This post is one I have wanted to write for a long time. Many people who love hip-hop culture have been debating who is the most slept on emcee for eons. Well, maybe not that long, but it is an argument that has been discussed in barbershops, school lunchrooms, and online for the last 25 years. As a rap historian, I feel there hasn’t been a good list put out outlining the five most overlooked, underrated, and forgotten maestros to ever hold the MIC, so I decided to make this my first post dedicated to hip-hop on the blog. These are the five emcees I feel who haven’t gotten their due respect in the pantheon of hip-hop immorality.
5. Big L
Admittedly, I got put on to Big L after he died in 1999. I heard his freestyle with Jay-z and was wondering who the F is this man going toe to toe with Hov. Not only did Big L hold his own, I believe he outdueled Mr. S. Carter. This was at a time when Jigga was near the peak of his powers. Hard Knock Life was tearing up the airwaves, BIG and PAC were gone, and Jay-Z was making his ascension to the hip-hop throne. But in my opinion, Big L was the rapper who showed out the most when they were going back and forth.
After hearing his freestyle, I went back into his catalog and can honestly say I listened to Big L exclusively for six months. His wordplay, cadence, and bravado were unparalleled. He is not often mentioned in GOAT debates, and I think this is only because of his untimely passing at the age of 25.
Most Quotable Lyrics: “I am so ahead of my time, my parents haven’t met yet.”
4. Scarface
His contemporaries revere Scarface, but I feel he hasn’t gotten his rightful props in the world of hip-hop. As one of the members of the Geto Boys, Brad Jordan had his share of the spotlight early on. The Geto Boyz group’s second album, Grip It! On That Other Level (1989) was extremely successful, which helped get the Houston trio national fanfare despite their violent lyrics. However, I feel because he was in a group, a common theme in this list, he never got enough adulation.
After releasing solo albums, “Mr. Scarface is Back”, “The Diary”, and “The Fix”, he was able to garner more recognition but still not enough, in my opinion. Scarface’s lyricism is incredible. He can paint a picture with words that few modern-day poets could even dream of doing. Universally appreciated by hip-hop heads the world over, I still feel he deserves more press than he gets.
Most Quotable Lyrics: “Have you ever seen a nigga who was strong in the game, Overlookin’ his tomorrows, and they finally came?, Look back on childhood memories, and I’m still feelin’ the pain, Turnin’ circles in my 9th grade, dealin’ cocaine, Too many hassles in my local life, survivin’ the strain
And a man without a focus, life could drive him insane“
3. Raekwon
One of the founding members of the hip-hop supergroup Wu-tang Clan, Raekwon, aka the Chef (because he’s “cookin’ up some marvelous sh*t to get your mouth watering”), has his name thoroughly entrenched in hip-hop history. His debut solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, is a fan-favorite among the hip-hop aficionados and his verses in Wu-tang classics, Protect Ya Neck, and C.R.E.A.M will go down as some of the greatest bars in the history of the genre.
However, I feel he has always been underappreciated in regards to his wordplay, lyricism, and catalog. His solo efforts did not match the success of fellow Wu members Method Man and Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and when discussing favorite Wu members, his name usually comes up after Gza and Ghostface. That all being said, Wu-tang is forever, and the group will never be forgotten, but one of the group members deserves a lot more shine than he usually gets.
Most Quotable Lyrics: “Started off on the island, aka Shaolin, Niggas wilin’, gun shots thrown, the phone diallin’. Back in the days, I’m 8 now, Makin’ a tape now, Rae gotta get a plate now. Ignorant and mad young, wanted to be the one, ‘Til I got (Blaow! Blaow! Blaow!) felt one.”
2. AZ
The first time I heard AZ was on my favorite emcee’s critically acclimated album, Illmatic. The song, “Life’s a Bitch,” stood out like no other song on that masterpiece. AZ’s introduction during that song is one of my favorite verses of all time. He was poignant, vivid, and flawless in describing the trials and tribulations of growing up in the inner-city NYC. It describes the mindset of the youth in the ghetto and why they often do the things they do. Off of this one verse, AZ got a record deal!
That’s how epic this verse and song were. AZ went back and forth seamlessly with Nas, and due to the magnitude of Illmatic, AZ got to make his first studio album, “Do or Die,” in 1995. With songs such as “Sugar Hill” and “Rather Unique,” AZ received minimal commercial success with this classic album. Many critics loved Do or Die, but it mainly fell on deaf ears with most of the listening public. I believe AZ has been overlooked because of the company he keeps. Partnering up with Nas helped him get a record deal, but always being compared to one of the GOATs will always leave you as one of the most undervalued wordsmiths in any genre.
Most Quotable Lyrics: Visualizin the realism of life and actuality, Fuck who’s the baddest a person’s status depends on salary. And my mentality is, money orientated. I’m destined to live the dream for all my peeps who never made it.
1. Big Boi
As the other half of hip-hop supergroup Outkast, many people may feel Big Boi is not the best choice for the number one spot. However, I think he hasn’t gotten his just due for similar reasons as AZ, because of being tied at the hip with superior talent. Andre 3000 is one of my top three favorite emcees of all-time. That being said, I recognize the greatness of Big Boi, and I feel his talent pushed Andre to reach his supreme levels of wordplay. Big Boi’s delivery, lyricism, and bravado make him one of the best rap artists ever. He helped put the south on the map and brought southernplayalisticadillacmuzik not only to all regions of North America but around the world.
When people think of Outkast, they mostly feel the eccentric brilliance of 3000 is what makes the group special. I disagree, though. I think the even keel, dope rhymes patterns of Daddy Fat Sax grounded the group and made them more palatable to hip-hop heads when Andre was wearing multi-colored wigs and football pads. Big Boi was the calming influence of Outkast, one of the most successful musical groups in history, and he is often penalized for that instead of being celebrated. Well, that stops now. Big Boi is the number one most slept on emcee in hip-hop history. Do you agree with the list? Add a comment below.
Most Quotable Lyrics: But patience is the virtue, being anxious, just might hurt you. Like Mike Vick returning to the line of scrimmage too soon.