₦airaland Forum

Yeah I agree Ready 2 Die made Biggie and not Life After Death. I'm not mixing things up. But you'll agree that Life After Death made Biggie larger than Ready To Die. I only felt if you say it took 4 albums to make Pac a legend, by the same token; it took Biggie two albums to make him a legend. Both cats were stars with their previous releases but became legends with the latter ones.

@Hannibal

I am never a commercial rap fan. . . . . .The tracks that make it for me in any album never makes it to the radio or MTV.
They don't even become singles. . . . They are the deep tracks only genuine rap heads can find.
Stillmatic got puppy after the first 7 tracks. . . .I cannot fault Nas. . . That particular album leaked so many of those songs were rushed to make the release date. That was what gave birth to "The Lost Tapes" Album.

Your theory.

2pac had 11 months to re-make himself. . . . . .That was where Makaveli was conceived and perfected.
The fact that Biggie/Puffy was making cheddarz while he was locked up even got him more angry.
He knew he had to work hard. Success is the only option, failure was unimaginable.
"Trapped", "Brenda's got a baby", "I get around"(very commerical, ) You have just referred me to 2 different albums.
This is why some school of thunks feel Biggie was better. . . .It took Pac 4 albums to achieve his stardom, it took BIG just one album.

Now, what are you saying here? Aiight, he evolved into Makaveli while in prison. That's not my headache. What I'm dealing with is his style, lyrics and all. And like I said earlier, anybody can be inspired or propelled by anything. Biggie had his own driving force. Has it ever occured to you that prolly the controversy Pac started on the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry could have sprung Biggie into limelight. Don't get me wrong. I place Pac and Biggie in my A-Class List of Rappers. They're the only two there. I don't rate one above the other. See, don't start a Biggie/Pac comparison here. I won't indulge in it. One was hip, the other was deep. Have you read The Rose That Grew From Concrete? And some of Pac's other poems? You would know Pac was a very deep brotha. Forget about your Prison Theory.

Some peops, in fact, more peops also think Pac was better. But like I said, the two are at par in my reckoning. And what's that you said about 4 albums to fetch Pac stardom? Pac's debut album, 2Pacalypse Now, gained critical recognition ever before he released his other albums. And Suge had more issues with Puffy/Biggie than Pac. Pac was just used by Suge to retaliate.
Life After Death fetched Biggie his legendary status. For Pac, it was All Eyez On Me. Forget the previous albums from the two cats. One album each made them stars.

And, you refer to "Trapped" and "Brenda's got a baby" as very commerical, I don't get your definition of a commercial song. Those are socially conscious rap songs dawg.

What's more, Pac's fourth album was All Eyez On Me (released in '96) but before then, he had several singles on Top 10 Billboard Singles -

1991: "Brenda's Got a Baby"
1991: "If My Homie Calls"
1993: "I Get Around"
1993: "Keep Ya Head Up"
1995: "Dear Mama"
1995: "Old School"
1995: "Me Against the World"
1995: "So Many Tears"

So, what point exactly are you making?

I like 2Pac. . . .Don't get me wrong. . . . . He was a very talented rapper but then Biggie was always ma number 1.
2pac's death kind of helped his legendary status. Honestly, he is a tad overrated albeit very good.
Have u heard "Lets get it on"? Please find it. . . . .You would feel what i am trying to say here.

You mention Let's Get It On as if it's relatively unknown, compared with his other tracks. Those lines were even featured in his Duets album on that track with Damian Marley. So, Biggie's status never helped his legendary status? Dude, I regard Biggie in awe. But honestly you're being biased here. Those two cats weigh pound for pound in my reckoning ^{*and of course I don't mean body weight*}

On the peops Eminem have dissed. . . . . .Where do i start??

Bill Clinton(Criminal)
George Bush(Mosh)
Arnold Schwarzenegger(Ass like that)
Dick & Lynne Cheney(Without Me)
Britney Spears(MM)
N-Sync, Backstreet Boys(MM)
Vanilla Ice(MM)
Christina Aguilera(I'm back)
Benzino(Nail in the coffin)
Canibus(Can-i-bitch)
Ja Rule n MURDA INC(Hail Mary remix)
Jermain Dupri(Say what u say)
Nelly(Detroit Grammar)
ICP(MM)
Hilary Duff(Ass Like that)
Michael Jackson(Lose it)
Janet Jackson(Ass like that). . . .and many more.

Homie, take a second look at your list. I guess you should be laughing. What a phoney, freaky list. We're mentioning real n****z like Nas, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep et al that Pac dissed and you come up with some list of peops like Bill Clinton, George Bush,
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dick & Lynne Cheney. Britney Spears, N-Sync, Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera(I'm back), ICP, Hilary Duff

Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson

These gays! You gotta be kidding me! This has gotta be a joke.

Come up with sumthn better next time.

@Hannibal

Firstly, i am mad at u for getting me up early to reply you.

Hehehe, don't be mad <sup>*I Ain't Mad At 'Cha*

I am not a commercial rap fan but then i was watching a documentary on Marshal Mathers LP on MTV Base some months ago and i had to give it to Eminem on his verve and panache he put in the production of that grand album. Bitch Please II single-handedly kills all the tracks u listed up there.
How can u tell me "criminal" and "amityville" are commercial??
The tracks that make it to MTV/Radio in any album most times are the worst ones.</sup>

You didn't get my point here. I meant those tracks of Nas I listed from Stillmatic are not commercial so maybe that's why you don't like them. If you ain't a commercial rap fan, you ought to like those tracks. And f it, you'll agree with me that talking about commercial rap, Em's a commercial rapper (though he's good). Nas is more street-conscious than Em ^{*'fact, no comparison here*} Well, you may be quite oblivious of it but methinks you love more of commercial rap.

Pac is intelligent(no doubt about that) but people forget he had loads of time on his hands to make those songs.
Prison life they say can be very boring. . . Compare 2pac before his prison sentence to 2pac/Makaveli(at Deathrow). Massive difference!!
What i like about Canibus is his vast range of knowledge. . . . This nigga can spew. Packaging/Production screwed him up big time.

Pac had loads of time? What kind of theory is this? This's ma first time of hearing this stuff. Was (and is) Pac the only rapper that's ever been to prison? So the boring prison life's what made Pac? Every rapper/artiste has his source of inspiration y'know? 2pac before prison was good. Was Keep Ya Head Up written after his incarceration? Trapped, Brenda's Got A Baby, I Get Around? Go listen to those four songs, particularly the first three and come back to tell me they weren't masterpieces. Pac had already developed an intelligent mind ever before he went to jail. Mind you, his debut album released in 1991 - 2Pacalypse Now is hailed by many critics and fans for its underground feel, with many rappers such as Nas and Talib Kweli having pointed to it as a source of inspiration for their rap careers.

And assuming without conceding that he prolly discovered more of himself in jail, that still goes to no issue. Like I said before, every rapper gets his inspiration from whatever.

Hit 'Em Up will always be number one. . . . It was a clash between the best 2 cats, best 2 record company.
It was more than Biggie diss. It was the battle of the Coasts.
Besides that, i think that was the first time anyone would mention names in a diss track.

2pac is a very good rapper but then he is over-rated. He became a gangstar after he shot to the limelight not BEFORE.
The only record he had with the law was "jay-walking" Can u beat that??
While em Biggie, Jigga and nas were hustling crack on the street. . . . .2pac was studying!!!!
So it's kind of funny when u hear him talk about gunz, drug hustling and other shitteryThis is why Biggie had more to say than Pac.

I think you should give your reasons for thinking Pac is over-rated. Look, I personally don't rate any rapper based on his gangster, hip, whatever life. I also don't rate 'em based on criminal records. I rate all artistes based upon what they're saying. Deep calls unto deep. I listen to lyrics from artistes, not news on them. That Biggie, Hova, Em and Nas were hustling crack don't mean nada to me. Forget all the wordplay and clever rhymes that easily hypnotize you, do those guys spit intelligently as Pac did?

Biggie had more to say than Pac. Dude, I personally have never been able to rate either of these two cats above the other. But your saying Biggie got more to say than Pac is ridiculous. You need to explain what you mean here. Prolly you mean Biggie had more narrative skills which I'll agree to. Biggie was good at the god of metaphors, imageries, vivid pictures, sick punchlines. But Pac was a deep lyricist. Pac addressed world issues that you and I are still dealing with today.

There's no 2pac album i don't have. . . . .ma iPod is a walking DJ(without the mixes)
I have heard "Against All Odds" where he dissed Nas and Mobb Deep but ALL OUT is a better song.

Of course All Out's phenomenal. But I was just looking at the diss side of things without the gunz, weed et al that you so much detest

Eminem has dissed more peops than Pac. . . . .if i make a list, i would waste valuable bandwidth so lets leave that.
Number of people he dissed cannot be a yardstick but the quality of the disses.
Surely, u have heard 2nd round K.O. That was a classic diss track. No thrills, No mucking about.

Please do make a modest list. I don't agree Em has dissed more peops than Pac. And of course, number of peops dissed is not a yardstick but quality. And still I say Pac's diss quality is untouchable. I keep saying you don't know 80% of Pac's tracks.

2nd Round Knock Out was terrific yeah. But before 10 guys in your hood woulda quote a line from that track, they'd have quoted 20 from Pac's Bomb First. Pac spews diss lines that are quotable quotes for the average or introspective listener. Not sci-fi ish that you gotta crack ya brain to remember.

That's what I'm talking about.

Why y'all stressing yourselves?

amechi213 = double six.

@Hannibal

Never under-estimate whatever Dr. Dre and Eminem put long hours of work into. . . . .
Stillmatic is 6 notches below the Marshal Mathers LP. Apart from the Intro, Ether, One Mic, Rewind and Smoking. . . .what else is on Stillmatic??
Bridge is Over was wack. . . . .My 2nd Childhood was rubbish and Flyest Gangstar with AZ was too watery.

'Course not. No under-estimation here. Dr. Dre I respect. Em I also do. But where did you get your 6 notches theory from? What about "Got Ur Self A, ",? And you refer to these as what else?

You're Da Man
Destroy & Rebuild
Braveheart Party
Rule
My Country

Dude, I thought you said you ain't a commercial rap fan.

You are making a costly error, hombre.
Slim Shady is different from Marshal Mathers LP. . . . . Marshal Mathers was Eminem's sophomore album and u can't fault that.
Tracks like "Kill You", "Stan", "Never Knew", "Marshal Mathers LP", "Amityville", "Criminal". . . They all blow Stillmatic apart into atoms.

Oh blimey, forgive ma error. Dunno why I keep mixing both titles up.

Ok, I'll accept Marshall Mathers kinda edges Stillmatic. Of course that's Em at his finest IMO. But Illmatic? Be honest. It was a journey through the soul of an intelligent black man. Talk about powerful narratives, floetry, complex rhyme patterns, clever word play, impressive vocab and lyrical substance. Those elements alone were what fetched Biggie King of New York. And in God's Son, the singular track "Made You Look" kills a merger of like four of the tracks you listed up there from Marshall Mathers LP.

Canibus would kill any rapper. . . . .His vast knowledge of subjects is the best in the Rap industry. . . .
Please go and cop these albums and feel it "Rip The Jacker", 2000 B.C. and Mic-Club. Listen to Poet Laureate(I-IV) tracks.
This cat spat on a single track lasting 14 mins non-stop and he was dissing and dropping metaphysics and pure science.
He even got to rap on a Fela instrumental. . . . .I was holding ma head in bliss listening n checking his breath control.
I am telling u Pac was lucky he died when he did. . . . . .Canibus would finish him in one go.

Yo I already heard all those tracks man. 'fact, I was still bopping ma head to Poet Laureate II yesterday through ma headphone (got it on ma playlist). And I loved that Fela beat.

But hold it there again dawg.

I repeat you're making an imbalanced comparison here. Canibus was dissing and dropping metaphysics and pure science don't mean he'll finish Pac if he steps to him dude. Agreed Canibus is a first-class diss rapper. That's his insignia. But Pac was is an intelligent rapper. Who cares 'bout 'em metaphysics and science? While Canibus is still reading up his science textbooks trying to choose his words, Pac would have dissed and messed him in about ten tracks in his signature prolific style Is Canibus or any other rapper as prolific as Pac? Most times, intelligence conquers cheekiness man. I leave the rest to your imagination. Go figure.

I have listened to enough Pac songs to know he is a tad over-rated . . All he talks about in his dissing is guns, mess bitches, Hennessey, Alize n weed.
This is no praise singing of these cats . . . . .It's the way they rhyme, clever words and their cheekiness.
Before i go any further. . . . . Go to youtube and listen to "Beasts From The East" . . . .Lost Boyz feat Busta, A+ and Canibus.
You will be convinced.

Now you've joined the bandwagon of those claiming Pac's over-rated. And talking 'bout dissing, go check this link:

www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/tupac%20tops%20diss%20list

Check out the list of top 20 diss tracks of all time. Pac's Hit 'Em Up, by poll, is number 1.

And to your guns, mess bitches, Hennessey, Alize n weed references, what about "Against All Odds", "Lil' Homies"? Sure you've not listened to 80% of Pac's songs.

Hell, who did this guy not diss in his days. Check the roll call:

Biggie
Ice Cube
Nas
Jay-Z
Mobb Deep
Fugees
Da Brat
LL Cool J
Lil' Kim
etc, etc

OMG, he dissed all your best rappers!

And last word, don't be pissed with all those gun talks et al. 'member I said he doesn't diss, he battles

@Gamine

D'oh.

Time is Tissue actually.

Yeah right.

Goodluck as you continue using it in your toilet ^{*and etc*}

Gamine you have time sha. So you took time to count those posts?

Time na money o.

Hannibal et Hardballer, for now let's forget their hits, skills and all. Cos even with those perimeters, I still won't place Em on the same level with Nas.

Now, let's talk about a battle. Hannibal, as much as I can't pre-empt either of both cats, ^{*they're both good no doubt*} I'll still tell you to slow down on this your Eminem Campaign. You analyse rap artistes well. But I think you sometimes blow their abilities out of proportion. How can you ask if any of Nas' albums can be compared with Em's Marshall Mathers? And then I'm sure you had a re-think when you quickly came back and said Illmatic and Stillmatic come close.

Come close? Dude, let's even forget Illmatic. Stillmatic kills Marshall Mathers anyday. Stillmatic is like a sight-seeing trip around the world in about an hour. That album is as intelligent as it can get. Marshall Mathers LP was good but I'll give the deserved five stars to only Conscience and My Name Is. In Stillmatic, I can't list the number of tracks that you prolly need to go listen to all over again.

Well, I think I digressed a bit. Now, the battle side of things. Both cats look like they'll tear it up. But 'member I told you not to be too quick to assume things. You compare Nas and Em like you're comparing Diddy and Canibus.

And oh, Canibus - what a great diss rapper. But please lap up that ish you vomitted about Canibus eating Pac in a battle . I nearly choked on my drink! I told you Pac doesn't diss, he battles - it's like a war. It's even a very imbalanced comparison.

Dude, like I said earlier - you analyze rappers well. But always take time to be modest with your praise-singing ^{*'member your posts on Fiddy?*}

Em would stop dead in his tracks with this song you're singing for him.

My days, this is the most mature, honest, sincere and sensible thread I've ever come across on Nairaland!

I mean, everyone is speaking the TRUTH with ONE voice - no bickering, no insults, no qualms.

What more can I say? You've all said it all. Especially @YourFather, you deserve an award for those words. You just took them right out of my mouth keyboard! Particularly your observations on DJs, VJs, et al. They're the ones killing this game. They glorify money + mediocrity over talent.

Can't say more - I'll just be repeating what most of you guys have said.

@Hannibal

Notorious B.I.G.--------READY TO DIE.

Seconded.

Get Down - Nas (Godson)

Also seconded.

B-A-D.

I'll appreciate that my man ^{*no funny ideas o, I don't do that*}

Haba, guys no insult abeg.

Let Mode and Rugged be. Both of 'em rock.

Java, I'll continue to say you need to slow down on all this Modenine hype. If he's the same 9 I listen to, he's not on that pedestal you place him.

And stop crucifying Rugged, he's not as bad as you paint him either.

Righty!

Mode spits knowledge, Rugged spins club-bangers ^{*in a relative sense that is*}

Ja Rule: One wrong move and the rest is history

Hehehe, that dude's at the edge of a precipice!

On the naija scene, can we drag Charly Boy into this?

Aiight, saw your email in your profile ^{*I'm not a producer anyway*}

Best you provide your email to receive replies. ^{*in a business sense*}, Dunno of any producer that'll provide his price tag for public consumption

^{*These ones are mostly (quasi-) metaphors, quotables and wordplays (since they're also allowed)*}

This rule is so under-rated
Keep your family and business completely separated

- Notorious B.I.G (10 Crack Commandments)


Your brain is a terrible thing to waste

- Notorious B.I.G (Sky's The Limit)


Follow the rules or follow them fools that die

- Tupac (Heavy In The Game)


My tongue is power, it thrills women, kills demons

- Nas (No Idea's Original)


But if we can hump dead animals and antelopes
Then there’s no reason that a man and another man can’t elope

- Eminem (Real Slim Shady)


Me and my man jumpin out Sedans
Tappin your jaw, like Sugar Ray did Duran

- Redman (Da Goodness)


They say sleep is the cousin' of death
So my eyes wide open because a dream is kin to ya last breath

- The Game (Dreams)


Aiyyo, I think about when a nigga didn't have (YEAH)
and a nigga told a joke, and the bitches didn't laugh

- DMX (What These B****es Want From A N***a)

Live, MNC takes the trophy.

Studio-recorded, Infinity carries the day.

Lets include groups like Rooftop MCs. . .

These guys have denied being gospel artistes

Oh well, it's arguably the best rap diss.

How could I forget Canibus? That guy is a cannibal man. He eats his foes raw.

I quite agree with you on all other points except when you said Hit 'Em Up's over-rated. Like I said, it's debatable as a best rap diss but then it's not over-rated. I think I just rated it from the angle of the most popular diss that rode on a whole crew, record label and all that. I don't even like the verses like I do the outro. Those words were straight-up fierce, ferocious and strong missiles. And they were freestyle.

Overall, my point's just that Pac kinda battles. His level is different from dissing. His voice, attitude and lyrics kill when he battles. On the other hand, Nas, Canibus, Em etc diss.

Hardballer:
im a big nas fan and all but i feel eminem will lyrically consume nas

Hannibal:
I quite agree with you.
When Eminem is angry. . . . There's no rapper out there that can touch him.

You guys should slow down.

Fine, I feel Em. I like him too; he's good lyrically. But don't over-estimate him. The way you're comparing him with Nas, one would think he's way way above him. Nah, I don't agree. Maybe put them to the test first - let 'em battle and then we'll judge.

And Hannibal, I don't think there's any rap diss out there that's as hot as Pac's Hit 'Em Up. So I really want to believe when you said there's no rapper that can touch 'Em in his elements, Pac wasn't inclusive. I sincerely believe your words no rapper out there means living rappers? Cuz no one can dare Pac when it comes to diss. Go listen to tracks like Bomb First, Against All Odds, All Out to mention but a few. Fact is he doesn't even diss, he kills (it's like a battle, man).

Thus far, eliminating Pac from that list; I still think you can't quickly judge that Em'll consume Nas lyrically. Nas is very good at battles. His Ether and Wanna Be Me (track dropped in 8 Mile) are evidence of this. I'm yet to hear any of Em's diss tracks that are that hot. Em's crazy with diss yeah but he doesn't connect on that serious level ^{*if you know wha'Imean*}. He clowns, makes you laugh, bla bla but overall effect is you just keep wondering - what was that? Nas is [b]nas[/b]ty and ill when he disses. He despises his enemies. He's got a lil bit of Pac in him when he's dissing.

They both come from different angles anyway. And they're both good. But if I was you, I'll tread a bit more carefully in judging who's better (in a rap battle that is cuz aside that, Nas comes before Em on my list of top rappers). Let's wait for them to slug it out/battle before we judge.

Though not a P² fan, I must confess they did well on "Temptation", "No One Like You" and "Ifunaya". The overall feel of those songs was good.

Nine Java, what exactly was Nine were you doing with Rugged in that pic?

*humming Bob Marley's famous line in Get Up, Stand Up <sup>"You can fool some people sometime, but you can't fool all the people all the time"*

*now thinking - let me just withhold my full comments on this one cuz if I start, peops'll start thinking it's bad belle*

*also thinking - falsehood may run/hide for years, but truth will overtake/expose it in a day*

*finally thinks - maybe some peops are just talented at copying others*</sup>

Javalove is the guy in red shirt and dark blue fez cap ^*Modenine*

@YourFather

Let me start by saying, you are someone I have come to appreciate his point of view.

Feeling's mutual my brother.

. . . maybe labeling it culture was the mistake

I can't agree more. I think labelling the issue here "culture" is somewhat ambiguous. It connotes several ^{contradictory} meanings. The main issue here is; as much as possible, be natural at what you do - don't fake it. Culture is a silent ingredient of originality.

I have the impression some peops here are not getting Ijero's point, hence their criticism of his post.

My understanding of what he's saying is simple: Put quality into your video production. In fact, make it at par with international standards. But be real, be original. For me, you look impish when you fake things

@Yourfather

As I write, I'm wearing all-imported clothings. And my computer ain't Nigerian-made. But you summed up what we're saying here when you said the following:

Being Nigerian would have to be our hearts, our pride, the way we sing, most of, our mentality.

Very apt. Very accurate.

But you missed the point when you said:

And it doesn't matter what you , have in your videos.

Videos connote something higher than you think. Look, I enjoy watching MTV. I love a whole lotta foreign stuff. I love Americans. But the difference is knowing how to keep a balance. If you're natural, your mentality, pride and heart would reflect in your music and videos. Nothing stops you from using foreign technology in your videos but when your video becomes so artificial that nothing is real in it, you need to take a break ^{*you probably need to meditate on this to understand*}

We would all be lying if we say most imported stuff are not better than our local stuff. They are way way better. But when it comes to singing/videos, acting and some other activities in this category, better be yourself man. It really pays off in the long run. And nobody said you shouldn't speak English.

And that takes me to Chiogo.

Sing in English language. Rap likewise. But when an African and an Englishman stand side to side, quote me you would and should still know the difference. That's how it should be. English language is our lingua franca but when you speak English, it sounds good when you do it naturally. If you were born and bred in London and as such, you can speak through your nose, fine. It sounds good. But if not, don't just fake it. It sounds horrible. When a West African man speaks his natural English, you easily identify him as such. Same for East Africans, etc. The overall test here is being natural. It's the message you're passing across that matters in the long run ^{*although that doesn't mean you should sound razz*}

And for the two videos you mentioned, I don't quite agree with you. "African Queen" was performed completely in English language. But the video was uniquely African. And it doesn't matter whether those foreign peops know it was Nigerian so long as they know it's African. You would be shocked to hear me say I've never for once liked that song. But the video? 'Twas great. That's what we're talking 'bout here.

I agree whole-heartedly that u don't have to speak a Nigerian tongue or scream 'nigeria' in your video to show your Nigerian-ness. But we should still be able to identify where you're coming from (if truly as I said earlier you were born and bred here; as such, the likes of Sade, Seal, Tunde Lighthouse are not to blame here as they were not).

These P-Queer boys you mentioned is even the high point of this thread. Those boys have never ever impressed me in the history of their musical career. Music and video wise. They suck. Gosh! I puke. They nauseate me. Haba Chiogo Everyone who is truthful to himself or herself knows those boys are Usher-wannabes. They always appear like a bunch of confused folks to me. I just can't pin-point a style, a theme, a head or tail of their "music". Funny thing is they're making money ^{*maybe off gullible peops*} But some fools make money. And some sages don't. So before you quickly jump on that one, money ain't the yardstick here.

Bottom line, I keep saying, is - Be real. Be original.

When you are, people will feel it. When you're not, they also will.

A word is enuff for the wise ^{*I've spoken a thousand*} Nuff said.

mrjuwon:
I cosign the poster to a certain extent. i believe its all about pride. We need to be proud of our language and country regardless of how messed up it is. I get really upset when people describe traditional Nigerian musicians as rass. I really hate that word. A lot of people used to describe 9ice as rass but now everyone is jumping on his privates especially after he performed at the Mandela concert. Artistes like Fela, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Lagbaja, 2face Idibia to mention but a few have reached or are reaching worldwide popularity that the likes of P Square can only pray and aspire to reach by being genuine and real. Be it singing in Yoruba or broken English. There is nothing bad in listening to Obesere (albeit he is a bit dirty with what he says), Ayuba, 9ice, Nigga Raw. These guys are representing. Our so called rap and rnb stars would only get home and national exposure at his rate because when they get to the international level, you would never be able to put P Square against Pretty Ricky to say the least. I say Nigerian musicians should stay repping our proud roots and culture. Last Lagbaja and Sunny Ade show I went to had literally the same amount of white people as black people. Obviously the two of them are doing something right and thats being genuine. The latest hype is a greek guy singing Gongo Aso. At this point, we must admit there is a pattern developing in the kind of Nigerian music that blows up beyond our Nigerian borders.

Please do not get me started on the South African shot videos. Dj Tee shot Banky W's Ebute Metta video entirely in Nigeria and that video is one of the realest videos you would see on TV without needing to go to South Africa. It added to the essence of the video rather than take away from it.

You have just spoken like an oracle.
@poster

You too.

Not really that I like rock but Cranberries just engage me anytime, especially with that Zombie song. First time I heard it was around the late 90s and it was so captivating. I love Delores' verses/voice

Haven't heard the intro you mentioned but I'll listen and get back @ ya

@Eldee

Even if Pac were alive, he wouldn't have changed the verse

We're not talking 'bout changing verse here. We're talking 'bout two rappers who did not go to same studio on same day to drop verses on same song, back to back.

Jay-Z and Em recorded Renegade fully conscious of each other's abilities. And we know who won.

50 and Em recorded Peep Show et al fully conscious of each other's abilities. We also know who won.

And I can go on and on.

But when it came to Tupac's turn, Em rapped next to Pac's lines which had been recorded many many years ago. And then you're telling me there was a competition? Same for Biggie's "Dead Wrong". Why not try; Kung-Fu Competition 2008: Bruce Lee V. Jackie Chan

And yet with all the advantage Em got, Pac still dropped him to his knees. Even in death. Pac's lines on that verse was like a lion roaring while Em came up later like a pussy cat. Em's lines in that joint were some of his most serious ever. Cos he knew he was playing with an icon. He mustered all his courage, skills, prowess to rap with him. Yet Tupac won.

Maybe you need to do some Psychology course to understand the point I'm making here. Nuff said.

C'mon 'They can search but they'll never find, they can try to rewind time'
So because he didn't come to say 'Keep your families in shape' you say his verse wasn't heavy?
While Pac was saying 'Remember this face save me a space in Thugz mansion', Biggie was saying 'When I die I want to go to hell'
Tell me who dropped the better album?
Look at Kanye Vs Jay Z on Diamonds from Sierra Leone Remix . . . Science doesn't always win

Because Pac was conscious don't mean shit . . . the ending part of the first verse coulda come from Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton for all I care
I'm telling you, posting Em's lyrics never justifies him enough, that line is the best way to spend one minute
C'mon . . . gimme your i-tunes email ad . . . I'll send it to you again

So, you're telling me that Em's "search and find, rewind time, there will never be another you" ish makes more sense or sounds better to your hearing than Pac's "Keep your families in shape"?  Is better than "Communities in need of people that will lead" Is better than "Greed, brings only misery, a way to tragedy" Is better than "My ghetto queen, rise, don't be afraid to try" And better than "My brother be wise, stay focused on the prize" 

Is it!!!

In one breath Pac addressed:
1) Individual issues
2) Family issues
3) Communal issues
4) World issues

He spoke to males and females alike. He decried greed, the bane of our society. He addressed issues that affect us all. And you tell me that wasn't enough? Eldee, you would be better than you are now if not for the greed, corruption and other ills of your fellowmen.

Dude, you petrified me out of my wits with your words "Because Pac was conscious don't mean shit". I would rather stick to a rapper who addresses issues of life and reality, instead of a rapper just rhyming and being hip. Dude, have you ever heard the saying "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care"? Tupac Cares ^{*Keep Ya Head Up*} when he spits. I would rather listen to a message that comes from the heart instead of one that comes from the head.

Take this lesson: You would always need to listen to any Pac's verse two, three, four, nay, eight times before you can fully decipher what he says. And with a good headphone.

And I won't even go into that Kanye/Jay-Z/Biggie dust you're raising there. It's a subject for another day thread.

@Eldee

Even if Pac were alive, he wouldn't have changed the verse

We're not talking 'bout changing verse here. We're talking 'bout two rappers who did not go to same studio on same day to drop verses on same song, back to back.

Jay-Z and Em recorded Renegade fully conscious of each other's abilities. And we know who won.

50 and Em recorded Peep Show et al fully conscious of each other's abilities. We also know who won.

And I can go on and on.

But when it came to Tupac's turn, Em rapped next to Pac's lines which had been recorded many many years ago. And then you're telling me there was a competition? Same for Biggie's "Dead Wrong". Why not try; Kung-Fu Competition 2008: Bruce Lee V. Jackie Chan

And yet with all the advantage Em got, Pac still dropped him to his knees. Even in death. Pac's lines on that verse was like a lion roaring while Em came up later like a pussy cat. Em's lines in that joint were some of his most serious ever. Cos he knew he was playing with an icon. He mustered all his courage, skills, prowess to rap with him. Yet Tupac won.

Maybe you need to do some Psychology course to understand the point I'm making here. Nuff said.

C'mon 'They can search but they'll never find, they can try to rewind time'
So because he didn't come to say 'Keep your families in shape' you say his verse wasn't heavy?
While Pac was saying 'Remember this face save me a space in Thugz mansion', Biggie was saying 'When I die I want to go to hell'
Tell me who dropped the better album?
Look at Kanye Vs Jay Z on Diamonds from Sierra Leone Remix . . . Science doesn't always win

Because Pac was conscious don't mean shit . . . the ending part of the first verse coulda come from Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton for all I care
I'm telling you, posting Em's lyrics never justifies him enough, that line is the best way to spend one minute
C'mon . . . gimme your i-tunes email ad . . . I'll send it to you again

So, you're telling me that Em's "search and find, rewind time, there will never be another you" ish makes more sense or sounds better to your hearing than Pac's "Keep your families in shape"? Is better than "Communities in need of people that will lead" Is better than "Greed, brings only misery, a way to tragedy" Is better than "My ghetto queen, rise, don't be afraid to try" And better than "My brother be wise, stay focused on the prize"

Is it!!!

In one breath Pac addressed:
1) Individual issues
2) Family issues
3) Communal issues
4) World issues

He spoke to males and females alike. He decried greed, the bane of our society. He addressed issues that affect us all. And you tell me that wasn't enough? Eldee, you would be better than you are now if not for the greed, corruption and other ills of your fellowmen.

Dude, you petrified me out of my wits with your words "Because Pac was conscious don't mean shit". I would rather stick to a rapper who addresses issues of life and reality, instead of a rapper just rhyming and being hip. Dude, have you ever heard the saying "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care"? Tupac Cares ^{*Keep Ya Head Up*} when he spits.

Take this lesson: You would always need to listen to any Pac's verse two, three, four, nay, eight times before you can fully decipher what he says. And with a good headphone.

And I won't even go into that Kanye/Jay-Z/Biggie dust you're raising there. It's a subject for another day thread.