After Billboard unveiled its top 50 list of greatest rappers, many people weren’t exactly agreeing with the publication and their views on who they believed were some of the best lyricists of all time. And on Thursday, Ice Cube, who was placed at No. 18, reacted to his position on the list, saying that Billboard doesn’t matter because they aren’t part of Hip-Hop.
The rapper was spotted at LAX airport by a TMZ cameraman, who further quizzed him on whether it was an insult to leave rap icon Too Short off the list entirely, to which Cube said, “Yeah, it is. It’s an irrelevant list, you know what I mean, it’s like a**holes; everybody got one and they call stink. There it is.”
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Billboard’s Top 10 Greatest Rappers Of All Time:
1. Jay Z
2. Kendrick Lamar
3. Nas
4. Tupac
5. Eminem
6. Biggie
7. Lil Wayne
8. Drake
9. Snoop Dogg
10. Nicki Minaj— Hot Freestyle (@HotFreestyle) February 8, 2023
The former NWA star said he doesn’t pay attention to lists pertaining to who the greatest rapper is because he’s got his own. Still, Cube isn’t too bothered by Billboard’s opinion on who they feel is the best rapper, saying that everyone is entitled to their opinion — the list that they came up with simply isn’t something Cube agrees with.
Jay-Z, who made his debut with 1996’s “Reasonable Doubt” album, was ranked as No. 1 on the list, which, of course, was sure to cause quite a stir with rap fans, who felt Billboard was completely wrong for giving him the top spot.
One particular person took to Twitter, saying that Tupac was their greatest rapper of all time while denouncing the list Billboard had come up with.
Billboard naming Jay Z as the best rapper of all time is a fraud that should be faulted. Tupac is the greatest rapper of all time,” they wrote. “This is why you shouldn’t believe all that is written in history books. Jay Z doesn’t even come close to 50 Cent in this rap business. This is sickness!”
Billboard naming Jay Z as the best rapper of all time is a fraud that should be faulted
Tupac is greatest rapper of all time
This is why you shouldn’t believe all that is written in history books
Jay Z doesn’t even come close to 50 Cent in this rap business
This is sickness! pic.twitter.com/PEOSZkXbMT
— Tola Joseph Fadugbagbe (@connectwithtola) February 9, 2023
Open your eyes, JAY Z paid billboard to name him the greatest rapper of all time knowing it will cause some controversy. Now everyone gonna stream JAY Z and these big podcasts gonna talk about it inciting debates, generating him millions of dollars 🤓
— LOVE6 (@hate6ix) February 9, 2023
Others sounded off by insisting that Jay Z may have paid Billboard to be given the No. 1 spot because it would spark a viral conversation. “Open your eyes, JAY Z paid billboard to name him the greatest rapper of all time knowing it will cause some controversy,” the user tweeted. “Now everyone gonna stream JAY Z and these big podcasts gonna talk about it inciting debates, generating him millions of dollars.”
Socialites, do you agree with Billboard’s list?