2Pac is often debated amongst the Hip Hop greats and Melle Mel believes the late Death Row rapper’s impact on the culture exceeds that of JAY-Z or Biggie.
Speaking to The Art of Dialogue, Melle Mel explained his reasoning for siding with ‘Pac over B.I.G. and Hov in the impact department.
“2Pac is a greater rapper than Biggie and I would say the same thing for JAY-Z,” he said. “JAY-Z has a better rap game than 2Pac. 2Pac’s rap game, I’m not gonna say is basic but it’s predictable … but he had more of a range of what he could say.”
“I think JAY-Z has a better spit game, but to say that makes the better rapper that is being judged on one criteria … I feel 2Pac’s imprint on the game is greater than JAY-Z. JAY-Z is a better rapper than 2Pac. It’s the same thing I feel about Biggie, Biggie is a better rapper than 2Pac.”
The Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five rapper further detailed how ‘Pac changed the landscape of Hip Hop, which gives him the leg up when it comes to greatness.
“His imprint in the game [was huge] because things changed. All that Thug Life shit, it came from him. If you change the landscape, that’s greatness,” he continued.
“In JAY-Z’s position, it’s harder to change the landscape because he’s a billion-dollar dude. You’re not gonna have a thousand billion-dollar dudes coming behind JAY-Z, but you did have a 100 guys that wanted to be like 2Pac. The greatness is in how he changed the game.”
The conversation stemmed from the heated debate around Billboard‘s greatest 50 rappers of all-time list, which JAY-Z topped with 2Pac coming in at No. 4 and Biggie holding down the No. 6 slot. Melle Mel made the cut on the list as well, coming in at No. 48.
Meanwhile, rare 2Pac and JAY-Z items have been put up for sale as part of a new “Hip Hop Legends” auction.
Music memorabilia website Gotta Have Rock and Roll is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop with a massive auction featuring items from some of the most celebrated artists in the culture’s history.
Items include a red bandana owned and worn by 2Pac, the late rapper’s “MOB” ring from his “All About U” music video and a handwritten letter he wrote to his girlfriend while in prison.
For the handsome sum of $10,000-$20,000, fans will be able to get their hands on JAY-Z’s worn and autographed Roca Wear jacket that he dedicated to reggaeton singer Hector El Father.
If Melle Mel says it, then it has to be true. Plus Iron Mike messed with him. Too bad he lost his life that night in Vegas.
Its true. Big and Jay may be lyrically superior and Big may have had a better flow, but Pac is undoubtedly the most powerful voice in hip hop of all time!
They’re not better rappers than him either. Pac is singularly the greatest voice to ever touch a mike. He had something to say and you felt that shit. All rap lyrics are simple shit that would get you laughed out of a proper English class, so I don’t even know what all of this shit about how complex lyrics are shit is to begin with, but he had a way of putting his words that you saw the world from his eyes. No one else has quite had that gift the way he did. Just like no one can match DMX’s energy or Nas’ just raw overall greatness in every area, or Lil Wayne’s creativity, Pac is the one when it comes to just the best rapper to do this shit. He could take you there in every aspect of the game, from dissing someone to introspective ponders of life for a 23 year old black male trying to live in this world. Nas is about the only one who comes close, but he doesn’t have Pac’s ability to make you feel it in your bones like he did it. Biggie’s gift is that I think he could master anyone’s style. If that’s what you think is the greatest rapper, have at it, but we’ve even had a clone of him since he died, so I don’t consider that something remarkable. Jay is a great writer. Nothing he says moves you, nor is he even in the conversation with the others as far as natural talent on the mike.
As the saying goes opinions are like aXXholes…..And judging art which hip-hop is- is always subjective. But here is why I consider Biggie a better rapper than both Pac, Jay and most:
1) with his very efficient and economical lyrics he is able to paint a visual like few others – Slick Rick is one who is on his level. His ability with very few words to create the picture in the listeners mind is unparalleled. He is able to transport the audience to the place and time he is rapping about.
2) possibly because of his Jamaican roots his verbal facility to effortlessly spit complicated bars with many styles is unmatched. This includes amazing breath control as well.
3) Biggie was much more relatable. “Black ugly as ever” He was the underdog who you feel like you could chop it up with over some Alize.
While I think Biggie is a better emcee than Pac and Jay, I don’t argue that both have had a bigger impact on hip-hop.
Jay-Z for possibly the simple reason of his longevity – he lived much longer than most – and his success as a musician and business have provided a blueprint (see what is did there) for all musicians.
Pac has a cult like following even today. For many his lyrics and subject matter really hit in a way no other rapper or artist could. Which is why I would say he has a bigger impact on hip-hop.
It can depend back with the east vs west people wouldn’t listen to 2pac because they were on the east and people wouldn’t listen to b.i.g. puff daddy etc… because they were on the west. the one thing that distinguish success was the sound of their voice and its the same deal. people will be like oh its hard to understand what b.i.g. is trying to say he was a big man dangerously obese but then 2pac could rap very quickly and that was just skill. jay z i like early jay z but he turned in to a fucking wanker from about 2005-onward and its still the same. so it can depend peoples favourites will always vary and the debate will never die.
I feel pac was a great rapper in the sense of thug life..I think was great in spitting that glamorous shit. Jayz well I would give him.props expect the dude stole my song open letter and claim he wrote it.
I feel pac was a great rapper in the sense of thug life..I think was great in spitting that glamorous shit. Jayz well I would give him.props expect the dude stole my song open letter and claim he wrote it.
Eminem, Nas and black thought are a way better trio lol. Pac and big are great, BUT overrated. He sympathy points catapults them to new heights smh
Eminem, Nas and black thought are a way better trio lol. Pac and big are great, BUT overrated. He sympathy points catapults them to new heights smh
You can argue who’s the best: Jay z, biggie or twopack, it doesn’t matter cause eminem better than all three of em!
Ridiculous or should I say pointless. Pac was in movies , on TV and radio before Jay dropped his 1st lp.b So how is an indi artist supposed to compete with that.
He isn’t wrong.
PAC was just louder than Jay & Big. Jay is the Best Hustle of the rap game. I think BIG was the better lyricist of the 2. PAC did impact the game the hardest though
I think sakordie and fks from ghana is the best of all time.
Pac died young so melle mell argument is invalid because pac destroyed Jay z on makaveli and people weren’t listening to Jay z
I agree with this opinion. I’ve always said that BIGGIE had a smoother flow but PAC made you feel what he was saying.
Fun fact. That girlfriend he sent the hand written letter to was Madonna. He broke it off with her because his peoples told him dating a white girl like her would ruin his whole “thug” image. It’s funny how the hip hop community even to this day tries its best to sweep that under the rug. Noticed that the article just said “his girlfriend” like it was some random chick… like the whole world wouldn’t know who Madonna is.