Three weeks into VIBE’s The Best Rapper Ever and the competition is really starting to heat up. What started with 135 rappers (including the eight man play in bracket) and a ten-minute Joe Budden tirade is now down to 16 of the greatest MCs of all time, as chosen by you the reader. And while there aren’t too many surprises (all of the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 seeds are still standing), there is only one perfect bracket (Bracket 2) and there is DMX, who made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen from the No. 10 slot. And no matter how you slice it, there’s no denying that what’s left are a set of matchups for the ages. With voting going on now here, we’ve decided to resurrect an old VIBE staple, the A/B Conversation, and have two anonymous loudmouths debate the merits of the final competitors. Remember, it’s VIBE. Let the debates begin, starting with Bracket 1.
A: I’d like to see Kane pull it out. He's been getting talked about a lot by the fans and his fellow MCs. But of course, that's my parallel universe...lol.
B: Yeah, seems like Em has this one locked up. If you had to explain Kane's skills to a 15 year old, what would you say to excite him or her?
A: First I'd tell them that there was a time when really lyrical MC's could do it all. The thing with Kane is, he was an MC that could battle rap; make pop songs; start trends (see Jay Z: “I seen the same thing happen to Kane…Three cuts in your eyebrow trying to wild out”); make song for the chicks (see Drake) and dance like MC Hammer. Now that's a package.
B: PAUSE
B: But I hear you, Kane had it all. Unfortunately, it's an Eminem universe (he beat Redman by a 62% margin in the last round) and the blonde bomber has probably got it.
A: That shit is real though. Kane could dance his ass off. Could you imagine Drake dancing? But yeah, Eminem is just too huge in terms of fanbase. The irony is Em would vote for Kane.
B: OK, what about the other matchup: No. 3 Snoop Dogg vs. No. 10 DMX. You know I'm riding for the Dark Man. He’s been a sleeper all along—he snuck by LL Cool J last round.
A: It's The Dog vs. The Dogg.
A: I'm more of a Snoop fan, but I'm pleasantly surprised with how well DMX has been doing. Him making it to the Final Four would be a statement on the power of the fans. Hip hop is all about the underdog.
B: GRRRRR
A: Plus that shit would be the talk of the Internet. More noise for VIBE.com!
B: Hey now, let's not pull the curtain back too far.
B: This is obviously a battle between two stylists— they’re unmistakable when you hear their voices. What is it about Snoop you like?
A: I like the fact that Snoop has always been Snoop. He gets in where he fits in but adjusts with the time. I mean really, did anyone see “Sexual Eruption” coming?
B: No, but I noticed Snoop was conspicuously absent from the absolutions Jay-Z handed out after “D.O.A.” People forget Snoop was an early-late adopter in the Auto-Tune craze.
A: Yeah, cuz he’s above it all. He’s like that cool-ass uncle who can do the worst dances and drinks all of the Henny at that family reunion because he does it with tongue firmly planted in cheek. He said so with that ’80s inspired video he did. And, if you noticed, he even had the Roger Troutman Zapp vocoder in his mouth just to let you know where he was coming from.
B: I’m resisting the urge to PAUSE you again. Who do you think takes it?
A: Snoop!!!!! What about you? X all day, huh?
B: Well, I think Snoop will win by a thin margin—he pulled down 89% of the vote from the last round beating Too $hort. But I'm pulling for ol’ Earl. Once a dog, always a dog.
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