Artist of the Decade: Who ran it better?

The time has come to Debate between two hip-hop/rap juggernauts.  Nasty Nas versus Slim Shady, yes the witty lyrist against the often out spoken rapper from 8 mile. The debate continues with artist of the decades.

When you think of the 90 and hip-hop how could you not think of Nas, Illmatic, beefs with Jay-Z and d even the firm. It’s almost connecting the 90's with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls era. Nas gave us certified classic from the jump to claim hip-hop had died, to even wanting to call his album the NIGGER album. He has cultivated a culture with his beats, rhymes and his political and social views.

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones began writing rhymes at the age of nine, dropped out of school in the eighth grade. This would have made him 13 o r 14 at the time. He later educated himself about African culture through The Five Per Cent Nation, the Bible and the Qur'an. In '94 he dropped the critically acclaimed album Illmatic and set the world on fire. With no famous guess appearances received Five Mics from The Source. This at the time was probably the best thing that any up and coming rapper could ever ask for. Regarded as one of the best hip-hop records ever made.  Illmatic had brought out the best of the best producers at the time were the likes of Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S. and DJ Premier, but Nas was just about Illmatic he was about the music, he was about spreading knowledge even as a grade 8 drop out. Nas always had a way with the words: "You couldn't catch me in the streets without a ton of reefer/That's like Malcolm X, catchin' the Jungle Fever" and "I'm as ill as a convict who kills for phone time."

Nas & Olu (father):

Nas always was one to put you in a scence almost a state of mind which can capture the moment and the essence of hip-hop culture."

"The buddha monk's in your trunk, turn the bass up// Not stories by Aesop, place your loot up, parties I shoot up// Nas, I analyze, drop a jew-el, inhale from the L// School a fool well, you feel it like braille// It ain't hard to tell, I kick a skill like Shaquille holds a pill// Vocabulary spills I'm +Ill+plus +Matic+, I freak beats slam it like Iron Shiek// Jam like a tech with correct techniques// So analyze me, surprise me, but can't magmatize me// Scannin' while you're plannin' ways to sabotage me// I leave em froze like her-on in your nose// Nas'll rock well, it ain't hard to tell"-Nas: It Ain't Hard to Tell

Not as chart topping when it came to record sales, but still just as effective. You can only think of if Jay-Z was Michael Jordan, Nas had to Magic when he played center for the Lakers in his rookie year. That would be Illmatic. Having cancer and coming back would be Stillmatic and the slow but never forgotten drift to retirement. (That was for the basketball heads) Eminem of course would have to be Larry Bird for obvious reasons.

With follow up albums “It was Written”, “I Am”, “Nastradamus”, and “Stillmatic” all receiving Platinum certification. Nas has always been praised for his ability to create a wonderful match of lyrics and productions, even being compared to Rakim for his lyrical technique. A legend in his own right. Nas will forever live in the playlists if the music heads and the collectors. Not to be constricted by mere black male stereotypes Nas is and will always have "the blood of a slave, heart of a King"

Eminem, Slim Shady, Marshall Mathers, whatever you want to call him there is no denying that we rocks the mic on every track and the fact that he is white has seem to break down walls and open doors for people like. Mac Miller, YelaWolf, Asher Roth and many more. Eminem is the track topping, platinum selling recording artist that has proven that it’s what you bring to the table and not about the color of skin. The Detroit renegade has been putting in work since his days of Infinite.

Eminem became interested in hip hop as a teenager and performed amateur raps at the tender age of 14 under the alias "M&M". Eminem frequently participated in freestyle battles, despite dealing with being a white American male in a predominantly African-American industry; he gained the approval of underground hip hop audiences. He dropped out of high school at age 17.

His rapping technique was very diverse and complex and contained many different Eminem's ability to always connect with his audience through humorous subject matter, and carrying a concept over a series of albums for example his alter ego Slim Shady.

Also know for his complex rhyme schemes and his ability to bend words so that they rhyme. Many may try, but many have failed it has become this very thing that separates Eminem from many of his peers. Who rhymes the word "orange"?  He is also known to write the majority of his lyrics down on paper. Just peep this lyrist:

"Slim Shady, brain dead like Jim Brady// I'm a M80, you Lil' like that Kim lady// I'm buzzin, Dirty Dozen, naughty rotten rhymer// Cursin at you players worse than Marty Schottenheimer// You wacker than the motherfucker you bit your style from// You ain't gonna sell two copies if you press a double album// Admit it, fuck it, while we coming out in the open// I'm doing acid, crack, smack, coke and smocking dope then// My name is Marshall Mathers, I'm an alcoholic (Hi Marshall)// I have a disease and they don't know what to call it// Better hide your wallet cause I'm coming up quick to strip your cash// Bought a ticket to your concert just to come and whip your ass// Bitch, I'm coming out swinging, so fast it'll make your eyes spin// You gettin knocked the fuck out like Mike Tyson// The +Proof+ is in the puddin, just ask the Deshaun Holton// I'll slit your motherfucking throat worse than Ron Goldman". -Eminem: Just Dont Give A F*ck

Like he said the proof is in the pudding and Em proves that he puts in work like no other. I can’t say enough about each album from his recent works of art to his unreleased EP's. Slim Shady the alter-ego kills the mic to, but does it in a way where people will laugh while Marshall the more serious side. When you think of Eminem you can’t help but think of the hilarious music video that he drops to then come out with a more serious video like Stan. The video Stan or even cleaning out my closet demonstrates how diverse of an artist he really is and how he doesn’t need to stick to one style of music.

He had his far share of beefs and struggle but I think it has made him into a better man and artist and since the recent death of his childhood friend Proof, Eminem has come back without his bleach blonde hair and has revived his career. Think of Eminem as that legend that will always remembered and talked about not because of his color but because of what he brought to the table.

I could go on for days with the careers and what makes Nas better than Eminem or vice versa, but lets hear it folks who do you think takes the title? Who rocks the Mic better. There are no ties and its not just black and white. If you had to choose one. who would it be? The alter-ego driver Detroit rapper or the Queen native that dropped his album and was given 5 mics at a time where 5 mics was unheard of.

ENJOY!!!