Like I said in my post... Rap became regional by that time and in different regions people listened to different artist. And Juvenile was way hotter than Nas down here in this area and so was UGK and many others. Heck, Illmatic was released in 1994... Didn't go gold until 1996... And didn't go platinum until 2001. So a majority of his influence was on the east coast hip-hop scene. Jay-Z had the same problem with Reasonable Doubt which was the best album he ever recorded in my opinion (which was released in 1996 and didn't go platinum until 2006). Illmatic would definitely be in my top 10 for all time great rap albums though. But one great album that wasn't being listened to doesn't make him the best or most influential rap artist in my book. And you'd be hard pressed to find a rapper who grew up in the south or on the west coast who wasn't influenced by 2pac (which was another reason why artist like Jay-Z and Nas weren't getting much play down south and on the west coast).
Have to disagree on Rakim, he is one of the best to ever grace the mic. HE still measures up too... <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mnl7Q_IBXbw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I never said Nas is the MOST influential.. just saying no way there's 10 guys ahead of him in that department. You'd be underselling Nas BIG time.
#5 <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SfPLcQhXpCc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Spoiler Switch Paul with GZA
#4 Mos Def <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rx5aVI2zsFE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#3 Q-Tip <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WILyWmT2A-Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Rakim's work with DJ Premier was amazing, and it is not about "hits" If you are into real H.I.P H.O.P. Your Hip-Hop credentials have completely vanished. Disgusting post. Comparing George Michael to Rakim, Jeez... And I'm out of this thread, what happened to peace? <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nTBhn6NUOFE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Oh there's definitely 10 artist who are way more influential than Nas in rap music. Here's some off the top of my head... Bob Dylan, James Brown, George Clinton, Issac Hayes, Charlie Daniels Band, and Johnny F'n Cash... Rapping is nothing new. And I'm not under selling Nas... But in the south and on the west coast his album under sold. And if people in the south and on the west coast made their top ten list by who they were actually listening to... Nas and Rakim (without The President) won't be on a majority of those list. Someone in this thread said K-Rino was the best. He's been a local rapper in Houston since 1983 and a lot of people outside the south never heard of him. Line for line K-Rino can get with any rapper you mention https://youtu.be/yiqJvTFqVI4 He's like a scientist with his flows https://youtu.be/aa3355Xkh7Q He can go hard core or spiritual... Or he can just educate your azz https://youtu.be/O5mSWLnJXY0 I like Immortal Technique as well. He's out of the east coast and a lot of people in the south never heard of him. I ran across this album in 2005 and I've been hooked every since. Watch "Immortal Technique - Revolutionary Vol. 2 (Full Album)" on YouTube Immortal Technique - Revolutionary Vol. 2 (Full Album): https://youtu.be/CH3HnokBh8g Sorry I can't embed the videos but there are many rap artist like this that people never heard of because they are mainly regional and or underground. So for people who are saying guys like Nas and or Rakim have to be in other people's top 3-10 list are out of their damn minds.
Bro we get it... you love the South.. but please stop.. just stop right now. In one sentence you say Nas undersold in the south and the west, then you bring me guys that pretty much don't sell at all. I believe you were one of the first in this thread to caution against album sales as a metric to measure greatness. I understand there are awesome rappers that don't/didn't get much play. No diss to those guys, but if your reach is limited to two states, you're not very influential in the game. If you and your friends growing up were huge K-Rino fans growing up then that's awesome... but you have to take a step back and look at the game as a WHOLE. Rakim is a pioneer and an all-time great lyricist. Nas made the best rap album of all time and continues to be one of the most lyrically complex and influential rappers in the game. They are both hip hop Royalty
I can certainly respect other albums being touted as the best, but there has been no album more highly acclaimed. What would you put as your best album? Tell me quick before Remii comes in and says it was a Bob Dylan record:grin:
<iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/btB0clJQrzQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> I put DMX a lot higher than #9 ... ....... ....... .......
