Hip Hop: It may be unfair, but Rick Ross has surpassed Biggie
Let the debate and hate begin. After listening to ‘Rather You Than Me‘ it’s clear to me that Rick Ross has surpassed Biggie in terms of talent. To many, Biggie is the King of Hip Hop, however, I was one to believe otherwise. BIG was nice but to call him the G.O.A.T. was a bit far-fetched. His library wasn’t extensive enough to hang with the heavyweights that came before him like Rakim, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane or Kool G Rap. Hell, you could even go as far to say that he wasn’t on the same level as Nas. But, that’s just me.
If BIG never passed away then this would be a different story. However, looking at their body of work it’s pretty much the same style of flow and lyrical content. BIG was witty, funny and deadly and Ross is the exact same way. BIG was labeled the greatest for bringing the East Coast back after Snoop and the West Coast had taken control. Then he passes and his catalog stopped. BIG wasn’t known to do many guest features so his voice lives on mostly through two albums. They were both great, but to think no one would surpass him one day was downright foolish.
Jay Z and Nas are on another level. If BIG is the G.O.A.T then Nas and Jay are GODS.
What I heard from Ross in Rather You Than Me took me back to Life After Death. Ross hit every bar with a passion that’s lacking in Hip Hop today and poured his soul on each track. ‘Triple Platinum’ was a track that I had to listen to three times due to the way he spoke his thoughts. On the’ Powers That Be‘, Ross went toe-to-toe with Nas and more than held his own. However, it was the track ‘Idols Become Rivals’ that sent chills up my spine the same way ‘Who Shot Ya‘, Long Kiss Goodnight’ did for me.
Ross held nothing back on this track as he attacked his idols in the game. But, it wasn’t until he went after Baby of Cash Money that you got the same feeling when BIG went after Pac.
Knew that you would never visit BG
Turk came home, take that boy a three piece
Shootin’ dope, usin’ coke, movin’ like you the Folks
Sacrificin’ half our life for your new music cult
You would give us self esteem and motivate our drive
But was in our pockets by the time we count to five
I pray you find the kindness in your heart for Wayne
His entire life, he gave you what there was to gain
I watched this whole debacle so I’m part to blame
Last request, can all producers please get paid?
The similarities are so close that it’s hard to separate the two. How can we discredit Ross after 9 albums and making it big off this rap ish the same way BIG did? It’s a different time in terms of money but look what Ross did with his MMG label and the successful acts he had in Meek Mill and Wale compared to Junior Mafia.
How many rappers can say they held their own on tracks that featured Jay, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, Drake, Lil Wayne and more? Ross is not too selective when it comes to guest appearances as he will spit 16 with anyone. How many rappers can say they have survived a war with 50 Cent and still has a career? Ross has staying power in this game and he’s only getting better.
Biggie’s flow will forever be engraved in our hearts but Ross is carving his own lane and by the looks of it, he’s not finished. Two albums to 9 can be debated if it’s BIG to Gucci Mane but to say that Ross does not deserve a spot on Biggie’s heels is a disservice to his skills and longevity.
I’m sorry, but I cannot label you the greatest with only 2 albums to date. Biggie Smalls was the illest, in his time but that’s long gone now. A rapper from Miami has paid his dues and has earned the right to sit at the table with the heavyweights. And when the food is passed around, he should get his before BIG does.
Just my opinion.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
