Once again, I return to regulate on a thread... I love rap deeply and actually plan to release an album. After reading some of your responses I thought I'd share my opinions.
Some food for thought:
Topic: FREESTYLING - Why in the fuck did this even become important at all? How many people are asking Garth Brooks or Shakira to sing a song on the fly? Now obviously, it can be fun and I can see how it caught on. But anyone who uses freestyling as a general gauge of skill is a retard unless they are simply gauging the skills of other freestyles. Chuck D, from Public Enemy, once said "I dont freestyle much, but I write em like such". Thats such a great line. Who gives a shit if someone can make up rhymes in an impromptu manner. They arent putting them on an album anyway, so it is no indicator of skill at all.
Topic: "BEST RAPPER EVER?" - There are sub-genres of rap just like their are sub-genres of rock. From queer shit like Will Smith to hardcore groups like NWA to political rap like KRS-One & Public Enemy to Southern Bounce, etc. This itself makes it harder to make a choice. Now by best rapper, I think this means for lyrical content and prowess in writing rhymes and mic skills. This immediately disqualifies most of the list. Forget how 'gangsta' someone is, how cool their video is, who their dating, if their mom is a whore, etc. and focus on this. If you do, and you have to choose from the names on that list, its easily Rakim or Eminem.
Topic: B.I.G. & 2 PAC - Not even close to being the best rappers ever. Lets break it down, because I'm sure theres lots of opposition to this opinion. Biggie & 2Pac were average to above average rappers who became "badass" after they died. The controversy surrounding both of their deaths caused many people to become emotionally attached and therefore overlook their averageness. Their fan bases actually grew after their deaths. However, while each did contribute some gems ("Hypnotize", "Big Poppa", "Mo Money Mo Problems", "Dear Mama", "Changes", "2 of Americas Most Wanted") to the rap game, most of their songs were not great. At the rate 2Pac wrote & recorded songs, some were bound to become hits based on probability alone. He wrote so quickly & generically and often contradicted himself from song to song. When he died, he had recorded enough songs to make another 6-10 albums. He'd write and make 5 songs in a day. Thats not skill, thats rushing because you want to get paid. As for BIG, he often mumbled lyrics (as earlier mentioned in this thread) and had other flaws.
Greatest Producer Ever - Dr. Dre (with HM to Mannie Fresh, Timbaland, & RZA)
- Face it, you could take the hottest MC on earth, and have him rap over a bullshit track and it wouldnt do anything. Beats are as important (or more important) than the lyrics. I myself have been struggling to find a good producer. For those who would mention other producers as better than Dre, If you follow Dre's producing career from the World Class Wreckin Cru to NWA to Death Row to Aftermath, you'll see just how impressive of a producer he is.
Greatest Rap Group Ever - Wu-Tang Clan or NWA
- Each has contributed its own legacy to rap and both are still active. Wu-Tang Clan started out with 9 members, and added a 10th (Cappadonna, who might now be out of the group). Other than that, no one has ever left or been kicked out. 9 personalities is way more than most groups have to go through. Their landmark deal with Loud, 2 unbelievably great albums (Enter the Wu-Tang & Wu-Tang Forever), etc. solidifies their place as a great group. NWA is a different type of music and therefore a different group. They were a groundbreaking group, and if you havent ever seen the "Welcome to Death Row" DVD, i suggest you do. It basically covers NWA, the whole Death Row era, and the aftermath of what happened. With having 3 great MCs and 2 great DJs (one of whom, Dr. Dre, proved he could rap later) there were no "weak" links like many other groups. NWA recently re-united, filling the vacant spot left by Eazy E's death with Snoop Dogg, but have yet to release a new album, just the song "Chin Check', which is a good example of their ability to still tear it up.
Greatest Non-Compilation/Greatest Hits Rap Album: "The Chronic" - Dr. Dre (with honorable mention to: "Wu-Tang Forever" - Wu-Tang Clan, "Chronic 2001" - Dr. Dre, "Devil Without a Cause" - Kid Rock, "The Marshall Mathers LP" - Eminem, "I Got That Work" - Big Tymers)
Greatest Compilation/Greatest Hits Rap Album: "NWA Legacy" - NWA or "Eternal E" - Eazy E
Greatest Rap Song: "Nuthin But a G Thang" - Dr. Dre
Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below 
