(ThyBlackMan.com) Its amazing to me that no matter what kind of discussion is being had regarding hip hop Eminem is a part of the discussion. Granted I like some of his music, and I value his contribution to hip hop, yet I often feel we tend to have an issue with labels. Flow, or delivery, production, and lyricism are not the same thing. If we are discussing lyrics and who we consider great why is it that influence and delivery are put in its place? There are too many times I see a greatest lyricist list and Eminem, who has awesome delivery, is listed in the top 10 over rappers that have more diverse word game.
There is nothing wrong with acknowledging Eminem’s place in hip hop, but just as I don’t give artist like Lil Uzi Vert a piece of a look
regarding lyrical content I won’t say Eminem is a better lyricist than Lupe Fiasco…or Slick Rick. Lately I have seen arguments that question the lyrical potency of both Big & Tupac seating Eminem over them…seating him over Nas even and that is ridiculous.
There have been white rap artists, but not many as revered as Eminem, and black artist vouch for him. This is no problem at all, as I stated he is a solid artist, and there is no problem with saying he’s one of the best. However, lyrically in the area of both diverse content, and the depth of that content he isn’t better than Nas, Rakim, Tupac, Big…he isn’t better than Andre3000.
When we are just focused on lyrical content there are so many that deserve his spot in any top 10 list. But, truth be told he’s usually the only white guy in the discussion and its time some of us admit that this alone causes us not to judge him as hard as we would our own. When we discuss lyricism it really shouldn’t be a popularity contest, though we know it is, it should be simple…let’s look at the lyrics. Instead we end up having a discussion about delivery, and there are many cleaver deliveries in hip hop that stand about Eminem…in my humble opinion Andre3000 is one of them.
Lupe Fiasco may not be a favorite of many, and both Kendrick Lamar and J Cole are newer to the scene but all three are better lyricist than Eminem. I am aware than some will be quick to defend Eminem as fans and I respect that. However, I just don’t feel we are always completely honest when it comes to the lyricism discussion.
There are some that can justify Jay-Z not being in their top 10, and if we are talking about lyrics alone I would be open to hear their position. Love Eminem, but he doesn’t make my top 10 for the greatest lyricists at all.
Staff Writer; Rap Guru