LOL that is some funny sh--. Anyone who thinks cool j is better than canibus doesnt know anything about rap. I;m not a major fan of rap, but im a supporter. I know LL cool j lost what ever respect he had as a rap artist after doing the song "my hat's like a shark fin"
I'd say the best rapper right now is eigther DMX, or Nas. DMX has a bit trouble when it comes to freestyle. However i'd say he has the broadest diversity in his lyrics,This is somthing rap needs more than anything. Canibus can bust out on a flow like no other, even though it all connects it doesnt hold much substance. He is usually always rapping on how good he is, which just show's major arogance. The best of the best rappers only shoot off on an offense when being threatend or questioned in some way. Nas has great tracks, with some deep meanings. I'd say Nas understands Rap better than any other. He knows how manipulate the buisness and bring it back from buisness to music. So Nas is probably the best for how he chooses to use the rap medium. DMX is a very close second, Even though i love this fact, he still focuses on himself a little much.
Two others who i think that could be at the top of the best rapper category Are Gza, and raekwon. Gza showed his true colors ounce he broke away from the clan, Raekwon needs to do more solo stuff. I think GZA could be the best rapper if only he made some more positive descions. Have you ever heard liquid swords? damn that is one of the best rap albums i'd say.
What do you all thinkabout Outkast? I think speaker boxx redeamed there last travesty that was stankonia, that album stunk worse than stale sh-- on sh--. I cant really get a read on the style that they are shooting for, but i do know they are trying to become more mainstream. That is apparent in there newer lyrics, and there fashion style that they shove down our god damn throats. I still think they are some of the freshest sounds in music today.
If you listen to A.T aliens, or equemeni their music is so different. Now i know that they change their style with each new album, but thats not what i mean. It's like there music becomes more typical with each album. I htink Aliens, and equemini are some of the best rap that you'll ever get. I mean what happend. They used to have a message with there music, now they just come off to know somthing that we dont.