I went to see the new Chris Rock movie “Top 5” this morning and I’ll write up my review tomorrow.I’ve written so much between the two Jingle ball reviews plus the usual palaver I don’t feel fresh enough to tackle it right now. So instead… the top five of the title is a game in which the characters name the best five rappers of all time. Ridiculously, they only sneak Biggie in when obviously he is the greatest of all time. Still, I am happy they remembered KRS One even if I didn’t include him… Here’s mine
Biggie Smalls – “Mo’ Money, Mo Problems” changed the hip hop game from one end to another, it made it pop music plain and simple and while there is no discounting Puff Daddy’s importance, this was Biggie all the way. Two albums, that’s all we got, plus the Junior MAFIA stuff. Before there was Biggie there was nothing.
Kanye West – A year later, nobody has come a million miles of catching up with Yeezus. On stage, he blew Kendrick Lamar, the crown prince, away on a daily basis.
Chuck D – Public Enemy’s records in the early 80s, say through Fear Of A Black Planet has a precedence, it is Bob Dylan through to Another Side.
Jay Z – The first rap superstar and if he doesn’t deserve his reputation in 2014, from Vol 2 through The Black Album, Jay Z changed what it meant to be a rich black superstar in the States, he changed what it meant to be a rapper. He’s the Oprah of rap.
Eminem – The only white rapper you can possibly put in this sort of list. OK, maybe a coupla Beastie Boys, but really Eminem is a very seriously great rapper.
