Is Wale the Greatest New Rapper Since Jay-Z?
Is Wale the greatest new rapper since Shawn Carter? We'll know in September. That's when Wale's eagerly awaited debut LP, Attention Deficit, is scheduled to arrive. The album includes his collaboration with Lady GaGa, "Chillin', and a recently leaked summer jawn titled "Pretty Girls."
I understand why everyone is high on Wale right now. He's arguably the No.1 draft pick of 2009. However, it's laughable to crown as him "the greatest rapper since Jay-Z." Is the print industry hurting so bad that GQ needs to pull a stunt to keep circulation rolling? In fact, Lupe Fiasco had a much better track record as a rookie MC. Lupe's deadly combo of lyrical competence and commercial viability made him an instant threat. You could say the same for Game and his first outing.
Though Wale hasn't had a chance to fully prove his mettle, he's shown flashes of brilliance on his mixtapes and guest verses. 2008's A Mixtape About Nothing was more compelling than most people's albums, and he almost stole the show from veteran Black Thought on "Rising Up." Still, I'm not drunk enough on the Wale buzz to crown him the "next great" anything. I'm withholding my judgment until we see how much of his mixtape skills and guest features translate to an album worth shelling out 15 bucks in these hard times for.
As for GQ's claim, well, GQ should stick to fashion.
shad is.
You know i was just about to drop a comment about lupe .. until i keept on reading. No way wale is or could be the greatest since Jay.
Jay Electronica is the next big thing!
it should be “the greatest rapper since Rakim”, coz Rakim is the GOAT, point.
I suspect that Wale will never become the artist that Lupe already is.
He’s Definitely Not The Next Jay. I Don’t Think Anyone Will Ever Come Close To Jay, But I Am Feeling Wale (No Homo), Along With Charles Hamilton (Even Though Homegirl Gave Him Some Akrite), Kid Cudi (A Kid Named Cudi Was Pretty Good) And Jay Electronica. Let’s See What Happens…
I’d call Eminem the greatest rapper since Jay-Z…
he may not be the greatest rapper since jay but he will have the greatest debut album since reasonable doubt.
never heard his songs…name so good songs he has out…these are my greates rappers/groups
…in order…
rakim
krs-one
gangstar
nas
wu tang clan
…for the next few the order doesnt not matter…
eminem (his newer albums have not been that great)
jay-z (his newer albums have not been that great)
royce da 5′9 (i like his songs)
…ther are most likely some more…
Most list would includ big and pac…but they have just been above average and they are ok, not that great.
“Chillin” is probably one of the worst, most overplayed songs on the radio. If he is the best since Jay…hip hop is dead.
I don’t really like Wale
I like your list jajaja, I disagree with the omission of big and pac but whatever.
I also think that AZ should be on any top 10 or at least top 15 and am sure if you listened to any of his better works such as Doe or Die, AWOL or The Format that you would feel the same.
Wale may not be the next greatest rapper since Jay-Z, but he’s pretty talented with lyrics.
He has more than just “Chillin”, there’s “Pretty Girls”, “Nike Boots”, “WALEDANCE” and others.
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His latest mixtape “Back to the Feature” has some very nice tracks and some nice features as well. I think that he as well as other rappers, even some noted in jajaja’s list have been over looked but note, these people he listed have been around. Wale has only been on the “underground” scene for a while now, and an emergence of sense-making hip hop needs to come back. (IMO) So of course, in my opinion, he’ll be successful, but we’ll just have to wait and see. ‘Tis all.
let’s look at the list of rappers since jay who are better than wale…
dmx
the game
t.i.
ludacris
eminem
kanye west
lupe fiasco
and i’m sure there’s more just can’t think of any right now… point is, wale is good, but let’s not get crazy. He’s not even close to anyone i just named.
Wale is a pretty ideal MC, usually quick to spit with charisma and style. He’s like a mix of Kayne West and Grand Puba, only a little more lyrical. But there are more better MC’s that should be deserving this title (Cory Gunz, Charles Hamilton, B.O.B). Listen to “Incredible” by Mickey Factz. The massive feminine rhyming in that song can make you forget about the shape of the game today.
However, if Wale comes out with a debut album that reaches topics like life, having fun with Hip Hop, political agenda, and not be commercialized with pop singers and rappers (like albums that producers won’t produce without an auto-tune and Lil’ Wayne appearance), then I would revise this topic again. For now, I’m looking forward to hear it. Kid’s got style.
LUPE??? waleee is untouchable tho