BET's Top 10 Rappers of the 21st Century
Eminem
Lil Wayne
Kanye
50cent
T.I.
Ludacris
Drake
Jeezy
Jadakiss
Rick Ross
The list in question is BET's Top 10 Rappers of the 21st Century, as determined by a panel of ultra-opinionated "authorities" on the topic. The only "authorities" involved should've been called, when they put Jeezy, Rick Ross, and Jadakiss (who might I add came out in the mid-nineties) on any piece of paper remotely associated with this list, minus the afforementioned emcees in the title of this post. ("that's why im at the end of my wits with half the shit that gets in, i've got a list here's the order of my list it begins with...." -eminem)
I've been told that it was just for emcees whose career started in 1999 or later; this does not lend validity to their decision to omit Jay-Z. Any self respecting judge would have to, at some point, pause and ask themselves:
"Self, HOW IN ANYONE'S HELL DO YOU NOT INCLUDE JAY-Z ON EVERY GREATEST OF ALL TIME OR TOP TEN LIST?"
WHO HAS BEEN A MORE INFLUENTIAL FIGURE IN HIP-HOP (SAVE MAYBE EMINEM) FOR THE ENTIRE LAST DECADE?
There are an ignorant few of you who'll blurt out "Lil Wayne", number two on the BET list, immediately when I pose these questions. You can't be serious.... He has had an incredible run, but it has only spanned the last four or five years. He was just a very young puppet back around the turn of the century. "Bling Bling" and that Cash Money shit was cool, but he was nowhere near the star nor influence he is now. Jay-Z was.
A decent argument could be put up for 50cent....Kinda. Though he's not the emcee he once was. Same goes for Em, who topped the BET list, but he lost Proof so I understand his slump.
I dont suppose I oppose to the remainder of the list, Kanye, Ludacris, Drake, T.I., etc...WAIT!
Let me explain myself as to why I name Drake. A few of my purist would cock their head and look at me like I have shit on my face for naming him and NOT Busta Rhymes, or say for instance, Fab; or why not push for Snoop, who is still relevant, if im gonna roll with Drizzy and lobby for Jay?
Well, Drake is one of those "Haley's Comet" artist (few and far between) who come along every few years and "washes the dishes"(reset the game i.e: dominoes). Follow me.
We'll go just as far back as DMX to help you understand. See things roll in a certain patterns. Radio playlists, society's listening preferences, club dj's playlist, the direction of record sales, etc...all follow trends, much like fashion. Before X came, it was "party and bullshit" he undoubtedly hardened shit up, "Where My Dogs At" and his debut on "5,4,3,2,1" shook things up, and had the next wave of "I'm-as-grimey-as-DMX" niggas barking, growling, muggin and giving all kinds of other "mean" gestures. He did what we endearingly refer to as "DMX'ed" the game.
Then along came a young, lazy-flow having pretty boy, who could legitimately spit and was backed by one of the largest label/brands in the industry at the time....MA$E. Mase smashed the charts and the clubs, put on the shiny suit and the platimun smile, and brought "party and bullshit" right back off the shelves. The whole world was "gettin jiggy" and doin' all kinds of other goofy shit all at the same time. Good Times. He effectively "MA$E'ed" the game.
Then came EMINEM. He FUCKED EVERYTHING UP, LOL!
Nobody knew WHAT TO MAKE OF, OR WHAT TO DO WITH THIS RAPPIN'ASS WHITE BOY! (I SAY THAT AFFECTIONATELY.)
I'd say he "M&M'ed" the game (I tickle myself),but lets face it folks....THAT SHIT"LL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
He is truly an anomally.
Then came Kanye, and Wayne, and a few other innovative folks who caused a similar shift in the game....
Which brings me to Drizzy. Drake is a refreshing splash of content in music. Its not that he's the BEST, but certainly one OF, at this juncture. He sings a bit much for me honestly; however, it's creative and has been tuned enough to make it a worthwhile listen as you're patiently waiting for him to get back to some of the wittiest lyricism I've heard in a minute. Drake has keyed in on the defficiency in the game, substance. The same self-degredating style that Eminem used to win favor, has been spun into an even better, more subtle, introspective innocence, per Drake, and almost has a naivety to it. His album would put him on this list alone if that were all one needed to qualify. I don't belive his musical exploits alone are enough to give him this honor, yet; but his early yet potent influence on the industry, attention to detail and obvious internet marketing saavy lend aid in comforting me in my decision to endorse him in this instance.
That's all for now. BET...GET IT TOGETHER! This politically correct, "Def Jam and Interscope pay the bills" approach to labeling the "best of" is laughable at best. The public, or the"herd", is counting on you to be the authority, use the powers instilled in you responsibly. Tagging the list "....of the 21st century" doesn't excuse an obvious attempt to thrust some of the recent bread-winners further into the retail marketability stratusphere.
I suppose we love you either way. (namely because there a no other BLACK networks, save CW, LOL!)
Just keep it "ONE-HUNN-ED" with us!
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