The GOAT Conversation
The Greatest of All Time. The GOAT. The title that has been given to so many but deserved by few. When the word comes up, many automatically think of sports. Wayne Gretzky skating down the ice at full throttle with the puck, which he did to secure himself a spot on Lord Stanley's mug four times. Michael Jordan shooting from the free-throw line to clinch a sixth ring and the ire of many people in Utah. Sports newest GOAT, Tom Brady, leading the charge in a stunning Super Bowl turn around that brought him his fifth championship. The title has, due to sports and hip-hop being synonymous with one another, therefore entered into the hip-hop lexicon.
The first usage of the term that I could find was Lonnie Ali consolidating her husband, Muhammad Ali's, assets and intellectual properties for commercial purposes in Greatest of All Time Incorporated (GOAT Inc). If it is the origin of the term GOAT, the irony is too good. Ali considered himself, and was, one of the greatest boxers of all time, all while unknowingly influencing a generation of young people to rhyme, dress pretty and strive for greatness through the spoken word. I'm guessing LL Cool J was a person who liked The Champ since he titled his 2000 effort The GOAT and utilized it in the sense that we know it today for the first time in hip-hop.
Ever since, we have the conversation amongst us, just lingering. It pops up every so often and makes the rounds among hip-hop critics and the entire community. Now, let me be very clear about the conversation and how I'm going to go about it: there is no definitive answer. I'll tackle the major names who generally pop up in the conversation and give the most honest opinion that I can give on the subject. I'll even give the case for each person who will qualify for the title of the GOAT. But what do those people need to qualify?
They need to be a mainstream established rapper with substantial commercial success (therefore, no underground rappers that you might've heard rip one time at a dive bar)
They must have a minimum of two major album releases. There must be a classic album inside their entire body of work, which has to be generally good.
They must have either impact, longevity or both. As some rappers don't get the opportunity to have long careers, impact within the Culture or pop culture is important
Lyricism is very important (you have to write your own bars, therefore bye Dre). Storytelling, rhyme skills and songwriting skills are going to be evaluated.
By taking into account those entire qualifications, I'll look at some of the best rappers that the game has ever seen and putting them against one another. In the end, I'll give you my opinion on who I think is the greatest rapper of all time to close the series.
In conclusion, I hope that the comment sections are filled with good conversations and decent talk. This is a conversation that anybody can be a part of, so let's keep it civil.