Hip Hop in the late ’90s was filled with posse cuts by some of the game’s best lyricists. Rappers such as LL COOL J, Method Man, Redman, Fat Joe, N.O.R.E. and more were giving fans quality cuts where each performer stole the show.
One of those records that came out of that competitive era was on the late DMX’s second studio album Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood in 1998. The Ruff Ryders legend assembled his fellow New York brethren The LOX (Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch) and JAY-Z on “Blackout,” a vicious record that finds the five MCs ripping through the hard-hitting production of Swizz Beatz.
Each rapper delivered their own memorable lines, such as Jada rapping, “Yo, I used to have bad luck, now you might see me in a Jag’ truck/Masked up, either with a dime or a bad duck,” or Hov saying, “Yeah, yeah, I’m a monster I sleep whole winters, wake up and spit summers/Ghetto n-gga, putting up Will Smith numbers.”
Fans have debated for years who exactly had the show-stealing verse on the track, and they may have finally gotten their answer. During an interview with HipHopDX, Styles P gave some insight on the track and revealed who he thinks had the best verse. According to Styles, there’s no debate given the certain track record of this rapper.
“Fuck you mean ‘What’s my favorite?’ My verse, n-gga! I don’t even care what nobody else say [laughs],” Styles P said. “I’m pretty sure I had the hardest verse. Even if it wasn’t the best, I’m pretty sure it was the most aggressive. I might have said the most outlandish shit.”
He continued, “I always go for me, but no ‘Blackout?’ Nah me. I think it’s safe to say. You know what it is, if you want me to be honest, you know this. I be roasting shit, I ain’t no sleeper dog. I’m the guy who don’t really say much, but look at my track record and look at what I’m rhyming on. Go back, and you’ll never hear I got burned.”
Styles P & Havoc Announce Joint Album 'Wreckage Manner' + Share New Single
There hasn’t been word on who JAY, Jada or Sheek think has the best verse but all signs probably point to them picking themselves. Meanwhile, Styles P is putting his rhymes up against another legendary NYC rapper in Mobb Deep’s Havoc.
Styles and Havoc dropped their first joint project, Wreckage Manner, on Friday (December 3). The 10-track project finds both New Yorkers bringing listeners back to the origins of gritty street rap filled with booming production and tough lyrics.
Stream Wreckage Manner below.
Styles bugging. Jada got the best verse. Then Jay, then X, Styles in 3rd and Sheek last. All verses better than 95% of whats out there though! Blackout is a classic. But. I will say this. Styles does steal the show on Shot down with X and 50. Off the jump he dont play “If your heads still on your shoulders. You aint got shot, just nipped” Straight fire.
Great song . X took that one for sure .
STYLES ONE OF MY FAVORITES BUT THAT PASTA SHELLS BOX OF LS WAS THE WEAKEST VERSE ON THERE.
Jada was #1 on this song…after that you can debate who is 2nd, 3rd, etc…..
Anyone putting Jada or Jay in front of X is straight wildin. Must not have been alive. Jada was the most technical and Jay was holdin his own as a G but X had that flow on the first two albums that made him the greatest rapper of his time. Not the most technical, like Pac, but he had the heart. Give me X, Jada, Jay, Styles, and then Sheek.
X was a technical rapper. Just listen to the intro of his first album. His allegory and wordplay game was definitely top notch. But somehow his flow and energy overshadowed his skills as an MC. It goes the same for his verse on 4 3 2 1. He nailed that shit. To me X is the greatest mc of all time. Dead or alive
Jada earned a Hip Hop Quotable for this in The Source magazine so I actually read the lines before I heard it. Flamed it.
Jay Z’s opening about “I’ma monster, I sleep whole winters, wake up and spit summers” you knew he was coming to do damage. So it opened with Jada going bonkers and setting an ultra strong lyrical tone all the way to the second last emcee serving h.ell So they set the oven to broil and kept adding fire, so it was set for hell for X to come talking that sh*t. Ironically, X opened with “I’m headed nowhere fast. ” Anything but true. This was actually his second #1 album within a year window. Now let’s get another classic squad cut from somebody…
Jay “ghetto N*gga putting up will smith numbers” then Jada then X
He speaking facts Come on let’s be real SP got out on those buls on that track real shit like that is one of the hardest verses out I mean from opening to ending its not his top 5 verses of all time but its up there now that other track they was on hands down top 5 verse of all time I will put this verse up against a lot of people jawns but that other one he did with them I don’t think it’s going to be anymore of those collaboration ctfuh they got to look back and laugh about both times like he cooked us in their ??????
..but Jay’s “the meanest, toughest Don Dudda to gun-butt ya” so he automatically wins.