Tony Yayo previously claimed that The Notorious B.I.G. is a better storyteller than Ice Cube, and he still stands by it.
In a Vlad TV interview clip publish on Sunday (January 21), the G-Unit rapper was asked about the comments he made last year on Drink Champs, where he said: “So you telling me Ice Cube is a better storyteller than Biggie? You fucking buggin!”
Even though he still feels the same way, the 45-year-old made sure to clarify that he is a huge fan of the former N.W.A rapper as well.
“Listen, Ice Cube is a[n] idol of mine — he’s a genius,” Yayo began. “He got movies, he has the Victory League — he’s a fuckin’ genius. I don’t have nothing against him. […] You know what’s cool about the debate on Drink Champs? It made me go listen to more Ice Cube.
“Don’t get me wrong — mad n-ggas screamed on me […] Ice Cube is one of the dopest, but for Biggie, maybe it’s more impact because I’m from New York. That’s what you gotta remember.”
After reflecting on the historic beef between Biggie and 2Pac, he added: “Don’t get me wrong, N.W.A – they started the Raiders hats, the black look. They had they look for LA, but n-gga was Versace, Coogi — had n-ggas wearing Coogi. N-gga was just that n-gga. Smoking that good weed. He was the first fat n-gga besides Heavy D to be super cool.”
Watch the interview below:
Days after Tony Yayo and DJ EFN’s Biggue–Cube debate on Drink Champs went viral, Ice Cube responded to it during an interview with DJ Whoo Kid.
The West Coast rap legend acknowledged his late peer’s brilliance as well as the fact that everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but also reminded Yayo and others about his storytelling accolades over the last 30-plus years that go beyond rapping.
“It’s subjective,” he said. “Everybody got they favorites. I put my stories up against anybody and I have a bigger sample size. But at the end of the day, everybody is going to have their different opinion. I love Biggie, I’m a fan of Biggie.
“I’ve wrote records for Eazy and N.W.A. And look, when we talking about storytelling, are we talking about rhyming? Because I write movies too, so I’m a hell of a storyteller. I can tell a damn story. So are we just talking about rap? That’s only a portion of what I do.”
He concluded by saying: “Look, to be in that conversation, I’m winning already.”
Biggie is the best to ever do it. Salute!
You asking a east coast artist is Biggie a better storyteller than n West coast artist what you think the answer going to be.
I don’t know what they’re arguing about, Slick Rick would beat them both easily.
I’m compelled to agree. Ice Cube is a legendary storyteller, but Big’s stories were more layered and had more personality.
Nope. Not a chance. Biggie was too lyrical. Lyrical rappers suck at telling stories. They get too caught up trying to incorporate big educated words and metaphors that totally dilute the story and confuse the listener. Nobody does storytelling better than Ice Cube. He tells the story raw and uncut, easy to follow with no annoying wordplay or unnecessary bars. Other great storytellers are Slick Rick, Scarface, and of course 2pac.
Big was a great lyricist. But cube’s work with N.W.A., the Eazy—E’s writing, his first solo album, death certificate work is unmatched. Big didn’t write a lot of stories… juicy, got a story to tell, and things in between. Slick Rick’s first album was great storytelling along with the show/ Lodi dodi .. but after that not so much. Nasir jones have them beaten by miles… the gun, rewind, stay, undying love… one love. We have to stop with emotional feeling. Get real on content. But Big’s lyricist and flow was unmatched. Ice cube writing skills are phenomenal. Too much work.
Big was a great lyricist. But cube’s work with N.W.A., the Eazy—E’s writing, his first solo album, death certificate work is unmatched. Big didn’t write a lot of stories… juicy, got a story to tell, and things in between. Slick Rick’s first album was great storytelling along with the show/ Lodi dodi .. but after that not so much. Nasir jones have them beaten by miles… the gun, rewind, stay, undying love… one love. We have to stop with emotional feeling. Get real on content. But Big’s lyricist and flow was unmatched. Ice cube writing skills are phenomenal. Too much work.
Cube for the W. There’d be no Biggie without him. Let a Ho Be A Ho, Dopeman, Today Was A Good Day, Steady Mobbin, Snappy Nappy Dugout, Who’s The Mack, Once Upon A Time In The Projects…. sorry folks. Cube’s got it by a mile.
*Giving Up The Nappy Dugout
Once upon a time in the projects
You can’t fade me
Gangstas fairytale
Steady Mobbin
My Summer Vacation
Doing dumb shit
Alive on arrival
I can go on and on but there’s not debate here..
Ice Cube all day.
Move on.