Ok here are my 2 cents.
I love Hip-Hop, not rap. Tupac was a Hip-Hop artist, Biggie was a Hip-Hop artist, Big Pun was a Hip-Hop artist, Aaliyah was a Hip-Hop artist. Yes a lot of Hip-Hop artists are rappers but Hip-Hop is a culture of African American music, dress, dance, entertainment, and life. Rap is totaly different from Hip-Hop. Rap is only a music form. Rap can talk about sex, drugs, murder, and other subjects for no reason. Hip-Hop has a cause, to inform the masses of what happens to the lower class community(black white hispanic or anyone in a dangerous/junky or other wise unsuitable living enviroment). Although it doesn't apply to today's world as much as it did in the 80's & 90's it still carries a meaning. Tupac rapped about rape and murder but it wasn't to boast or brag. He was telling stories about the things that happened in his life(not only to him but also his family and community), that is why I consider Tupac the greatest rapper of all time, and even though I do not like Biggie's or Big Pun's music as well I still honor them and the things they stood for.
My main problem with rap today is people like 50. He has said in interviews that he raps about his life story. Now I don't mean to be rude but lets take a qoute from a 50 Cent song "Ima letcha lick the lollypop" and another, "All a _______ really need is a little bit". You all know the songs along with others he has put out. If 50 had that much sex then there must be 100 kids that will inherit his money when he is gone. Get Rich Or Die Tryin isn't as bad as the new album. There is one song that I belive is good by 50, and wish he would take that approch to rap, Hate It Or Love It. The song talks about life in general, his voice is the voice of many people in that song(black, white, yellow, even purple) as did Tupac's songs.
Ok now lets talk about E, yes he is a wonderful rapper and I enjoied The Marshall Mathers LP more then the rest of his albums, I'll leave it at that because I do think he has a future and don't want to put him down the way I could just yet.
Here are the Rap artists I like
Lil Jon- Who is more of a field caller then rapper, as said by one man "When Lil' Jon screams 'YEAH', 400 years of anger and opression are being released. I also like him because I listen to his music more then his words, i belive bass is a growing artform and he is on the top of it.
BTNH- I like Bone Thugs-N-Harmony because they began the speed rapping and mixed their music with swift vocals and smooth melodies, just revolutionary. I also enjoy music made by the respective members of the group( Bizzy Bone, Krazie Bone, Lazie Bone/ L-Burna...and if Wish Bone comes out with a solo I will enjoy it also. Although Flesh-N-Bone was never really a member of the group we know today he is Lazie's brother and was with the group when Eric Wright discovered them. F.Y.I. Flesh should be released from prison within the next 2-4 years
To tell you the truth, thats all. There are others that I enjoy the music of their songs and the beats but as I said I am more of a Hip-Hop person.
I'll end with a poem, its talking about....well just read it and think about what little I've said about Tupac and it should be nothing to find the meaning.
"The Rose That Grew From Concrete"
Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature's law is wrong it learned to walk with out having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping it's dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else ever cared.
By Tupac Amaru Shakur
Hope you enjoied. I suggest you read all of Tupac's poems a good source is
http://www.2pac2k.de/poems.html
Or you can buy his book of poems which is much more extensive "The Rose That Grew From Concrete" It should be in any fine book store.
Ouji Out