DID NAS CHANGE THE GAME MORE THAN RAKIM, BIG L, LORD FINESSE, BIG DADDY KANE, SLICK RICK, BIGGIE?

[@easyrider3066]

Rakim -Timeless, cause age don't count in the booth when your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth...Classic

[@romeod7549]

💯 Nas 49 and what he did on KDIII would of been bananas for a 21 year old. Nigga is timeless in the booth.

[@IENetworkTV]

GOOD LORD SAY IT AGAIN

[@StevenBB222]

Beautiful!!

[@Beatbanguni]

Sounds so good i read it multiple times 🔥🤣

[@Sean1877]

@@IENetworkTV Rakim's own words

[@alfonsojeff1957]

If you take the time and listen to every year of hiphop from its birth. When you get to Nas, he’s able to be the mind, 1st and 3rd person POV in the same verse. That’s insane

[@joonashannila8751]

No-one can take away what Rakim, and G Rap did to lyricism.

[@repentyasharahla7632]

G Raps flow aged better…

[@repentyasharahla7632]

@@PreCognition777 that’s a lie…. G raps is timeless but not Rakims … that I control the microphone in my zone a hit ya dome flow is SUPER dated… I know he had better bars then that but that’s definitely his flow

[@brianlarkins4250]

The gods of Hip hop but they don't have I gave you power Nas

[@repentyasharahla7632]

@@PreCognition777 never said I don’t like it though. I like old school but I can say my opinion.

[@KtotheG]

@@repentyasharahla7632 Both G. Rap and Rakim adapted their flows to the times.. They weren't rapping the same in the '90s-'10s as they were in the '80s. I think Rakim is still efficient today, but G. Rap is starting to slow down. When he killed that verse on Mobb Deep's "The Realest" back in '99, that was the illest shit out... arguably verse of the year. Since then, he hasn't had that many standout performances, but Rakim has.

[@SmithGrindEnt]

Nas is 4 decades in to his career.. still looking fly, dropping classic albums, rhyming like he's got something to prove. Please, no one is even close to him

[@LIBERATIONUNIT]

@vernonjohnson1198Nas has said way more that and said it more fly. Rakim is the God. But Nas has a wayyyyy better flow. Stop my G. Listen to Nas Is Good, War Against Love, Ghetto Prisoners, Sincerely To The Feds. Stop bro.

[@DreDon-rs8ne]

​​@vernonjohnson1198WHEN YOU HAVE SCHOLARS AND AUTHORS QUOTING YOUR RHYMES THAT MAKES YOU A BIG DEAL. HE ELEVATED THE LYRICISM IN HIP HOP TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL. NAS IS THE DEFINITION OF BEING A STUDENT OF THE GAME. HE DOESNT JUST RAP HE DOES HIS HOMEWORK AND HAS STUDIED HIP HOP NOT JUST AS AN ARTIST BUT AS A FAN TOO. HE PAYS HOMEAGE TO THE GREATS THAT CAME BEFORE. EVERY ALBUM HE ADDS HUNDREDS OF NEW WORDS INTO HIS RHYMES THATS NOT YOUR AVERAGE RAPPER PLUS ALL THE SUBJECT MATTERS HE HAS SPOKEN ON OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS NO RAPPER HAS DONE IT THIS BIG AND TO BE APART OF HIP HOP WHICH IS TURNT 50 YEARS OLD TODAY. THIS IS HISTORY NEVER SEEN BEFORE! Off course Rakim kool g rap are he's main inspiration too but rakim didn't stay competitive 30 years after he started them man are just chilling. Nas is still competing. Big Respect to that !

[@masemboross4996]

⁠​⁠@vernonjohnson1198this man just said Nas doesn’t say anything uplifting..

[@kyrie9312]

True imo

[@supremesun4580]

Nas definitely changed the trajectory of Hip Hop with Flow, Word Play, Vision in Storytelling & a whole lot more!

[@supremesun4580]

Yo Vernon! Rakim is and was that Guy back in 86 and a decade and a half later. Krs 1 is still getting busy. Slick Rick was that dude in 86(MC Ricky D) for a few years. Got locked up but had some success later in the 2000s + Kool G Rap just dropped a new project…. Cool but…..NASIR JONES change the Game to the Highest Peak with Illmatic and It Was Written 94 96 but before that He changed the game with His 1st time rhyming on Live at The BBQ. To present Day KD3…. “Name a rapper that NAS ain’t influence” Vernon!!!! Name 1 Vernon.. He influenced those before Him and Teenage Rappers RIGHT NOW!

[@boomdoxful2533]

Yes, with the details…and being so vivid you can see it by closing your eyes

[@Tariq0826]

​@@boomdoxful2533 Slick Rick did that

[@803rob]

Nas is the greatest of all time. Still dropping classics. 30 summers

[@teddybrukshot1801]

Then his daddy ,Kool g is alpha Omega

[@KtotheG]

@@teddybrukshot1801 I don't get the people who keep pointing to one rapper as a Nas influence, as if he just grafted his whole style from one dude. That's not true. Nas studied everyone before him and took bits and pieces to create his style...If you listen closely, you can hear everyone... it's not just G. Rap or Rakim. You can also hear Slick Rick, BDK, Lord Finesse, Tragedy, Shan, etc. Dude really studied lyricism and emceeing.

[@teddybrukshot1801]

@@KtotheG most definitely but Kool g is his daddy because he brought him to mc search , him and papoose and jinx the juvy! But you are right nukas are basic straight up

[@caramelking-zf8wu]

Sh*...t Simps Say !

[@THEREALMOEMONEY]

People say anything

[@rtb_milli8186]

Don’t think people understand the impact Nas has on the scene not only is his albums classic it’s his longevity is what makes him so great he was still in his teens when he made illmatic he 100% shifted rap. Rakim was way before my time but from what I heard he is 100% a legend in his own right💯

[@mrworkowt5419]

Regardless though Rakim invented lyricism and Nas Jay Z or no one else has overshadowed rakim's lyricism and how he opened the rap game up.

[@Ziggy_Poitier]

Rakim is to Nas what Ip man is to Bruce Lee 💯💯🤞🏾

[@davwebster6196]

@vernonjohnson1198dude you’re obsessed with Nas. Jealous much 😂

[@TheRealLeonardWashington]

Illmatic alone was a game changer. It’s arguably the most notable album in hip hop history. Nas is your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper

[@alanduff1054]

NO that would be RAKIM

[@slicricK]

Crazy that he made that album so young

[@dretheman123]

@@alanduff1054 With all due respect, Rakim isn’t as versatile and hasn’t had the longevity like Nas. Rakim is a legend for sure, but Nas is 100% on another level. It’s 2023 and Nas is out here still dropping heat back to back like it was the mid 90’s.

[@alanduff1054]

@@dretheman123 OF COURSE but the subject was who CHANGED the game MORE..

[@illstormsixty6993]

@@dretheman123 obviously you've not listened to the God. Nas had several greats to take from. Rakim was an original. As far as longevity...a dope mc is a dope mc with or without a record deal all can see- KRS 1

[@greendro6410]

Nas is a living legend that change the rap game when he first came out.

[@JW-1089]

Gotta love this conversation. Gen Z need to study those who built hip hop.

[@slicricK]

That’s why it’s dying I have friends early 30 that don’t know anything pre 2000

[@Instant_Nerf]

They can’t even read or agree what a boy or girl is.. good luck then understanding real topics.

[@nimmha6708]

I dunno if it's really generational.. I see peeps above 30 who don't know a thing about who the pioneers are, what came from who and where, but I also see youngsta's that actually know waddup..

[@ravonnepoole6779]

Yes.

[@dianevrules]

It wasnt Nas who built hip hop or changed the game. Last time I checked, Nas was a wannabe Rakim and Kool G Rap. AZ is the motherf7&^ who truly changed the game for good, lyrically. He easily destroyed Nas on that bs Illmatic album.

[@empresto7516]

Nas and Rakim were both trailblazing all way up but in different paths. It's like two different scientists on different endeavors but both doing it in the name of science. It's hard to weigh in on who's more important, who's much greater.

[@jman1562001]

Def... Nas got the more mainstream light when the mid 90s hit....Ra was in a different space when the 90s came. He had to reintroduce himself in 96 when he came back cause the game changed so much.

[@lwrncjms]

Both are innovators. Kinda like the guy that invented the telephone but then another guy came along and invented the cellphone

[@cidanarch]

Trust me. If Nas died after it was written the rap game wouldn't be as passive as it is about his powers. Nas is the best rapper of the Golden Era and one of the best still rapping today!

[@Serching4JerryGarcia]

Rakim was a watershed moment in rap. The way we viewed bars and rhymes changed after Rakim. Everyone else who came after just continued the evolution.

[@bert3163]

The was Before Rakim and After Rakim. And it was a matter of weeks. Incredible.

[@abrahampalmer8761]

Facts

[@thechipper613]

@Vernon Johnson you are correct my brother tell these dudes that no one has ever tried to disrespected the God MC rakim he is called that for a reason I'm going to see who will respond to what you said I meet and chilled with the God here in Philadelphia when he comes for a show and now he had DJ jazzy Jeff for his DJ but your so right my guy for your knowledge of the God MC

[@justinriley6120]

Rakim and G-Rap changed the game lyrically.

[@jamaaldavis7907]

Nas is somewhere else wit it....rakim n g rap didn't have nas longevity......

[@jamaaldavis7907]

& consistency.....

[@ritzkola2302]

@@jamaaldavis7907 They came in at the bedrock of rap and had to make it all from scratch. No influences, nothing to work with, 16 bars and 3hooks wasn’t established, nothing. It was all brand new when they came in and there was so much less money involved. By the mid 90s Rap was the dominant music genre for Black Americans and the amount of money had ballooned. Money = longevity. That’s on top of all the artists having a foundation to with with, music styles/performances to study, labels pushing rap (the machine was dedicated to serving and spreading it), and a fan base with a now developed taste for the genre that was readily to be consumers. It’s not a fair comparison. You’d have to compare Nas with someone like Snoop or Jay Z or Bun B. Artists from that time period. Out of those names he’s only more relevant than Bun B and that depends on what part of the country you’re in. Alabama to Texas/Oklahoma part of the South they playing Bun B. He’s toured those places and worked with more artists from there. Nas is big on the east coast Massachusetts,NJ, Delaware because that was his stomping ground. Nas albums get released and nobody plays them today. Snoop and Jay are on completely different levels. Snoop was dropping hits all throughout the 00s. Jay was doing the same. Snoop came out recently and said him and Dre are currently working on music. The anticipation behind that is humongous. Bigger than Nas getting back with premo or Pete roc. Southern music has taken over. Even west coast music still has relevance. Midwest music is second to Southern. But that east coast sound is gone. The new east coast sound is just a combination of Midwest/Southern beats. Literally.

[@Karmaisabliss215]

They did change it lyrically but Nas took it further for sure. And without them Nas wouldn't of had the influence to consider

[@dianevrules]

@@jamaaldavis7907 Nas couldnt hold a candle to AZ. Nas was just a pop artist who got big off of Rakim and Kool G Rap flows, mixed with an MJ sample. AZ washed Nas on that bs Illamtic album.

[@melvinlovejones9722]

It's no question that Nas changed the game. His smooth flow and abstract lyrics raised the bar for rap lyricists.

[@idrispalmer5049]

Nah Nas didn't change the game, he took the game, studied it, and elevated it to it's highest level.

[@alanduff1054]

FACTS detected... NOBODY changed the game more than RAKIM

[@CJRozay]

That’s the answer right here, I love it

[@kg6987]

On point 💯

[@kouleeofficial]

That’s called changing the game.

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

@Kou Lee Exactly! Folks being extra for nothing lol

[@QuadirBrown-xt7iv]

Nas definitely elevated the game like no one ever did. Particularly with East Coast hip hop.

[@jayyarbrough9902]

Paid in Full did more than turn a corner from the simpler louder style of most early eighties rappers. It was suddenly cool to sit down and nod your head and be amazed. He was so hard, he didn't have to ever to talk about hard shit. He spent a good chunk of his bars talking about his religious belief system!

[@eastgate6134]

I used to stare at that album cover for hours

[@dezman60]

Paid in Full ushered in raps modern era & was the bridge between the old school & the new...

[@empowerptboxingcoach1262]

I actually think Follow the Leader was the better album. Ra went up another level

[@jayyarbrough9902]

@@empowerptboxingcoach1262 Debating the first two albums by quality is common. But you can't compare the impact of Paid in Full to anything else. It's the album that made Hip Hop hunger for lyrics.

[@dezman60]

@@jayyarbrough9902 Exactly!

[@mpjdu2425]

Nas is the first rapper With backpack street knowledge with conscious rap while being a great storyteller . Niggas used to think you could only be in one lane . Nas did it all

[@aldrickgill4444]

You mean nas does it all! Covers all bases as an MC!

[@tr984]

Glad east is getting shown some love he’s underrated fr he got bars

[@seancagney8897]

East is dope.... Agreed.

[@ChanceMinus]

Nas' pen is phenomenal. Illmatic is extraordinary.

[@jahova10]

I think Illmatic was the first super produced hip hop album. I’m not sure if there was an album prior that had that had producers from that many groups/crews. I think that was a game changer

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

Heavy D had Teddy Riley Marley Marl Pete Rock HitMan Howie Tee and Eddie F produce on one album way before illmatic

[@jahova10]

@@MrWARBUCKS24 Heavy D’s first album. I was not aware it had that many legendary producers. I remember 90’s rappers used mostly in house production.

[@bolder2009]

@@MrWARBUCKS24 But that album was not as influential. I mean even Rakim was influenced by illmatic. The 18th Letter was definitely influenced by illmatic as far as production. After illmatic, Rakim hooked up with Premier and Pete Rock.

[@bolder2009]

@Vernon Johnson Rakim was definitely influenced by illmatic in the choice of producers and sonic direction he went in for The 18th Letter. And that interview he did with Nas where they sat side by side, he was asked about how he felt when he first heard Nas. He emphasised how it made him feel.

[@bolder2009]

@Vernon Johnson I read what you wrote and I don't agree that Rakim wasn't influenced by illmatic. It's pretty obvious why he went with Pete Rock and DJ Premier for the core sound of The 18th Letter. A track like New York (Ya Out there) has the sonic influence of illmatic which was the new emcee standard for the era, because of who it was produced by. I never said anything about Rakim being influenced by Nas or illmatic as far as rapping and lyricism.

[@underconstruction778]

When Rakim dropped paid in full, that made all the youngsters think about getting paid. The Big, Nas, Jay generation. That one song low key brought the Streets to HipHop in the biggest way

[@thecunninlynguist]

I'd argue yes. He took what Ra laid down and expanded upon it and had many others copy.

[@StevenBB222]

Nas Is Very Very LEGEND

[@BobbyPolite87]

You're describing the essence, that feeling you get when certain rappers catch your attention with lyrical content with a high degree of style personality and intricate wordplay. A writers ability to make timeless music always comes from our connections to past memories and experiences. Hip hop (The Essence)🎙👑🐐📀🔉🎧🎼💯

[@Escobaz96]

That's a fact 💯, East not bugging!!!

[@NOP215]

Rakim, G Rap, KRS, Slick Rick, LL, Chuck D, and Kane! Set the foundation for the 🐐's in the 90's!.

[@jeromegolden7245]

As a punchline lyricist, I'll forever be in debt to Lord Finesse for pioneering our style.

[@teddybrukshot1801]

The Bronxes, big daddy Kane metaphor genius! That may have ruined his rap career ! Trying to keep his metaphor coming like mcgriddles ! Gets hard to make relevant song like this! Cassidy mastered that but ain't marketble

[@KtotheG]

Big Daddy Kane is the punchline godfather

[@kimmiew7501]

Can’t mention NAS without AZ

[@teddybrukshot1801]

@@kimmiew7501 love you already

[@teddybrukshot1801]

@@kimmiew7501 love you already

[@meta_wav]

Yeah I love these types conversations man...peace to MATH, Dave East and the rest of the guys 🙏🏾💯

[@illstormthornton9356]

Nas was called the next coming of Rakim when he arrived on the scene

[@vernonclark287]

For me the answer is yes..Nas was the first(for me) to combine being conscious and street. Poetic and lyrical. I got a list of people who I think is better and a smaller list of who I think is "greater" but Nas will always be my personal GOAT.

[@MICjordanTPR]

For YOU maybe but objectively Rakim did it 7 years earlier.

[@bolder2009]

I'd be interested to see both of those lists

[@ultrablack9293]

Don't forget KRS-1.

[@vernonclark287]

@@ultrablack9293 I didn't.. it's still Nas for me

[@vernonclark287]

@Vernon Johnson Respect..Rakim was little before my time so I had to listen to him after the fact. He definitely one of the greatest but he from a era when I was too young to even know what rap was. I guess Nas would be my era's Rakim.

[@keyitnam]

Aside from his flow, fashion, and other intangibles.. at that time labels assigned a producer for your album (for expenses, sequencing and mixing purposes Im told). Credit to Large Pro and Serch but Nas and Illmatic is game changing cause they went outside a label gathering a multitude of producers sequenced their own sound for Illmatic

[@DaKingisDead]

I listened to Illmatic more when it dropped(whipping the Town Car) than I listened to Paid in Full(Jeep Cherokee) but they were both cutting edge at the time...I always liked listening in the car first back in the day, now I usually listen first in headphones. They both changed the game in their perspective decades, but a lot of artists kept upping the ante in both decades. Slick Rick was the standard-bearer for polished lyricism in his time...can't forget KRS-One, PE, Snoop, Pac even The Fugees and Lauryn; they were all movements unto themselves.🃏²³°

[@skinnyminnieog]

All of them changed it in their own way, the changed that Nas created is a little different because he still in it he never left, he pivoted but still stayed true to his style

[@boomdoxful2533]

How did he pivot? He’s still spitting fire till this day

[@skinnyminnieog]

@@boomdoxful2533 when I say “pivot” he did many things outside of just music…from bevel blade, producing documentaries/movies, crypto, etc

[@tornatic1983]

Nas was influenced heavy by Rakim, Kool G Rap, Slick Rick, KRS. If you look at his style he's a combination of them all and then he took it to another level with his creativity and concept songs. (I Gave You Power, Rewind, etc....)

[@janga75]

He bit i gave you power from organized konfusion. Go listen to stray bullet from OK.

[@tornatic1983]

@@janga75 Im a hip hop head. I already know about Stray Bullet. I Gave You Power is an amazing song in its own right whether he bit or not

[@Mr1and14orth]

Nobody ever mentions Jeru's influence on Big..That's who I want to see on the show, Jeru The Damaja!

[@MasterFFYL]

Yes Jeru The Damaja definitely

[@Synchronite]

Expound on that Wym Jeru had influence on BIG

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

@@Synchronite Big took his beat turned into the 10 crack commandments

[@Mr1and14orth]

@@Synchronite Biggie had a very similar rhyme style pattern to Jeru imo.. They hung out together, Jeru came out first. Def was influence there.

[@stephenheath8465]

Jeru music is more relevant in these crazy times.Those first two Preemo produced Albums are a must have in your collections

[@Inwiththenewoutwith]

What East is saying is partly true about Nas laid back flow making some rappers switch their flow up cause post Illmatic Big had a nasal flow ©️”Party N Bullshit” & Jay had a rapid fire flow ©️ “Originators”, “Can I Get Open” etc. But the rapper who is never mentioned that made them all switch their flows Nas included as he even rapped with a more energtic flow post Illmatic on songs like “Live At The BBQ” & Back To The Grill” was none other than Buckshot who turned the game on its head when he & Blackmoon dropped “How Many MC’s” with the slow robotic flow which Buck continued to kill them with on both the remixes for “I Got Cha Opin Rmx” & “Buck Em Down” while everyone was still rapping with crazy energy. Matter of fact Mobb Deeps transition from Juvenile Hell to Infamous can even be attributed to him. FACTS!

[@romeod7549]

Great observation

[@alexkyle6960]

Correct

[@frankwhite7109]

Been sayin this for years. Buck brought NY back in 92. His run to 94 was crazy. And he made hits all over radio. Bucks downturn was sad. Had the game in palm if his hand.

[@flood76]

Amazing point!

[@flood76]

Amazing point!

[@jasonchristian2994]

Yo, get L.L Cool J on your show. Gotta give him his flowers as well. He definitely took hip hop to another level as well. And still does w/ Rock The Bells

[@eastgate6134]

LL Cool J that's that guy

[@mobmuscle415]

He is the most under appreciated emcee ever it’s crazy

[@teddybrukshot1801]

It's only one Nathiel Wilson the first!!!!! 🐐 Goat status

[@seanthornton726]

Rakim was the architect of the Golden Era. Flow & intricate rhyme patterens created by the God rakim. When he recorded for Marly Marl and Shan they tired to make him change his style. Saying he style is to laid back Slow.

[@dandojambo1176]

Good question 🧙🏼‍♂️🤔🤯 maff mentioned Ice cube respect for that because low-key he influenced a lot of rappers in the early 90s especially around "91

[@ebenmaiopue4253]

Kool G rap and Rakim helped in transcending lyricism to new heights. Kool Moe dee was actually one of the first to do double syllable rhymes but Rakim pushed it even forward alongside Kool G rap. One example of Rakims high level lyricism is the song 18th Letter. You can even listen to Microphone Fiend. His use of metaphors and multis is crazy. Kool G rap influence nearly every emcee from 90s era. He was one of the first to bring mafioso rap lyrics. Thanks to him rappers like Jay-z, Big, Raekwon, Big L, Big Pun and Nas exist. Same rappers that influenced Dave East to a certain degree. Nas even showcased similarities to Kool G rap early in his career. Lets think about it man. As far as Nas, he changed the whole game as far storytelling and lyricism. Look at how many emcees reference Nas: Joey Badass, J Cole, Lupe Fiasco, Fashawn, Elzhi, Kendrick Lamar just to name a few. Nas is one of the greatest storytellers of all time. His unique song concepts were ahead of their time. Rapping from the perspective of Gun? That is crazy

[@teddybrukshot1801]

G rap flawless and the goat everybody else his children

[@akaspon1]

Thank you fam. I know the last one Mecca missed HAD to me Kool Moe Dee. Plus he was the dude who brought the real battle rap element to the game when he destroyed Bizzy B with actual BARS at the person and their character instead of "yes yes ya'll, in the place to be" generic rhymes. People just don't know the real history and repeat what they hear others say.

[@boogie1434]

Organized Konfusion actually did the gun metaphor 2 years earlier on the track "Stray Bullet" although it has a somewhat different angle to it. Your point still stands, I just wanted to point out the genius of Pharaoh Monche and Pince Po that often gets overlooked in conversations about Lyricism, they're two of the best.

[@mikemars2112]

@@akaspon1 Thank you! I think you're right. In my comment elsewhere, I was trying to come up with the seventh, had thought maybe Chuck D or The DOC-but Kool Moe Dee would make more sense, I think.

[@stephenheath8465]

Moe Dee doesn't get talk about enough which is a shame because he was my favorite before Shan came on the scene back in 85@@akaspon1

[@naturalimmunity7007]

Nas is the father of timeless MCing

[@TWIZZTHEWHIZKID]

Nas is 1 of 🔝 5 emcees of all time, hands down. 🙌🏽

[@finnessejets4231]

This is facts

[@gardyswengbe9254]

I loved this conversation. So dope to learn about the elements >>

[@craigjoseph9374]

Rakim changed the flow of Rap completely and created the blueprint for that type of flow, there was no one else doing what Rakim was doing at that time. Any that came after, stood on the shoulders of what Rakim did.

[@murphyoboh4601]

Facts! Before Rakim came out rappers were spitting like crush groove and Run DMC type of Flow. He dropped and completely changed the entire course of rap. Now this is my argument … The Notorious BIG CHANGED the way we rap when it comes to being a GOAT. Like ultimate RAPPER..which is why it’s hard to put HOV on top even though I do. 2 people changed the course of rap ..it was the legendary Rakim and B.I.G. Respect to NAS 4sho but the real ones know what it is 💯

[@nimmha6708]

@@murphyoboh4601 Biggie 100% the KING with it, but did he CHANGE the game? He spit on west coast style beats, that's the opposite of changing the game. That's following trends (but I put that on Puffy not Biggie for even producing it for Big).. So yeah I would give it to RAKIM, KOOL G RAP, BDK and KRS before Biggie Hov Nas ect.

[@naturesown1807]

@@nimmha6708 Big on his best day wasn't touching Rakim, respectfully

[@da_jeezuss8922]

What Dave East is talking about can be pin pointed to one specific moment in the music video "Back to the Grill Again". Everyone was all positive, bright colored and a little corny, then it switches to black and white, Nas walks in fat gold chains, streetwear, gold fronts, waving a wad of cash, 20 killers behind him, talking WILD about waving automatic guns at nuns and changed hip hop forever.

[@MIERSSOCIETYTV]

Dave is correct, Even Jay was rapping fast before he heard Illmatic, Nas God Fathered the flow. All the rappers of that era started rapping different. That's 2 million % factz‼️

[@kfshorts1991]

This particular segment answers many questions..... Just listen, 100! Salute!

[@jonesnasir625]

Definitely Nas change hip hop forever,he influenced the old and new guys to up they pen game faxx 💯,his bars, lyrics and storytelling c'mon niggas gat be more intelligent to understand where Nas coming from real talk 💯✅.

[@raymondbennettjr.8845]

Nas is a true meaning of a poet superb genius the work speaks for itself

[@eastgate6134]

Just saw Rah last year on the 4th. Man you could literally hear the sheer gasp from the crown when the beat drop for "don't sweat the technique"

[@mostmost1]

I saw Rakim, big daddy Kane. Rae and ghost, slick Rick in concert and Rakim outshined them all. Those records are just hard to beat.

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

@@mostmost1 outshined them where Rakim had always been trash on stage

[@mostmost1]

@@MrWARBUCKS24 that's a lie. You don't have to dance around to have great stage presence. No overdubs, no hype man, a dj and a microphone.

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

@@mostmost1 maybe his stage show got better or u caught him on a good night but saw him and Eric a few times at their height and a few yrs ago during the reunion it was the same thing as it was in 1990 Eric standing behind the turntables with Rakim rapping over the vocals with 80 dudes on stage

[@torreyrush2114]

After Rakim early PAC was the spinoff but a convo about gathering traits from certain rappers and no mentioned of Face and Cube that’s insane by the way Nas is my favorite of all time

[@mobmuscle415]

Or LL smh

[@ThirtyThreeHipHop]

I think Current Nas is a greater game changer than the young one. We have never seen a 50 year old rapper perform at this level. All of the greats have or had lost a step by his age.

[@jman1562001]

Word when it comes to what a OG MC supposed to sound like Nas comes to mind immediately. He elevated the golden era MCs (Ra, G Rap, slick rick, etc.) standard and built off the foundation. Life is Good album was where I felt older rappers should be moving content wide cause he was speaking from a grown man place. Since then he stayed true to his essence and kept his lyric game sharp.

[@romeod7549]

Yeah facts. He's helping make hip hop timeless on some pop and rock sh!t. Rap been trying to age out niggas so Nas gave niggas the best album in 2022. Other older dudes dropped fire too. Pusha, Cormega, Blackstar, Black Thought.

[@eastgate6134]

Man Big Daddy Kane Just saw him last year on the 4th. DUDE HASNT LOST A STEP. Breath Control, Delivery, Flow impeccable. Walked off the stage in a white mcm trench

[@eastgate6134]

@@romeod7549 KD3 is crazy. I'm like damn this dude skill set gonna be studied one day

[@ThirtyThreeHipHop]

@@eastgate6134 I mean this respectfully. The legend Kane may hit you with the classics. May be a respectable hot 16. But Nas has given us 4 solid full albums in 3-4 years. I think Magic rivals any of his works of art. None of them are dropping classic albums now. Kane, Rick, KRS, G Rap, Snoop, Dre, Jay, Ghost. There is a rare class that have not lost a step, Thought, Rae, MF Doom (Posthumously). But their projects are not Nas Level. Listen to Remenisce on KD3 that's vintage and adult contemporary all in one.

[@MonkeyBarz179]

They ALL did their part to mold and shape hip hop into what it was for their time.

[@richardholley1130]

Mann, they forgot to mention Public Enemy (Chuck D). The Bomb Squad one of the best production team in hip hop history. Don't forget the energy that Flavor Flav has. Definitely a game changer in hip hop. A total shift from the norm. Yo, the impact hit me hard at a young age. Peace & props to the Long Island representers.

[@alfredbaxter1061]

yeah public enemy was one of my favorite groups

[@theungreatkahli]

I love the 7 branches of the tree analogy.

[@dalcow1101]

This was an incredible segment. Nas is top 5 all time and top 2 on my list next to pac.

[@JohnKing-jz9zb]

Definitely top 2 on ur list cause you straight dumb if u think he top 5 all time

[@Authentic511]

@Rob305 pac is better and more impactful than your nas

[@dalcow1101]

@@Authentic511I agree pac number 1.

[@alfredbaxter1061]

@@Authentic511 Nas more lyrical than pac but pac had more of a fluence of poet and talk mre about black issues

[@wesleyrobinson4949]

Im checking in from Strong Island the home of Rakim and as much as Im a Nas Fan nobody changed the game then Rakim . He raised the bar to the point he was the leader of the New School meaning the school after the Hip Hop pioneers. Melly Mel said Rakim took Hip Hop to another level. Nas was inspired by Rakim.

[@anarky305]

Without Rakim or G Rap, there's no Nas. Wu dropped before Live at the BBQ with better wordplay and soundscape. LOTNS changed sound as well, particularly Busta. Enter the 36 was much more of a paradigm shift than Illmatic.

[@Shysta30]

Nas change the game multiple times

[@johnathanwilliams3205]

Rakim most definitely change the flow rhythm for the game

[@CJRozay]

Got my favorite rapper Dave East on it, I can’t wait to see this one

[@mr.mononym5764]

He smoked way to much😂

[@alexisdauvergne9801]

I’m guessing the 7th grandmaster not mentioned was Chuck D?

[@keiththomas111]

Kane and Rakim changed the way HopHop flowed Kane with punch lines and able to rap fast Rakim with flow and lyrics of character that just my take on it . Shout out to KRS1 too🎤🎧🎹🎶💿💾📀

[@KD_SWAGGER]

Nas definitely changed the game and elevated it. Rakim, Biggie, Wu-Tang Clan, 2Pac, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, Big Pun, DMX, The LOX, Big L and many others definitely did what they did to change and elevate the game as well. All that I mentioned in this comment are some of my favorites!

[@tjinks7530]

Yoooooo Math get the Lord Finesse up there since it only seems as if he only gets mentioned in me and one of my man's favorite hip-hopper list

[@liquidmetalslime9]

I just made this same comment

[@bucktaylor9178]

Nas took the game to a next level 100%!!

[@the.old.kanye.]

Biggie definitely has a lot of influence from Scarface and Chubb Rock

[@mostmost1]

Rakim changed the game. Emcees started rapping different. They started flowing, they stopped doing the Melle Mel stage show pronunciation style aka yelling. Rakim rhymed whole songs with no hooks or breaks, long before wutang, One verse classics in paid in full. Rakim one of the few Emcees that you don't wanna hear a guest appearance on any song. The song matched the verse and matched the hook seamlessly. Intelligent rhymes but not too complex to just bullshit the listener. Flow!!!!!! Nobody talked about your flow before Rakim. He introduced that to Hip-hop. Ofcourse others had it but he highlighted it. Rakim slang became part of daily use, and his vocabulary was sampled into many other hits. Sweating me, pump up the volume, Microphone Fiend, glaze me etc

[@mont-doggBeats]

Rakim changed the game along with Krs one..because rappers wasn’t rhyming those intricate lyrics like that prior to Rakim and Krs one. Rakim has always been my Favorite rapper ever. My top 3 overall Rappers (Not Lyricst), including Rhymes, , influence, impact etc is 1.Rakim, 2.Pac. And Nas, my Top 3 Lyricst are 1. Rakim 2. Nas. 3. Big

[@alfredbaxter1061]

Ice cube also

[@Tonpride5]

Underground rap in the 90s is being overlooked when it comes to influence. Best MCs didn't get airtime during the day. Had to wait for RedAlert w/a blank tape ready! Or stay up until end of VideoMusicBox to hear iconic MCs really go in... raw rap!

[@davethomas332]

Facts He the 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐

[@realpeopleoftheinternet]

Great interview.. the vibes is real. Why didn't yall bring up Kool J Rap in connection with Nas ... ?

[@CEENAS646]

If you listened to hip hop mix shows in the early 90's, 75% of rappers (both on and unsigned) were sounding like Lord Finesse with Das EFX vocal gimmicks thrown in the mix. Finesse's influence on East Coast MC's from 90-94 cannot be overstated, his swag and punchline heavy style was a phenomenon (even Nas sounds like him on Halftime). But after Illmatic, an overwhelming amount started sounding like Nas, including Rae and Ghost, early Eminem, slowed down Jay, almost anyone else coming out of Queens (Mic Geronimo, Royal Flush, BIG Noyd, etc), and endless underground rappers. He was a force in his generation. All time? Nah. He's among the GOATS. The pioneers influenced him to influence his followers. They are just as influential in their own ways.

[@AbrahamPalmer-wj5cb]

Correct

[@martinokezie]

There is not a single rapper in existence that has been studied and imitated more than Rakim. He revolutionised the art of rhyming. Canibus when he came out evolutionionised lyricism. Nas was very influential but even he said Rakim was one of his idols. He even dedicated a track to him called 'Unauthorised biography of Rakim'.

[@martinokezie]

@Rob305 the only ridiculous person is you. Rakim is a FAR better lyricist and stylist that Nas is.

[@MegaMoneyMania]

Hell Yeah He Did Nas Is The Greatest Story Teller In Hip Hop No Disrespect, But None Of Them Artist Have A #BLACKGIRLLOST #SHOOTOUTS #IGAVEYOUPOWER #SEKOUSTORY #SMALLWORLD #UNDYINGLOVE

[@tonyflipshouses]

Facts.

[@EdwardRicketts1]

Slick Rick and Ice Cube might have something to say about that.

[@Flatbush4Life]

@UCUdaVIYldjgfKUYsRy2uHnA What can Slick Rick and Cube do that Nas can't? Nas has stories that can outmatch both of them.

[@adogbewise6561]

Rakim, KRS1, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Cane, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, and Too Short for the West coast, because I remember hearing that Too Short in 83, 84.

[@prof3ssor178]

You can't leave Cube & Snoop out of the big storytellers in Hip-Hop

[@dwanestar]

Math got a whole new crew 🤣

[@kg6987]

Rakim🐐 laid the blueprint and Nas🐐 took it to the highest level.

[@Outtapocket206]

They forgot to mention Tretch from Naughty smh he elevated the foundation after Rakim, because everyone wanted to do the fast rap in the early 90s

[@MICjordanTPR]

Nas DID change the game by being the first album with an all star producer lineup and still being discussed as one of the top 5 active rappers THIRTY YEARS into his career. I'd have to say no though in terms of changing the game just purely in terms of rapping. I'm younger than Nas and also an emcee but his influences are also my influences. I think NAS _is_ the GOAT but that's because he mastered the stuff that Rakim, G Rap, Rick, etc. introduced. Finesse and Kane are the progenitors of punchline rhymes and Big L perfected them. G Rap innovated pervasive multis and Big Pun perfected that (and really Detroit MCs in general). Rakim created flow as we know it. Kool Moe Dee might be THE single most influential emcee in terms of innovating styles, as the creator of battle rhymes, concept rhymes, double time, and many other things.

[@rarerock5020]

CANIBUS is still changing the game.. need to show him more love.

[@user-Tripleggggggg]

Why does it matter. Nas always gave rakim his flowers for inspiring him. Don’t matter

[@supremesun4580]

Was is MC Shan and or LL COOL J back in 84-85-86 with the Smooth G Style..??? People either FORGET or DONT KNOW about Mc Shan ILL Style.. Did LL get some of Shan flavor?

[@imsofocused4678]

Everybody in NYC wanted Nas on their albums after Illmatic. Nas made NY rappers step their game up. In 1995 Big said that he didnt expect to win lyricist of the year over Nas. He knew Nas was the nicest at the time.

[@JohnKing-jz9zb]

Not biggie.. biggie thought nas was straight trash and told him his rein on top was shorter then leprechauns

[@imsofocused4678]

@@JohnKing-jz9zb Shut up clown. Biggie wanted Nas on his first album. And Biggie even admitted that Nas was more lyrical than him. Look up The Notorious BIG - The Source Awards 1995. Biggie admits that he didn't think he was gonna win lyricist of the year over Nas.

[@JohnKing-jz9zb]

@@imsofocused4678 oh yeah definitely on nas nuts if you think biggie would say some dumb shit like that.. biggie was a billion times better then nas dumb dumb..

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

@@JohnKing-jz9zb Biggie didn’t think he was trash

[@JohnKing-jz9zb]

@@MrWARBUCKS24 yo when biggie came out Nas became a afterthought.. Biggie had nyc and the entire east coast on lock.. anybody that would say otherwise is a straight clown 🤡.. I live it and been in NYC my entire life (39 years)… nas stans are delusional

[@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551]

As a New Yorker listening to Hip Hop since 86 Yes Nas Did but put Big on the list with Him they were together. All the rest named did mad for the Game

[@chef8112]

2pac always will be 🐐

[@slip-n-rollboxing1826]

Facts. Most NY cats never mention the true goat.

[@dereka415]

It's crazy 2pac was never mentioned in this conversation. Maybe they were just discussing the foundation for East Coast rappers. Same with Ice Cube also not being mentioned.

[@NobleGlobalTraveller]

Biggie also had an element of Heavy D weaving in & out of Jamaican Patwa within rhyme schemes. He even gave a head nod in the song Juicy " Pictures on the wall" & also callobrated with Super Cat just like Mr. Big Stuff aka Overweight Lover...

[@MICjordanTPR]

I'd say the foundational seven are Rakim, KRS, G Rap, Kane, Slick Rick, LL and Lord Finesse. You can trace pretty much every 'lyrical' style of rap back to those guys. But the ACTUAL foundation for all seven of those dudes and everybody after that were Grandmaster Caz, the Treacherous Three (esp. Moe Dee) and the Furious Five (Melle Mel), and if you listen to their best work from the 70s and early 80s it's _surprisingly_ modern compared to our idea of RUN-DMC "old school" rappers. Like, Rakim wasn't the first dude to rhyme calm... Duke Bootee (Furious Five) was doing that on "the message."

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

RUNDMC had the old school routine back and forth style glad I said Rakim was the first to rhyme Furious 5 Cold Crush Fantastic Whodini T La Rock Kurtis Blow UTFO all had calm flows LL RUNDMC was doing all the yelling

[@MICjordanTPR]

@@MrWARBUCKS24 Melle Mel was yelling too and he was the 'popular' GOAT at the time. We both agree Rakim didn't invent rhyming calmly

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

@@MICjordanTPR only thing Mel yelled was rahhh

[@MICjordanTPR]

@@MrWARBUCKS24 "A child is born with no state of mind! Blind to the ways of mankind!" He wasn't full on LL "I'm Bad" voice breaking yelling but it was animated, not calm. Same with Kurtis Blow. It's more that percussive, punchy style.

[@jerrysemitchell]

Math content be so heavy n interesting its like he will get u every time with that gunshot no matter if u anticipate it.

[@kevthepoet]

After Nas every rapper stepped up their game.

[@AbrahamPalmer-wj5cb]

Facts

[@cv1368]

Ice cream was shot on the colly block n in Harlem

[@whoishec7615]

Nas definitely changed the game….illmatic was a different type of rapping, slicktalk 🙏🏼💪🏼

[@CoreyBockerTV]

7 conversations at one time. Cool!

[@paulallen9031]

RAKIM changed the game... He birthed the 16barz... Double Entendres his Lyrical prowess is still Beyond most Today...

[@alanduff1054]

FACTS detected... Favorite rappers' FAVORITE rapper

[@mostmost1]

Rakim also rhymed whole songs with no hooks long before wutang. Rakim did 2 minute songs before today's rappers. Rakim had the vocabulary, saying shit that became everyday slang.

[@cordellvazquez7150]

Ever so often, someone comes along and change the game. There are a couple of artists that changes the game.

[@tedgramz1905]

Rakims raps were and still old schoolish. Nas’s style transcended that and made it timeless. Descriptive, hot with all aspects of god level mc’ing. Entendres, metaphors, cadance, stories. Nobody embodied all of these things effortlessly until him. Iww just sealed the deal with more of the street arrogance

[@akaspon1]

You're crazy. First of all, Rakim, Kane and Kool G didn't even have a frame of reference and brought MULTIPLE elements to what we call Hip Hop today from flow to metaphors and punchlines and playing with syllables. If you listen to The Watcher pt.2, what sounds "old schoolish" about Rakim on that song where he murked EVERYONE on that track including HOV? I just don't get the bad ears some of ya'll have or the blatant disrespect.

[@mrworkowt5419]

I don't know what you're talking about lol Rakim opened up the game with knowledge and lyricism and flows and things of that nature no one has overshadowed his lyricism yet.

[@1758game]

Yoooo the tree concept makes a lot of since