Granted Ice T and Cube were known for their lyrics, but not lyrical genius. They were the first ones to come out and say "F*UCK YOU", but seriously, do you think they can hand hang lyrically with him? There's this one cat named Qwel who rolls with Typical Cats----boy is a mastermind. His voice is suspect to some, but check out the track "Cliche". He thinks of shit i never would....a taste....."doper emcees non existent like RuPaul's clit is, cant tell if you d*ck or p*ssy like topless infants..."...and some more....."and leave you scared to drop shit like school stalls with no doors." I think that shits dope, especially from a white dude. But you're right that the underground cats are still ill with their shit cause they haven't sold out "yet". And I'm not saying necessarily that Em's the best ever.....but he is the best "commercial" emcee out...and he did pay his dues in the underground circuit. Personally id rather have a Reflection Eternal (Common, Mos Def, Talib, etc) in my stereo, rather than someone talking shit thru the whole song i.e. Benzino......btw...that was the WORST excuse of trying to be a "real deep" emcee i think Ive ever scene....he needs to stick to running a so-so magazine and being the butt of peoples jokes.....