Chris Rock has been listening to Hip Hop longer than I have been alive. That’s exactly why it is so odd to listen to some of his recent hot takes.
In a new video published by Complex, the comedy legend called Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy the “best album in the history of Hip Hop.” That opinion is a bit unusual for someone over the age of 35, but not completely baffling until you remember just how highly he rates the album.
Back when Rock was promoting his 2014 movie Top Five, he gave a shocking amount of praise to the LP. In fact, he told the New York Times that it was better than Thriller. Yes, as in Michael Jackson’s iconic album, which happens to still be the highest-selling album of all time.
“Kanye’s the best,” Rock said. “He might be the only guy that did party records that make you think. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’s probably the best piece of music made in the last 25, 30 years. It’s better than Thriller.”
Rock’s adulation of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy seems a little overboard, but hey, we all have a soft spot for certain artists. Also, Rock is a contributor to the album. He did a skit for the track “Blame Game,” so the LP might be extra special to him. Yet if we give him a pass for the Yeezy love, how the hell are we supposed to wrap our head around the acclaimed comedian calling Rick Ross the best rapper alive?
That one is particularly odd. Rakim is alive. Scarface is alive. Jay Z is alive. Andre 3000 is alive. Hell, Tupac is alive, depending who you ask. There’s a whole lot of Hip Hop fans from every single era, and I can’t remember seeing Rozay pop up in the GOAT conversation, even when we eliminate the deceased from the discussion.
So, what would make Rock pick the Bawse? This is a man who wrote and starred in the brilliant gangster rap parody CB4. This is a fan who listed his Top 25 albums in 2004 and included Dizzee Rascal’s Boy In Da Corner before most of us even knew what grime was. The lineup also featured classics by everyone from GZA and The D.O.C. to Public Enemy and Geto Boys. Clearly, he is a diehard Hip Hop head. On the surface, it does not make sense.
Remember how Rock’s pick for the greatest Hip Hop album of all time conveniently featured him on it? Well, what do you think Ross’ new album Rather You Than Me and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy have in common? You guessed it. Christopher Julius Rock is featured on both of them! Suddenly, everything becomes a little clearer.
Ross, who called Rock a cornball just one year ago, is officially the best rapper alive now that they are pals and promoting an album. The man who warned us not to have sex in the champagne room is there to provide an intro skit for his former critic’s “Idols Become Rivals,” a diss track exposing Birdman. The same guy behind CB4 is an advocate for the fake drug lord who jacked “Freeway” Ricky Ross’ persona. The irony is rich.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNchag-6ogc
The cognitive dissonance of it all will make your head spin. Rock is not just respected because he is funny; he is beloved because he is brutally honest. For that reason alone, maybe he could be more upfront about the reasons behind his Hip Hop opinions. It sure seems like his relationships have skewed his outlook, and that is a disservice to everyone who values his insight.
alright, the Rick Ross thing is dumb as hell for Chris Rock, but MBDTF is a phenomenal album. You can’t be acting like it was shit. Even if it isn’t top album of all time, it definitely is top 10.
trash!!
It’s a great album but isn’t even Kanye’s best, let alone the best ever.
College dropout, Late Registration, Graduation > MBTDF
I totally agree. Maybe you should have mentioned the skit calling Rick Ross the best rapper alive had Nas on it… who is clearly superior in every aspect (save perhaps his ear for beats)
If Rick Ross is his favourite rapper and the MBDTF is his favourite album, good for him, what is wrong with dat? It’s not even possible to pick a goat or the best rap album lol, to each his own
you obviously can’t read, chris rock claimed ross is “the best rapper alive”, not that ross is his favorite rapper. please explain how one can justify the idea that ross is the best alive? at what, rapping? song writing? at making classic songs/albums? how the hell is he the best at anything when it comes to rap??? go ahead and justify an opinion like that. i need a good laugh LOL
I wrote that it’s not even possible to pick a fair goat, b.r.a., whatever. Black Thought is undefeated goat to me and so what, nobody cares, hip hop is not math based on stats (though Royce said so) it’s only music that one enjoys or not so if Chris Rock likes Rick Ross better than Krs-One, Kool G Rap or Slick Rick, good for him, it’s all good
Completely forgot that Ross dissed Chris Rock for no reason.
I love HHDX but as often is the case on this site, I completely disagree with the tone of this piece. I get the albums he’s featured on thing but MBDTF was an incredible album and Rick Ross is one of the best rappers and has been for years and his new album IS FIRE. Nothing worst than watching old heads and nerds take some stance on Ross’s authenticity-FOH. I hate that elitist shit yall stay on on here.
Not sure what’s the angle of this article. Kanye’s album was good, and a little eccentric, which might be why CR compared it to Thriller. Don’t agree with him, but it’s his opinion. Cant say it’s because it was on Ye’s album. If that was the case, ODB’s “N!gg@ Please” would be in his top five. Rock was not only featured on it, but had a verse that was halfway descent
Opinions are like ass holes everybody has one you like what you like and get over it ,This is one worthless article in my opinion LOL
Chris Rock Knows Too Much About Hip Hop To Be Throwing Out Ridiculous Claims. Then Justin Ivey or whatever your name is goes on to make ridiculous claims. If Chris Rock has been listening to music longer than you, not just Hip-Hop but music, than he might know something about how crazy it was when Thriller dropped. Michael Jackson changed the world with that album. So for Rock to be saying Fantasy is better his opinion should hold some weight. I don’t even understand the point of this piece? Are you trying to credit Chris Rock or discredit him? Are you saying that it’s impossible to make a better album than Michael Jackson? If so why? It’s possible to make better music, stop being brain washed for 5 minutes and realize there are lots of different sounds and types of songs and not EVERYTHING is a COMPETITION. Kanye looked up to Michael and Michael LOVED Kanye’s music. And guess what, Chris Rock is a fan of both, you can be a fan of all 3 too with out trying to insult them half-assidly.
I NEED TO SUC YOUNG THUG’S LIL D1CK. I LOVE D1CK SO MUCH, YO HOLLA @ME, I GOT A LIL D1CK TOO. LMAO
i agree, the rick ross best rapper alive opinion is extremely odd. calling ricky ross the best rapper alive is like calling nickelback the greatest rock band of all time, or calling bryson tiller the greatest r&b singer of all time. its ridiculous when you consider all acts that have come before them and even have contemporaries who are far more talented and creative than them in their respective genres. rick ross is an average ass rapper whos put out many mediocre albums and a few good albums at best. not a single one is a classic. theres a reason why ross never comes up in the goat convos and these fools in hiphopdx defending rock’s best rapper alive opinion is hilarious when i bet you none of them can give a thought-out compelling argument for why ross is top 5 dead or alive, let alone the best alive XD
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is better than Thriller. I don’t know why that’s being treated like it’s not true.
Music is subjective. There are a plethora of different perspective and talking points when it comes to this sort of discussion. If he feels MBDTF is better than Thriller, it may be for him. I feel like Mac Miller’s Faces is better than anything to come out in the last decade but that’s just me.
One thing we cannot continue to do is have the same conversations over and over and not leave room for imagination. So many artists and projects get left out of the conversation just because people want to fit in. I’m sure if people say down and listened to Thriller and MBDTF back to back, they might come to a similar conclusion. But there needs to be more albums and more artists to get that recognition. It’s not like only 5-10 rappers exist. I’m not sure most people can name more than 40 without Google.
That’s the true problem with the culture, it’s become a popularity contest. If you don’t like GKMC or 2014 Forrest Hills Drive or Nothing Was The Same people will crucify you. Some of my favorite albums are probably not even on so called, “heads” radar. I’m over 30 but most of my favorite albums are from this decade: Amerikkkan Korruption by Capital STEEZ, Theo vs JJ by Skyzoo, Faces by Mac Miller of course, Control System by Ab-Soul and Rare Chandeliers by Action Bronson. Also both of the Sincerely Yours EP’s from J. Cole and Disposable Arts by Masta Ace. Other more underground projects I like are Dangerdoom by Dangermouse and MF Doom, Return of the Mac by Prodigy, Thug Matrix by Tragedy Khadafi and Center Of Attention by InI.
I know I’m not the only one tired of Top 5 conversations when there are hundreds of MC’s and thousands of dope songs that need to be heard.
you lost us all at “Mac Miller’s Faces is better than anything to come out in the last decade…”. That was around the 3rd sentence. You wrote, what looks like cuz i ain’t reading anything after that horseshxt statement, about 30. Damn shame bruh.
Judging by how eloquent this comment was written, it’s hard to not assume the OP is some privileged college educated culture vulture who was introduced to hip hop by the likes of Snoop Dogg or Tech Nine… Sorry bruh CTHU
Yeezy taught me
Not sure why Rick Ross can’t be his favorite rapper. All I hear is because “Rick Ross ain’t real – he’s a fake.” Uhhh… yeah.. we all know about CB4 but Chris Rock is also, just like Rick Ross, an ACTOR. You think he was really a wired up junkie named Pookie before he hit fame as Chris Rock? Naw bruh. They are both ACTORS. If you like Rick Ross, you like Ricky. I’m not the biggest fan but his sales suggest someone might think he is the hottest artist out cuz he’s movin more soundstream numbers than lemon pepper wings. And Kanye has made multiple albums that rival Thriller. You might not like Yeezus because he’s an asshole but the man makes innovative music regularly.
dark and twisted fantasy is absolutely the BEST kanye album and the BEST rap album and the BEST body of work besides thriller. only thriller is better sonically but as far as the ART that is this ALBUM it is better than THRILLER. fuck the bs just case u non believers aint hearing it right. 10 years from now it will be considered illmatic
Stop telling me how to live my life
Chris Rock don’t know shit about music.