Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Twitter is often a hub of spirited debate as it pertains to Hip-Hop, and a favorite device used in the space is asking the question of which rapper is better than the other. In an odd matchup of different eras and styles, Kendrick Lamar and Jadakiss are the latest rappers to be pitted against each other but it isn’t clear what the overall consensus is.
The Kendrick Lamar vs. Jadakiss debate was sparked by Twitter user @TeeZeroHero, who asked in a tweet, “To you: which of these guys [r]ank higher on an all time list, and why? Kendrick Lamar or Jadakiss?”
To you: which of these guys tank higher on an all time list, and why?
Kendrick Lamar or Jadakiss? pic.twitter.com/YlQlKMJlp8
— Lone Star Legend.
(@TeeZeroHero) July 20, 2022
@TeeZeroHero says he was inspired by podcaster and Twitter user, @EnterDaDome, who often shares his views on the modern Hip-Hop landscape and how it relates to the greats of the past.
“Having a Top 50 Greatest MCs list with no Kendrick Lamar is ridiculous TO ME. There ARE NOT 50 MCs better than KDOT with regard to talent, song writing & albums #HipHop,” read one of his tweets.
Having a Top 50 Greatest MCs list with no Kendrick Lamar is ridiculous TO ME. There ARE NOT 50 MCs better than KDOT with regard to talent, song writing & albums #HipHop
— TONYDaDome (@EnterDaDome) July 20, 2022
He followed that with, “I mean GD, Kendrick Lamar has passed some of your 90s East Coast Boom Bap Rappers…Get over it… #HipHop.
The beautiful thing about music opinions is that anyone can and should express them while expecting to be engaged by a public that might have an opposing viewpoint. One thing that should be clear is lists, rankings, and preferences are all personal choices of the listener and there is no standard system to make a determination. Considering that Jadakiss has been an active rapper since the mid-1990s yet is still very much a menace, it is definitely something to consider.
Kendrick Lamar is definitely a rapper who can bar out with the best of them but as his ongoing career progresses, the Compton artist seems uniquely concerned about the conditions of the world and self, using his gift to paint conceptual works that garner deserved praise.
Also, Kendrick began his career in 2004, 10 years after Jadakiss and this was during the mixtape era where heavy bars were the rule. He’s since evolved to the Pulitzer Prize-winning songwriter he is today and to his Yonkers, N.Y. counterpart’s credit, Jada’s pen and tone are just as sharp as it’s always been.
Hip-Hop debates were born in the barbershop, on street corners, and amongst the homies so we’re clear in saying that we’re not picking a side but enjoying the discussion. Both of those artists are titans and we’re blessed as Hip-Hop fans to have them.
We’ve got reactions from Twitter regarding Kendrick Lamar vs. Jadakiss below.
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Photo: Getty
1.
When it pertains to pure Emceeing Kendrick Lamar’s name isn’t brought up in the Barbershop at all, Jadakiss’ name is always in the mix though, Kendrick is Bahamadia, Sage Burning Rap, he’s in that Interracial, Bar & Grill, Finger Foods Music conversation
— Madd Slander (@madd_slander) July 20, 2022
2.
Jadakiss because kiss freestyles mean more to me than anything Kendrick ever made. https://t.co/EztRbrZHhN
— Cashmere P (@PrynceP2) July 20, 2022
3.
Jadakiss raps better than Kendrick. That shouldn’t be a debate.
— AMWINE HONEST (@honeamwine) July 20, 2022
4.
Kendrick & Jadakiss were the two random rappers yall decided to pit against each other today. pic.twitter.com/6jej83jdeU
— Ruben || Check the Rhyme (@checktherhyme1_) July 21, 2022
5.
Kendrick in three years dropped two classic albums… Jadakiss has had 30 years and his best solo work is Versuz..
— Richard
(@Richard_L_100) July 20, 2022
6.
Jadakiss. I think he’s the better mc even though Kendrick has a better discography https://t.co/3QW0omUOGa
— madlib fan acct (@TheRealAntonioA) July 20, 2022
7.
Jadakiss is not even remotely in Kendrick Lamar’s universe, as an artist or performer.
Don’t let a pandemic Verzuz (the highlight of Kiss’ career) or the usual New-Yorkers-overrating-their-own-late-nineties-early-aughts-rappers-the-way-they-did-their-point-guards get you gassed.— Bombastic (@nostrabombus) July 21, 2022
8.
Kendrick got higher highs but Jadakiss has more great albums so it’s him https://t.co/x7E8yAT1ds
— MASTER NELSON rates everything
(@themasternelson) July 20, 2022
9.
No disrespect to Jadakiss, but the only ones who are putting him over Kendrick in an all-time list are dudes from New York, dudes who think that “having better bars” is the only thing that makes an artist, or old heads over the age of 40 who think hip-hop died after 1999 lol https://t.co/siF2UvjPsf
— Malik (@mwking1997) July 21, 2022
10.
Jadakiss – better rapper – better anthems
Kendrick Lamar – better artist / better discography https://t.co/2goY1lHHlP
— Latrell Phillips – @TrizzeTrell (@TrizzeTrell23) July 21, 2022
11.
The thread is straight downgrading Kendrick and they are dead ass serious, twitter is hell
https://t.co/hrjeE9ivEH
— Nxt Source (@MRNXTLVL101) July 21, 2022
12.
Good question. Kendrick has the better albums but it’s Jadakiss for me. His longevity in the game is crazy, bars for days, classic verses and it’s still hard for any rapper to body him on any song. https://t.co/qcJwmiU7k9
— D C (@DKyle24) July 21, 2022
13.
I don’t know why people started this Jadakiss vs Kendrick lol they aren’t in the same realm and not in a bad way it’s like they are both in 2 different prestigious kingdoms ruling
— Brian (@brian_shoots) July 21, 2022
14.
Y’all entertain a lot of dumb ass debates on Hip Hop on here….Jadakiss vs Kendrick? Next thing y’all gone say is y’all wanna see a battle between Big Gipp vs. Nas
….stop that shit man…enjoy the music!
—
(@Skinny_Black009) July 20, 2022
15.
This whole Kendrick vs Jadakiss thing that’s happening rn is super weird… but the responses let me know that the vast majority of y’all judge simply based on familiarity and nostalgia, not actual objectivite criteria.
— Cinsere (@CinsereBeats) July 20, 2022
Source: Hip-Hop Wired