Rakim had like 4 great albums in the 90s and unlike the other legends he still kept some respect and success in the game

Rakim and Kool G progressed, people just had the attitude of not messing with old heads. But Kool G seemed to stay pretty relevant for the first half of the 90s, his debut album wasn’t til 89 which helped maybe but his debut single was in 86

It’s more about the culture not allowing the legends to progress and major labels getting them out of here than them failing to adapt. Rakim and Kool G had great 90s music that completely fit with what was going on

Because UGH HUH HUH I WENT TO THE HAT STORE AND I BOUGHT MYSELF A HAT UGH HUH HUH HUH.

Bro no they are not. Like at all.

My left nut is a better lyricist than snoop, foh

Kool G definitely better than Big lyrically, others are debatable

I don’t agree with his statement but I wouldn’t knock someone for thinking Paid In Full, 4 5 6 > Biggie discography

(Can’t speak on Daddy Kane)

Yup. It was more about image than adapting musically

Damn near any G Rap song, Road to the Riches

Bro f*** no. Kool G rap is cool bro. But kool G does not have one ready to die

link to your left nuts SoundCloud page gotta hear these bars

I said-a hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie
To the hip hip hop-a you don't stop the rock
It to the bang-bang boogie, say up jump the boogie
To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat

they didnt progress in the 90s lol

We talking about lyrical ability and you’re talking about albums? no correlation. Big was a more complete package as an artist and had Puff making it accessible and producing. The album is better but the lyricism ain’t

90's rap is definitely over hyped because of the estaslihed perception around Pac & Biggie (after their death) and the power of associated acts like Snoop, Jay, and Diddy.

They're telling the stories and have the reigning opinions so public perception merely goes with them. I would research actual hip hop historians (not Lebron lol) and get their takes.

Also, you can listen to the 80's legends (like a lot of people in this thread are doing well) and listen for yourself. Did a lot of 80's rapper make solid projects in the 90's? 2000's? Perhaps. Also, its could simply be a matter of time. The 80's rappers are far older so us younger listeners will be naturally more detached and disassociated with their sound and history.

Kool G absolutely did, you just showing lack of knowledge on the topic there. I’d argue Rakim’s 1990 album produced by Lord Finesse and Paul C and them was a HUGE progression for him and even got 5 mics in the source. That’s the album that truly birthed Illmatic

Who's the oldest rapper that puts out good, mainstream music? Jay-Z?

Future

what rakim album are you talking about lmfao he didnt drop a solo till nobody cared bout his music.

And no, G Rap didnt lmao

Let the Rhythm Hit Em. Obviously technically Eric B and Rakim but should’ve been clear enough, Eric wasn’t involved

G rap only had 1 album in the 80s, his second album was definitely a progression from his first and even 4,5,6 was a good adaptation to the 90s sound and seemed to be well received at the time

That s*** came out in 1990 they didnt survive for the rest of the decade for a reason: Because they couldnt progress further. By the time 92 hit them 80s rappers were a lost cause because rap was already dramatically changing.

Real progression is Ice Cube with AMW in comparison to NWA.

Scarface progressed with the diary in comparison to them geto boyz tapes

Kool G Rap had the #1 album on the R&B chart in 1995, (guess rap chart ain’t exist yet), 24 overall which was his highest charting album of his career

Rakim didn't really fall off like you think though. Rakim's comeback in 97 gave him a Gold album and many rappers to this day revere him. He also got signed to Aftermath although they didn't put an album out.

Rakim has tons of projects and his rapping is superb and he's incorporated a lot of 5% knowledge more openly in his later works.

Also, Too Short's one of the most 1 dimensional rappers OAT and he's had a long decent run.

It's not about progression at all. It's about how long a rapper can hop on trends and work with the hottest beatmakers to stay relevant with the youth. Even Cube worked heavy with Lil Jon in the 2000's while pretending to be a thug to stay relevant.

That's how Hov lasted long too. Hov's a GOAT rapper obviously but even he himself told you that he dumbed down his lyrics to double his dollars.

Rappers like Rakim were far less willing to sacrifice their own values to stay hot on the charts. And he and Jay are both still legends despite taking different paths in music.

Kool Keith evolved through 3 decades.

who is jay-z and nas

The father of acid rap and horrorcore