Jay-Z Would Be Just Another Rapper If It Wasn’t For 2Pac! 2Pac Is Responsible For His Success!

[@marcsondlucce]

What Pac did by the age of 25 still eclipse what these artists are taking a lifetime to do.

[@puffycombs1118]

I've done more then 2pack

[@deehood9241]

Wtf did he do???

[@deehood9241]

Or what did he do that it’s taking other artist a life time to do??? U not making sense

[@thetunkmaster]

Can someone name any charities or foundation that pac started while being this massive influence on the rap/music world. Asking for a friend"

[@FITNESS-zf2cx]

Facts!!! But these goffies don't understand!!!

[@DonteTheGr8]

He ain’t lying and I been telling people Pac and Big had to pass in order for Jay to get his shine and had that not happened rap would not be the same. Pac is the biggest star in the history of hiphop still to this day. I was not the Biggest Pac fan but this was self evident to me!

[@turtleanton6539]

Also Pun and L died

[@martinleon3145]

​@@turtleanton6539 we loved pun and big L but L wasn't huge like that...pun big move came after pac

[@rossa23]

Real recognise real

[@ronaldsmith8771]

I met Tupac here in Oakland before the deathrow days i yelled out....tupac...he came over gave a pound and talked for a minute...he was hella cool man....i never thought he would become hip hop royalty....Rip homey

[@TupacShakurr]

I remember

[@CRob-wu4xg]

How tall was he? 5’10 or 5’8?

[@truestdude]

Goat!! 💯

[@lubui2583]

@@CRob-wu4xg 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CRob-wu4xg]

@@lubui2583 😂😂😂 for real though. Those are questions that need answers. I’ve heard he was short then I heard he was almost 6’.

[@jseward228]

I think Biggie passing away had a lot to do with Jay being on top.

[@seanq9884]

Jay z had more money then Biggie & Pac since back then & he was the CEO of his company. He’s a boss, they were workers. He was always destined to be on top. He came in the game with his paperwork right. They didn’t unfortunately. I listen to all three. So Im not picking any sides. Just calling it how i see it.

[@EchoRhythmMusic]

That part

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@seanq9884 If he was destined, he would've got shine in '88. He didn't pop completely until '98. Vol. 2. So whatchu saying don't add up.

[@champsvizion7801]

Right But Big getting murked was based off Pac getting Murked.

[@jseward228]

@@melvinhhcp3615 Facts.

[@KeizeShow]

Tupac sold 5+ million of All Eyez On Me by August of 1996. Crazy

[@YoungDen]

One was at the end and the other was carving his own lane. Jay-Z's early days was not attractive to all but to the hustlers

[@TheHumanBallsack]

He even said at the Aug 15th 1996 Brotherhood rally in LA that he'd already sold six million and counting...

[@ldaialoguedicaprio]

@@YoungDen And BARELY to them. Jay's LAST CHANCE at getting a shot was Aint No with Foxy Brown. If that record never took off...Jay wouldnt be on the level he is on today. He would even tell you that.

[@tupimpacaterpillar3516]

No internet and no streaming at the time either! It’s absolutely mind blowing

[@conyeezy8027]

It's fuckin insane bro crazy #s it just proves that his death had nothing to do with his success. Delray wrong as shit though you don't multiply it by 2 because it's a double album you didn't buy disc one and disc 2 separately or cassette 1 and 2 separate it was one purchase. Jay would have blown up with or without PAC mentioning his name let's not act like new York didn't support it's own artists. It's not like if PAC didn't die hard knock life and big pimpin wouldn't have been hits.

[@denea4418]

Pac was huge. The biggest rap star AND he was acting. PAC’s death opened lanes for other rappers to shine.

[@t.s.o4396]

There will never be another pac I'm glad I witnessed history in the 90s 🔥🔥🐐🐐

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Yessir!

[@chrisrobinson8339]

Me too.

[@lad4702]

GOOD! ALL rapist need killing 🥰😁

[@YaYa_1435]

Real shii!!!

[@sidohofman6835]

I remember I was 9 years old when I saw California Love on MTV in ‘95. My brother bought the All eyez on me album in ‘96 and Since then I loved Pac’s music. Shit I even remember the day that they announced his death. I was shock’d as hell. Couldn’t believe it.

[@allahwise7272]

Even Havoc and Nore have admitted to what dude saying, Tupac responding and saying your name meant a lot

[@Flashy9824]

Future said the same 💩 we all know it’s true man jay z stand just can’t take the truth

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@Flashy9824 Facts

[@lethal5flow679]

So why didn't Chino XL blow up????? Exactly, yall full of b.s.

[@dondada6839]

@@lethal5flow679 because he he lied on him and his music was ass

[@erictubbs6854]

What y'all fail to realize if he wouldn't of responded Jay Z still would be where he's at now sorry not sorry 🥱

[@dugnice]

I agree that at that time, as big as Pac was, just mentioning Jay-Z's name helped put him on the map. That said, Pac barely mentioned Jay-Z and Jay-Z didn't really blow until *Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life,* so he had to put in a lot of work among some serious competition. He's *earned* his respect.

[@booshine187]

Tru

[@Richer85]

Gave j a boost. Not blew j up

[@dugnice]

@@Richer85 Pretty much and a little boost at that, because no one was checking for Jay on the strength of Pac. Jay was already known (at least in NYC) by the time Pac started mentioning him on records. Reasonable Doubt had already been released by the time Pac's first diss to Jay Z on "Bomb first" was heard by the general public, which was 5 months after Reasonable Doubt.

[@urbannuance5151]

That's not true Jay Z carved his own grassroots lane on the east coast, I was there I remember.

[@urbannuance5151]

@@dugnice Thank you Bro preach. I'm from Philly ya dig? We see it differently.

[@isaiahhunt7260]

Even havoc and prodigy said they was liking that Pac was name dropping them. Multiple interviews they said that they was shocked and was trying to build off that cause pac was HOT in 95-96.

[@travelinman]

Word. Chino XL was blatantly disrespectful but Pac mentioned him once cause he wasn’t worth it.

[@chawk1212]

Biggie passing had more to do with Jay z's success then Pac, simply for the fact that Pac's success after prison was based on hype (coming out of prison)and controversy(signing to Deathrow) and non factual beef (He new Biggie didn't set him up). Unfortunately he let Suge and others put that battery in his back and keep a fake beef going for hype. Where as Jay Z fell into a lane of strictly lyricism, swag and MC skills. He didn't become a billionaire because he was an average MC. Think about what you're saying. R.I.P. Pac R.I.P. Biggie two of the greatest to contribute to our Hip Hop culture.

[@stephanierichardson8025]

I agree bout 95-96. But what about all the music he still put out after 96.

[@travelinman]

@@chawk1212 Real talk. Before BIG passed the Titans in NY were BIG and Nas. And to a lesser extent Method Man.

[@6ick6ick6ity5]

@@travelinman method man had one classic one hit single that seemed almost pop and then he fell off by 97

[@Dawg36Music]

Pac has had more influence on the generation after he died, than Jay has had alive. That's artists and society 💯💯💯

[@Lyrical_Replies]

That influence didn't change the hood though

[@Dawg36Music]

@@Lyrical_Replies Influenced millions to change the way they Live, can't reach everyone, it's up to you and society to change what you believe isn't the way.

[@LurnWell]

@@Lyrical_Replies Facts man..

[@LurnWell]

@@Dawg36Music We can praise one man without tearing another down.

[@adgee5401]

@@Lyrical_Replies Why would that have been his responsibility?

[@jaysonloggins4737]

Summer 96, I was 14. Tupac was running music, he had all the radio stations playing him, kind of like Drake today. He said fuck Chino XL, no one knew who he was down here in Dallas. Me and my friends went to best buy to find a chino xl cd. We didn't buy it, we just wanted to know who he was. He said fuck Jay-z, we didnt know who he was. Tupac made u put your antennas up and be on the look out for whoever he was dissing. This guy is telling the truth. He maybe 10 yrs older than me but from my 14 yr old perspective this was correct.

[@Grownwoman1436]

WE knew who JAY was before Pac said his name.

[@jaysonloggins4737]

@Grownwoman1436 are u from the tri state area

[@kenrickkahn]

People just saying bullsh_t! Jay Z was starting to blow up while 2Pac was alive and even if 2Pac lived on Jay Z has the whole East Coast on his side.. Nas went Platinum while 2Pac was alive, Wu-Tang Clan went Platinum while 2Pac was alive, OutKast went Platinum while 2Pac was alive.. So to say no one wouldn't sell or get noticed because of 2Pac is some of the most Stan things to say..

[@deehood9241]

Him making you go to a record store to see who an artist is without buying their album is not helping their success nor does it mean they wouldn’t be successful by pac dissing someone and raising your antenna...so naw dude wasn’t correct in the video..jay was on regardless

[@Grownwoman1436]

@@jaysonloggins4737 yes 😁

[@fordaz86]

Insane amount pf records Pac sold fucking insane. But that goes to show you Pac was the Greatest people loved him. But he also didnt just put out trash music dude really gave us his passion & put all emotions in his music. This dude really broke it down. Cuz when u think of it Pac died biggie died then came Jay & Dmx

[@Forchin500]

Every 2pac song and album didn't hit.

[@ldaialoguedicaprio]

@@Forchin500 No artist has EVERY album or single hitting everytime. But Pac's albums and songs influence mugs till this very day. Thats why he is great.

[@Forchin500]

@@ldaialoguedicaprio 2pac's greatness isn't in question. People are trying to give 2pac credit for other people's careers and that isn't factual.

[@fordaz86]

@@Forchin500 True, i mean his first one went Gold 4 years later but i think after that his albums were platnum

[@KingTK9]

This guy gives the best interviews, he’s on the front line for Pac every interview 🔥💯

[@rhodeisme279]

He'll yeah!!!

[@EchoRhythmMusic]

But he’s wrong. Not in his opinion but numbers.

[@nathanielcox3720]

@@EchoRhythmMusic how you gonna argue with Someone who knew pac personally and is in the Music industry. You're nobody bro. You're just a fan like the Rest of us. Smdh

[@akeemMagic01]

Even if it's cap 🤣

[@KingTK9]

@@EchoRhythmMusic bro even Jigga said women lie, men lie, but numbers don’t lie. The facts are Jay sold 43,000 and Pac sold 566K end of story. In 96 Jay-Z wasn’t hot like 2pac….

[@sjw4life546]

Alot of the first albums that we consider classics today didn't do great first week numbers. Illmatic did 66,000 it's first week, Enter The Wu Tang did 30,000, it took 2pacalypse now four years to go gold, and the infamous didn't go platinum until 2020.

[@MadeBastard]

This is the BEST comment on here. 💯💯💯

[@Hiphop_Love]

Nobody claimed 2pac first album was a classic tho

[@MonstrMash123458943]

pacs first album wasnt that good the production on there was kinda terrible and imma pac fan

[@incogneto2834]

@@Hiphop_Love it is a classic.Brendas Got a Baby....I just don't give a F(this is on the GTa San Andreas soundtrack)

[@DockingFreidmanRecords]

Rap even in its golden age had a hard time finding it's commercial footing. Great Era for artistry, but a struggle to find a place in the mainstream. So that does make sense what ur saying.

[@John1-k5j]

2pac is responsible 4 alot of ppls success!!

[@Itsjustasidehustle]

Jay Z said himself, "when 2pac was alive i couldn't sell a record". I still believe that even if pac was alive Jay z would have still had success in the music industry, just not as much as 2pac.

[@jordanthomas8540]

Where did he say that? I never heard that before

[@Sunset-oz4rf]

@@jordanthomas8540 he never said that 😂😂

[@hopsintupac]

I doubt Jay said that he has a huge ego

[@waynenee1]

Hmmmmn

[@dmvpropertiesnow8945]

And Jay first album came out the year pac died.. what “records” was he selling other than his first one that had only just came out identical independent?….

[@bulleyhead96]

This man just spoke hip hop history to these youngsters that doesn't know history

[@chrischance1063]

Stop haha

[@jz23gaming17]

He is talking the truth because, people weren’t listening to jay z when Pac was doing his thing. Big was doing his thing too but when they died jay filled in that void as well as DMX & others.

[@andyheath5244]

But vanilla ice was poppin, mc hammer bunch of wack rappers were poppin! This take is nonsense. Jay still around to this day

[@Takedown-Tate]

#Facts

[@jz23gaming17]

Vanilla I’ve had like 1 song, Hammer was hot for what he was doing.

[@Grownwoman1436]

Jay dropped his first album when Pac was got. An album that is now a classic. We can speculate all day. But Facts are Facts.

[@KevoUptownChicago]

How you know what people were listening too.

[@brianwalker1996-t8u]

Tupac Shakur is 👑 kings forever

[@intenseninja82]

@Timmy Ggz tv Tupac represented the West Coast

[@puffycombs1118]

He not my king

[@brianwalker1996-t8u]

@Timmy Ggz tv Tupac have a big impact than biggie or any rapper

[@kevinford6036]

Actually, Jay didn't really "pop" on a global status until 98, when he dropped Hard Knock Life. That was his "moment" that elevated him. Jay dropped In My Lifetime Volume 1 in 97, and it got a hella lukewarm response. Then he dropped that "Streets is Watching" soundtrack shortly thereafter and he started to pick up steam a tad bit. Jay didn't get going until 2 years later after Pac died and 3 additional albums. Jay probably benefited the most from 'Pac (and BIG) no longer being alive, but to say Pac was responsible for Jay-Z success, while it took Jay 3 more projects and 2+years really to "start shining" just isn't a true statement. Love this dude though. Everything else he speaks on is really on par and he isn't just speaking and talking simply to be heard. He's genuine with his...

[@dash-ih1tf]

Fax

[@SnortyMcDrones]

Not to mention Napster became popular in 2000 which dwindled all artists #'s

[@RodNubianKing]

I agree

[@ThomasMckinney-vk2ew]

Actually he is telling the truth jay z been around since 89 before makavelli I didn't know who jay z was even mob deep was so happy that 2pac dissed them and said we about to sell more records

[@good-Vibes0nly]

Only people from the 90s will understand he is speaking facts.

[@pedrogates3189]

No he’s not nobody was even really checking for jay like that even after pac dissed him

[@chandlerscaringia5260]

Nah

[@ljvue]

Goodvibes, facts!

[@CityUnderSiegeTV]

Im from the 90s and nobody cared about jay z seriously until Volume 2 which was 2 years after Pac died. We didn’t know who Jay Z was in relation to Pac lol

[@murdockparker1274]

Yall are alllll wrong! 3 pac had nothing to do with jayz success! That was alll BIGGIE ! facts you dudes are followers and smoking something. Jay put biggie on his back the whole brooklyn,to line up his 3 albulmb debut (blue print , 3 albumb) "Annie" blew up jay z . All you sound CRAZY

[@sethmarie]

Tbh. 2Pac was one of a kind when it came to music period.

[@truestdude]

I love how this brother breaks down everything he speaks on. No lies told

[@EchoRhythmMusic]

All lies told

[@truestdude]

@@EchoRhythmMusic says u. But those of us who were there during all this understand. Numbers don't lie

[@EchoRhythmMusic]

Jay sold 5 million in 98, two years after Pac died. It didn’t take him 10 years. That’s a lie. Jay dropped Ain’t No Nigga and Brooklyn Finest, which was why we heard of Jay, before Pac mentioned him. That’s not my opinion. You can google the shit

[@truestdude]

@@EchoRhythmMusic I was around @ that time. Hov definitely benefited from Pac & Big's unfortunate absence in the rap game. The lane was wide open @ the time. But I can't blame him 4 going all in. It's got em 2 wear he is today. It is what it is

[@EchoRhythmMusic]

@@truestdude I never said he didn’t. DEFINITELY benefited, no doubt. I just don’t believe Pac dying and mentioning him is the reason

[@skillz9549]

This man spoke 100% facts…Nobody cared about Jay Z until Tupac dissed him… Tupac called him a drug dealer trying to be a rapper. That made me listen.

[@deehood9241]

He was the hottest rapper in 96 so it Probly did make u listen…but he was only the hottest because of the antics not cuz of skill…he don’t compare to jay

[@kerryfrancis3279]

Ur stupid n have no idea what u r talking about

[@5th76]

Lol groupies can't help themselves, he dissed Chino XL too..why didn't he blow up?Jay prolly sold this dude bad drugs...

[@jonoak]

I wouldn't even know j was!

[@msfergie5851]

@@3rdGenerationCancer Jay cool, but nall. Rather have Pac and Big back. Music was much better

[@derektheproducer]

Jay-z’s success isn’t based on an accident or 2Pac. Jay is the type of dude who was going to figure out his stuff regardless. Billion dollar empires aren’t built on luck... It takes consistency, talent, smarts and vision.

[@msfergie5851]

Opportunist

[@In4mous1]

Wake up and get the picture, Jay only had the opportunity to be who he is because Tupac laid the foundation for Rappers today

[@jackjill8129]

If pac woulda never mentioned his name nobody woulda been checking for Jay like that outside of NY. Not to say he couldn't have been successful on some level but he wouldn't be the Jay z we know today

[@papiking1991]

@@In4mous1 && by pac dying !! It open up doors for jay-z

[@sherryarthur2744]

WHO JAY-Z IS SPEAKS VOLUMES!!!! LISTEN UP FOLKS, JAY-Z IS A LAID BACK DUDE OR GUY WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, BUT RECOGNIZE THE FACTS HE IS A GENIUS IN HIS OWN RIGHT!!!!❤️

[@wmurray003]

Interesting fact: Makaveli was originally intended to be a "Mixtape" by Tupac/Makaveli, but Deathrow didn't want to miss out on the profits from the album.

[@PPHDocumentaries]

I also forgot to mention that Pac mention Chino XL name by saying FU Chino XL but yet Chino never became a star. Jay-Z`s success is because of his hard Work, talent and the great team he had behind him. Also after Jay-Z first album he left the label he was messing with and formed a partnership with Def Jam. That also contributed to his rise in success. This guy disrespected Jay-Z by giving another man credit for his success.

[@tallenstronginstagram7246]

I was just about say that pac totally dissed Chino XL. By his logic he should have been up there as well. I do agree with parts of his argument like once again never heard of Chino XL or ever heard a bar let alone a record, but he's reaching

[@jpair205]

🤣😆😆 XL famous to the Hispanic culture and rap industry niggaz because of pac

[@Ebahandle]

2pac was more controversial than any rapper back then which is why media was following him up and down. Which become the strength to his career. Can you imagine boys record or Biggie without "Hit me up" by 2pac? You heard Chino X from 2pac just like Puffy. 2pac is not getting the credit he truly deserves because some people feel like he is taken too much. Why 2pac? Because he is 2pac, not Angel.

[@thatayaonemasego3561]

You cant hav a sensible conversation with Pac dickriders.....um not a Jay fan but facts giv that man props for his own success, and stop sayin if pac had lived, he died evrybody moved on and niggaz were not filling a void but reachin for they own dreams

[@quanbrooklynkid7776]

@@thatayaonemasego3561 right

[@RawDawg903]

Since I've existed, I've seen 3 rappers run rap, in 3 different era's, that will probably never be matched. - 2pac: 91-96..but really between 94-96 he was a SUPER STAR. Jail time, records, movies, always on the news for some time of allegations or troubles. - 50 Cent: 2002 - 2005... 50 was the biggest guy in rap, had his clothing line, shoes, movie, videogames, etc - Lil Wayne: 2008 - 2012. Dude was featured on everybody shit and once young money emerged, it was a wrap. None of those guys during those 3 eras will ever be replicated or matched.

[@ducklife420]

an now we have drake running the game

[@marcosmireles7545]

Let's not forget to mention DMX's late 90's/early 2000's run of 5 platinum albums and the films too. All the while Jigga, Nas, and Big Pun were going platinum. Cashmoney records going platinum, and the south in general was starting to change the landscape. Also Dre and Eminem were going platinum at the time. With all that competition at the time, we still seen a historic DMX run.

[@HTTR95]

@@ducklife420 been running the game for about 12 years now

[@deehood9241]

Nigga said Tupac ran rap 91-96…boy u must be 21 years old…u def don’t know wtf u talking about…pac ain’t get on top of rap til 96!!…after death row co-signed…what the hell u talking about smh….50 wasn’t running shit in 02…get rich didnt come out til 03…jayz ran the game from 99-04….u don’t know what u talking about

[@travse2577]

Let's not forget about Eminem dude was killing it early in his career. The first 3 albums are straight classic plus them sells made him into a God and nobody wanted it with him lyrically when he was on drugs. 8 mile em influence the culture big most definitely

[@duart310]

I was about 9-10 the night Kurt Loader announced Tupacs death on MTV breaking news, I was outside skate boarding with the older homies and my mom came out and yelled Tupac died! And we all ran in the house and glued to the TV, he was an icon, never will be another like him RIP king Tupac forever

[@rodneywilliams1300]

All facts. Those of us that lived it outside of New Yorkers know this to be true. Matter of fact, Hov got no play or recognition in the South until he did a song with Jermaine Dupri and UGK. Pac stayed in rotation down south from the jump. There is no comparison other than Pac died, and Hov filled a void for Biggie and Pac, and has continued to put out quality music during his lifetime.

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Facts. Jay really got on after Money Ain't A Thing in '98 from JD's Life In 1472 & Annie from Vol. 2.

[@uninvitedmaine2345]

@@melvinhhcp3615 nah to me.hard knock life blew him up

[@ryanhughes1178]

Factual statements @Rodney Williams

[@lethal5flow679]

What he said was B.S too much stuff for me to write out

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@uninvitedmaine2345 Money Ain't A Thang appeared on Vol. 2 also. That was months after it actually dropped. I feel you though. It was mostly Vol. 2. M.A.A.T. got jay a solid look. Vol. 2 took him to another level.

[@NYBedStuy]

This is about to have alot of people in they feelings 😂 y’all know what y’all was doing when y’all did this! 😂

[@theybeonbody1309]

😂😂😂😂😂 facts cause not gonna lie I love Pac and I’m from BK. I’m not even bias but Jay Z really the goat. Reasonable Doubt is about REAL LIFE. I understand Pac and him as a martyr but yo JayZ really was coming either way 👁

[@brogaming950]

@@theybeonbody1309 pac wouldn’t have mentioned him if he wasn’t nice on the mic.

[@pedrogates3189]

@@brogaming950 I agree pac only mentioned people who he had respect for and who were a threat to what he had going on

[@remi2206]

Pac mentioned people that had his name in their mouths,wasent about being dope behind the mic.

[@pedrogates3189]

@@remi2206 at the point jay didn’t diss pac he didn’t say anything about him the problem came from the dead presidents video when big rolled the dice and said “ who shot ya “ and they all started laughing that’s why he dissed jayz and that came out him and the outlaws mouth

[@OfficiallyOrca]

When Jay-Z and Dame was putting Roca-A-Fella together with the partnership with Def Jam etc Pac already started having commercial success and parted us in physical already. Half the people watching this feed probably can't quote a bar from Pac first album He's comparing Pac going on his 4th or 5th album to Jay-Z 1st album which to me is reaching. It wasn't until Volume 2 Hard knocks kicked off Jay-Z commercial success which sold over 4 millions at the time Dude in this video bugging Ain't no way I'm comparing Jay-Z to Pac because they came from two different perspectives the music industry is big enough for anyone to eat and make money Jay-Z is mogul today off hard works and forward thinking not because Pac dissing him no matter the mileage one could've benefited from especially if u name dropping. Pac is adored loved and missed and celebrated for his courage and impact he had on life not just the music. Jay-Z and Pac are great in their own ways.

[@southeastd.c5636]

You speaking on someone quoting a bar from pac vs quoting a bar from Jay bruh is ridiculous,that's what you're basing this topic on?That's a ridiculous implication that you're implying that Jay is better than pac."Women lie,men lie,#s don't",the person you're implying that is a better rapper than pac stated those words.Again,it took Jay 10yrs to sale 1 million records...if I can recall Pac went 2x platinum with the "Me Against The World" album and he wasn't even with deathrow yet.

[@spenser6353]

@@southeastd.c5636 Pac had nothing to do with Jay Z success. This guy cappin. I didn't even know Pac mentioned Jay Z on his album

[@southeastd.c5636]

@@spenser6353 where tf u been @? Clearly u wasn't listening to his albums nor listened to nas "ether" intro with pac saying "fuck Jay z"

[@OfficiallyOrca]

@@southeastd.c5636 like I said in my first comments alot of Tupac fans can't quote a bar off his first album or tell us their favorite song off his first LP ...... Most of Tupac fans came on lil later after his movies and sitcoms etc Pac already started crossing over doing other things which was crazy at that time because we never really seen that before. Which is kool 😎 Meanwhile Jay-Z had Streets is Watching after that Reasonable Doubt LP which didn't render commercial success but obviously put people on notice. Vol 1 was my personal favorite but it wasn't till Vol 2 Annie sample ... Jay-Z kick the door in and blew the roof off commercially over 5 million records sold. That Lp didn't drop till 4th quarter of 1998. Which my math says in 2 years from Reasonable Doubt 1996 to Hard Knocks Vol 2 1998 He started to top the charts. God Bless Tupac and RIP to him no question asked but Jay-Z success really had lil to do with Pac dissing him

[@SuperRoscoe66]

If jay z was a nobody why pac mention him pac himself said jay was up next

[@d-money314]

I remember back then i was a teenager pac was all on the radio and tv back then it was all eyes on pac foreal

[@lamonthunt8711]

Real talk Fam

[@melvinhhcp3615]

96 is probably the greatest year in rap history.

[@d-money314]

@@melvinhhcp3615 yea it was a good yr i remember it like yesterday

[@p1consulting94]

Facts!

[@p1consulting94]

He forgot to say that if Beyonce was the it girl in 96. Pac would of hit that too, and Jayz would be in his feeling still like Will is with Jada.

[@In4mous1]

He basically spoke facts and even Jay knows it was a boost to his career

[@Dbo_Sports]

We’re comparing Pac at his height, to Jay and his first two albums. Jay did’nt lift off until the “Hard knock Life” album… that was his third album. That don’t have nothing to do with Pac. In all due respect… Pac’s first two albums didn’t do all that well either. He has hits on them but Pac didn’t really move units, until he was on his third album as well. This revisionist history gets a little crazy sometimes. That Hard Knock Life track changed Jay’s career. And he had three or four other hits on that album. It’s nice to get a plug from someone who was poppin at the time, but not everybody that Pac plugged, ended up moving units.

[@isiahspencer8724]

Yeah but Jay z can't f*** with Tupac on any kind of level if he couldn't when he was alive what made you think right now he can do it people don't really relate to Jay z like that bro if Tupac was coming out with a movie tomorrow you know how many people will be going to see that right now Jay Z is just not that guy Tupac took the game to a whole nother level

[@SocaDonTV]

@@isiahspencer8724 lool your comment has no correlation whatsoever… If Tupac was so much of a plug how come The Outlawz didn’t blow? 🤣. I’ll answer that, BECAUSE THEY WERE TRASH! Jay-Z’s talent and consistency made him who he was, not Tupac!… And by the way, bar for bar Jay would rap rings around Tupac

[@isiahspencer8724]

@@SocaDonTV Jay Z is garbage is work ethic ain't even compared to Tupac stop bro pimp c didn't even want to do that song with him that just shows how garbage is bro

[@SocaDonTV]

@@isiahspencer8724 ok nice story bro. You’re just another Tupac flunky that has no objectivity whatsoever when it comes to Pac

[@yo-yotradinggroup5153]

@@SocaDonTV haha jay who ??

[@MrSosa1969]

Was there back then Jay was headed for stardom . Big’s death accelerated Jay’s rise due to he filled that void . Yet he would have become a major success anyways . Many of those classics had already been written prior just waiting on release dates . Jermaine Dupre song gave him first nationwide commercial success. Yet it was the Blueprints that solidified Jay . It had nothing to do with Pac. No slight on him . They were in totally different lanes .

[@melvinhhcp3615]

If Pac (and Big) were alive, jay doesn't blow up. Period.

[@rashadtaylor8196]

True TRUE I get it!! 👍😎

[@thisislaflaretv5250]

@@melvinhhcp3615 if if had a fifth we'd all be drunk

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@thisislaflaretv5250 Only the "if" that I'm mentioning is str8 crack. Nevermind being drunk.

[@LurnWell]

I'm not sure how old you are, Big's death didn't help Jay at all. His first 2 albums got outsold by a lot of his peers, and it wasn't until Timbaland gave him some bounce music, that he finally started doing bigger numbers.

[@johnfunches8153]

I'm not a Jay-Z fan, but Delray is doing more speculation than factual analysis.

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Where were you in 96?

[@johnfunches8153]

@@melvinhhcp3615 I was heavy in the game. Where were you?

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@johnfunches8153 I was here. Delray's logic seems accurate to me.

[@johnfunches8153]

@@melvinhhcp3615, but it is not; during the time Jay-Z was hot, not on the level of Pac, but Pac was not on the level of Snoop before 'All Eyes...' so to attribute Carter's career on one factor is illogical. If you know anything about the music business, becoming a successful artist entails many factors. To say it was all because of mention on a diss song and attribute it to past record sales is ridiculous and not logical or proven factually.

[@johnfunches8153]

@@melvinhhcp3615 finally, correlation is not causality.

[@4olojones]

I agree with the comment that said Jay didn’t really pop until Vol. 2 which was 2 years after tupacs death, if anything Biggie’s death made him the rapper he is today cause New York needed someone to take the top spot once he was gone.

[@dirtyface-capone7622]

Jay Z is basically Biggie lite.I could never put Jay over Pac or Big.He's older than both of them, but he couldn't shine, or take over the #1 spot while they was here.I don't really put longevity in high regard.If I watched Michael Jordan for 5 yrs, but then watched Dominique Wilkins for 15, Michael Jordan would still be the best I ever saw.

[@SPLASHGOD575]

Not biggie lite🤣

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Perfect comment! Well said.

[@jaygee8969]

Good analogy. I approve this msg lol

[@jaygee8969]

@@SPLASHGOD575 With a chaser

[@kaekae1782]

Jay wasn’t in his prime when they were there

[@Ramble79]

Well Jay wouldn’t have blown to this magnitude if Big didn’t die. Jay and many other rappers owe Big for their success

[@pharoah504]

This is facts, I was a hip hop fanatic at that time in my life and Foxy Brown was popping more than Jay Z during that period in hip hop.Jay-Z style at that time was just a basic east coast flow, but hip hop got so watered down that his flow stood out among the time when hip hop started to decline.

[@gmoney8878]

I think that as a lot of us get older it's sometimes hard to relate to what younger people are into the same as our elders did with us, Jay-Z was smart enough to cut his own lane and be relevant as time, sound and imagery changed. But I agree with you .

[@michaeloparah5438]

“Basic east coast flow”? “Watered down hip hop”? Bro what the hell are you talking about?!? 1998 was one of the greatest years in Hip Hop history and easily top 2 of the 90’s along with 1994. I swear people get on the internet and say the dumbest sh t. Google is your friend people!!!

[@pharoah504]

@@michaeloparah5438 Im saying facts,and I was there so I don't need google,1998 was not a great year for hip hop, especially for the east coast. The south took over by that time and Jay Z was only selling because he was one of the few, that was still representing for the east, So stfu

[@michaeloparah5438]

@@pharoah504 OutKast - Aquemini. DMX - It’s Dark and Hell is Hot & flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood. Jay-Z - Vol 2. Mos Def/Talib Kweli - Black Star. Juvenile - 400 degrees. Lauryn Hill - The miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Big Pun - Capital punishment. Gang Starr - moment of truth. Like I said, Google is your friend bruh. People just get on this app and say any ole bullsh t!

[@pharoah504]

@@michaeloparah5438 You only confirmed what I just said. The south took over 🤷🏾‍♂️, Nobody was listening to the east coast like that, He built his fame off the east coast downfall. Yes i heard all of those albums when they got released, i played Lauryn Hill, I met Big Pun around that time he came to Mardi gras,Jay Z was just starting to blow up around that time. I was google before Google .So i know what im talking about, but in 95 and 96 Foxy Brown was bigger than Jay Z 🤷🏾‍♂️(even Nas said it).

[@TheShadow84]

"Ain't no ninja like me, f Jayz, he broke & I smoke daily"

[@Synchronite]

Have another shot of haterade and shaddup 🤫

[@sr_73_]

Everyone knows it was all timing. Pac and Big was gone... void was left and Hov took the baton and ran.. wtf is this dude getting air time for.. like who doesnt remember that time frame... smh

[@douglasmccurtis4249]

Jay Z fans who consider him the 🐐 needed this reminder

[@higherheights3105]

Pac was basically the Micheal Jordan of hip hop...

[@fortyglock9698]

So who was Biggie? Lebron?

[@higherheights3105]

@@fortyglock9698 tbh if there was no Heavy D biggie wouldn't exist ...my opinion

[@higherheights3105]

@@fortyglock9698 Biggie is Shaq

[@futurehendrix2345]

@higher heights 😂😂😂

[@turonwhitfield7917]

Well from that brother saying the mbrs of sales maybe he was in sales but the streets people took sides and it was kinda split east was riding with big and west was riding with pac

[@ibnsharifshakoor677]

Some artists build over time . Everyone doesn’t have numbers straight out of the gate. Look at nipsey , look at J Cole.

[@jeanmichele3843]

Pac was a slow builder. He dropped in 91’ and didn’t go platinum until his fourth project in 95’

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@jeanmichele3843 Wrong. Strictly 4 My N*ggaz went plat in 93/94.

[@jeanmichele3843]

@@melvinhhcp3615 post a link of the platinum certification

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@jeanmichele3843 What link? People who was there actually know the timeline. S4MN came out in mid 93 along with Poetic Justice in that same timeline. Then it went plat some months later. It wasn't 95 when it happened.

[@thatguyfrom313]

@@jeanmichele3843 It went platinum in 94

[@OnOneShot22]

There we go, I been saying this for years!!!!!!! Truth!!!!, but to be fair Pac was in Juice and Poetic Justice, before All Eyez On Me, but still Pac helped Jay out

[@Marlo_189]

💯

[@angeloporter1373]

Halped? Man you are blind? Pac dissed him he don do diz cuz a big heard.

[@brooklyngbaby3270]

Jay blew cuz big dead pac ain't help Jay he been poppin on the east coast Jay had to dumb his style down after reasonable doubt because he went ova niggas heads that's why he dropped reasonable doubt a 2nd time 💯

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@brooklyngbaby3270 East coast popularity does not always reflect the same across the u.s.

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@brooklyngbaby3270 jay only blew up because Pac & Big died.

[@edwardthayer9386]

Facts! Reasonable Doubt is Jay's best album and it took it 11 years to become Platinum!!!!!

[@uptownquontv]

Jayz’s talent got him to this point but the biggest rapper in the world putting his name in his album sure did help

[@sugs1191]

Not really imo. At that time pac and Biggie were kings but Jay would release hard knock life and later the black album

[@excaliber8713]

But it’s many talented rappers that don’t get that push . Pac helped admit it

[@warsameabdille4970]

@@excaliber8713 Why is Lil Kim not as big as Jay Z if that’s the case

[@excaliber8713]

@@warsameabdille4970 i think you are confused. They aren’t saying everyone that needed with Tupac is a billionaire now . Pac isn’t a genie 🧞‍♂️! They are saying that when he dropped those names , at the time that did help boost careers . And lil kim was big until she retired ! She’s not broke I’ll tell you that ! Even mob deep said it boosted their careers .

[@excaliber8713]

@@warsameabdille4970 she was pretty huge in her career after pac died . She pretty much retired . But she’s not broke so what are you asking !

[@Synchronite]

You don’t go from “just another rapper” to arguably the Goat from one diss song… But Jay reached 🐐 status from CONSISTENCY This dude brought up a 100k increase in sales from Reasonable Doubt to Vol. 1… Volume 2 went #1 and the the next album went #1 again then again and then he went # 1 repeatedly after that for the next 10 years… It’s a shame Tupac’s legacy is involved with so much hating and Pac fans always feel the need to attack other people because that’s what Tupac died doing I respect Delray opinion but it’s NOT FACTS

[@watchingrapmusicdie7215]

Jay z is average at best

[@jaxandbella96]

@@watchingrapmusicdie7215 I dont rock with jay z like I used to but his record sales dont say he's average

[@marcjones3847]

You got a point but to add on if Biggie didn't die or Mase didn't find God. Jay would have never had a lane to breeze through in .Niggas in NYC wasn't fucking with Jay he barely sold gold records

[@MichaelBrown-ti1un]

Agreed, mostly. Alot of this is subjective. The only undisputable fact is that, in 1996, Jay-Z was not a real factor in hip hop, especially commercially. Delray's right about that. The Makaveli disses, no doubt, brought Jay some attention, but "attention" easily wanes unless you have the hits, the music to keep that attention. Fact is, Jay-Z proved to be an artist who could deliver. Nore's been whining on Drink Champs recently, because 2Pac dissed Mobb Deep, not CNN, for the "LA, LA" answer back to Tha Dogg Pound. Fact is, even if Pac dissed CNN, just like he did Chino XL, they still wouldn't have blew, because unlike Jay-Z, CNN and Chino XL were niche acts, who never made any hits that anyone cared about outside of their little fanbase.

[@watchingrapmusicdie7215]

@@jaxandbella96 who do u think is more willing to pay for music.. it’s less minorities .. who is more likely to relate to story telling? White people ..

[@768972]

Thing is Pac was a mainstream artist at the time, versus Jay Z being really a local artist. One had a machine behind him, and the other was pretty much an underground label owned by 3 drug dealers trying to start a label. Its It's kind of hard to compare the 2. Big was already out, so that is a better comparison. This dude is telling the truth with no hate. This is a first for me👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@rolliemosley]

I heard Jay say nobody could get with him in a Verzuz. I still to this day think, Pac could get with him in any shape or form. Big really better than Jay too, but his material ain't enough. Nas there too, but Jay got him with commercial fans. If you break down the facts, Pac is really the only rapper Jay really don't got. Cause even though he only had 5 years, he made enough material to still be on Jay level. And I'd argue you can put Pac top 20 joints up to Jay's and he'd still hold his own with him to this day. Which is why he is my 🐐.

[@dro2real836]

Well put I totally agree.

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Faaacts... Not mention, jay sampled & stole from Pac, not the other way around.

[@malcolmskinner3117]

Song for song matched up JayZ wins.

[@mexoutoftex2986]

@@malcolmskinner3117 you must be from NY , down south we don't fukk with jay, PAC is world wide homie💯

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@malcolmskinner3117 Even if this were true, jay had 25 years to catch up. If we did a 5 year comparison 1990-1996 (including Digital Underground) vs. jay's 1996-2002, Pac would still win.

[@godsson7779]

I think we really have to say if Tupac and biggie had not been killed, Jayz would just be a regular rapper.

[@papiking1991]

Facts

[@Giolanah4]

Lmao!

[@jerrynelson5289]

probably true

[@AjCubia]

If that's the case every rapper after 2pac and biggie would just be another rapper

[@godsson7779]

@@AjCubia that's not a smart statement. We're talking about rappers back in 96, when 2pac was alive. Not in 2021. That makes. Sense

[@diseyendiomu7382]

Pac is great, Pac only called out the real threat he saw. Jay-Z never dissed Pac, he did his thing and blew up. Pac grew up around civil rights and justice environments given his parents. His story or rap lyrics were based on those fights, pain inequality and ghetto experiences. People fuck that easily during that time and Pac took advantage of that, clever. Pac took shot at everyone to his own advantage as well, and his career took a leap after that, it worked for him better than it did for others. But my truth is if Pac was alive Jay-z will still be bigger in the long run cos Jay-Z is smarter, Pac is outspoken.

[@dash-ih1tf]

Fax!

[@jaysun8172]

Bless you homie for letting your guests speak, vlads annoying ass would have interrupted like 30 times and somehow found a way to make it about himself

[@Black_Picaso]

Lol

[@zacheeyaleedaniels6748]

Nobody was saying Jayz was the best until he started saying it himself

[@Lyrical_Replies]

That's usually how it works affirmation

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Yup. Same as Bron.

[@zacheeyaleedaniels6748]

@@Lyrical_Replies facts! But he wasn't in the Barbershop conversations before that lol

[@Lyrical_Replies]

@@zacheeyaleedaniels6748 true! Fast forward somes years "These niggas shouldn't let me in I ball so hard on ESPN See my Name come across on CNN 'Bout 6 minutes, you gonna see it again"

[@excaliber8713]

@@Lyrical_Replies not for everyone

[@leroypope6739]

unless you lived in New York Jay Z was unheard of back then until Tupac dissed him. Tupac was one of the biggest celebrities, not just the biggest rapper but in the world!

[@Straight-Outta-Nottingham]

Its kinda crazy if you think about it, Pac was going at the GODS of hip hop and was destroying them, nas, mob deep, biggie, jay z etc these are all legends but pac had them all shook and was outselling them all thats a fact. Just goes to show how powerful pac was to be able to destroy those guys because these days nobody is fuckin with those guys like pac did

[@TheHiphop98]

Not really the nigga died people forget that diss tracks didn't come out the way they come out now they were not fast you had to wait till a person album dropped so the diss tracks was coming he fucking died he was only on death row for one year..... Mobb deep dropped a diss n pull it from radio because he died like 2 weeks after they made it

[@Synchronite]

Destroy is far fetched lol How do u destroy somebody that went on to have more success than ever? Lol

[@abu9822]

@@TheHiphop98 Also Lil Kim on Big Momma Thang

[@Straight-Outta-Nottingham]

@@Synchronite because pac died...they wasnt selling or saying shit when he was alive

[@kernelcoleman8195]

That's right sir, he went at the top ny rappers, that are still at the top to this day.

[@ShayneWilliams]

Facts are facts. I’ve been saying this for time. 50 and Em wouldn’t even exist neither!

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Facts also. If Pac & Big were alive & healthy, I doubt Dre would sign a white rapper. It wouldn't work, especially after Vanilla Ice got phased out.

[@jazzwhitney3333]

I don't know Eminem's flow is different. I think Pac would've signed him.

[@ShayneWilliams]

@@jazzwhitney3333 agree. I often think that too. But if Pac was out there, would Dre have pursued him? Who knows 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@ShayneWilliams]

@@melvinhhcp3615 EXACTLY THAT!!

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@jazzwhitney3333 I highly doubt this. Recall, he distanced himself from Madonna because she was white. If Em was an actor like Tony Danza, Mickey Rourke, or Tim Roth, maybe I could see it. But musically, nah. He collabed with Alanis Morrisette. They were who they were before Pac forged that alliance though. I really don't see Pac signing a white kid from the trailer parks of Detroit.

[@paperdollartzgeniuz3911]

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS .... 2PAC HAD THIS WHOLE PLANET ON 🔥 🔥 🔥 ... I even witnessed elders rocking to his beats.

[@chaarabahmath323]

When all eyez on me dropped the world stoped …I remember fun times

[@__ghostwolf__]

you know.... great days man

[@jerrelldraughn2440]

Was the days ' I was 14 years old when that drop having time of my life

[@david_fitzmaurice]

@Timmy Ggz tv when baby lane started an argument and then got dropped in the car wash by the guys who he started an argument with, that was the greatest time for the whole universe. Instant Karma!

[@MadaraUchiha-vs4ld]

@@david_fitzmaurice facts

[@sidohofman6835]

@Timmy Ggz tv Baby Lane’s cowardness turned Pac in to a legend though.

[@jknumber5138]

Jay took time to blow(96). Just like Pac took time(91)

[@ghostt488]

Jay been rapping since the 80’s

[@jknumber5138]

@@ghostt488 Pac been around since Digital Underground

[@Synchronite]

@@ghostt488 So has Tupac Remember MC New York?

[@tyreesneed]

didnt take "time" to blow ... took MONEY to blow! when jay had the major machine def jam / polygram behind him putting that real money up for marketing and promo thats when he blew. same for pac when he got on that death row and jimmy finally put that real inter scope cake up.

[@WallTrapMedia]

I'm not from NYC, I'm from Chicago and ATL and what dude saying is all 🧢 Jay-Z is from BK, NYC, and was next up to blow. It's 20M MF'ers in the metro NYC area and this was when NYC was on fire and rap land. Jay-z was already going through the circuit. His talent was undeniable. Plus he was independent. Sure Pac shouting him out helped boost his clout but he was going to be a big dog regardless. . Big and Puffy were going to make sure he was shining and on the right platforms and his investors, Biggs Burke, and OG Juan could get him whatever budget he wanted. Plus he came up under Big Daddy Kane and DJ Clark Kent and Mister Cee. He was going to be pushed the right way that's why Pac even knew who he was cus' he knew Jay-Z was coming. Lastly, Jay-Z was making the right music to warrant bigger album sales. Pac was my fav rapper but ya'll be going too far with the idol worshipping.

[@SlimBandit211]

Pac Stans won't get what u saying

[@jackmeehoff1524]

You speaking FACTS I FROM NYC and I was a teen around that era NOBODY was calling the pac the best until he died. A BUNCH of dudes swear they made JAY ....but why aren't they where jay is? I LOVE Pac but his death has given him some mythical untouchable status and its ridiculous. Pac had his flaws some serious ones at that

[@KQzActAsSuch]

Could you imagine how many records Tupac would have sold if social media was popping BACK THEN?!?! Dude would have been the Michael Jackson in the hip hop game.

[@Shayzar1]

or cancelled

[@dubbmari550]

Not sure if it’s true or not but boy it makes a lot of sense! Rip 2pac 💙

[@thecunninlynguist]

it doesn't.

[@goldenturds3865]

I was there in the 90's JayZ was not the man. Bro there was literally one or two songs that was a smash on his album all radio hits!

[@supremevictory4310]

its true.jayz fans are completely in denial.

[@OnOneShot22]

If you weren't old enough at least 18yrs old in 95'96 then this may not make sense to you or you maybe unsure

[@kernelcoleman8195]

He right pac called jay z, nas, biggie, mobb deep, q tip, chino xl & ll cool j out.

[@TheKnightdiamond]

Tupac was the GREATEST! No rapper dead or alive comes close!

[@Bidness100]

💯

[@fritzgeraldlamadblain7694]

Keith Murray, didnt you have a fight with Pac? Lol

[@MichaelBrown-ti1un]

I like the way Delray lays out his arguments, but I mostly disagree. Jay was gonna blow regardless, eventually. He just needed the right singles, the right machine behind him. 2Pac's debut album, 2Pacalypse, was a commercial flop, because it lacked the right lead singles, and he was still finding his "voice" as an artist. It was common back then for artists to need multiple albums before they achieved commercial success. Did the Makaveli disses help garner Jay some attention, yeah, but that didn't "make" his career. It's a reach to say that a diss-mention on a song blew an artist up. Biggie, the undisputed king of NYC starting in '94, dying had way more to do with Jay blowing up. It opened up a lane. Remember, Biggie and Nas were already throwing subs at each other on It Was Written and Life After Death. That was supposed to be the clash for king of NYC, not Jay versus Nas 5 years later with "Ether" and "The Takeover." Biggie dying and Nas putting out some wack music during his whole "Escobar" phase, along with the west coast falling off commercially after Death Row collapsed, all contributed to Jay-Z eventually becoming "that nigga" in hip hop. Jay had the hits, the consistency, and the Def Jam machine to help push him to the top. You can't simply just boil all this down to some shots 2Pac was throwing his way on the Makaveli album.

[@Steve0verton]

You wrote all that to say what? ...and you still missed the layup 😂

[@ljvue]

No

[@MichaelBrown-ti1un]

@@Steve0verton "Jay was gonna blow regardless, eventually." There, I made it easy for you. Bad reading comprehension aside, do you agree or disagree with what Delray's laying out here?

[@Flashy9824]

🧢 Pac was applying pressure u gotta understand when u went to battle in the 90’s the loser loss his career jay z was gonna be feneto messin wit Pac

[@floralkami2860]

I completely agree. He found a lane and had consistent hits.

[@jeanmichele3843]

I agree that Pac saying his name helped boost his profile to a certain extent but I think it’s a reach to say he would have only been “just another rapper” had it not occurred. There’s several holes in his premise. One, he could essentially make the same argument for Tupac in 91’ when he dropped 2Pacalypse. Ice Cube, LL and Hammer were at the top of the food chain when Pac first came out, they were going platinum and diamond (in Hammers case) while Pac’s first album was a major label flop and didn’t reach platinum until 15 years later. He could basically make the same argument that the controversy and Vice President Dan Quayle name dropping him, helped to boost Pac’s sales by the time his second album dropped (which still took 2 years to go platinum). And he’s making the mistake of comparing a newcomer’s independent debut album (Reasonable Doubt) to an established artist’s major label album (All Eyes On Me). Unlike his first album, Jay Z’s second album had a major label budget behind it, which may also be a larger contributing factor for it going platinum than Pac name dropping him. He didn’t think this through all the way because if we’re using his logic, Chino XL should’ve had a better career as well after he named dropped him on Hit Em Up too.

[@SuperbNProsper]

Exactly

[@jundean5292]

Strictly was platinum by 94 So one year

[@SuperbNProsper]

@@jundean5292 no strictly didn’t go platinum til 95. 2Pacalyse didn’t go gold til 95

[@jhragins96]

The point I think he is making that outside of New York we didn't know who Jay-Z was in 1995. I grew up in Lousiana in 96 I was 16. I didn't know Jay-Z like that we looked into their music to try and discover why Pac was mad about. So he makes a valid point. Jay still would have blown up at some point. He has undeniable talent.

[@jundean5292]

@@SuperbNProsper mate Strictly was platinum by 94 Pac even has an interview before he went to jail where he mentions strictly going platinum

[@fitawrarifitness6842]

Jay Z was inevitable, just like 50 cent was inevitable. To say Jay wouldve been just an average rapper is ridiculous.

[@sickwidit8786]

Finally Some One Hits You Guys With The Facts!!! 💯💯 The Don Lives On! The G.O.A.T !!! 2PAC!!!

[@bxboro4662]

BS is facts nowadays? 🧐

[@ezumaokoronkwo1065]

What facts? Reasonable Doubt went 10X platinum in 2006 not 1.5million

[@lethal5flow679]

So if Pac just got to speak your name.....then how come Chino XL didn't blow???????....and he dissed Pac the hardest

[@higher_pwr8178]

PAC is the greatest. JZ filled the void Pac and Biggie left.

[@davidthejuggler6754]

Facts. Nature must fill a vacuum. Not such a big feat.

[@DblTap317]

Jay-Z did 43K on his own vs Pac getting a fraction of the sales. From a business standpoint Jay-Z still probably felt it was a win for him personally. Those two moved different it's like trying to compare a Quarterback and a Linebacker and determine the best "football player". Different positions in the same game.

[@BTman58]

Pac had nothing to do with Jay's success. Biggie passing gave Jay Z room to grow and Jay's base was the EC. Now he may have grown regardless of Big's passing but it did help him.

[@Synchronite]

Jay was gonna do what he was gonna do regardless imo But it’s more accurate to say Big helped Jay than a Tupac diss song Wouldn’t that make ppl NOT fw you? Lol

[@BTman58]

@@Synchronite Exactly... 🤣🤣 "Oh man 2pac dissed this unknown guy Jay Z. Let me go buy his album." vs "Man Biggie died who's out there with skills and flow that I can listen to now. A...there's this guy Jay Z. Oh the guy that was on Big's album and used to rock with Jaz O?"

[@sidohofman6835]

Pac was nr 1. Snoop nr 2 and Big nr 3. No rapper was at their lane. By Pac’s and Big’s passing the votes went to Nas, jay-z, dmx, ja rule, 50 cent & eminem etc. Pac was at the top in ‘96. He grew at such a high speed.

[@jackjill8129]

If that were the case how come Junior Mafia never got tht big? They only had like one gold album the only one out of them that did something was Kim. if pac woulda never mentioned his name I don't think people woulda checked for Jay that much outside of NY, not to say he wouldn't have been successful but he definitely wouldn't be the Jay z we know today

[@papiking1991]

You crazy as hell to think that lol jay-z out his own mouth “pac open up doors for me” ! Jay-z benefited so much from pac and bigs death !!! Pac and biggie was on top of the world ! Nobody was touching them ! But pac was the king of rap in at the age 24 ! And he was getting better and better

[@furiousstyles9662]

Reasonable doubt was released on June 25th 1996 not in march... BROTHA

[@wealthbuilders4736]

Facts

[@prettytee1978]

I love his interviews because he always comes with facts and he knows his Tupac history ❤️

[@Twan1985]

I'm gonna be honest I never was a Jay-Z fan I mean he just wasn't my cup of tea

[@DUDULALALALALALA]

Gae Gen Z knock off

[@insearchof5719]

And? Who cares, I doubt jay z losing sleep over it lol

[@Twan1985]

@@insearchof5719 I knew someone had something to say

[@chilechile4458]

Up untill now.

[@akaspon1]

Man who cares. One made great music and his dead. The other made great music and is alive and thriving. These post death ‘2pac was Jesus’ stuff is out of control and I was a bigger fan of PAC than Jay and still is, but this shit is silly.

[@ThaMizphit74]

Biggie's death was definitely a factor in Jay-Z stepping in to fill that East Coast void when Vol. 1 came out. New York needed their guy, and Jay stepped up. Vol. 1 had a few joints, but overall it was a reach because the super commercial joints on it were terrible. Vol. 2 solidified Jay.

[@Colegatez]

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH 💥💥💥💥💯

[@gmoneybagz2376]

Nothing but LIES!

[@mikebzee1499]

Nothing but lies Pac first album was a flop that was Jay first album

[@KeizeShow]

Let’s not forget Jay-Z remade ‘96 Bonnie & Clyde.

[@datdudeha714]

Being from NYC, I can legitimately tell you none of us listened to Tupac music at this time. NYC was on crime music, Mobb Deep, Nas, Capone and Noreaga etc. We were in our own bubble, still thinking we ran hip hop. We knew Tupac as the artist, but we just didn’t listen to him. He just didn’t fit the bill for what New Yorkers wanted to hear at the time.

[@freckhefner4019]

thank you bro we don’t give a fuck about 2Pac bro The West Coast holds him in high regard not us

[@jarvasedundy1]

​@@freckhefner4019 2pac still got y'all butthurt from Hit Em Up 🤣😂🤧

[@Fowler0526]

Jay Z’s first album sales were probably the same as Pacs first album sales… but Pac was four albums in to Jay Z’s one in 1996… Jay Z was still going to blow up regardless… Pac would’ve just had somebody else to diss…

[@jaythawriter4940]

No he wasn’t. He was a nobody until big dies and mase left

[@Fowler0526]

@@jaythawriter4940 if you remember he was Big’s man… he was going to blow up… plus Pac dissed him so obviously he had buzz… Jay was still going to do big things just face it… And I’m a bigger Pac fan than Jay Z

[@jaythawriter4940]

@@Fowler0526 the stats say otherwise. But okay.

[@Fowler0526]

@@jaythawriter4940 Tupac’s first album “Strictly for my Niggaz” did 38,000 copies in its first week. Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt album did 43,000 sales in its first week… this is per the RIAA… that’s factual… what I’m saying is comparing these guys debuting albums is more fair than comparing someone who’s four albums in to someone just getting in.

[@jaythawriter4940]

@@Fowler0526 that’s not 2pac first album buddy. Lol. Pac was actually 2 albums in when he blew up. Please stop comparing jay to 2pac. You’ll just make yourself sound stupid! Jay was a damn nobody. These are facts. Not opinion. He didn’t blow up until everyone died and Mase left. Not opinions. All facts

[@j1216-h2r]

This shit is 100% factual. Good shit bro

[@kingrj2454]

I love 2Pac. One of the greatest to ever lived. But to say that Jay-Z wouldn’t be successful if Pac was still alive is crazy. 2Pac was signed to Death Row, Death Row was under Interscope… which means Pac had a whole entire machine behind him. Jay, Dame, and Biggs was doing it out the mud. And it was harder to be an independent artist back then, because you had to really make decisions on your own & everything is coming out of your pocket. Nowadays, you can blow up off your phone. And if you smart & know how to handle your business… wouldn’t need a record label to back you.

[@chadporter1719]

I feel what he saying but jay didn't have that same exposure as big and pac at that time. Jay-Z still would've been where he was if they didn't die

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Facts

[@MrTruefacts101]

Big lie

[@antoniolewis]

Right and he is comparing Pac who had like two or three other albums already released by that point to Jay, who is fresh on the scene.

[@lamonthunt8711]

I respect that

[@soulbrutha23]

Thing is, had Pac been around and went for J's neck on wax his (jz) career would gone another way

[@claytonmurray-mitchell309]

Yep, as a 90’s kid in Australia I only knew of Jay Z, Mobb Deep & Chino XL because of Tupac name dropping them. Years later I eventually become a fan of Jay Z & Mobb Deep’s music 👍🏾 Tupac influenced me heavy as a kid so I wasn’t listening to Biggie, Bad Boy artist, Mobb Deep etc at that particular time !! Lol

[@hammerking1200]

As a Jay fan this is a fact. Its how I got introduced to him through Pac

[@NYKnicks33]

I disagree…Jay Z had a buzz on the East Coast with Reasonable Doubt. He got national attention after Biggie got killed because a lot of people saw him as the next big East Coast rapper….not to mention, he basically carried the same swag that Big did. People that missed Biggie flocked to Jay Z.

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Buzz on the East Coast doesn't always translate across the map. I wish people would using this as a fake legit talking point.

[@b.o.1951]

It took time for Jay because of his skill level. Jay has always been nice but timing is everything and nothing at all at the same time. I say that because hard-knock life would slap regardless. Jays debut album Reasonable doubt was always dope. I know because I’m from LA CA and I was the only cat on the block banging it and people clowned me for it. It took time for the masses to catch up but I can’t agree with the hypothetical if Pac was around Jay wouldn’t be Jay.

[@chandlerscaringia5260]

You could say the same thing as about BIG

[@747REDFELLA1]

Exactly

[@747REDFELLA1]

Maybe Pac’s and Biggie’s death gave Jay motivation to step his gave up ..I believe he took advantage of their departure to climb the ladder to reach the top of hiphop..I believe Master P did the same thing took advantage of Pac and big’s departure..Because if Pac and Big was around Master p and no limit would of stayed underground down south

[@JaeRocReacts]

he wouldnt be who he is if Pac & Biggie never died. it is what it is

[@brooklyngbaby3270]

Jay said it himself he had to dumb his style down to blow that reasonable doubt was way ova niggas head he even dropped it a second time ⏲️😴

[@thomasmckinney4556]

Give 2pac his respect because no one has a museum, school, classes, and mural worldwide and made it in the gueness of world records do Jay z any of the things and almost 30 years we still talking about 2pac give him his respect and Jay z #1 again

[@TrueToYourself511]

Straight 💯 Delray 🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋 Said it before and ill say it again - Nobody would know of Jay Z, if Pac was alive and Bey would be on her knees

[@diamondespn]

Where is pac now

[@junior-hn6en]

appreciate the real talk great interview no one should ever forget the impact tupac had on other rappers careers and the impact tupac had on people lives in general touched all racis all colors every one loved tupac...RIP 🙏 tupac amaru shakur

[@screechpryor]

That's what I'm talkin about it New York acts like Jay-Z was out selling everybody and he never was

[@anghoppi]

It's a shame because Tupac realized too late, he barely had anything with all he'd done. 😔 RIP.

[@mikegillins4992]

Regardless of how successful jayz has become thats something he will always hear from critics He didn't start to blow up til after pac and biggie death ( from my recollection dead president was jay first single off RD and it dropped in june 96 but either way he makes good point thou reasonable doubt is a classic album but had very little impact in 96 one of the greatest years in hip hop history) what he also fails to mention is jayz second album dropped fall 97 a year after makavelli dropped in between that time jayz had collaboration with biggie, lil Kim and foxy brown I would contribute that to jayz having more success from first album to second album than pac mentioning his name on makavelli

[@fondel6147]

agree. This reasoning is more likely

[@747REDFELLA1]

Now I believe Jay would of been a great Mc but Pac and Big would of still been the bigger stars ..Pac’s personality ,his up bringing ,his hiphop Catalog and personal life was interesting in a iconic way ..And Big was a great Mc for his genre of hiphop..Jay couldn’t compete with them two

[@mikegillins4992]

@@747REDFELLA1 I respect your opinion on that...pac music will be relevant for generations to come cause alot of what he rap about is still happening now and he has the most powerful voice in hip hop and big incredible flow, wordplay and storytelling was unmatched but to jay credit he saw the opening when they both got murdered and took it moving like a true hustler!!!

[@melvinhhcp3615]

Both of jay's first 2 albums were non factors. Streetz Iz Watching also. Money Ain't A Thang & Vol. 2 correctly put jay on the map. The Rush Hour Soundtrack also. Ja, Jay, and Amil. Can I Get A...

[@mikegillins4992]

@@melvinhhcp3615 I wouldn't say jayz second album was a non-factor it triple the first week sales of RD and unlike his solo debut it didn't take forever to go platinum also streets iz watching was on his second album not hard knock but I do agree the hard knock album was the project that took his career to different level one of his five best album's

[@wp-theillest1987]

Difference is Jay with his partners was building his own label….putting up their on money…..building his own, prepping for a marathon. 2nd-took that beef to get those numbers up for Pac, so is Big responsible for that?…all in all…J won the marathon…owning a label to give artist back their masters…and so on and so on.

[@bizil100]

Just said the EXACT SAME THING BOSS!!! Pac was with Digital at first. Then joined Interscope and blew up. From there joined a powerhouse in Death Row. Snoop PROVED u could have the streets AND mainstream on lock. While being able to keep that g rap edge. Dre was ALREADY A LEGEND with NWA. So Pac joining Death Row as like KD JOINING Golden State! Bottom line is AT WORST Hov was gonna be a legend along the lines of Redman, Wu, Lox, Scarface, etc. Hip Hop icons who NEVER really had a huge mainstream presence with their music. Because they DESINGED IT THAT WAY! AT BEST, Hov was gonna find the PERFECT BALANCE between the mainstream and streets. EITHER WAY Hov was gonna be an icon. It was just gonna be WHAT LANE that iconic status was gonna come in!

[@ansar714]

This dudes memory is impeccable.

[@warispeaceignoranceisstren704]

That's what happens when you stay away from Drugs and Alcohol

[@HiPHOPx87]

He's right. Same goes for mobb deep, nas, Chino xl and others. He boosted careers through his death. Especially due to the Makaveli bootlegs

[@nanittywp6546]

All them rappers u just named didn't need no boost from pac..maybe chino xl but not no nas and mobb deep

[@melvinhhcp3615]

@@nanittywp6546 Mobb Deep definitely needed a boost in 95/96.

[@thatguyfrom313]

They're boosted now. Through his death. Even on youtube algorithms.

[@malcolmskinner3117]

Wow these artists beside 2pac held their own.It wasn't about 2pac when shook ones came out.You can't credit Pacs death for the inevitable success of skillful sputters like Mob Deep Yall sound like yall from Cali and yall desperately looking for a king or you can't function in the game.Sad.

[@malcolmskinner3117]

*spitters

[@REIInnerCircle]

All FACTS!!! Moob Deep is on record saying they were thankful PAC mentioned them! This guy always come from a sincere viewpoint no cap!

[@gregjohnson8412]

Most of y’all probably too young to understand but I understand exactly what he’s saying not saying J wouldn’t have been J but just by Pac saying his name could boost his next album record sales and for the record I thought Reasonable Doubt was a great album when it came out

[@quandadon5882]

“Could” don’t make it a fact & since we can’t go back & change the situation we won’t know for sure.

[@shesbaldbutiwould]

His next album didnt do well so negative people need to stop with the gas,we know who 2pac was dont have to credit him with everything

[@shesbaldbutiwould]

@Jay Johnson No it didnt,Jay didnt get popping till 98 Tupac had been dead 2 whole years by then if Tupac had such an effect on Jay's career why didnt his albums directly after the beef do well? i dont even know what youre talking about Jay was always trying to be a mainstream rapper aint no nigga is an attempt at capturing mainstream that was way before Tupac. Jay would be Jay and if he wouldnt of it wouldnt of been cause of Tupac people need to stop the nonsense we get it you love pac.

[@shesbaldbutiwould]

@Jay Johnson Nope all wrong Jay was still struggling after the Pac beef,he started to do slighlty better in the mainstream because he switched from priority to def jam but he still wasnt gaining the traction he desired,he had to make streets is watching to make up for in my lifetime and get people back on side. If he made an attempt at mainstream with aint not nigga and cant knock the hustle then clearly he was trying to reach mainstream regardless of the album he was trying to get up there nothing about rocafella and how they were moving at the time would make you think they were trying to be some underground label,they wanted to compete with bad boy and big. HIS decisions along with Dame Bigga and Def jam made his career start to ascend not Pac,you guys need to stop with the bullshit revisionism yall want Pac to be responsible for everything,nope.

[@shesbaldbutiwould]

@Jay Johnson No i am not from the tri state. who is us? the west coast? because a rapper bringing a another rapper to your attention doesnt mean he helped him go mainstream,you became aware of him but did you buy his next album? his next single?,what happened to Chino xl then? how comes his career didnt boost from a Pac call out?. Yeah you keep telling me Pac calling him out pushed him but i cant see any evidence of that you just keep telling me your opinion,show me factual evidence that Pac helped Jay'z career because Jay z was still struggling until he caught one with hard knock life,that a full 2 years after 2pac being dead so i need to understand where this boost was meant to supposed to of happened. Oh please statements like that are so annoying,Jay wouldve of been this if Big was alive Jay wouldve been that if Pac was alive you cannot prove that youre just talking air. The lox never made anywhere near the level of hit music Jay made thats the difference,they made,Jada especially,some good mainstream shit but not a hard knock life not a can i get a not a big pimpin H to the Izzo, thats why they never quite got there,once Jay hit his stride he never looked back it took him longer to figure his shit out just like Eminem just like 50 cent not everyone gets on early like a Big or a Snoop or a Pac.