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The debate over the top five MCs in hip-hop is as old as the genre itself. Fans love to debate each other over who has the smoothest voice, the best flow and the most creative lyrics. But The Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am just gave a piping hot take on who he thinks is killing the game and set the Black internet on fire with one sentence.
In a recent appearance on “Sway in the Morning,” Will.i.am told hosts Sway Calloway and Heather B that he thinks people who put Jay-Z in the top spot have it all wrong. Instead, he believes The Roots’ Black Thought is far superior.
“Black Thought is a trillion times better than Jay-Z,” he said.
If you don’t believe us, you can listen to a clip from the interview yourself here:
But before you Jay-Z fans start writing your hate tweets, hear him out. Will made a point of saying his opinion is simply his own. He went on to give Queen Bey’s bae props for his skills, but thinks Black Thought is a more creative rapper.
“Jay’s dope, don’t get me wrong,” he said. “But Jay’s already said everything, he’s just regurgitating everything he’s already said, including other rappers. When everything that Black Thought comes up with is like, ‘Wait, I never heard that one. You split that word up like that.”
Of course, social media had to chime in with their two cents. But the internet seemed to be divided on Will’s comment. Some believed his analysis was spot on, arguing that Jay could learn a thing or two from The Roots’ frontman.
“It isn’t even up for debate, you ask if someone agrees when there is room for debate. When Hov goes to sleep at night. He can’t dream of being a better MC than Black Thought,” wrote a commenter on YouTube.
Others gave Black Thought his props, but argued that Jay-Z is way better at making hits, which is part of what makes him great.
“Black Thought is nice asf. But part of Jay being so cold is his ability to create hit songs. This is like asking who is a better lyricist between Jean Grae and Lauryn Hill. Jean is nice asf on the mic but she cant craft hits. Lauryn could. BT lacks the versatility Jay has,” wrote someone on X.
But others argued that the fact Jay is always a part of any conversation about the best means he’s already achieved G.O.A.T. status.
“This is something I say all the time. Jay-Z is the benchmark even when ppl claim he ain’t the best or they dont listen to him. Ok then why is he always the benchmark? If he gave your favorite unknown rapper a feature it would do more for their careers. Every rapper won’t admit it but if Jay gave them even a shot out randomly they would lose their minds,” wrote someone on X.
Will.i.am went on to tell Sway that he’d like to see a battle between Jay’Z and Black Thought, adding that if they don’t agree to do it in person, someone will do it for them.
“Someone is going to get an AI simulator that takes all their body of work, all their concerts and flows, and you’ll see exactly whose doper,” he said.
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