by Chakira Ward

Created on: April 06, 2009   Last Updated: April 07, 2009

Lets see...Coke or Pepsi....Tupac or Jay-Z, two greats, very similar, yet very different individuals. Until Jay-Z fully retires from the rap game, I'll have to give it to Pac. When Jay retires his belt, he will be the greatest rapper of this time, and Tupac will be the greatest rapper of his time.

Tupac was truly an intellectual, he took what he learned from The Baltimore School of Performing Arts, his lifestyle, and street smarts, then provided us with some of the best rap music we would ever hear. His music was much deeper than just rhymes, he put his heart mind and spirit into everything he wrote. No matter if he was rapping from a thug's perspective, or a gentle and caring rhyme for his mama, or a single teen mother, he spoke the truth and expressed exactly what he felt.

Not only did he voice his own opinions with no shame, he also voiced things that a lot of people were thinking, but were too afraid to say. Tupac was a little hot-headed when provoked, but he was quick to admit so, and learn from his mistakes. He took all of the highlights of his life, all of the bad experiences, all of the statistics of the ghetto, the life of a thug, the beauty of a relationship between a mother and son, the pity for fatherless children and single mothers, and incorporated it all into his music. Someone so real and with so much ambition is destined for greatness, whether it be financially, or even better, knowing deep down in your heart and soul, you are the best.

Tupac Shakur has truly been missed since his tragic death on September 13, 1996, but his memory has stayed very much alive through DVD's and albums released by his devoted mother, Afeni Shakur. Music has changed alot through the years, some for the better, and some for the worst, but when I get those Pac CDs in the disc changer, I still get as excited as I did back in the early 90s. Not only because of his legacy, or his tragedy, but because he truly made good music.

Jay-Z is right up there, the way he can freestyle lyrics that most people would not think of, on every album except one, and nothing is exactly the same.............Come on! Give credit when credit is due. When thinking of the best rapper, lyrical capability, creativity, and personal style is what matters most. Therefore, I have to mention T.I, Lil' Wayne, Common, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and 50 cent for having their own styles, they make rap music much more refreshing.

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