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Once again, MTV has released another Top 10 MC list that looks like Susie and Damien had more say in than Sway or anyone else who actually listens to the music. This time their list is 10 Candidates For The Next 'Greatest MCs Of All Time' List (their previous list was discussed here). Here's the list:
Ludacris
Kanye West
Lil' Wayne
The Game
Beanie Sigel
Jadakiss
50 Cent
T.I.
Cam'ron
Talib Kweli
I have a few problems with this list, but first of all, what is Talib Kweli doing on there? Its like they looked at the list after writing down the first 9 mc's, realized they were missing a "conscious" rapper, and then chose one at random. Talib has a hard enough time just rapping to the beat. No way does he raise his game enough to be considered one of the next 10 great MCs.
The second problem I have is that most of these dudes have already put out several albums. If they haven't achieved the status of "Greatest MC" by now, chances are there's not much room left for improvement for them. Most of the people on MTV's first list, the "10 Greatest MCs Of All Time", put out a classic album their first time out the gate. Can you say the same about any of these 10? Maybe back in 1995 Cam'ron had the potential to be one of the greats, but now? I know there are a lot of Dipset fans out there, and he does have an undeniable swagger on the mic, but I'd have a hard time putting him among the 20 greatest of all time. (While we're on the subject of Cam'ron, be sure to read Elliot Wilson's review of Cam's new song -- funniest thing he's written)
Other problems, quickly summarized: Kanye West has used a ghostwriter in the past (Rhymefest on Jesus Walks), so that should be an automatic disqualification from this discussion. 50 Cent and The Game? They make interesting enough diss tracks toward each other, like two scorned lovers that still haven't gotten over each other, but Greatest MCs? Nah. Beanie Sigel and Lil' Wayne are the only two on this list that I can really see having a legitimate case for being among the greats.
To be honest, I'm not exactly sure who I would put in a list of 10 MCs that are currently out right now who could potentially be listed as reaching the status of G.O.A.T. That may say something about the current lack of quality rappers out right now, or maybe its just that I have a strong bias toward the rappers I listened to growing up, but I just don't see anyone on that list that has the potential to be on the same level as Biggie, Nas, Rakim or Chuck D. It doesn't mean I don't listen to the rappers on this list, just that I don't think they will ever achieve classic status.
4/21/2006 10:14:31 AM posted by Fresh