What Happened to The Medium 3?

[@ReedMySole]

Nelly was top tier rapstar. Luda was amazing but he wasn’t top tier. When he went into acting he was never a lead role like an Ice cube or Will Smith. I love Luda and think chicken and beer and release therapy were amazing. I am 31 and bought Luda cds growing up. If that’s what yall want to talk about in the comments go off but that’s not the point of this video. Be respectful and enjoy the content. It’s all just a conversation. Also mid is short for middle not mid as in bad.

[@majoramarket7998]

It's a great video, we not yelling but Ludacris as an example does run contrary to your argument. He has achieved far too much mainstream success in his era to be considered a tier below Nelly. They both even launched their own labels and other artist's careers. Luda was literally considered "King of the South" by many, which transistioned to the competition with T.I. Back in the day they were always near equals, it wasn't a Ja Rule/50 Cent situation. If that's the case we can just say Nas is middle cause Jay-Z outshine him, or any one else is middle because Em and 50 outshine them. There's gotta be space for more than the top 1-3 guys at the top.

[@spliffsforbreakfast]

@@ReedMySole You’re older than me so you have more first hand experience with how pop culture was in the early 2000’s but I still have to disagree. And I’m not here to argue I just like the discussion. But just because Luda wasn’t a leading actor doesn’t mean he wasn’t an “A-TIER” rapper/artist/celebrity.. I think he chose to keep his fame to a certain level where he didn’t feel like he had to compromise or lose being grounded. Funny enough.. the same person who gave Ice Cude their very first acting role is the same person who gave Luda their’s. John Singleton. The main difference is Cube became a whole movie producer.. but Luda is still one of the goats bro. 3 Grammies and a Star on the Walk of Fame is crazy. He definitely was top tier. He just wasn’t Jay Z or Justin Timberlake type shit…

[@ReedMySole]

@@spliffsforbreakfast I literally want us to argue lol it’s just a small point in a video that’s about something else. We view things from a very hiphop lens and often times believe something is bigger than it was. Was Lisa big yes. But was he Nelly going diamond big? No. He was right in the middle.

[@ReedMySole]

@@majoramarket7998 Nas could very well be seen as mid tier lol. And lowkey Jay z was until he married Beyoncé. If we looking at it from hiphop the of course Nas, ay z and Luda was big. But again it’s all just a discussion. Maybe we have to start viewing things differently. But at the end of the day it’s all just a conversation.

[@DakaGoody703]

Can't really judge the artist's career if you came in midway. Luda was in his prime before Chicken and Beer so you didn't get the energy first hand...but he held down 2000-2002...Fabolous maybe

[@Swype87]

Putting Ludacris and Busta Rhymes in a “mid tier” is insane. Firstly, they’re two entirely different generations/eras compared to those others listed, secondly, especially with Ludacris in particular, dude was a legit superstar that then transitioned into acting.

[@devildham]

Yeah, his youngin' was showing with that statement.😂

[@_ElijahEarl]

Yeah they don’t belong there

[@NoirNameless]

Especially Ludacris. Idk what bro talking about lol

[@Swype87]

@@NoirNameless yeah I think cause it’s been so long since Luda was in the limelight for music, people forget how there he was. He had an amazing 4-5 year run.

[@SolidSnake240]

Busta had some of the best music videos too. Didn't he win an award for his videos? Luda was also one of the hottest artists in the game, he went on a really solid album run too.

[@jmbeats3308]

"We live in an era of extremes" is a great way to put it. If you're not selling triple digits the first week, you don't have massive moments from other people's perspectives, or you don't flip tables and start drama, you're considered a flop. That mindset definitely applies to things in general as well. Not all artists are the same but this explains why. I mean Lil Baby while justified back then was over-propelled by hype and media outlets in my opinion, and now we see that without that, people aren't as invested. In today's time, you need to make incredible moves/art and/or have a large passionate fanbase to succeed in the mid or A-tier.

[@kdotldotsdot3430]

You named Ludacris and Busta Ryhmes while they both going on 20 years plus of doing what they want is WILD

[@CallMeWalls_]

Heavily agree with the intimate settings for shows. Being able to pay $80 for a ticket for Larry June or Smino and being engaged in the very front row is priceless. Compared to spending $600 on a festival ticket where you’re in a sea of thousands. Those smaller shows are always better quality.. even the people you meet haha.

[@Willardbeans00]

Real talk, got a chance to see Action Bronson, Curren$y, Griselda, The Lox, and Rakim all in settings just like that.. much more immersive and preferred

[@cliff402ful]

I can definitely see the appeal. God forbid more big name artists do shows like this. Stay in a city for like a week or two at a small venue so many people get a chance to go.

[@professorskye]

Great topic and solid reasoning. It’s also that the mid-tier is broke! Luda and Busta may have been mid tier, but they made a good living. I wonder how dudes like Cordae get by.

[@ReedMySole]

They may have better deals than the older guys ? That’s the only way it could make cents. #bars. They sell less but keep more? Because where does the money come from?

[@EnochAli-r5t]

Cordae got a rich baby momma 😂 ​@@ReedMySole

[@chrisgoodworld]

Take Luda out that list

[@Aaa-pz6nh]

Busta isn’t mid tier, gotta stop with all that.

[@felipecagorago]

@@ReedMySole I doubt Cordae is making as much money as Ludacris made back in the 2000s

[@ddotgil]

“Medium 3” is hilarious

[@ILLiePhilly215]

😂😂😂 Bruh

[@reddsmoke904]

Okay so it aint just me 😂

[@AfroSam16]

The music industry is one of the most glaring examples of how capitalism exploits labor for huge profits. As the middle class shrinks in America so does that of the music industry. But for a less political answer, it’s the internet and youth culture’s fault. We attribute sales and popularity to the quality of an artist’s music. Therefore the smaller the artist the more likely they are to be overlooked. “So and so didn’t sell 100k first week? Oh aight they’re trash”

[@AfroSam16]

lol you literally said all of these points. I should really watch the whole video before commenting. Shouts to you man💯

[@WillieEarlSon]

It’s not the youths faults, the exploitation has been in motion since the 90s

[@aweshumandy]

​@WillieEarlSon it's not their fault but in the past culture wasn't dictated by numbers. sure it was driven by them within the industry but the people saw past it. People became stars from word of mouth and thus people's perspectives were naturally tied to a more organic perspective

[@BdalingoFitnEnt]

Exactly

[@WillieEarlSon]

@@aweshumandy how far back in the past we talking ? Cause by the 2000s the numbers debate was a thing.

[@gollossalkitty]

Denzel curry is the best example of a mid tier because he's been talking about being mid tier himself for a while, he calls his music "ultraground," as in, not underground, not what top five you smokin on kendrick, but just large enough that many people take off his work and ideas. The largest rappers he's worked with usually also apply to this mid tier.

[@FlorenceTende]

U aren't funny at all dude

[@canikickit7]

@@FlorenceTende ???

[@Blockchaindegenerate]

Denzel is the closest thing to Mid Tier we have atm.

[@lukel.6582]

also got people like Vince Staples, Schoolboy Q, Griselda, Freddie Gibbs, Ty Dolla $ign, Baby Keem, Danny Brown, Pusha T, Lupe Fiasco, so yeah, i don't really know what he means by the mid tier is gone...

[@uknw438]

Big KRIT has some amazing music

[@RUNWAYBEAUTY]

📌📌📌📌

[@mozeztheman7925]

I put krit right up there Kenny, Aubrey and Cole! Plus he make his own beats!

[@brandonwoods2679]

Glorilla stole Big Krit's flow. Prove me wrong.

[@T-Mr.Unknown93]

​@@brandonwoods2679 LIES!

[@Tomorrowomari]

@@brandonwoods2679she stole Rich Boy’s flow actually. Listen to throw some D’S

[@JimmyHopkins-bw9jb]

Big krit still in my top 5. Dropping a 29 track project with no skips is legendary

[@ReedMySole]

@@JimmyHopkins-bw9jb which side did you like best? I like the Justin Scott side.

[@JimmyHopkins-bw9jb]

@ReedMySole not that project I'm talking about "return of 4eva" he uploaded it on dsps and took some tracks off but that was a early mixtape of his with 29 tracks on it. Great listen if you haven't heard it

[@ReedMySole]

@ yeah might long time only has 22 tracks. And yeahs it’s my 2nd favorite mixtape of his but it got me into big krit early on.

[@JimmyHopkins-bw9jb]

@@ReedMySole Mt.olympus is what got me into em bro was snapping

[@joshuaBrooks.nicholas]

Facts bruh still one of my favorite artists he always be snapping on every beat he get on

[@Mcelly58]

Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg stand out in the hip-hop landscape because they’ve mastered the art of longevity through consistency, adaptability, and understanding their role in the industry. They’ve learned that you don’t need to always be the biggest name or dominate the charts to maintain relevance and respect. Instead, they’ve focused on consistently delivering hits, collaborating with others, and staying visible in the culture through various mediums. Busta, for example, has always been a showman, thriving on his energetic style, intricate flows, and powerful visuals. Even if he’s not dominating the airwaves at all times, his name holds weight because he delivers when called upon-whether it’s a memorable verse on a remix, a standout live performance, or dropping a track that reaffirms his unique lane in the game. Snoop Dogg, on the other hand, has mastered reinvention. From gangster rap to funk, reggae, and even hosting shows or cooking with Martha Stewart, Snoop has shown that staying in the game doesn’t mean chasing trends-it means staying true to your identity while being open to change. Contrast that with artists like Wale, Meek Mill, or Big Sean, who belong to the “Control roster” (a term possibly referencing the artists impacted by Kendrick Lamar’s infamous verse on “Control”). While they’ve all had moments of commercial and critical success, they haven’t yet achieved the same enduring cultural presence. Part of this could stem from inconsistent branding or a lack of unique identity that separates them from their contemporaries. Drake and J. Cole are exceptions because they’ve managed to balance consistency with growth. Drake stays relevant through strategic collaborations and by shaping trends in music, while J. Cole maintains a loyal fan base through authenticity, quality projects, and a willingness to let his work speak for itself. In essence, Busta and Snoop represent the importance of carving out a sustainable career by playing the long game, understanding their audience, and knowing that being “the top guy” isn’t always necessary for success.

[@AngeBiampandou]

Drake is chasing trends not setting them. Let's be very clear

[@Mcelly58]

@ yeah, absolutely spot on the last time he set a trend was 2011 with Take Care

[@BCannonThaMc]

KRIT WAS DIFFERENT HE SHOULDVE BEEN STUPID HUGE IN RAP PERIOD.

[@tyizzle80]

Theres a shift in Hip Hop where people want to see Passion in the Craft no matter if its Trap, Conscience ,or Ratchet we want to see your heart in it.

[@NewDave]

Thank you for this video. The focus on big 3's and top 5's has ruined online discussions. I'm 40, and back in the day people were proud to find an unknown artist and recommend them to others. Now it's more about perception than quality. But, that's a good thing for artists anyway, because they can focus on their dedicated fans and ignore the noise.

[@sx2ap]

It's like pro wrestling. Guys move up and down the card depending on their popularity and how the people with the money perceive them. Some guys get hot and become main eventers and stay there (like Kendrick) and some have a little short main event run and then fall down the card whether because of self destruction or the fans turn on them (like Meek Mill). I don't feel Wale, Big Sean, or Meek ever were Big 3. Again, they had potential and were up there featured on songs with the main eventers but never did enough to main event WrestleMania let's say lol. I feel Future was Big 3 at a time and if someone said he's currently Big 3 or always was I wouldn't argue with them. Festivals are overrated, it's also a bad/false indicator of if an artist is hot because most people are just there for the already big time artists. I mean the others might develop but I doubt anyone will really get discovered from a festival. I could be wrong on that though. Music talk has gone the same way as sports talk. If you don't call someone's favorite artist number 1 then that's an insult. Like being called number 2 or top 5 is degrading. This GOAT talk has breeded toxicity in conversations and most people don't have their own opinions anymore. They just hear something that goes with what they like and run with that instead of having an independent thought. What do they call it, Group Think?

[@ReedMySole]

@@sx2ap I’m literally watching the Mr. McMahon documentary as I type this. I have an older episode about HipHop being like WWE.

[@LORDSTRYKER92]

Well said. Im a big Wrestling fan and and always compare the two. 🫡

[@silversoulken]

As a lifelong fan of both mediums, you said this PERFECTLY bro 🔥

[@BdalingoFitnEnt]

This was great break down and I agree.

[@tommason4111]

Is it rap or is it wrestling? Nxggas love to forget - I forgot who said it

[@Jawnwickk]

On point analysis. T pain talked about how he liked the smaller shows for the reasons you stated. I miss the days of being excited and hopeful about seeing where artist like Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Yelawolf, Krit, Wale, Mac Miller, Rocky, MGK, Meek, Tyler, Cudi, and of course Kendrick, Cole and Drake etc would go.

[@Boo-fn1sj]

Gambino, BoB, Joey, Nipsey, and I guess Tyga 😅

[@Ironman79]

0:16 Ludacris was selling as much as Jay Z and Ja Rule in the early 2000s. He def wasn’t mid tier.

[@muhammadghibby2499]

Jay Z & Ja were mid tier too, neither of them were X

[@Ironman79]

@ Jay Z sold more records than X from 1998 through 2003.

[@bizbaby]

Yeah Ludacris lost me

[@supermugiboy]

Krit might not be mainstream, but he still drop fire music.

[@DavidBenford8]

KRIT has been in my big 3 since 2013 after he dropped the King Remembered in Time mixtape. That solidified him for me. I never cared about popularity or sales. When it comes to quality art and legendary music, it's KRIT and Kendrick

[@justfeelingirie]

this channel is cleeeeean. good editing, engaging topics, and all presented clearly and concisely

[@birdtunnelparty]

People changing mid to mean trash really messed up perceptions and have these comments mad af. I guess Reed coulda labeled it second tier or something to better communicate the lack of disrespect, but I think he did a clear job explaining what he was saying and all y’all could hear is “Luda mid”

[@prof3ssor178]

Big KRIT is extremely underrated when he shouldn't be. But Ludacris, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa they really blew up and had major success, the circles and labels they were under made a big success

[@duhduhduhdiesel1436]

Wiz Khalifa is top 15 worst rappers all time

[@leedurham3144]

@@duhduhduhdiesel1436 wiz definitely had good mainstream success. But Luda was a superstar. That’s why he’s in acting they always want a superstar they don’t go after mid tier artists to make movie stars. He’s number 13 all time in album sells in hip hop history. Everybody on that list is either a superstar or a mega star. The bottom of the list has nas,snoop,and LL. The very top has jayz,Tupac, Drake,Wayne and em. Those are the mega stars

[@duhduhduhdiesel1436]

@@leedurham3144 I'm not referring to mainstream sales. I'm saying Wiz is garbage as a rapper

[@challzbrown]

First of all, the title alone is God level 💪🏾😆

[@LORDSTRYKER92]

The Medium 3 is Diabolical Work 😂😂😂

[@spliffsforbreakfast]

CyHi is criminally underrated. _No Dope on Sundays_ flew under the radar but was/is an amazing project. I think this is a really interesting discussion but it’s hard to ask the question so broadly when everyone doesn’t view rap from a “mainstream” perspective. I can easily say JoeyBadass, Chance, and Denzel Curry.. for a “Mid-3”. But to someone else that could be their favorite artists. Just how to another person their big 3 is Lil Yachty, Gunna, and Future because that’s just what they listen to. Whereas I would call them mid-3. I just think it’s impossible to get unbiased answers. Still a great convo tho 👌🏾

[@LarrySwishamane]

Y’all gotta chill with the “u” word when mentioning the Prynce. I refuse to believe uReally think he got anymore ppl impress as far approval. As matter fact, iCan argue that hes overrated by his actions. His Lights, Camera, Actions.

[@spliffsforbreakfast]

@ I think he’s one of the best writers in the industry and rappers in the world. As a fan, it would’ve been nice to see him get more credit from 2010-2017. Yea people know him. Your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper… But he’s still under-appreciated in my opinion. Hell… the only reason he got mentioned in this video to begin with was by coincidence. Further proving my point how he’s just not mentioned as much as he really could/should be.

[@tlamelokgosimalebe3119]

You forgot Asap Rocky

[@VictorMartins-ls3ti]

Rocky teetered on the edge of being a superstar and then just took years to deliver 2 mid albums over a couple years before the loss of yams ruined the direction of the whole ASAP mob

[@TheEliteSharingan]

I think Lecrae is a great example of this. His debut album Real Talk came out in 2024, but his commercial peak was from 2012-2015 where his Anomaly album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart which was previously unheard of for a Christian rapper, but he still managed to win 2 Grammys at last year’s Grammys which speaks to his longevity and relevancy despite no longer being as commercially successful as a decade ago.

[@duhduhduhdiesel1436]

Ewwwww

[@Grace-to3nq]

Wiz Khalifa is my top 3 favorite rapper. Has commercial appeal and core fan base. Never fell off just prospering on the low, the best way to tailor your career as an artist.

[@AhyeahThetimeofourlives]

😭🤣 nahhhh he cookin “Medium 3 is crrrazy yet pretty accurate” too funny

[@jayphillips6127]

That title is so uncalled for😂😂 great video tho bro

[@LisaEverz]

I feel like if Big Krit was born in a different region, he’d be bigger

[@canikickit7]

"but you won geography lotteries!"

[@SuperNuclearUnicorn]

If he was born in a different region he wouldn't have made the same amazing music though. Even if he was from somewhere else in the south like Atlanta he'd still be a different artist

[@timhallsounds]

@@SuperNuclearUnicornfr

[@africanalientt]

You're right. Social media came with virality and changed people's perception of artists, fans evaluate an artist like a label would. They just look up your numbers and let that determine if you're hot or not.

[@704Hop]

Wale has continually made great music and dropped classic albums.

[@labbaby189]

Funny thing is, Big Sean and Wale were part of the original Big 3 along with Kid Cudi. Their mixtape and feature run from 07-10 put them in line to be next. Drake, Cole and Kendrick came along and took it to another level.

[@knowonose]

Big Sean is the most mid artist 😂😂. Dope style and flare, but all his bars garbage after a good mixtape run.

[@bdr113080]

You are so right about the extremes. It’s in music. It’s in politics. I see it a lot in movies now. There are a lot of great movie critics on KZbin but for every great movie critic, there are 300 wannabes and you go to their channel and they have 46 movies labeled as the “worst movie ever” And then they’ll have like nine that are the best movie ever. Like no lol there are hundreds of movies thousands of movies that are in between terrible and phenomenal. And I feel you especially out here in the west when people talk about the history of West Coast hip-hop when they think about the old days, they think about Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, 2pac and Snoop. I think if I were to tell people that there were other West Coast artist that were going multi platinum back then that were dominating the airwaves just like those guys were people would be shocked that Domino, Coolio, and Warren G also had albums they couldn’t keep on the shelf.

[@sosomse7695]

‘Touch It’ was not the last time busta rhymes was everywhere, it was ‘Look at me now’ with Chris Brown.

[@reddsmoke904]

That Busta era was crazy. Worldwide Choppers is a classic

[@DandyAnnieTime]

Ay nothing to do with anything but I really appreciate your energy Reed. "Hope everybody's being bleeeeeessed yeees," always gets me cheesin for no good reason. Hope you too are being blessed sir. ❤

[@ReedMySole]

@@DandyAnnieTime I just try to move with light and love. Glad you are receiving the energy.

[@yingkouzen]

Glad you brought it up; just the middle class, it’s disappearing 😭

[@Cardel34]

Rock and roll got one, its time rap gets a hall of fame so these conversations can stop. No hate towards you as i love this video and the discussion around the topic but theres so many great artist out there and now hip hop is generating mainstream success, there are a lot of "mainstream" listeners who will never experience or appreciate these artists and what they represent to rap/hip hop. They might not even know what defines a great rap artist. We need a hall of fame to cement the legacy of the greats and to better define a standard by which we judge these artists.

[@ReedMySole]

@@Cardel34 the problem is these artist don’t get support from the community either. People rarely mention your name if you aren’t white hot. But I agree. The hiphop hall of fame is needed.

[@Cardel34]

@ maybe that can be an idea for some new content. A series about who deserves to be in a rap hall of fame. Breaking down their discography as justification. You already got something like that about Jay Elec. I’d watch it

[@RealAmericanStar]

Sadly the rock n roll hall of fame is inducting rappers instead.

[@plewis6787]

One of the best hip-hop concerts I went to was Rapsody. It was at Skully's in Columbus, OH, which is a smaller venue, but a more intimate setting and it was lit!

[@jellytv2400]

I’m from Detroit and when the Lions were 0-16 we were the laughing stock of the NFL…crazy to see true switch up!

[@implive17]

Big Krit and Wiz are still making good music.

[@christiancrews4278]

They have solid fanbases. Wiz's fanbase has always supported him which is why he was able to compete during those mixtape days when most of his contemporaries were signed

[@Willardbeans00]

@@christiancrews4278KUSH N OJ, N CABIN FEVER WERE AND STILL R 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@srrokkIng]

idk if anyone else has told you, but bro thank you for speaking on other rap shit outside of the main folks ❤‍🔥

[@VinnieDangerous]

Big KRIT is amazing live. Seen him twice & he is always crazy

[@jamillawebb3567]

This was an excellent video! I’ve been a long time fan of KRIT and I find it so unfortunate that because the industry extracts and focuses on profit, it is easy for the mid tier to get lost. I’m in my early 40s and everything happening in our world has forced me to redefine what success looks like. My underground Big 3 are Phonte, Oddisee, and Black Milk. They are consistent, have a die hard fan base, score soundtracks, cross genres and are still able to remain relevant on their own terms. To me Larry June and Curren$y are successful in their own way. They may not have the popularity and numbers of a 6ix 9ine or Jack Harlow but the aforementioned have not contributed to our culture. I too prefer intimate settings over festivals. While I wish there was more space for mid tier rappers, I think YT, Bandcamp, and alternative methods allow true fans to stay locked in. Hype and popularity for a lot of folks is just smoke and mirrors and excessive fame have been the downfall and a thorn in the side of many of our biggest rappers. I would choose being well paid and having privacy and peace of mind over being a super popular millionaire anyday. Everything comes with a cost.

[@canikickit7]

goat comment

[@MichaelBrown-ti1un]

This is fast becoming one of my go-to channels for well thought out hip hop convo. Like the way you laid this out. I liked a few Big Sean projects, but never was a huge fan. Wale & Meek? Aside from a few singles here and there, I never saw the hype with either of them. I'm not shocked neither of the 3 reached the critical or commercial heights of Kendrick, Cole or Drake -- all of whom are just higher caliber artists imo. The "Big 3" all had big cosigns as well (Dr. Dre, Lil' Wayne & Jay-Z), which Krit also lacked. A goid future video essay topic may be: who in hip hop has blown up without a big cosign? And why is the cosign so important? In what ways can a big cosign hinder and/or hurt an up-and-coming artist? Just thinking out loud and spitballing. I don't have real answers to any of thede questions. Love the aporeciation in this video for Big Krit. Def Jam fumbled the ball with Krit, who I think has just as much talent, if not more, than anybody in the "Big 3." Krit's a label casualty. If Krit had a TDE/Dreamville & Roc Nation/Cash Money situation like the former Big 3, he could've went further.

[@aweshumandy]

love FD and he has a great historical analysis of hip hop (culture & politics) but yeah due to his age and lack of interest in keeping up with newer artists, there's always going to be an element he's missing. great video, man.

[@d.michael372]

Wale is the most underrated of this current generation. His catalog can easily be juxtaposed to J. Cole’s music who’s considered top 3 of this generation.

[@canikickit7]

i never got the appeal. i am a lyrics guy and he never brought it like the people he resented for getting a look instead of him. seems like he took lyricism and made a point to make it more bubblegum to the point that it'd be nobody's favorite style. what am i missing?

[@d.michael372]

@ his records that aren’t radio are very very good. He has some great gems on each one of his projects. It’s a shame those records are slept on.

[@canikickit7]

@@d.michael372 i'll revisit his disco then! good looks

[@art4papers]

I think if an artist keeps the same flow throughout their career without evolving it, the same list of features without expanding it, and the same subject matter without evolving it, then that will be a recipe for stagnation, if an artist is not aiming at the pop charts.

[@ochomunna270]

Future does this but he's an anomaly. His subject matter stays the same but his rapping & flows have improved a lot, and song construction.

[@leedurham3144]

50 cent is a good example of this. And he was a mega star. It just leads to a shorter career usually. It’s artist with long hip hop careers who never will have the success that 50 had during his like 5 yr peak. He was a artist in the 90s he just went through label issues

[@tonypesos]

I don’t know about today’s festivals, but I went to a festival in the early 2000s, that had the greats and it was amazing. Blackstar, Roots, Erykah Badu, Dead Prez, Immortal Technique, Pharaoh Monch, and more. So I wouldn’t knock festivals as long as they have the right artists.

[@pfroggy23]

I always said that being a mid-tier rapper was worse than being a low-tier one. They're missing one thing that both the high/low rapper possesses... being memorable

[@romaretaylor9953]

Meek wale and big Sean are all more memorable than tekashi and other garbage emcees, if they had no notable songs they wouldn’t have had the hits they caught or the fanbases they still have. The fact that a big 3 discussion even happens what Sean drops says more than yall think

[@Bossforthecause]

What’s wild is if you selling 100-200k these days you are considered mainstream. What a wild time, s/o the medium 3’s man

[@DiceB]

Did he say Busta Rhymes and Ludacris they were not medium at all back when they were out

[@losoway4505]

Yeah he’s smoking something

[@yerrrrrrrr4567]

he not saying they were small but it is just factual that they werent in that jayz/ Eminem tier. hes talking about people that are high up but not the TOPof the top

[@leedurham3144]

@@yerrrrrrrr4567em and jayz are some of the biggest stars ever. Luda was not far off. Because he sits at 13 all time in record sells for a hip hop artist. Right above nas,LL,and snoop dogg. Number 12 is dmx with a half a million more album sells😂 now do you see how crazy it sounds

[@callmeBIGMEECH3315]

The mid 3 is there still We got Tyler the creator still rocking

[@javery510]

Had no idea you were in South Carolina! You were already solid in my book, but you get extra love for doing your thing in SC. Keep creating solid content and pushing good music.

[@javery510]

Aight, just saw the “SC sucks” 🥲 take it back, man! 😂

[@ReedMySole]

@@javery510 lowkey lmfao. Not overall. I love the state.

[@LELABTV]

Personally for someone that organised events prior I think placing several artists on a festival is a money situation . A lot of these new artirsr don't have a core fan base so placing them there with the headliners gives them a audience that may or may not be interested a lot of these artitst have great face value online but often does not translate into packing a venue if you do not build a core fan base plus on festival line ups they can up their booking price which the managers and agents prefer . Its to the point you have to be a fan to go to solo shows if the artists charge more ticket prices go up .for a younger demographic they would rather pay 70£ for a festival with 30 on the line than 50 to 100£ on one fave artists hence why festivals are thriving

[@joshuapk1994]

5:51 album sales are almost irrelevant now , no one buys any music anymore

[@Ehh.....]

Would Freddie Gibbs, Denzell Curry, and Tyler fall in this tier? (I personally have them above it but asking general sense).

[@faintflex]

The middle class of everything eventually gets wiped out. Gotta go all in on underground or superstar. History tends to favor the bold on both ends of the spectrum. Bold is more memorable, powerful, & has a clearer place. Playing in the middle usually equates to a lack of leverage, clarity & control over the longterm longevity of your career.

[@ReedMySole]

I like this take frfr.

[@birdtunnelparty]

Largely agree on intimate/small shows over festivals, but I do gotta shout out Warped Tour for being a festival where you absolutely got to know the artists and spend time with them at their merch tables without even needing a backstage pass. It’s a shame they stopped happening, but kind of insane that they toured the country as a festival to begin with!

[@imfromspace7753]

I think videos with people speaking about this topic will help bring back that intimacy in music because the world will realize that’s what the art is missing. Great video bro✅

[@jujuondabeatbroski]

Thank you for highlighting venues in SC. 💪🏾💪🏾

[@PrincipalSkinner3190]

Ludacris has 4 #1 albums, 2 #1 singles and a Grammy for best rap album... in what world is that mid tier? At least you can kind of make the point from a mainstream success point about Busta, but there is NO argument to be made about Luda.

[@ReedMySole]

@@PrincipalSkinner3190 Nelly>luda. If you look at it from that lens you understand my point of view.

[@PrincipalSkinner3190]

@ReedMySole No I still don't. Even if I grant you that, by that logic only the top 1 or 2 artists of their time are above "medium". Medium should be a tier below the top guys. Not arguably on the same level. Luda is not a tier below Nelly. He has more #1 Albums than Nelly with 4, Nelly has 3. Every other example you made is fine, but numbers don't support Ludacris being a tier below.

[@Candiecane908]

Busta and Luda in the same tier of Big Sean is kind of wild.

[@thelightseeker94]

This video needed to be made! I was a fan of all of them from 2011

[@thabisokevinmbili9158]

New subscriber here from The Company Man reacfion. I love the work ethic. From 🇿🇦

[@Bigbean2999]

Medium 3 is funny as fuck 😂😂😂

[@dogonjay2155]

KRIT is my favorite of the mid tier.

[@thatkidwray3243]

this was my first introduction to your channel, very good watch and topic, your spirt was very welcoming and engaging…and you’re a big krit fan so you definitely earned my sub!

[@djterro17]

Just found your channel the other day and subscribed immediately love your passion and knowledge of hip hop and music in general keep up the good work bro. You have a new listener

[@phona4529]

Cole was in the medium 3 too, we ain’t forget. It’s crazy

[@anaekeharry9570]

You are smoking weed half of Nigerians knws cole recently 2024 because of the beef against drake is when kdot started popping in Nigeria,

[@phona4529]

Great vid man. Blog era was crazy.

[@williampena411]

Never in his life

[@M3-Ke]

​@@anaekeharry9570 true bro , everyone who doesn't really listen to rap only knew kdot and Cole because of the drake beef

[@phona4529]

@ brother respectfully this the wrong convo lol

[@underratedappreciated9110]

Did he say Busta Ryhmes and Ludacris are mis tier rappers that never made superstar status? Ok, enough of this video.

[@ReedMySole]

@@underratedappreciated9110 did you watch fds video that’s link in the description?

[@SasukeUchiha-qg4nn]

Ludacris raps like Nick Canon. I'm serious. Listen to "No. 1 Spot" tell me Nick couldn't write that

[@jamesforeman8028]

It’s just factual, they never did Drake numbers. If facts bother you then I guess you’re right, just head on out.

[@Rieky22]

@@SasukeUchiha-qg4nn nah put down the drugs😂😂😂

[@cajetansharpe421]

@@jamesforeman8028 Busta and Luda are from the era of physical CD sales . Drake Numbers are heavily inflated . Ain’t that the same thing he’s Suing his own label for ? You really think those streaming numbers are accurate ? Stop it Fam

[@silentobserver888]

blog era and soundcloud era hip hop were the best of the last 15 years.

[@rbiznezz2]

Busta and Ludacris are definitely top tier. They ain’t Eminem level but they are huge hip hop artists

[@justinfletty5501]

Refreshing point of view. I avoid festivals for the same reason. Hope music in general gets back to a more intimate experience for live performance.

[@Shaftbell]

Thats_ like_ the- phase - middle- class, Erther - you're - rich- or- not nowadays 😎😎😊😁🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔💯💯💯

[@BR-qq2gb]

You kinda stole my phrase. Lol. I was just saying that Kendrick aka Big Me wasn’t going to respond to Joey bc Joey wasn’t part of the new Big 3-maybe he was Mid 3. I know Joey’s feelings are hurt bc Sergeant and lieutenants dissed him for the get back. Kendrick wasn’t going to pop out for him.

[@SpicyCottontail]

🌶️🐰: I have to rationalize Future in my brain as this generation’s Lil Jon 😂😂 and that’s not a shot…. Lil Jon is my all time favorite Rap Artist, but T.I. & Nas are my favorite Rappers. Seems like over time we not only lost our mid-tier, but also muddied the waters on Rap Artist vs Rapper!!

[@ReedMySole]

@@SpicyCottontail lil Jon is your favorite rap artist? Lmfao howwww?

[@SpicyCottontail]

@ same reason people love Future… beats and vibes!! 🤷🏾‍♀️🤣 Lil Jon’s ability to turn up any function during his Eastside boy era is undeniable!! Just put on Put Yo Hood Up and tell me you don’t get hype for at least 4 songs!!

[@ReedMySole]

@ I guess I never seen him as an artist. But to each their own. He is the turn up god.

[@SpicyCottontail]

@ so what would he be?? Later years he definitely became Khalid but those 1st few albums he ON those tracks!! But to be very clear… I’d never put him in a best rapper category!! His category, whatever it is, also seems to be lost.

[@ReedMySole]

@ nah his lovers and friends verse is crazy lol. I just wouldn’t compare him to future lol. Not a future fan but he isn’t lol Jon lol.

[@JayBird2294]

This is some dope content bro I been watching your page for like a week now but this one made me subscribe

[@jimboshrump]

Been on the fence about your channel but this video is gunna keep me here. This is quality content. As an artist, this is DEAD ON.

[@jimboshrump]

Lower tier artists suffer cuz now theres no touring with no venues and no touring acts to pick up locals for openers. I went from working 6 days a week performing to 1 or 2 a month cuz theres no lane or venue. Ticket master and live nation ate everything that wasnt independent

[@djntu2964]

As a DJ and inspiring electronic artist, I feel this! I don’t want commercial success but I want independent success aka the mid tier. But just like you said, the middle class is gone. Everything is extreme now…

[@atmgfla]

Ludacris was never mid tier.

[@TheBamaPrinceable]

"I'm not here to be right, I'm just here to be me." Those are words to live by; defo carrying that mantra forward. Thanks for that 💪🏾 This is an interesting topic and I agree with you for the most part. The way everything is promoted and the way we as humans in this age have been trained to think, there is no gray area; we disregard the middle ground and it's been to the detriment of many things even outside of music. Video games have suffered for this. We don't really get mid-budget games anymore; it's all expensive AAA software with little to no deviation from the previous release (looking at you CoD and every modern sports game). You need a middle class. If you're a wrestling fan, the midcard (a term you've used several times in the video), you know that the show is bolstered by the foundation of the midcard talent. Look at the WWF during the Attitude Era where you had Stone Cold, The Rock, HHH, Foley and Undertaker in the main event but underneath them you had a vast array of appealing names like the New Age Outlaws, Kane, XPac, Chris Jericho, Al Snow, The Dudleys, The Hardyz, Edge & Christian, the APA, Big Show, Steve Blackman, Val Venis, The Holly cousins, Test and others who filled out the rest of the show. Now, modern WWE hardly focuses on that part of their roster; they use them but not to any notable degree where they to can shine and can move up the card and as a result, the shows feel a lot more hollow and bland. You need a middle class. In music, not just in hip hop but all of music, we don't really have any journeyman artists in the mainstream. At least it doesn't feel like it when almost all the promotion goes towards only a handful of names. It's very boring compared to the past, especially if you're a chartwatcher. Even with all these extra formats and charts, the only one that really gets any sort of attention is the Hot 100; the R&B charts have been stagnant and near irrelevant for ages now. You need a middle class. Economically, with how ridiculous the cost of living has gotten and will sadly, continue to be the people are trying to greatly reduce if not eliminate the middle class. They want to destroy the bridge between poverty and wealth which will have a seismic negative impact on the state of society. What's the world going to be without the working class or without a working class that aren't getting what they're owed for working and keeping the economy bustling and fluid? You NEED a middle class. Tl;dr balance and variety are essential. But in this age of inflation and where the bag rules all; everybody just wants a guaranteed return on investment even if it means churning out the same tired proven things or the same tired, overexposed people to the masses. And us, with no other options (or rather, not utilizing our power as consumers) just keep going along to get along while we continue to get less and less on our investment.

[@devinhailey2300]

I subscribed based off the hat alone my boy bless up 🐐💪🏿

[@NOLA-Jas99]

Loved the topic and the vid. I also think that a part of the reason the mid tier disappeared is the issue of hip hops movement into a space that places it closer to the pop arena and the advent of streaming. So as the genre of hip hop has become more popular it has forced artists in to two extremes, either you are an artist who puts out albums at a rapid pace which over time results in lower quality music, and if you are not top talent you are putting out singles with no album. Not every artist can go in the both and freestyle a hit album, or have a team make one for them. So a lot of the mid tier falls by the way side because they can't meet the music demands of the pop crowd, who use streaming to consume music at a rapid pace, nor do they have the fan base that will prop them up with just one single. A lot of mid tier artists are ones who need time to make decent albums and the time is not there anymore because of the demand and access to music.

[@King_Punt]

The all got diddyified

[@reddsmoke904]

Damn you went to the Its Better This Way tour. Thats my favorite tape by him 😢

[@Wolf_reallydoe]

Why are people so upset you called Busta and Luda mid tier??? As an avid Hip Hop fan for both of their respective runs… I’d say Mid Tier is pretty accurate. There was never a point in time where Luda and/or Busta was looked at like a Jay, Nas, Pac, Biggie, Em.

[@sebastiantruss1562]

How did wale not not crack the highest tier do u kno how many hits wale got

[@ReedMySole]

@sebastiantruss1562 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGm4dItjhtljq9ksi=UKe15ZqFmJKKwp6F

[@YCBanksMusic]

If you’re seeing this comment I hope you become a multimillionaire.

[@DC-pb6xq]

You might have the most soothing voice of all time. Content is great too!

[@staytruefoundation3768]

Wow this take is so on point! I work in the industry and have never been to a concert or festival in my life for that same reason - I always said the first time I attend one will be for work, backstage etc. There are too many artists out now, it dilutes the craft and its actually a mental health issue because its so many artist who don't actually care about art, they like the aesthetic and the clout but they don't love the culture nor do they enjoy the journey of working your craft and growing as an artist.

[@brewlydiff]

Shout out to Columbia ,SC ! That’s my home town ! I saw Krit during that same tour in Charleston,SC best concert ever ! Also my favorite rapper .

[@Blockchaindegenerate]

Big Krit was awesome I really expected his career to be up there with Kendrick and J. Cole.

[@ericlandry84]

Luda wasn't mid at all

[@dannymcdandan5557]

There is no way people forgot about Denzel Curry like that… He’s in that golden middle of not too mainstream but not underground either, still making incredible music 🫢

[@GraveyardMurmurs]

What are we considering big? Because Luda and busta I would put on the same level as a Future. Calling that medium seems crazy. Krit, and Wale I would say are comparable to Denzel Curry and JPEG.

[@pfcdevin337]

Medium 3 is still there's just that the big 3 have all been dropping and overshadowing them for the past 2 years.

[@KidGhost23]

people forget that pretty much all these guys (id swap krit for cudi) were the other guy next to drake and cole before kendrick really popped (circa 2008-11). we lowkey had like a big 4 or 5 for a while lol. kendrick just ended up blowing it out of the water with gkmc and nobody could match it (minus wiz but that’s cuz he went pop). and like you said in the video, label issues stunted wale/sean/krit, while cudi was dealing with personal issues and making experimental stuff that wasn’t received very well

[@Poetryforstoners]

First off fellow NY native, Big K.R.I.T. Is part of the big 3 don’t @ me homie 😂 No way you look at KRIT and not say foreva is a mighty long time and not be in the big 3 convo 🫡🔥

[@ShirleyTimple]

I've never listened to him, so he's literally a non entity to me. Your opinion is just that, don't pretend otherwise.

[@aboutmybacon]

​@ShirleyTimple you're missing out. Do yourself a favor and listen

[@Poetryforstoners]

@@ShirleyTimple and that’s the problem 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@ShirleyTimple]

Where's a good place to start? Any particular release that stands out for you? ​@@aboutmybacon