Hip-Hop is a competitive sport, like the NBA and boxing, but instead of jump shots & face jabs, it’s subliminal shots & subliminal jabs. And just like the NBA, the rap game is currently experiencing a transitional period with the emergence of a new generation of artists. So who are the leaders of this “new generation”?
I do feel that the rap game has much been ran pretty much by the whole Roc-A-Fella movement for the past decade or so. As of late, however, there has been the emergence of some impactful empires. From Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Empire to Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music Empire to Lil Wayne and his Young Money Empire, each are prying for that position as music’s next ruling empire.
This post involves one of the emerging empires, Young Money, possibly going at the current ruling empire in Roc-A-Fella. I feel there has been a cold war between the two camps and that things are starting to heat up. Seems to me that ROCs (rocks) have been getting thrown at the throne, if you will. Namely, Lil Wayne & Drake (of Young Money) at Jay-Z & Kanye West (of Roc-A-Fella).
So, who is the “king” of this rap/hip-hop/urban music game? While answers will vary, especially depending on who you are talking to, I do believe that these four individuals will receive a good amount of consideration and mentions. Not to say that this list is the gospel, but I’ll just use it a reference due to its popularity and the controversy it caused. According to MTV’s most recent Top Ten Rappers In the Game list, Lil Wayne (at #7), Drake (at #4), Kanye (at #3) and Jay-Z (#at 2) all made the list.
Some of these things you’ve heard, some you’ve considered, some you’ve dismissed, and some have not even crossed your mind. Perhaps I’m reaching, maybe I’m sadly mistaken. I could possibly be even instigating or spreading propaganda, but whatever the case may be, I’m just putting it out there for you to decide. It’s just some food for thought, but this might not be your flavor. Of course, it’s all speculation and opinion, therefore think critically, be real to yourself, and take things with a grain of sea salt like you should with ANY & EVERYTHING you read/hear, Internet or not. This discussion may not even have relevance or be of any importance, however I do feel that discussions like these help make this game quite entertaining. This is just for your viewing amusement, so I ask that you do not take this TOO seriously. Here is some evidence that I am presenting to the court, you are the judge and jury. Maybe I will be able to provide proof beyond a “reasonable doubt” (pun intended).
*NOTE: This post does not necessarily say which individual or empire I think is better, this post is just to state a claim.
THE CASE
PART ONE: Lil Wayne vs. Jay-Z/Kanye
Subject 1: Lil Wayne
It is common knowledge that Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter’s favorite rapper is coincidentally Shawn Carter (Jay-Z). Hell, he even has one of the man’s verses tatted on him. However, I feel that once the other Hot Boys left Cash Money, Wayne was left to lead and carry the team. Since then (circa Tha Carter I), I feel Wayne has been prepping himself for warfare.
Wayne dropped The Prefix back in 2004. On The Prefix, he rhymed over several instrumentals from The Black Album, which is the album of the supposedly retired Jay-Z at the time. Was he stepping up to grab the torch or trying murder Jay on his own ish?
On “Bring It Back” (off Tha Carter I), Wayne said “he was the best rapper alive, since the best rapper retired”. However, Wayne dropped the “since the best rapper retired” part of the line and has never looked back since. In 2006, Wayne declined President Carter’s (Jay-Z) offer to sign to Def Jam and chose to stay with Cash Money Records instead. In an interview with Complex Magazine later in the same year, he said something along the lines that he was better than everyone, which included Jay. I consider Wayne to be Jay’s artist equivalent. Not necessarily in skill, but in terms of his impact on the game. Wayne is definitely a talented MC. He is witty in his own right, maybe not as witty as a Jay, but still pretty witty to say the least. Aside from saying he is the best period, with the admiration from Jay, others in the game, and the fans, it seems that Weezy feels and embodies that he really is the best. Wayne himself has also sent a few shots Jay’s way.
Aside from the interviews and possibly The Prefix, Wayne could have possibly been addressing Jay on this unreleased Freeky Zeeky record entitled “Beat Without Bass”, which leaked back in 2008 when he said (around 1:32):
“I’m bout my cream like a s’more/ You old ass rappers better stay on tour/
You’re like 44, I got a 44/ I’m 24, I could murk you and come home when I’m 44″
In an interview with Tropical TV back in 2009, Birdman Sr. stated that Birdman Jr. (Lil Wayne) had more money and was more lyrical than Jay-Z (around 3:28). While the latter may or may not be true since it’s relative, the first part (richer) of the statement might have been misstated, and Hov seems to share my sentiments.
I think Wayne also took a shot Jay’s prodigy, ally, and best friend, Kanye West on “6’7″ (off The Carter IV) with the line (around 1:43):
“But these motherf*ckers talkin’ crazy like they jaw broke“
Of course, we cannot forget about the most recent shot on “It’s Good” (off The Carter IV), which was more than likely in response to Jay’s verse on “H-A-M” (around 2:55):
“Talkin’ bout baby money? I gotcha baby money/
Kidnap your b***h get that how much you love your lady money/
I know you fake, n***a, Press your brakes, n***a/
I’ll take you out, that’s a date, n***a/
I’m a grown *ss blood, stop playing with me/
Play *sshole, and get an *ss whippin’/
I think you pussycat, hello kitty”
Things seem to be getting more serious, but one never really knows. Could these lines be shots, it’s hard to say because we never really know what Wayne is talking about.
Subject 2: Jay-Z
Beanie Sigel informed us that Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter is a master of the subliminal shot. Maybe he’s spot-on, maybe he’s paranoid, but the claim was stated. One thing is true: Jay’s wittiness cannot be questioned. Check out this Complex Magazine article from last year which discusses some of Jay-Z’s sneakiest diss lines HERE.
We all know that Jay and Wayne have been trading shots here and there over the years. We also know that there is a mutual admiration and respect factor that lies amongst each other. Back in an interview with XXL in 2007 (post-Wayne’s “Best Rapper” comment), Jay spoke on Wayne specifically:
“I think Lil Wayne is extremely talented,” Jay said. ” I think he’s one of the most talented ones out there. I mean, even more so how his delivery is than what he says. I don’t think some of the things he says sometimes are the greatest things, but the way he delivers it, that’s part of it.”
“But do I think me and Lil Wayne should be in the same sentence? Me? No,” Jay emphasized. ” I mean, hopefully one day. He has to accumulate work. Put some classics under his belt.”
It’s obvious that Hov thinks Wayne is talented although he may not exactly say how he may exactly feel. Strategy? Maybe. Jay & Wayne have collabed several times over the years, including “Hello Brooklyn 2.0″, “Mr. Carter” & “Swagga Like Us”. On “Mr. Carter” (off Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III), Jay said the he “shares mic time with my heir” (around 3:07):
Even on his own “Everyday A Star Is Born”, Jay recognized that “Wayne’s scorching, I’ll applaud him if he keep going, pass the torch to him“ (around 0:30) and also that “Drake’s up next” (around 1:06):
So we definitely have evidence of Jay’s recognition of Wayne’s talent. At the same time, we’ve also experienced Jay getting at Wayne. For example, in 2006, on “Trouble” (off Jay’s Kingdom Come), that whole “Lil ni**a” spiel throughout his 3rd verse (around 3:02):
What about Jigga’s verse on T.I.’s “Watch What You Say To Me” (off T.I. vs T.I.P.) back in 2007 (around 2:08):
In 2009, Jay released The Blueprint III. On a record entitled ”Thank You” (around 2:58):
“But then send shots, Ni**as thought they was ill found out they was…ILL” (as in Lil Wayne’s “A Millie”)
Things seemed to die down until the world heard the infamous “H-A-M” (off Jay-Z & Kanye’s Watch The Throne) at the start of 2011 when Jay stated this, which was more than likely a response to the Birdman interview in 2009 (around 2:06):
“I’m like really half a billion ni**a, really you got baby money, Keep it real with n***as, ni**as ain’t got my lady’s money”
There you have it, the evidence on Wayne and Jay have been laid out right before you. This concludes the first part of this presentation. Please keep an eye out for Part 2 of this story where we will take a look into the Drake and Kanye portion of this presentation.
There is a good read that Complex Magazine recently did entitled Frenemies: A History Of Lil Wayne & Jay-Z’s Relationship. Although the title is pretty self-explanatory, it discusses some of the very things I am covering in this presentation.
I would love to hear your thoughts (be it god or bad), feel free to post comments below or either hit me on Twitter HERE
Related Posts :
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] & Kanye West post. In case you did not get the opportunity to read Part I, you can read it HERE. Continuing from where I left off, I will now get into the second part of my claim. This is a [...]