The Notorious B.I.G. could be on the same level as JAY-Z if he was still living, according to Stephen A. Smith during a debate about Hip Hop greats.
The ESPN personality was a guest on the Connect the Dots podcast, and in a clip published on Wednesday (March 6), he was asked to rank the GOATs in the rap game in a bracket challenge.
Choosing between eight MCs, Smith narrowed the battle down to Biggie versus Hov, but first chose the former over Eminem in the semifinals.
He explained: “If Biggie were alive today, I think he could be Hov. I’m not sure though, but I will tell you that his lyrics, along with his music, the sound of it…I would say to you I gotta give it to Biggie.” Check out the clip, which begins at about the 40 minute mark.
When it came time for the finals, though, Stephen A. went with the Marcy Ave. icon.
“I have to go with JAY-Z. I personally think he’s the greatest. Biggie was something special, make no mistake about it, rapping about what he knows. JAY-Z knows more. Jay is more seasoned, so he had more to say,” said the First Take host.
“Even though Biggie spectacular, Nas is spectacular, Eminem is spectacular, LL [Cool J], DMX, all of them, spectacular. But, there’s only one Hov, bro…He has proven that through the test of time, with everything he’s done.”
Though Stephen A. chose the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder as his GOAT, he recently discussed a spat they went through.
Jay is known to be highly protective of his family and friends, and he apparently didn’t take kindly to Smith’s controversial comments about his wife Beyoncé and Roc Nation signee Rihanna.
The ESPN personality shared the story on that same episode of Connect the Dots. he explained how Hov phoned him after he ignited a debate about Bey and RiRi’s respective talents.
Smith began by recapping his initial statement, saying: “I love Rihanna. I bought her album, she gets my money. Mad love for her, wish her nothing but the best … But you do know there’s only one Beyoncé.”
The First Take host later revealed that unspecified “Hollywood stars” were mad at him for his remarks and that a few have never spoken to him since.
“A month later, Hov and I were on the phone,” he shared. “Hov was like, ‘My dawg, you family, that’s family. That’s too close to say that.’ I said, ‘I didn’t know.’ He said, ‘I know.’ Done!
“In other words, it’s a business, it’s a part of it, you don’t know how she’ll receive it, etc. etc. etc. That’s all he had to say. I appreciated that.”
Biggie would be Biggie if he was alive. What a dumbass remark.
Biggy was a scumbag. Even back then, Jay had a little bit of a clean cut image compared to Biggie even though he was doing degenerate young rapper shit like all of them were doing. You never heard about Jay beating on any women or any of the shit Biggie was known for. About the worst thing you can tag him with is the Un Rivera situation.
We literally saw Jay assault a woman on camera. We only heard about what BIG may have done to Kim and what he said in his lyrics.
You’re an idiot. I wish you would stay silent.
He’s on Camara slapping a woman and he was fucking Foxy Brown when she was 14
Except she’s actually denied that every time people try to say they were fucking (because Foxy has been known to be discreet about her life). Biggie was a way better rapper, but to think he would have eventually been able to graduate to be a corporate dude like Jay is delusional, which is what he’s trying to say would have been his career arc. It’s like Lil Wayne versus Drake. Drake just fits in those pop spaces better whereas Lil Wayne is the better actual rapper.
Kim wasn’t the only woman who said he beat her, and Biggie admitted to being a scummy dude. Nobody said Jay was an angel, but he has never had that kind of shit surround him. You’re comparing that push of that girl to people confirming that B.I.G. used to beat women like Mike Tyson. It’s like Dr. Dre. Dope producer, the GOAT hip hop producer, but he beat the dog shit out of women his whole life. He only skates on it because he is a producer who has made an album once every 10 years. Compare that to a rapper who would need to drop every other year. It’s like how Sean Combs got away with shit for so long versus any normal artists with the same allegations.
What are you talking about. JAY messed with foxy when she was 16/17, Jay damn well knew what r Kelly was doing and were making albums together. Jay is just as bad as anyone in the rap game. And Nas is GOAT, solidified with his last 6 albums. No debate.
My boi needs prayers. Please help him.
Biggie was a better rapper/storyteller than Jay. His 2 albums are far better than any Jay Z album imo. But to each their own
How gave Foxy Brown herpes when she was 14 yrs old.
Hov gave Foxy Brown herpes when she was 14 yrs old.
And if Pac was alive, there wouldn’t no rappers, except Nas, on earth who be able to fuck with him including those mumble rappers. Lil Wayne would probably be sipping lean in New Orleans and rapping over Mannie Fresh ‘s beats. . Jeezy would’ve been dissed for using the entire using the word “Thug”…we all know Pac would’ve slapped his azz.
Last time he touched someone affiliated it didn’t end well for him, it just ended. Pac Stans are the worst.
A BIG section Hov’s rhymes wouldnt exist as they wouldve remained with their true owner.
Every non hip hop platform using hip hop to garner ratings. Who appointed Smith as a voice for the culture. This is what Donnell Rawlings was talking about. People that have nothing to do with a genre or whatever, but leveling themselves as if they have a say on said topic. Controversy sells. Smith has nothing going for him and tends to apologize constantly for his ignorance when he gets checked. Somebody just needs to physically do so the next time.
Stephen A a f****ng idiot.