Fat Joe and Papoose may hold Melle Mel in high regard, but they don’t agree with his recent criticism of Eminem.
The Furious Five MC questioned Slim Shady’s No. 5 ranking on Billboard’s Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time list during an interview with The Art of Dialogue last week, arguing he’s only considered a top-tier rapper because he’s white.
“Obviously, he’s a capable rapper. If you was talking about sales, he’s sold more than everybody. If you talking about rhyme style, okay, he got a rhyme style,” Melle Mel said. “But he’s white!
“If Eminem was just another n-gga like all the rest of us, would he be top five on that list, when a n-gga that can rhyme just as good as him is [number] 35? … If he was a Black rapper, he wouldn’t even make the list probably.”
Chewing over his comments on Instagram Live on Monday (March 6), Joey Crack and Papoose respectfully disagreed with Melle Mel, claiming that Eminem’s lyrical talents are undisputed, regardless of his race.
“I disagree with that because even though Eminem is Caucasian, you cannot front on his skillset, man. You can’t deny that skillset!” Pap said, to which Joe replied: “No way.”
“As much as I love and worship Melle Mel, I think he’s wrong with this one,” the Terror Squad leader added.
Despite their difference of opinion, Papoose and Fat Joe made sure to give Melle Mel his flowers, saluting him for being a Hip Hop pioneer.
“Listen, I love Melle Mel. He’s the originator of his style. He’s amazing, lyrically. I still listen to ‘The Message.’ And I know Melle Mel!” Papoose said. “I look up to him, man. He’s a legend. I could go on and on about the respect that I have for him.”
Joe added: “He’s probably my icon. He’s one of my Top 10.”
However, Papoose reaffirmed his belief that Eminem belongs in the upper echelon of rap greats, saying: “Lyrically, dudes are still not touching [Melle Mel]. But honestly, that skillset that that boy Slim Shady got, you can’t — nah, man.”
Fat Joe and Papoose are from the only figures to have reacted to Melle Mel’s controversial comments. Eminem’s close friend, 50 Cent, issued a less diplomatic response on Instagram this past weekend, telling his Hip Hop forefather to get the “fuck outta here.”
“There was more money selling dope than being in Hip Hop when Melly [sic] Mel was popping, the culture has grown so much,” 50 wrote in a since-deleted post. “I am not sure if it would be what it is today with out artist like Eminem.”
He added: “Shit I am not sure I would be who I am with out him but you know it is competitive so n-ggas gonna hate. LOL fuck outta here ! We sucker free.”
Chuck D, meanwhile, defended Melle Mel from the backlash by providing a little more context to his comments for younger listeners.
“Understand Melle Mel was so dominant over the rest of the pack in the first 5 years of records its hard to comprehend for born after MC folk,” the Public Enemy legend tweeted. “Its why i call him Wilt Chamberlain and Wilt had a crate of critiques for the rappers after him including ME. Just Let Mel be Wilt lol.”
Eminem has yet to respond to Melle Mel’s remarks himself, although he did shout out the “Message” rapper as one of his musical influences while being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year.
Em’s sprawling speech also showed love to 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, LL COOL J, KRS-One, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, OutKast, A Tribe Called Quest and many more.
Mellie Mel is a racist basically. The Message is a little before my time but I always assumed Grandmaster Flash did the vocals and Mellie Mel was the DJ. I mean what solo hits has Mellie Miel had ? I cant name any. I legit thought he was a DJ or producer. Back in those days non- rapping group members still got group billing hence the human beat box and jam master j.
Lol you thought grandmaster flash was the rapper. Man you definitely retarded
The famous song “White Lines” is by Melle Mel & The Furious Five although credited to Grandmaster Flash. The label released it as Grandmaster & Melle Mel but Grandmaster Flash had long since departed. Melle Mel has had hits, let’s not play around
White Lines is by Melle Mel, even tho credited to Grandmaster Flash
of course when there’s anti-white discussions going on CHUCK D pops up…
Old man Mele Mel has gotten more attention recently for gossiping than anything he’s done musically in decades.
What have You done lately!?
Melle Mel is having a senior moment.. we must understand he’s so old he must be demented by now.. dude is a fuckin dinosaur alright.. somebody need to change his diapah, he soiled himself. he make doody. Melle Mel so old he can’t control his bowels or bladder. he got peepee and doody all up in that diapah. nurse need to change Melle Mel diapah.
He’s totally right, if Eminem was black he won’t be so famous, because he’s not that good of a rapper compared to his black counterparts. He’s maybe average at best.
Your a moron
He’s totally right, if Eminem was black he won’t be so famous, because he’s not that good of a rapper compared to his black counterparts. He’s maybe average at best.
Being under Dre’s umbrella he would still be outselling fools tf you on about cornball
If he average why do so many OG’s of the rap world hold him in high esteem. Alright not everybody gonna like him but to try and put his success down to his ethnicity,kick rocks you goof. Imagine if a white man were to say Aretha Franklin owes her success to her ethnicity,you’d soon be jumping on that racist ish and rightly so. But you doing the exact same thing now. Em hustled and battled to get where he is today,his race got fuck all to do with it. It’s his talent that got him where he is and to say he’s average,shows your understanding of rap and hip hop!!
Time to settle this Eminem debate. Yes, Eminem can rap well but he is overrated. Why? No classic albums. Nas, Wu Tang, De La Soul, Tribe, Public Enemy, Jeru tha Damaja, Gang Starr, L.L. Cool J, Run DMC, Gza, RAEKWON, Ghost, M.F.DOOM, CYPRESS HILL, Beastie Boys, Ice Cube, Nwa, Dr. Dre, Mc Eiht, Above the Law (producer Dr.Dre), OutKast, Geto Boys, Black Moon, Krs-One, Smif n Wesson, Cannibal Ox, EPMD, Rakim and Redman. CLASSIC ALBUM = DOPE LYRICS AND BEATS. Bottom line is HIP HOP/commercial junk should be enjoyed by all races. I love hip hop music and Eminem is commercial bs. Hip Hop artist Copy write (New York) is a better lyricist than Eminem. A Copy Write album produced by Dr.Dre. Classic album! Eminem album produced by Dr Dre. Average album. DOPE EMINEM songs PRODUCED BY DR.DRE CLASSIC. Go lose yourself!
He doesn’t have a classic album because he makes his album for 2 different races. When he drops a album it’s never all hip hop some of his songs are alternative rap. But he’s definitely top 5 skill set
Mel is the ‘Godfather’ of the mighty hip-hop nation! If anyone should judge a selection of some of the greatest MC’s…it should be him! After 50 years of hip-hop music, most of us have our own favorites, not always based on record sales. However, to start my list I would have to place Melle Mel at- #No. 1, – Tupac, Dr. Dre, RUN-Dmc, Public Enemy, Snoop, Ice-Cube, EricB&Rakiem, Busta Ryhmes, Kool MoeD, LL Cool J, Kool Kieth, etc. .. But that’s my choices, you probably have your own…plus, many more I could include that were overlooked. With these artists, there was no ‘click-clack,’ or auto tuned! They were the Real-Deal. Besides, we created all the modern genres in music. Can’t let white people dictate who we are!!!
Everyone is saying “White Lines” is one of Melle Mels hits but I’m not seeing any others being named?
Mel wouldn’t stand a chance in a rap battle with Em, is that why he’s so upset? Because white brudda would humiliate him lyrically?
Let’s get it straight, Ems music is commercial but he does have the pen and skill set!
Some people can’t see beyond race and it blinds their outlook on talent.
I’m glad Joe & Pap spoke out, it shows there has been progression since Mels days. It would have been special if someone from Mels era corrected him..
Ems not in my top 5 but he’s MUCH better than average 😂
What have you done lately!?
Mel can speak freely, and his opinions are highly respected as he is the “Godfather” of Rap! The #No. 1 MC, and the first on that list of all time greats! There is no beef because we own hip-hop, we own Rock; we own Blues; we own Jazz; we own House Music, etc…what do they own, they own all of you!?