Stanisland Magazine

The Black Eye Peas frontman sparks heated debate: Black Thought or Jay-Z ?

The Black Eyed Peas frontman sparked a heated debate over who is the best rapper in the game. How did he do it, you ask? Simple. He spoke the truth: Black Thought is a “trillion times” better than Jay-Z. The comments were made during his appearance on SiriusXm‘s show Sway in the Morning (watch below).

What did Will.i.am Say?

The musician and host of The Voice exclaimed his thoughts on who he feels is the better between the two: “Black Thought is a trillion times better than Jay-Z,” he continued…“Seeing Black Thought, what he’s capable of just off-the-top — and yeah, Jay’s off-the-top is dope too — and Jay’s dope, don’t get me wrong, but Jay has already said everything that — he’s just regurgitating everything he’s already said. When everything that Black Thought comes up with is like, ‘Wait, I never heard that one. Wow, you split that word up like that?’ And that’s just my personal preference, that’s just me.”

He then went on to give his top 5 rappers, which included Nas, Black Thought, Jay-Z, 2Pac, and Biggie. However, unable to make up his mind — as it is an incredibly difficult and subjective list to curate — he then threw in Big Daddy Kane and Pharoahe Monch.

Who Is the Better Rapper?

Now, a trillion times better might be a stretch — but Tariq Trotter easily surpasses the former Roc-A-Fella man both off the top and on wax. We don’t need to debate this; there are plenty of examples that showcase why and how he is one of the GOATs. That’s not to dismiss Jay’s credentials — he’s an incredible lyricist in his own right. But Black Thought? He’s built different. Like, from another planet skill level.

Black Thought: Underrated or Understated?

He is neither underrated or overrated. He gets his flowers, but he could be given more. Why does the wider community fail to talk about him as much? It’s because he walks a path of his own, he sees rhyme and music in colours we can’t fathom, he has a rhythm, and he won’t compromise it for anyone.

The Roots frontman is that guy quietly sharpening his knife in the woods. You pass him every day, he looks friendly, but you’re always left wondering, why is he sharpening that blade? He’s the silent assassin of the rap game.

Jay-Z‘s impact is undeniable. His personal breakthroughs for hip-hop shook the genre, and took it worldwide in unimaginable ways. But while both rappers hum to their own tune, you’ll never catch them in the same room on Sway.

One things for sure, I can’t wait for a new Jigga and The Roots’ new album.

Photo credit: Monte Isom

---

What do you think? Comment below