Source: Prince Williams / Getty
It’s not really a list if it doesn’t get people in their feelings. Case in point, Ja Rule took to Twitter to drag Billboard after noting he didn’t make the cut in its 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time list.
Regardless of Ja’s beef, the list was already causing a stir due to some suspect choices. For example, in what universe does Andre 3000 come in at 12 only to be followed by Rakim at 13 and Big Daddy Kane at 20? Sure it’s Billboard, and VIBE, so the context includes charts and sales, but that means 3 Stacks has a solid beef since him and OutKast moved big units and were chart darlings.
Anyway, as for Ja Rule not cracking the top 50 isn’t exactly a top priority in rap debates, but the Queens rapper nevertheless took issue.
“There ain’t 50 rappers dead, alive or waiting to be born better than me… #ICONN #Vibes,” wrote Ja on Twitter on Thursday (Feb. 9). “@billboard congrats to everyone on the list well deserved but check my resume… #ICONN #Vibes.”
Now Ja does have a gang of major hits, but Hip-Hop itself is 50 years old and that’s a lot of great MC’s, regardless of sales and chart placement. Just saying.
Rule eventually added, “This the last thing I’m gonna say about the list… I’m pissed cause this was not an oversight it’s statistically IMPOSSIBLE to comprise this list without me so my question to @billboard who records these stats is what went into the decision to leave me off??? Just curious…”
This the last thing I’m gonna say about the list… I’m pissed cause this was not an oversight it’s statistically IMPOSSIBLE to comprise this list without me so my question to @billboard who records these stats is what went into the decision to leave me off??? Just curious…
— Ja Rule (@jarule) February 11, 2023
Conspiracy theories aside, Billboard‘s list was revealed via countdown, with Jay-Z ultimately coming in at no. 1. Twitter has been debating the validity of the list ever since it full dropped. Check out some of the more passionate reactions in the gallery.
1. Ice Cube felt a ways…
Ice Cube confirms what most of us were thinking about that Billboard Top Rappers list. They ain't Hip Hop!pic.twitter.com/W61QzbU3jF
— Old Head Energy (@Cheamane) February 10, 2023
2.
Forget what Billboard talkin bout.. here is my list of the Top 10 Rappers (based on bars, songs.. not cultural influence or artistry (so no kanye no pac)
1. Drake.
2. Nas
3. Jay Z
4. Lil Wayne
5. Biggie
6. Eminem
7. Kendrick
8. Andre 3000
9. Rakim
10. Jadakiss.— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) February 9, 2023
3.
Ja rule shoulda have been on that billboard list considering some of the names that are
— DADITO CALDERONE (@TAXSTONE) February 11, 2023
4.
As someone who contributed writing to the list, the debate over Jay Z being crowned greatest rapper of all time by Billboard is needless. IT'S BILLBOARD…chart driven (hence Rakim missing the top 10. He would be top 5 in any other list). Jay would be high nonetheless.
— Keith Murphy (@murphdogg29) February 9, 2023
5.
No. I said that LL Cool J has had a greater career. The context was the Billboard list. And it’s 100% accurate. You actually said J. Cole had more hits and classic songs than LL. We’re gonna have to start drug testing you. https://t.co/zpjj9uOr1c
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) February 10, 2023
6.
Billboard got Rakim at number 13 on their greatest 50 rappers. This is the worst shit I have ever seen in my life. I don't care what list it is, and he should be in the top 5 of any list. For me, he is number one on any top 50 list. pic.twitter.com/8HrhNT8WlO
— Jerry Parsons21225 (@jerry_parsons) February 3, 2023
7.
Ice Cube said it, so Im running with it… "Billboard aint Hip Hop……. Who Cares" ……. If Nas aint top 3 it aint a list anymore.
— Saigon (@TheRealSaigon) February 12, 2023
8.
Billboard ranks Nicki Minaj as the greatest female rapper of all time.
She is the only woman to appear in the top ten of their 'Greatest Rappers of All Time' list.
: https://t.co/u1T6Gx28hP pic.twitter.com/XniB2UByH1
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 8, 2023
9.
So Nikki is better than Rakim, Scarface, LL AND 3 Stacks on Billboards 50 greatest rappers of all time?
pic.twitter.com/Fl30lZWIGO
— Drew-Jit-Su (@hiphopsince76) February 12, 2023
10. At least someone is happy.
thank ya to the good people at @billboard for naming me on their Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time list
@billboardhiphop pic.twitter.com/k1HdB07BKF
— T.I. (@Tip) January 20, 2023
11.
A music publication that lists Drake as one of the 50 Greatest Rappers of all time is called a Comic book. https://t.co/9EgDTQUsG8
— Snatched Waist Gang (In Progress
) (@Kierryk345) February 11, 2023
The post Ja Rule Drags Billboard’s ’50 Greatest Rappers of All Time’ List After Exclusion, Twitter Debates appeared first on The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired.