Jay-Z being the GOAT one of the biggest most revisionist/manufactured narratives in hip-hop.
Son ain’t move NO part of the culture like an Nas/Rakim/Kane and bit DMX/Biggie/Nas etc on his way to the top.
"The reason why we leading the pack? This is a marathon
You start off fast and then you weezin in the back"
Has nothing to do with revisionist history.
- Biggie and
especially DMX 'started off fast and flamed out
- Rakim (and Kane too) through no fault of his own was 'old school' before he could achieve any longevity, rap moved too fast
You can play the same game with anybody besides Nas and even then he has never been consistantly been 'bigger' than Jay once he popped.
Just about everything that goes into being a "all time great" rapper he has covered. Skillset, longeivty, influence, commercial success. Doesn't matter if 50, Eminem or any other MC had their time in the sun. Doesn't matter if he was never THE biggest at or best at any given time, he is the best rapper overall and the GOAT outside of Pac.