Is it fair to say that Nas is a better writer than Jay-z but Jay-z is a better rapper than Nas?

[SunZoo]

I LOVE Rise and Fall. WAY more than some of the songs being mentioned in here. Rise and Fall is supposed to have a somber and reflective feel. It's not a party joint. It's not a commercial joint. It's not a single. It's a deep album cut. Apples and oranges. And the only reason it got cut was because of Nas switching I Am from what it was supposed to be initially. Also every version of I Am >>>> Vol 3. Also. Fiesta is a bigger song. But it ain't a BETTER song than Street Dreams Remix. No way. Lol. But its hard to compare cause it's a party joint. Street Dreams Remix is a deep reflective somber jount.

I think one could argue that a good bulk of Nas' material is more reflective and often somber, that's what I love about him actually.

But again, "Better writer/Better rapper" implies that the seperation between the two has to do with other factors like who's more appealing, who more versatile ect. Like @CHICAGO said it's usually the same sentiment people have when discussing Big vs. Pac.

 

[Budda]

Even if it's one of your favorite songs, it's objectively bland in comparison to izzo, is it not?

Used to be that Nas stans would actually use what I'm saying (that Jay is more commercial) to their advantage when discussing the topic, now nikkas playing dumb.




I disagree, Jay has Fiesta (the biggest song being discussed here) and





That song was everywhere when it dropped though and has the same basic premise as "Money is my bytch", lyrical YET, commerical.

If you think Guilty until proven innoncent is better than any of the Nas Rkelly collabs then i don't know what to say lol.

 

[SunZoo]

its called being a pop artist.

Can't demand nuanced takes from "Hovengers" and pretend like Jay Z is MC Hammer or some shyt bro.

 

[TheHonorableOmarSharif]

Can't demand nuanced takes from "Hovengers" and pretend like Jay Z is MC Hammer or some shyt bro.

All they gotta do is listen to "What More Can I Say"


I love Nas... (pause)....but Hov is just more easily digestible.... To me. I can't speak for yall, and don't want too... Like what you like...


But. @spliz.... I just asked for one quotable.

What you eat, don't make me shyt...

 

[SunZoo]

If you think Guilty until proven innoncent is better than any of the Nas Rkelly collabs then i don't know what to say lol.

We don't see eye to eye on it, that's cool. I definetly heard it played more than either of those songs.

Point being...the premise of the thread is evident in the fact that Nas' mujsic is generally more 'reflective' and Jay's is more commercial. If a lot of people hold the opinion that one is a Nas is better at writing lyrics and Jay is better at making rap music...that might play a signifigant role in why that is, even if you disagree.

 

[TheHonorableOmarSharif]

 

[SunZoo]

But. @spliz.... I just asked for one quotable.

What you eat, don't make me shyt...

When you ask for quotables are you talmbout some shyt that's like...from a single that's well known, some kinda snoop doggie dogg and dr dre is at the doe shyt?

Or just lines that stand out or mean something to you? Jay is definetly more whitty and has more memorable 1 liners but the notion that Nas doesn't have enough of those...he's just not that kind of writer. Like how do you pull a particular line from 1 mic? I could sooner rap you the whole song than throw out a couple random lines.

But on a personal note:

If money's your religion, sky the limit, live life
Numbers is big buisness, makes the poor live trife
The glimmers of hope, provoke those without dollars to dream
Through your existance become wealthy, knowledge is king



That shyt is hard wired into my brain.

 

[papa pimp]

Can't demand nuanced takes from "Hovengers" and pretend like Jay Z is MC Hammer or some shyt bro.

the comparison is to nas so with that in mind he is pop and not lyrical in that sense but if hyperbole is your only out then by my guest.

no one who takes any sort of advanced lit/english class is being taught to value the things you hoevengers claim are the hallmarks of good writing.

 

[papa pimp]

All they gotta do is listen to "What More Can I Say"


I love Nas... (pause)....but Hov is just more easily digestible.... To me. I can't speak for yall, and don't want too... Like what you like...


But. @spliz.... I just asked for one quotable.

What you eat, don't make me shyt...

try any of the dozen lines jay directly lifted from nas maybe?

 

[TheHonorableOmarSharif]

When you ask for quotables are you talmbout some shyt that's like...from a single that's well known, some kinda snoop doggie dogg and dr dre is at the doe shyt?

Or just lines that stand out or mean something to you? Jay is definetly more whitty and has more memorable 1 liners but the notion that Nas doesn't have enough of those...he's just not that kind of writer. Like how do you pull a particular line from 1 mic? I could sooner rap you the whole song than throw out a couple random lines.

But on a personal note:

If money's your religion, sky the limit, live life
Numbers is big buisness, makes the poor live trife
The glimmers of hope, provoke those without dollars to dream
Through your existance become wealthy, knowledge is king



That shyt is hard wired into my brain.

I'm just referencing lines that I hear from Hov that are more widely quoted that apply readily to life; for example:

I was just fukking them girls, I was gonna get right back

Or

Work with them little Debbie's, when you done get ready

Or

If I kill you I'm brainless, if you kill me, then you famous? What's a nicca to do?

Or

My lyrics like the Bible, made to save lives... In the midst of all your misery nicca, stay fly...

Im older than yall... But Hov bars just come up casually in convo when I talk to my niccas


All I'm saying...

 

[spliz]

All they gotta do is listen to "What More Can I Say"


I love Nas... (pause)....but Hov is just more easily digestible.... To me. I can't speak for yall, and don't want too... Like what you like...


But. @spliz.... I just asked for one quotable.

What you eat, don't make me shyt...

"Time is money when it comes to mine...."

"Imagine smoking weed on the streets...."

"That buck that bought a bottle..."

"I never sleep, cause sleep is the..."

"I'm out for presidents to..."



"From the womb to the tomb I presume the unpredictable, gun sulute...."


"Thru the lights cameras and action...."


"Freedom or jail clips inserted..."

"I got no game it's just some bytches..."


"Life's a bytch but God forbid.."

 

[Budda]

We don't see eye to eye on it, that's cool. I definetly heard it played more than either of those songs.

Point being...the premise of the thread is evident in the fact that Nas' mujsic is generally more 'reflective' and Jay's is more commercial. If a lot of people hold the opinion that one is a Nas is better at writing lyrics and Jay is better at making rap music...that might play a signifigant role in why that is, even if you disagree.

I don't equate being more commercial with being a better artist or songwriter.

 

[Budda]

When you ask for quotables are you talmbout some shyt that's like...from a single that's well known, some kinda snoop doggie dogg and dr dre is at the doe shyt?

Or just lines that stand out or mean something to you? Jay is definetly more whitty and has more memorable 1 liners but the notion that Nas doesn't have enough of those...he's just not that kind of writer. Like how do you pull a particular line from 1 mic? I could sooner rap you the whole song than throw out a couple random lines.

But on a personal note:

If money's your religion, sky the limit, live life
Numbers is big buisness, makes the poor live trife
The glimmers of hope, provoke those without dollars to dream
Through your existance become wealthy, knowledge is king



That shyt is hard wired into my brain.

Don't say my cars topless say the titties is out.

 

[TheHonorableOmarSharif]

Don't say my cars topless say the titties is out.

I would have led with that, from the nicca that went to hell for snuffing Jesus

 

[spliz]

I'm just referencing lines that I hear from Hov that are more widely quoted that apply readily to life; for example:

I was just fukking them girls, I was gonna get right back

Or

Work with them little Debbie's, when you done get ready

Or

If I kill you I'm brainless, if you kill me, then you famous? What's a nicca to do?

Or

My lyrics like the Bible, made to save lives... In the midst of all your misery nicca, stay fly...

Im older than yall... But Hov bars just come up casually in convo when I talk to my niccas


All I'm saying...

If this is the case. Pac has way more.