Eminem and Black Thought are easily two of the most dynamic lyricists that Hip Hop has ever produced and now fans are debating who the better rapper is between the two.
It all started when Beats, Rhymes, & List posted a picture of the two artists on Twitter on Thursday (May 25) and asked: “Who’s the stronger lyricist? Eminem vs Black Thought.”
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As expected, the tweet spawned thousands of replies. “Black Thought easily, Em is great storyteller but in terms of technical power it’s really not close,” one fan tweeted.
“Black Thought and if you don’t think so explain to me how is Eminem better and I don’t wanna hear nothing about numbers I’m talking pure rap skills,” a second fan wrote. “Eminem hard but he not better than Thought, imo old Em was harder than Em of today.”
Black Thought easily, Em is great storyteller but in terms of technical power it’s rlly not close
— DSNEVER (@wethebstmusic) May 25, 2023
Black Thought and if you don’t think so explain to me how is Eminem better and I don’t wanna hear nothing about numbers I’m talking pure rap skills. Eminem hard but he not better than Thought, imo old Em was harder than Em of today
— '95 (@HiDro_vlcn) May 25, 2023
A third added: “I’m going with Black Thought. His references to social problems, history and culture put him as my #1. He makes me google something he brings up in most of his verses. Em is nice but I don’t care for the content of his raps.”
One fan even went as far as to say he doesn’t have a particular favorite. “Pure talent wise, Eminem is probably better, but when it comes to execution, content, production etc, it’s Thought. Both are missing a lot of what I like in MC’s so I have no dog in this particular fight,” they said.
I’m going with Black Thought. His references to social problems, history and culture put him as my #1. He makes me google something he brings up in most of his verses. Em is nice but I don’t care for the content of his raps.
— Jose Olivencia (@558_917) May 26, 2023
Pure talent wise, Eminem is probably better, but when it comes to execution, content, production etc, it's Thought. Both are missing a lot of what I like in MC's so I have no dog in this particular fight. https://t.co/znloDesZhO
— It breaks my heart… (@PriceTheCreator) May 26, 2023
As debates started to heat up, fans started giving more analysis behind their decision-making of their respective pick.
“Em. Black Thought is Dope, but his rhyme schemes are not as unique as Em’s,” one fan tweeted. “His work on the Roots albums were good, but some of it wasn’t that complex. Em has better storytelling tracks and more double entendres.”
Em. Black Thought is Dope, but his rhyme schemes are not as unique as Em's. His work on the Roots albums were good, but some of it wasn't that complex. Em has better storytelling tracks and more double entendres.
— Despise The Wise (@DespiseTheWise) May 25, 2023
“In regards to Lyricism both are elite w/o a doubt,” a second fan began. “But personally I’ll go w/ Em. He’s a scientist when it comes to words, no one does it like him. Thought is a GOAT as well & I think for most people it will come down to relatability. To each his own. Respect both tho.”
Another fan added, “Black thought is top tier, but fuck me…Name me 1 good album of his? I’ll wait. That freestyle on flex but u cant compare that to any of Ems shit. Em been doing that his whoke career. Biggest selling artist (Not to just white people i may add) longevity! He’s the goat.”
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An eager fan said he’d rather see both rappers collaborate as opposed to making a comparison.
“I rather have a collab between @Eminem and @blackthought than trying to make the comparison between the two greats. Hearing them go bar for bar together on a track or even a freestyle would be insane!”
In regards to Lyricism both are elite w/o a doubt. But personally I'll go w/ Em. He's a scientist when it comes to words, no one does it like him. Thought is a GOAT as well & I think for most people it will come down to relatability. To each his own. Respect both tho.
— CMike718 (@CMikeBX) May 26, 2023
Black thought is top tier, but fuck me…Name me 1 good album of his? I’ll wait. That freestyle on flex was 💥💥💥 but u cant compare that to any of Ems shit. Em been doing that his whoke career. Biggest selling artist (Not to just white people i may add) longevity! He’s the goat
— WayneMakaveliDavies (@Makaveli1878) May 26, 2023
I rather have a collab between @Eminem and @blackthought than trying to make the comparison between the two greats. Hearing them go bar for bar together on a track or even a freestyle would be insane! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #HipHophttps://t.co/T1PVquxhZf
— Justus Preech (@JustusPreech920) May 26, 2023
Although the tweet spawned thousands of replies, both men are extremely talented in the music business and have decades of experience in the rap game.
While Eminem started out as a battle rapper in 1990s and as a founding member of D12, Black Thought (real name Tariq Trotter) started out as the lead MC of the legendary Philadelphia group The Roots in the late 1980s.
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Slim Shady has released 11 studio albums, and has won 15 Grammy Awards over the course of his career. Tariq Trotter has dropped three studio albums, and won three Grammy Awards. The majority of his album work has came under The Roots.
According to Billboard, Eminem is currently the most-certified artist for singles in RIAA Gold and Platinum program history. Meanwhile, The Roots is one of the most consistent groups in music history.
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In 2023, both men were on Billboard‘s list of the 50th Greatest Rappers Of All Time with Black Thought coming in at 28 and Eminem coming in at No. 5.
Check out more noteworthy reactions to the viral debate below:
Thought .
Y’all niggas tripping https://t.co/2Js2Z2Vb4s
— Lewi$ R. (@PoppyD_) May 26, 2023
It’s stupid close but I’ll take Eminem here, his technicals (rhymes, entendres, etc) aren’t being touched by anyone.
That being said, if you include emotional impact and other things, the bigger picture of Eminem proves he’s more inconsistent while Black Thought probably wins
1/2— Mental (@MentalRapMusic) May 26, 2023
This is hard and I legitimately have to call it a tie or maybe Em by a smidge. But I have nostalgia staying up recording Em freestyles on the Wake Up Show (LA) that I can blew my mind and to this day can rap verbatim. Black Thought is an absolute beast too
— Chris Lakey (@mcxyz) May 26, 2023
It's kind of like guitar players. Some people like technical wizardry. Some, emotional power. Me? I like both, which is why I go with Black Thought all day and twice on Sundays. Time to get back to work.
— Jonathan Frederick (@jonmikefred) May 26, 2023
Black Thought. Eminem has punchlines for days but he loves to do the weakest ones he can think of UNLESS he's battling but he does that in his battles too and just adds to the joke in his raps.
— 😒😒😒 (@GliccJamez) May 26, 2023
Eminem, but Black Thought for knowledge and deep storylines, except for Stan. Stan was extremely well put together IMO. But black thought has a hole catalog of shit that has meaning over incredible wordplay. And tell me one person who is still not in love with. “You Got Me”
— Vibe Ichi (@vibalbeats) May 26, 2023
It's matter of preference when in comes to comparing the elite lyricists. I say Eminem, because the wide range of subjects he covered in his career. But the word "better" is difficult to apply.
— Solino Lokey (@S0Lin0) May 26, 2023
