Hip-Hop Lists: Why They Cause Conflict
An Analysis of Why Hip-Hop Lists Ranking Artists Are Controversial
Oct 12, 2009
Hip-Hop is known to be a rather competitive genre. Unlike its musical brothers and sisters, this genre’s artists tend to flex their egos a little more in hopes of receiving the coveted title as the best Hip-Hop artist of all time.
To help with determining just who the best is, music websites, columnists and bloggers compile lists that rank these artists in terms of skills, mass appeal, and musical ability. Though these lists are created mainly for entertainment purposes, they tend to rile up Hip-Hop fans in the end causing more bad than good.
MTV’s “Hottest MCs in the Game” list
One notable list that has been the topic of conversation this past week is MTV’s “Hottest MCs in the Game” list. The list noticeably left the net and fans baffled after their annual list was revealed. The negative response to MTV’s list did not have much to do with who was on the list, but more so who was absent from the list.
Rapper Eminem is known as one of the most influential artists in Hip-Hop. Though his music leans towards the controversial and tongue-in-cheek musical style, his innate wordsmith qualities paired with his knowledge of word play has made him one of the most respected rappers in Hip-Hop.
Even with his track record being as polished and defined as it is, the rapper still did not make the list. The reason given by MTV for Eminem’s exclusion was that Eminem was allegedly out of the public eye for the majority of 2009 and being that the list is based on the now in Hip-Hop, Eminem failed to meet the requirements needed to make the top 10.
Most have argued that the reason given by MTV is not valid enough. Fans believe some if not most of the artists on the list haven’t released albums or made appearances this year with the exception of the occasional “beefs” with other artists, which makes the set criteria lack substance.
Vibe Magazine’s “The Best Rapper Ever” list
MTV was not the first major music authority to dip their feet in the ranked list pool. Vibe magazine decided to take the ranked lists on for size when they launched their “Best Rapper Ever” list during the summer of 2009. The list started with the gathering of potential artists slowly dwindling down to the best of the best.
Eminem eventually won the honor, but the controversy happened early on in the lists creation going as far as causing a beef. Rapper Joe Budden was none too pleased to see that he was defeated by Method Man. According to Joe, he felt he had more lyrical skills than Method Man and that the validity of the list was based off of popularity more than actual skills.
In an interview with radio host Ed Lover on New York radio station Power 105.1, Joe was quoted as saying, "Method Man's not going to be able to survive [a lyrical battle], Its gonna be hard for him...That is not a knock against Method Man, Wu Tang, Redman – since he wanted to jump in too. I mean, I can’t be from Jersey and not love Redman."
Coincidentally enough, weeks later Vibe announced that they were suspending publication of future issues of their magazine. Sources credited their list for their tentative downfall.
Why ranked Hip-Hop lists are controversial
MTV and Vibe are not the first music sources to dibble dabble in ranking Hip-Hop artists nor will they be the last. There is probably a list being compiled right this minute just waiting to be critiqued by die hard Hip-Hop fanatics. Hip-Hop lists that rank the artists of the genre will always be controversial due to the broad category of Hip-Hop and the lack of avenues promoting all aspects of Hip-Hop.
During the early 80’s and late 90’s, there were shows both cable and network TV that showcased all types of Hip-Hop and not just narrowly commercial Hip-Hop. MTV had a program dedicated to Hip-Hop called “Yo! MTV Raps” and BET had “Rap Basement.” With the dissolving of these Hip-Hop avenues, the public is only exposed to Hip-Hop that gets the most promotion.
Most Hip-Hop artists do not get their material heard because they lack a team of people who are willing to invest large sums of money to garner fan and media attention. At this stage in Hip-Hop and in the age of You Tube, success in the genre is mostly dependent on popularity than it is on skills. Ranked Hip-Hop lists serve to cause more conflict in a genre that is competitive as is.
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