Who is a better rapper, Jay-Z or Eminem?

Question

We were arguing in school on this topic. I wnat to know who agrees that Young Hova is better.

Answer 1

Eminem vs. Jay-Z: The Duel

Value: Jay-Z wins hands down. He is definitely the entrepreneur of the two.

Lyrics: Eminem wins this one. While Jay-Z is rapping about being a pimp (like every other rapper), Eminem is rapping about killing his wife and abandoning a child. Not saying that it is right, but he is much more original, lyrically (in my opinion). Eminem is definitely becoming more 'mainstream' now, like "Shake That" and "*** Like That..."

Media Exposure: Tie. Eminem is the more controversial of the two, so he has been attacked since day 1. BUT, Jay-Z created a lot of hype with his so-called retirement.

Hits: To the rap enthusiast, Jay-Z may take the cake for number of hits. But to someone who is not as into rap, I can recognize FAR more Eminem songs than Jay-Z songs. I can recall maybe 3 or 4 from Jay-Z, and well over 10 from Eminem. Of course, I was born in '86, so I was not listening to Jay-Z at his prime. Whereas I was when Eminem was in his...

Image: Sorry, Eminem, but Jay-Z has a better rapper image. Not just because he is black and Eminem is white. Eminem seems like a loner rapping about hardcore content, while Jay-Z has the whole kind of entourage and he raps about similar content to other rappers.


So, it really depends on how you define the "better" rapper. To me, I think the better rapper has better lyrics. Sure, it is good that the song is catchy, but I am sick of hearing the same old crap from the same rappers. OK, we get it. So you have cars, women, and you are a pimp. What happened to the rap in the 80s? NWA? To me, rap is a form of music that was created to tell the story of life in the inner city (or whatever city). I think the best songs were the ones that addressed racism, poverty, gang violence, etc... They were hardcore, but they were real and honest. They were often written by the artists themselves from their own experiences. Rap isn't as meaningful as it was 10-20 years ago...

So, based on this, I think Eminem is a better rapper. Sure, Jay-Z has the image and the popularity (and the woman). But Eminem was original, and nobody had content like he did. Like I said, he is a little more mainstream now...so I am leaning towards Jay more and more every day. But, for now, it is still Eminem in my books.

So the winner is......EMINEM!

Answer 2

Eminem can't even be compared to Jay- Z. Jay-Z is way over Eminem's level. Jay has been rocking the rap scene for a long time. Jay-Z is definalty better!!!!!

Answer 3

Eminem by far. His lyrics are original, not just the same oh shorties, money, and club every other word. And his songs don't just have boring old background beats, there's sounds and sayings that make the song that much more interesting.

Answer 4

Eminem for sure, he is way more popular these days. and his music is very catchy, a lot of the younger crowd likes him and not as familiar with jay z

Answer 5

I would have to say Eminem, just because some of the lyrics he writes are quiet mindboggling and superior to Jay-Z's.

Answer 6

eminem is the best rapper ever. I love his songs, even though they are kind of sad. Jay z sucks butt

Answer 7

Jay Z , of course

Answer 8

They BOTH suck..but if i MUST choose..Jay z is better..Eminem is terrible.

Answer 9

I think Eminem does OK but I don't think of him as a true rapper.....but I'm not really into rap/hip-hop music.

Answer 10

Eminem he has rlly good songs