Chuck D just stamped both Eminem and Black Thought as 2 lyrical cyborgs in hip hop.
During an appearance on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN’s Drink Champs podcast on Saturday, the Public Enemy veteran gave both MCs their flowers referring to them as ‘cyborgs’..
The legendary MC who is arguably your favorite MC’s MC “Eminem and Black Thought… big ups to Black Thought, The Roots, and also Eminem. Cyborgs, man,” Chuck said. “They’re cyborgs, but let me tell you this: we can also get caught up cause’ you know, you got future generations, and then you got people who ain’t gonna even get on the register who are so dope.”
The “Fight The Power” rapper continued by praising Skyzoo as a dope lyricist, which prompted the Brooklyn MC to give Chuck D his flowers on Instagram.
“The good word on a Sunday from the pastor of hip-hop, the legendary rhyme animal Chuck D,” Skyzoo wrote in response. “An absolute icon. Honored x humbled x grateful to say the least. Thank you OG. The book I studied from as a young aspiring writer had chapters dedicated to your penmanship in it. I learned from you 1,000%. Salute OG.”
Tyga is the latest rapper to divulge who is the all-time greatest rapper in Hip Hop. The “Make It Nasty” rapper believes there are a bunch of categories you must have a hit to be considered the greatest. Besides being lyrical, Tyga feels the greatest rapper should have an immense impact on the culture and be able to tap into the emotions of themselves and the fans.
Last year, the California rapper sat down with Complex, and they asked him who he considers the GOAT of hip hop. Tyga responded with his two favorite rappers, Eminem and Lil Wayne.
“I’m gonna have to go with prime [Lil] Wayne and prime Eminem for me. I think those are my two favorite rappers, for sure.”
His response hasn’t changed this year, either. He took to Twitter to explain why he chose the “No Love” rappers as the greatest.
“Lil Wayne & Eminem are the best rappers of all time! Lyrical word play, delivery, flow, pockets, originality, raw, intentional, clarity, generational influence”
Tyga used to be signed to Lil Wayne and Young Money before signing to GOOD Music. They were on a few hit songs together, such as “Faded,” “Loyalty,” and “Loyal.” Tyga has yet to make music with Eminem despite his relationship with Wayne.
Dr. Dre is one of the most prominent artists in hip-hop history. Though he is known for his signature deep voice, he is most known for producing some of hip hop’s most legendary songs. He has been heavily involved in shaping the careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent, producing many of their first hits. We have previously compiled lists of Dr. Dre’s productions, focusing on his most haunting beats and his greatest productions from the Death Row era. This list looks at the entire span of Dr. Dre’s career and the best beats he has produced.
Dre has collaborated with many artists over the years, and some of his work also features co-producers. This list prioritizes those solely produced by Dr. Dre but includes songs that additional producers worked on that deserve mentioning. This list is in chronological order to emphasize the legendary production discography of Dr. Dre over his 30+ year career.
1. N.W.A. – “Sa Prize (Part 2)” (1990)
Because “F**k Tha Police” is such an iconic statement in hip hop history, the sequel to the song from N.W.A. ‘s EP 100 Miles and Runnin’ often goes unnoticed. It’s argued the production Is arguably better than the first. The tempo and percussion are mostly the same. However, the bassline and melody breathe new life into the song. The verses sound even more powerful, specifically Dr. Dre’s show-stealing verse that sets the bar very high for the rest of the song.
2. Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg – “Deep Cover” (1992)
Before The Chronic and Doggystyle, Dr. Dre reinvented his sound and introduced Snoop Dogg on “Deep Cover.” The track has one of the meanest basslines in hip hop history. The rugged drum break allows Dre and Snoop to showcase their chemistry. It is a classic instrumental that has also been repurposed by the likes of Big Pun and Tyga.
3. Dr. Dre feat. Jewell – “Let Me Ride” (1992)
The instrumental for “Let Me Ride” provides the perfect amount of smoothness and funky. Dre’s rap voice still cuts deep but also carries the infectiously catchy chorus. The song samples Parliament’s “Mothership Connection,” “Kissing My Love” by Bill Withers, and James Brown’s “Funky Drummer.” The three classics are among the most sampled songs ever. The squeaky melody and groovy bassline on this song is a prime example of why The Chronic is so significant to hip hop.
4. Snoop Dogg – “G Funk Intro” (1993)
The instrumental of Snoop Dogg’s G Funk Intro sounds almost identical to Dr. Dre’s “F**k Wit Dre Day.” It’s a more upbeat instrumental, along with a different melody. That’s what makes “G Funk Intro” among one of Dr. Dre’s best productions. It is quintessential G Funk, which is what made Doggystyle such a classic album.
5. Snoop Dogg – “Gin and Juice” (1993)
It is impossible to discuss Dr. Dre’s best beats without mentioning “Gin and Juice.” It is one of the most legendary songs in the history of west coast hip hop. Dr. Dre provides a bouncy yet lowkey sound for Snoop’s rhymes and one of the catchiest hip hop songs of the ’90s. It’s no wonder this is a classic staple in rap, encompassing the genre’s popular Golden Era.
6. Snoop Dogg – “Tha Shiznit” (1993)
“Tha Shiznit” is one of Snoop’s best lyrical moments on Doggystyle. However, it would arguably not be one of the highlights of Doggystyle without the incredible instrumental. The pulsing bassline, along with the classic flute and organ, allow for Snoop Dogg to freestyle some of his greatest rhymes so casually.
7. Snoop Dogg – “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?)” (1993)
Snoop Dogg’s Dre-produced debut single is arguably as funky as the songs it sampled. “Who Am ?” takes from George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog,” Funkadelic’s “(Not Just) Knee Deep,” and Parliament’s “Give Up the Funk.” Dr. Dre used parts of these songs from Clinton’s extensive catalog to create the ultimate single. Snoop’s introduction as a rap superstar exemplifies Dre’s talent as a producer.
8. Snoop Dogg – “Gz and Hustlas” (1993)
A highlight from Doggystyle, “Gz and Hustlas” is one of Snoop Dogg’s greatest songs. The instrumental is easily one of Dr. Dre’s best. The music box sound perfectly transitions from the “Class Room Intro” to the most complex beat on the entire album. The deep bass, along with the high-pitched synthesizers, are one of the finest moments on Doggystyle.
9. 2Pac feat. Roger Troutman & Dr. Dre – “California Love” (1995)
2Pac’s “California Love” is an anthem for the entire state for a good reason. The classic verses from Dr. Dre, 2Pac, and vocals from Roger Troutman are backed by an instrumental that is quintessentially Dr. Dre. The piano provides the main backing for the song with the additional horns, bass, and Troutman’s use of the talk box. It also has a remix on 2Pac’s All Eyez on Me that has an instrumental equally as good.
10. Dr. Dre – “The Watcher” (1999)
Dr. Dre’s production contains a lot of intricacies, whether it comes to instrumentation or a sample. The beat on “The Watcher” is simple yet effective, as it only comprises a few sounds. The space in the beat allows for Dre’s verse to stand out, and the rest of the song comes together with the whispers of the title in the actual beat. The space in the beat on “The Watcher” is similar to 50 Cent’s “If I Can’t,” which Dre produced four years later.
11. Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg – “Still D.R.E.” (1999)
“Still D.R.E.” is such a classic song that it is almost larger than life 24 years after its release. The piano melody is known by hip hop fans of all ages and transcends the late-’90s era. It is also a simple but potent instrumental by Dr. Dre and Mel-Man. “Still D.R.E.” makes for the perfect soundtrack for bouncing lowriders, precisely what the song’s music video is.
12. Dr. Dre feat. Hittman, Kurupt, Nate Dogg & Six-Two – “Xxplosive” (1999)
Dr. Dre’s hip hop production is consistently mid-tempo, making the “Xxplosive” instrumental so amazing. It is slower yet still funky. The high-pitched guitar sound, complimented by bass and xylophone, makes for a smooth listening experience. It perfectly contrasts the jarringly explicit lyrics from Hittman, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, and Six-Two.
13. Dr. Dre feat. Eminem – “Forgot About Dre” (1999)
“Forgot About Dre” has a unique bounce that very few Dr. Dre instrumentals had before its release. The beat was shaped around Eminem’s syllable-heavy hook. It allowed for both Dre and Eminem to rap double-time. Not many Dr. Dre beats were known at the time for featuring a double-time tempo. This instrumental likely paved the way for Busta Rhymes’s “Break Ya Neck,” which is even faster and also produced by Dr. Dre.
14. Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg & Kurupt – “The Next Episode” (1999)
“The Next Episode” is another one of those songs that is an essential hip hop classic. It is vital for Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, as well as west coast hip hop. Dr. Dre’s production of songs like this one encapsulates the period in which it was released but also stands the test of time.
15. 50 Cent – “In Da Club” (2003)
The greatness of 50 Cent’s iconic hit single “In Da Club” is that the instrumental shines equally on the song as 50 does. Though the rapping and the beat shine as co-stars, they do not depend on each other. One is just as great without the other. Each component of the beat is balanced and comes together to make one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time.
16. Dr. Dre – “Talking To My Diary” (2015)
The closing track on Dr. Dre’s third album, Compton, co-produced by DJ Silk and Mista Choc, could not be a more fitting send-off. It is the only song on the album where Dr. Dre raps independently, and the beat is just as challenging as it is reflective. It is the ultimate soundtrack for Dr. Dre to look at the success that he has reached while also reminiscing about his beginnings. The song’s end features a two-minute trumpet solo from Dontae Winslow, making the song even more cinematic. Overall, Dr. Dre’s catalog as a producer is hard to beat, and there are so many iconic instrumentals to choose from. Here are the honorable mentions of the best beats that Dr. Dre has produced that did not quite make the list:
At this point, Eminem’s album discography has allowed him to become a legacy act. His career began in 1996 however, most of the world tapped in with him in 1999. Since then, he has released multiple albums all of which were discussed for one reason or another. Recently, he shifted into doing NFT related things which many fans are not fond of. However, he is still putting out music. He’s also capitalizing on the success of his previous albums by releasing deluxe/expanded editions. Unlike some modern artists, he has waited years instead of weeks or days to do this. Naturally, by being in the game for so long, he has created a large discography. We’ve compiled 10 of his albums and ranked them.
#10 Revival
For many listeners, this was supposed to be (another) comeback album from Eminem. It dropped in 2017 and the album before it dropped in 2013. A fake tracklist began circulating before the album was released. This fake tracklist gave the album two sides: One with more pop leaning features and the other with rap features. Fans shared what they were anticipating most as they have seen him excel at both. However, once the album was released, they realized this was not the format the album truly had. In fact, many listeners were disappointed in the album. They praised some aspects of the album’s final songs and the surprising Beyonce feature on the opening track. Many found issues with Em being the age he was but still using the same subject matter as music from his past.
#9 Encore
Originally, it was thought this would be Eminem’s last album. The album title, the final song’s title and the things happening in his life at the time pointed towards it. Due to this, this album tries to capture the several types of music Em was known for in his career. There are serious songs as well as silly songs. For many, the former did not work well as the songs just did not sound good. Due to Eminem’s process and condition at the time, several of these songs were just incoherent. Contrastingly, the album contains one of the best, well written and most praised songs in his career “Mockingbird” The fact he made a song like this as well as a song like “My 1st Single” and put it on the same album shows just how much was truly happening in his life and mainly, his mind.
#8 Relapse
As more and more about the concept of this album was shared by Eminem, the listeners formed more concrete opinions about it. Some praised the concept of him becoming different “characters” on the album as well as how the storyline itself paralleled his own life. Because of these “characters” Em used different accents when speaking as them which was divisive for many people. Still, this album did have some moments that were universally celebrated. The single from Relapse:Refill titled “Forever” was one of the most talked about songs at the time. The features on it included Drake, Lil Wayne and Kanye West. There have been many stories of how people wrote – and rewrote their verses on the song. This song differed greatly from the much darker material on the rest of the album.
#7 Recovery
For many, this album was a clear shift for Eminem. He spoke about the things he was truly going through – which he had done before – but things were different this time around. This album contains one of Eminem’s biggest songs, “Not Afraid”. For many, this song was motivational and it showed listeners that they could relate to Eminem’ struggles. This album also contains one of his most popular pop-rap collabs “Love the Way You Lie” which features Rihanna. This song was a massive success and showed that they were a duo that worked well together. It also brought in many listeners who previously had no interest in his music due to its content. Multiple listeners could tell several songs were written for this exact purpose. They accepted he had become even more of a global star and needed to make music that lined up with this status.
#6 Music to be Murdered By
This is one of Eminem’s most recent album releases. This one was also a surprise drop that got a lot of attention quickly. For many, the most surprising part about this album were the features. Em had previously spoke ill of much of the current generation of rap. However, he now had songs with several big names of that generation. These included Juice WRLD, Don Toliver and Anderson .Paak. The latter is likely due to a conversation with Dr. Dre. Eminem showed he could fit in with the current generation of rap while still staying in the lane he was known for. Listeners have praised the songs on here for how good the chemistry was with the featured artists as well as the production. This album has “Godzilla” on it which features a hook from Juice WRLD and Eminem’s fastest verse to date – which broke a record he set himself.
#5 The Marshall Mathers LP 2
For many, The Marshall Mathers LP is Em’s best project. Getting a sequel was something they never thought would ever happen. It was announced that Rick Rubin was working with him for much of the album’s creation and production. People knew Rubin for his work with artists of all kinds in the music world so seeing his name generated hype. Once the album was released, his imprint on the album was clear especially its lead single “Berzerk” which samples the Beastie Boys. Many listeners enjoyed multiple songs on the album but are divided on if it truly should have been called a “sequel”. This album also contains the single “Rap God” which holds the Guinness World Record for most words in a hit single.
#4 Kamikaze
This was a surprise “response” album from Eminem. As time has shown, he often hears and pays attention to the feedback he gets on his music, Listeners know this because of lines in songs that refer to the feedback he received. Most of the songs on the album are about this. Eminem listened to the feedback he got on the project before this one, Revival, and addressed it. He also makes multiple references to the state of rap at the time and how he mostly disapproves of it. The way he comes across when addressing it is a mix of disapproval for some of it. Many of his listeners disapproved of it too so his opinion lining up with theirs satisfied them.
#3 The Eminem Show
This is another album from Eminem that many people have praised. It largely departed from the Slim Shady character and gave listeners an even more focused view on Eminem as a person. Also, many listeners praised the rock influence on the album’s prediction. Considering Em said he grew up on rock and he produced many of the album’s songs, it all lines up. People praised this album for that factor and Eminem’s song writing itself. They were fans of how his flow and delivery synced up so well with the production. The subject matter was not as out there as some of his other work and that’s why listeners resonated with it on a different level. Several songs that are considered classics in his discography are all on this project.
#2 The Slim Shady LP
This was many people’s introduction to Eminem. As someone who was a new face in the rap game at the time, he wanted to make sure people knew exactly who he was. Ironically, the album’s first single was “My Name Is” and with it came controversy right out the gate. Clean and explicit versions of songs have been a thing in rap for years. However, with “My Name Is” entire lines are different between the two versions of the single. Many fans remember how they were even more surprised and shocked yet intrigued when they heard the explicit album version. This album is often praised because it balances Em’s introspective songs and colorful and creative songs well. Also, many of these songs were produced by The Bass Brothers which listeners say are a perfect pairing for Em since their beats place the focus on his rhymes.
#1 The Marshall Mathers LP
For many listeners, this is the best Eminem album. It is his second one and they feel it capitalized on everything that made the previous one so good. As previously discussed, this is an album where Eminem spoke on things people were saying about him. This was not in terms of just the music but how he carried himself and other things happening in his life at the time. Naturally, the album is full of references to the pop culture world at the time. Eminem doubled down on making that one of his trademarks with this album with over-the-top lyrics of all kinds. For many listeners, this is one of his most influential albums. It showed the world who Eminem was as an artist and how he could craft songs excellent through verses and production from Dr. Dre and himself.
Which of Eminem’s albums are your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
Millyz emerged as one of the most impressive lyricists in recent times. Though he’s often discredited for being a white rapper, he has undoubtedly proven to be an impressive force. Not to mention, he’s earned praise and co-signs from a slew of respected MCs, from Dave East to Jadakiss. In 2022, he blessed fans with the fifth installment in the Blanco series, which is arguably the best. It also had some of the biggest features with artists like Fivio Foreign and Styles P appearing on the project.
The rapper is currently revving up for the release of Blanco 6, which will hit streaming services on April 7th. He previously reunited with Jadakiss on “Moon Roof,” and delivered a handful of other collaborations in anticipation of the project. “Risk Takers” found Millyz trading bars with Albee Al and Leaf Ward and he also unleashed “Role Model.” However, today, he blessed fans with a major record that doubles as an impressive co-sign from Slim Shady.
In the midst of Melle Mel’s recent comments about Eminem, Kevin Gates said that the Detroit rapper earns a spot in his top 5 off the strength of “Stan.” Today, Millyz debuted his new single, “Tonight” which samples the Ditto-assisted record. While Millyz flexes his melodic range, he also taps into his intensity as he details the volatility of the streets and tries to survive those circumstances. “I know they talkin’ to agents/ Pray they don’t hit us with RICO/ I know I’m the one that they namin’,” he raps.
Prior to the song’s release, Millyz found himself engulfed in a mild feud with Rae Sremmurd, more specifically Slim Jxmmi. Since Swae Lee just got Eminem to clear the sample, Slim felt a type of way about Millyz using the sample to “Stan.” He said that Swae’s “banging” version will land on Sremm 4 Life while Millyz simply brushed it off, telling him, “u be aight.” We’ll see if Swae Lee’s version ends up hitting the same way as Millyz’s single “Tonight.” Press play above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
Quotable Lyrics Ready to go, why would I leave? Slide with the mob, that’s how I bleed Swerve in the Ghost, pickin’ up speed Hop in this yeah, it put me as ease
It appears that there’s a competition of samples between Rae Sremmurd and Jadakiss co-signed rapper Millyz. The Boston-bred lyricist recently revealed a new song that samples Eminem’s hit record, “Stan.” Millyz interpolates Ditto’s hook over a pitched-up version of her melody that showcases his range while reflecting on his own hardships. “Even if I could, it would all be straight/ With this pistol on my waist/ It reminds me that I could die tonight, die tonight,” he sings on the hook.
Months prior, Rae Sremmurd’s Swae Lee lit up the Internet when he previewed a new song that also contained the same sample as Millyz’s latest record. On the record, Swae’s delicate vocals bring a youthful energy to the record. “My lean’s gone cold I’m wondering why I, got out of bed at all/ 3.5 clouds up my window, and I can’t see at all/ And even if I could it would all be great, with these racks stacked up too tall,” he raps. Just a few days ago, he suggested that he finally got the sample cleared for Sremm 4 Life.
Just before the release of “Tonight,” Millyz confirmed that he got Eminem’s blessing. “OMG WE CLEARED THE ‘STAN SAMPLE!!!” Millyz wrote. “DROPPIN 3/9 SALUTE TO THE [goat].” However, this led to Rae Sremmurd member Slim Jxmmi leaping into the comment section on Akademiks’ post to tear down Millyz’s upcoming single since it uses the same sample from Swae Lee’s upcoming release. “Naw this ain’t it fam! Sremm4 got the bangings version! Sample cleared!” Slim Jxmmi wrote.
Millyz ultimately shrugged off the Rae Sremmurd rapper’s comments, writing, “I cleared the sample too lil did u be aight.” While the comments spread across social media, ultimately landing on Akademiks’ page, Slim Jxmmi doubled down afterward, writing, “Wasn’t nobody on this sample till my brother leaked his version singing live.” Overall, Millyz appeared caught off-guard because he never expected to feud with the “No Flex Zone” duo. “Havin smoke w rae shermurd is crazy,” he wrote along with several laughing emojis. So far, Swae Lee hasn’t chimed in on the matter but we’ll have to wait until April 7th to hear what Rae Sremmurd has in store on Sremm 4 Life.
