All of hip-hop was elated when it was announced Tupac Shakur would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year. The news came about a month after the 20 year anniversary of the rapper’s untimely death. However, hip-hop pioneer Chuck D–who admittedly is a Tupac fan–took to Twitter this weekend to state that ‘Pac’s induction should come second to LL Cool J’s.
Got forever love for PAC BUT there AINT a solo rap act that should get in the RRHOF before @llcoolj I Dont care about what naysayers think
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) October 20, 2016
When @llcoolj entered the rap game there was NOTHING close to the blizzard he came in the game with.1 dude rearranged records & performance
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) October 20, 2016
A fervent debate erupted on Chuck D’s timeline with many arguing Tupac’s transformative affect on the culture while he was alive, and decades after his death. However, Chuck D maintained that it was the Queens rapper and two time Grammy award winner, who allowed for artists like ‘Pac to thrive.
The “Dear Mama” rapper is among a colorful bunch of artists nominated for the 2017 induction including Poetic Justice co-star Janet Jackson, Pearl Jam, Joan Baez and Jane’s Addiction. Despite all the hubbub surrounding ‘Pac’s nomination, LL Cool J has remained silent on the matter.