE RAPPIN' DUKE...da-ha...da-ha...da-ha-da-ha-ha-ha-huh!


as for this thread I co-sign Phife...now that dude has said some shit lyrically more than a few times...

also I want to add Lord Jamar, because although he's the least lyrical out the crew, I've heard him drop a few thangs from time to time....

I'm surprised Powell didn't say Rapper Big Pooh

Shaun wrote:

I'm surprised Powell didn't say Rapper Big Pooh

your right Shaun, let me add him to the mix as well

Powell Willie D rapes Phife, Pooh, Jamar, and most of your 80's heros to shreads. Its funny how you can big up an average rapper like Jamar and Phife but talk down on Willie damn D.

And tell me Havoc verse on Shook Ones was not good-great. Havoc has always came tight on the mic just couldn't outshine Prod who also had the better voice going for him also. Havoc is just as good as the rappers you mentioned. ESPECIALLY Big fucking Pooh...lol.

5 FT from Black Moon comes to mind.

KRob TheRapGod wrote:

Powell Willie D rapes Phife, Pooh, Jamar, and most of your 80's heros to shreads. Its funny how you can big up an average rapper like Jamar and Phife but talk down on Willie damn D.

And tell me Havoc verse on Shook Ones was not good-great. Havoc has always came tight on the mic just couldn't outshine Prod who also had the better voice going for him also. Havoc is just as good as the rappers you mentioned. ESPECIALLY Big fucking Pooh...lol.

Phife fuckin MURDERS Willie D. You're just biased against smooth rap. Phife owns Willie like the Giants defense owned Jay Cutler the other night.

Half wrote:

Phife > Q-Tip

No way, I like Phife and all but Tip is a better overall MC. On The Low End Theory I thought Phife was equal to Tip but on everything else Tip was the undisputed leader.