Age Old Question: Biggie or Tupac?

[ktan09]

I have had discussions, I was in the Biggie era, while others say Tupac was better, I think Tupac is only popular now because he is dead, otherwise he'd be equivalent to DMX right now. I compare them, these songs are off the top of my head.

Tupac: Changes, California Love, Loyal to the Game, Thugz Mansion, Thugs Get Lonely Too,

Biggie: Hypnotize, Juicy, One More Chance, Big Poppa, Mo Money Mo Problems, Skys the Limit, "Nasty Girl"

Gotta give Pac credit, but Biggie is just too powerful, his lyrics were stronger and just got me moving more than Tupac did, Past or Present, I think Jay-Z is best rapper of all time, that guy made hit singles in his sleep, then Biggie a close second.

[RVDTHPS]

Eh, Jay-z is trash

[jollyeskimo]

Like'em both. Biggie is smoother personally, but pac's got some pretty powerful lyrics as well.

[ji2o0k]

2pac all the way. The brotha is deep, you have to look into his lyrics. He isn't just rapping about hoes and money like rappers nowadays (mind you he does have some songs that are about money etc).

Use google and look up lyrics for:

Unconditional love
Life Goes On
My Block (Nitty remix)
Dear Mama

the list goes on, he was deep.

[moto620]

2pac all the way. The brotha is deep, you have to look into his lyrics. He isn't just rapping about hoes and money like rappers nowadays (mind you he does have some songs that are about money etc).

Use google and look up lyrics for:

Unconditional love
Life Goes On
My Block (Nitty remix)
Dear Mama

the list goes on, he was deep.

exactly, 2 pac all the way, one of the only rappers I like.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

much love to both, as together they changed teh game

[k_wellwood_42]

good debate. but to me, theres no question about it, its biggie

musical: although its tough to compare the "musical" aspect of rappers since they usually have nothing to do with it, biggie's beats were wayyyy better then tupacs. tupacs are really bad in fact, in general. his hits were good, but have u listened to an album? you cant get through it without getting annoyed by the low budget beats

flow: biggies slower, lazy style is one of the best all time. tupac sounds like an average 14 year old rapper

lyrics: biggie wasnt all about lyrics, he rapped about whatever like most rappers do these days. no big deal, because whoever goes to rapper lyrics for insightfulness is really lame to begin with. as for tupac, everyone talks about his great lyrics: who cares. he's an actor, he grew up well-off and slightly more educated then most rappers, that doesnt make him smart. to me, tupacs lyrics are a poor attempt to sound educated, but how can you be so educated when your lifestyle is about shooting people or getting shot at.

[will1087]

...I think Jay-Z is best rapper of all time, that guy made hit singles in his sleep, then Biggie a close second.

Jay-Z is the NOT best rapper of all time. Sure he makes hits but he's not really a good rapper. Loads and loads of rappers are ahead of the guy. Jay-z even concedes that if he could be, lyrically, he'd be talib kweli.

Mos Def, Talib, RZA/Genious, Nas, Eminem, Black Thought, Common, etc etc, are ALL better rappers than Jay-Z, just they dont got as much cash.

Real rappers refine their craft and are innovative, Jay-Z comes out with the same pop/cookie cutter crap all the time. When he tries to be deep, he comes off as really shallow.

To each his own.

[will1087]

****, i even forgot KRS-One, rakim... well, you get the point.

[Shaner]

Tupac is by far the best rapper/lyricist in existance. His lyrics were extremely deep and insightful.
Biggie doesn't even compare when it comes to lyrics.

[HughG]

Tupac is by far the best rapper/lyricist in existance. His lyrics were extremely deep and insightful.
Biggie doesn't even compare when it comes to lyrics.

Shanes Gangsta side is coming out.

:lol:

and just a personal view.

I personally think that Jay-z had something to do with Biggies murder.

Think about it.

Biggie was becoming really really big (literally and figurativly) just before he died.

Who had heard of Jay-z while biggie was alive and running the east coast.
Not alot of people, let alone a fwe people.

Right after Biggie died, who rose ontop of the rap world, especially running the east coast ?

It was Jay-z.

As a former Rap DJ, I have met numerous people all over the US and Canada and they share the same views.

[steve.m]

Tupac i prefer for headshots but Big Mac is more fun to unload on with a shotgun.

[deep]

Tupac is by far the best rapper/lyricist in existance. His lyrics were extremely deep and insightful.
Biggie doesn't even compare when it comes to lyrics.

I have to disagree with the "in existance" part, unless you know something we don't, but Tupac was far better than Biggie.

JayZ can't carry either of their jockstraps.

[FearSonic]

Shanes Gangsta side is coming out.

:lol:

and just a personal view.

I personally think that Jay-z had something to do with Biggies murder.

Think about it.

Biggie was becoming really really big (literally and figurativly) just before he died.

Who had heard of Jay-z while biggie was alive and running the east coast.
Not alot of people, let alone a fwe people.

Right after Biggie died, who rose ontop of the rap world, especially running the east coast ?

It was Jay-z.

As a former Rap DJ, I have met numerous people all over the US and Canada and they share the same views.

It was Suge Knight who had him killed, man. =P

[MaDDN3ss]

Jay-Z = garbage IMO

I liked both artists but Tupac by far is the best lyricist between the two. Very deep and intellectual thoughts went into most of his songs.


Unconditional love
Life Goes On
My Block (Nitty remix)
Dear Mama

the list goes on, he was deep.

I agree fully. Those were a few of his best songs, although there were many.

[pothia]

good debate. but to me, theres no question about it, its biggie

musical: although its tough to compare the "musical" aspect of rappers since they usually have nothing to do with it, biggie's beats were wayyyy better then tupacs. tupacs are really bad in fact, in general. his hits were good, but have u listened to an album? you cant get through it without getting annoyed by the low budget beats

flow: biggies slower, lazy style is one of the best all time. tupac sounds like an average 14 year old rapper

lyrics: biggie wasnt all about lyrics, he rapped about whatever like most rappers do these days. no big deal, because whoever goes to rapper lyrics for insightfulness is really lame to begin with. as for tupac, everyone talks about his great lyrics: who cares. he's an actor, he grew up well-off and slightly more educated then most rappers, that doesnt make him smart. to me, tupacs lyrics are a poor attempt to sound educated, but how can you be so educated when your lifestyle is about shooting people or getting shot at.


Couldn't agree more. Biggie def has more sick beats and flows than Tupac does. I could only listen to a few tracks on Tupac's albums whereas I enjoy almost 80% on those of Biggie, not to mention Tupac released WAY MOREEE albums than Biggie did. If you find Tupac EXTREMELY talented in terms of lyrics, I think you need to listen to some Wu-Tang.

Jay-Z is absolute trash in terms of both beats and lyrics. As for the guys who said Jay-z is good and keeps making hit singles, I personally think ALL his singles are nothing but some plain party joints. (his voice annoys me biggg time,too. Worse monotone EVER)In my opinion, good raps are the songs you can't dance to and those that deliver strong messages. (ie: Reunited, C.R.E.A.M etc by Wutang and Breathing by Tupac)

Another thing I wanna point out is that Tupac got such great recognition was because of the media and his popularity, which I couldn't explain where the force was generated in the first place (maybe from "2 of America's most wanted"). You could ask all your girl friends and see who they know about more, Tupac or Biggie. I bet you 80% of the time Biggie is unknown to them.

[k_wellwood_42]

jay-z was good because like pdiddy tried to do with mase and biggie, his music was always mainstream and anybody could listen to it. you have to respect the fact that A LOT of people dont like listening to hardcore rap like big L and to some point tupac. jayz's music really was "party joints" that everyone could listen to, and he came out with several good ones, so you have to give him credit for that.

[pothia]

jay-z was good because like pdiddy tried to do with mase and biggie, his music was always mainstream and anybody could listen to it. you have to respect the fact that A LOT of people dont like listening to hardcore rap like big L and to some point tupac. jayz's music really was "party joints" that everyone could listen to, and he came out with several good ones, so you have to give him credit for that.

Please list them for me. I want to judge them myself. Thanks

[SergesPlace]

Why is this in off topic? I know it's a stretch with these guys but it still belongs in the Entertainment Forum

[killbillvol1]

Gayz-z = terrible

2Pac all the way, truly powerful lyrics. Biggie was an insane rapper too but nothing like 'Pac

[djpharoah]

i enjoy both rappers

however some songs of tupac is better, where some songs by biggie are better.
whatever. personal preference. i used to love biggie. now that im on the west coast, tupac is gaining on me.

RIP

[shadowfighta]

Jay-Z is the NOT best rapper of all time. Sure he makes hits but he's not really a good rapper. Loads and loads of rappers are ahead of the guy. Jay-z even concedes that if he could be, lyrically, he'd be talib kweli.

Mos Def, Talib, RZA/Genious, Nas, Eminem, Black Thought, Common, etc etc, are ALL better rappers than Jay-Z, just they dont got as much cash.



True. Kwali's "Reflection Eternal" or Common's "Be & Like Water for Chocolate" > anything from Jay-z, Tupac, biggie.

[RastaManMax]

There's one rule in my car: No Ghey-Z

Voted Pac although BIG brought some fire too.

LEMAR

[x86asm]

Wh yis everyone bashing Jay-Z? He is better than like 85% of the rapper that exist today!

I prefer Biggie's rapping style, his voice sounds better to me and Biggie does rhyme about the hardships he has encountered in life.

[elusion]

Tupac.

[shad0w*]

Both over-rated.

[Makaveli2k]

Bigge for me. his flow was just so much better consistantly than tupac. NOw lets touch on this Jay z thing. Have any of you heard that piee by Cam ron and how most of Jay z's lyrics were copies from a whole bunch of artists. slick rick, big L, flaava flav I think was even on their. dunno u guys gotta check it out very suspicious 0_o

[jollyeskimo]

Wh yis everyone bashing Jay-Z? He is better than like 85% of the rapper that exist today!

Yeah, but that's the problem..... rappers today aren't worth the plastic discs that they're recorded on. For every Common and Black Thought, you've got maybe a dozen or more $0.50 or whoever else.... Hell, Chris Rock has better hip hop on his albums than most of these jokers.

[Ojam]

Both over-rated.

Yup, never understood the obsession some people still seem to have with either of these performers.

[Mems]

Both over-rated.
Exactly. I could name dozens of MCs better than these two. I dunno why people like them so much. (maybe its because they're dead)

-Mems

[babaji]

i would like to begin by trashing on that "jay-z is the best" statement...
IMO, his lyrics were horrible. I tried to listen to the Black Album on the bus, but kept skipping songs from boredom...

back on topic, my vote goes to Tupac, because I like his songs more than Biggie's

also, I'm surprised that nobody mentioned Jin
His songs are excellent and he is an awesome freestylist.
I admit that The Rest is History wasn't that great, but you guys have to check out his newer album Jin Presents the Emcee's Properganda and his mixtapes

[xopt1js]

True. Kwali's "Reflection Eternal" or Common's "Be & Like Water for Chocolate" > anything from Jay-z, Tupac, biggie.

Yup, also love "Definition" by Mos Def and Talib Kweli

[nfnx]

pac all the way.

both are great, biggie has one thing pac doesnt have... an ability to flow to the beat...


but pacs lyrics put him on a level of his own. i like his voice too, he can be hardcore and soft... even his yelling sounds like genuine rapping lol.

favs are life goes on, better days, bury me a g, dear mama, ghetto gospel, ghost, hit em up, unconditional love, when thugs cry l

[krash322]

Tupac is miles ahead of anyone else, dead or alive. Tupac was able to rap about way more topics than BIG. Tupac can give it up to his momma, or other strong women in general, but at da same time, can rap bout them being ho's better than anyone else. His range was unbelievable. Plus, he had a strong message to deliver, from racism to black on black crime. Sure, he had a lot of songs about your 'typical' hip hop topics like shootin, drinkin, dopin, whorin, but that was his life. However, his life also went beyond these meaningless things. He knew he had an effect on people, and he was able to deliver strong raps about relevant topics in today's society. I mean, compared to all these useless bubble-gum rappers like 50 cent, Tupac is a god.

My favourite tune though is "Hit 'em up". The greatest knock 'em down song ever put together. :cheesygri

[Yaowsers]

Definately Tupac. You have to listen his songs, not hear his songs. There is a difference.

Those that say he's over rated obviously know nothing about rap music and are fans of Ja Rule and Bubba Sparks.

[shad0w*]

Wtf, you talking about lyrically tupac is not the greatest rapper.
Even Eminem at his prime would topple him.
It's his gimmick(being dead) is what made him more appreciated then he should be.

[Yaowsers]

Wtf, you talking about lyrically tupac is not the greatest rapper.
Even Eminem at his prime would topple him.
It's his gimmick(being dead) is what made him more appreciated then he should be. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

This is what happens when people watch 8 Mile too many times.

[shaolinmonk]

biggie for flow

tupac for lyrics

[pothia]

For some reason, I always affiliate those who are into party joints with "Lean Back" and "Yeah" from Usher.

Teenieboppers...

[RVDTHPS]

Bigge for me. his flow was just so much better consistantly than tupac. NOw lets touch on this Jay z thing. Have any of you heard that piee by Cam ron and how most of Jay z's lyrics were copies from a whole bunch of artists. slick rick, big L, flaava flav I think was even on their. dunno u guys gotta check it out very suspicious 0_o

LOL YEAH! to anyone who wants to hear it it's called You Got to love it (Beyonce)

[Yaowsers]

http://youtube.com/w/Biggie-Smalls-freestyle?v=RKDS5fQ2CtM&search=biggie

Biggie freestyling when he was 17.

[_pOtEnZa_]

biggie for flow

tupac for lyrics

like he said ^^`:)

[Nightgod]

2Pac all the way !!!!!

[shadowfighta]

It's his gimmick(being dead) is what made him more appreciated then he should be.

This guy speaks the truth.

[xpoint9]

I'd go with Tupac.
IMO most people who like biggie, like him only because the majority of the people like tupac. I've met many people at party's take Biggie's side, when this question pops up and then they know nothing about him. these people want to look different i guess.

jus wanted to add that since these two rappers are dead the best lyrical rapper would be eminem. <I've mentioned it before in some other thread that his raps dont deal with money or hoes.

o and 50cent sucks

[shad0w*]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

This is what happens when people watch 8 Mile too many times. Uh yeah, and you should be kept tight in your computer room. Obviously you don't know nothing about Eminem, definately if anything Eminem is under-rated.

[shad0w*]

o and 50cent sucksHe may suck but his tunes vibe the clubs, which IMO produce more money far better then anything lyrically. 50 Cent's fanbase is direct towards the ladies, when you got the ladies attending the clubs many guys will come which will produce big revenues. Nobody likes a sausage fest ;)

[OSG]

It was Suge Knight who had him killed, man. =P


Suge didn't do it. No one did. They all know. They are all involved.

Tupac is brilliant as some 16th century philosophers! A true prince.

[kud0s69]

Chuck D, Twin Hype (Do it to the crowd), and Maestro FTW :)

[krash322]

Wtf, you talking about lyrically tupac is not the greatest rapper.
Even Eminem at his prime would topple him.
It's his gimmick(being dead) is what made him more appreciated then he should be.
EM? are you friggin insane? that guy couldnt even hold 2pac's mic. all he's got is these teenypop wanna-be rap that these white dudes like. da guy has so little talent. da only reason why he's successful is these stupid white mofos who wanna be black think it makes them just that by listenin to his crap. his lyrics are as bland as his hair.

[gordholio]

Age old question?

[shad0w*]

EM? are you friggin insane? that guy couldnt even hold 2pac's mic. all he's got is these teenypop wanna-be rap that these white dudes like. da guy has so little talent. da only reason why he's successful is these stupid white mofos who wanna be black think it makes them just that by listenin to his crap. his lyrics are as bland as his hair.
I said even Eminem is better lyrically than Tupac, did I even meantion Eminem's fanbase? no. I was talking about his lyrics and his flow on the mic not for how famous he is. Anyways you and I know, hopefully, that the majority of people who attend concerts, buys cd, anything promoting these rappers are white.