T O P

  • By -

AdjustedMold97

why can’t 2 GOATs coexist? they’re extremely different


Patrick_Vieira

Andre is the unicorn of all unicorns But yes, he doesn't have the catalog to be put above Nas Talent wise he can stand next to anyone though


Nirvana_Ultra

Talent wise he can't make a solo HipHop album .


m_dought_2

Can't is different than won't. 3k can do whatever he wants. He just wants to play flute.


Patrick_Vieira

By that logic literally every rapper with a solo album is more talented than Andre Do you actually believe that?


GalvaPrime21

Yes. Because talent can only be shown by results. Big Boi has PLENTY of solo projects. Andre can't string together 10 songs about topics that interest him. Andre isn't an emcee, he's a philosopher who pretends to make music. At this point, he reminds me of Dragon from Ruff Ryders. Excellent lyricist on other peoples stuff, couldn't make a solo project to save his life. Sexy Redd and Ice Spice have more solo songs than Andre. Can't even put him in a versus without using the Outkast catalog.


Patrick_Vieira

So Sexy Redd and Ice Spice are more talented than 3k? 😭 Big Boi is one of the greats for sure, but on most of the Kast songs who had the better performances, Big Boi or 3k? If Big Boi is more talented shouldn't he have outshined Andre most of the time?


Temporary-Toe-1304

The point you're trying to make isn't as strong as you think it is...


GalvaPrime21

🤣 bless you and your ego. Do you even have a point,or did you just want to be rude and contribute nothing?


Temporary-Toe-1304

Sure, Nas is for top 5 but I can't lie, Andre has so much more to offer when rapping and his voice changes, flows and rhymes are just so unique, I understand he doesn't have a Solo Catologue but we are talking about them 1v1 in their abilities as Rappers. They can sit at the exact same table. For example it's the same reason people don't put Biggie and Pac higher cuz of their limited Discography yet Biggie was a generational talent rapper that ability wise can go neck to neck with anyone. Is this Discog vs Discog or Rappper vs Rapper?


GalvaPrime21

Well it's solo rapper vs solo rapper. If you're comparing his group work to Nas solo work, I can see the comparison as far a trendsetting and memorable flows and thought provoking concepts. But I can't compare them because Nas solo work dwarfs not only Andre's group work, but his entire catalog. Nas has even elevated his work in this decade. Consistent quality song writing over this span, with obvious misses along the way. Andre never even took the shot, buy his own admission, he was too scared to not have anything to rap about. He has consistently misfired or considered pulling/pulled his verses from features. I THINK what people like about Andre are his cadence and rhythms. He is more... rhythmic? He's more exciting by simply listening if you ignore the rhythms of the words. We don't even know if his solo albums would be good or bad because they never happened. He's pulled the rug from under his fans twice, and I loved the Love Below. Still rappers gotta actually rap, and Andre doesn't really rap anymore. Mean while Big Boi is CRIMINALLY underrated... and Nas was setting the bar in early 90s for lyrics... and still is now.


Temporary-Toe-1304

Solo rapper vs Solo Rapper still is a competition in skillets vs skillsets. If nas only had Illmatic and pulled a Lauren Hill I still would not invalidate him to to be 1v1 with another rapper. What I'm getting at is this separation doesn't aid in discussing their abilities and rap performances. Just like how people hesitate to place Kendrick top 5 or OAT because A. He is of the new generation and the nostalgia held for older generations MCs is huge B. He doesn't have enough work like the outer big hitters do. That would mean that all his singles and the heart series, as well as the Beef with Drake records he dropped couldn't be used in his favor to his greatness as they don't pertain to his Solo Albums. (Even tho in albums is where he is the strongest)


GalvaPrime21

Kendrick has a solo career tho. Andre doesn't. Andre doesn't even make singles. He is on group work and features. I mean there is a reason awards are separated in solo artist vs group. Group work is easier and may allow you to shine more, you do alot less work. If Andre had an 'Illmatic', I'd think the argument made sense. But evaluating someone who shaped the artform for over 30 years with someone who cannot put out songs by himself isn't a apt comparison. Greatness is largely defined by consistency over time. 3k is inconsistent. Peaks may be comparable, but thats like comparing someones best play to a persons whole career.


Bahknight

As much as I've never been a big Andre 3000 fan (I could just never get into his style, always loved big boi tho) something tells me this post probably won't go well, I think there are definitely people here that would defend this


Averagesize1996

Everyone has there has there own opinion I just don’t think you should compare Artist who has a solo catalog versus somebody who does not.


Bahknight

Oh trust me I totally see your point, I'm not even disagreeing-- I'm just saying that this post won't blow over well on this subreddit


Averagesize1996

That’s why I posted it


Bahknight

Bold move, I can respect it


PZABUK

Meanwhile you shit on people who do post their opinion


Plastic_Button_3018

I don’t think enough people put Andre 3000 above or in the same sentence as Nas as a solo artist, to warrant a thread like this. Like even if you saw a topic somewhere around reddit of people talking about that and saying that, it really doesn’t make it a universal opinion. Nas constantly gets his flowers of being the GOAT Big 3, Andre 3000 doesn’t. I see when people talk about groups and duos, Andre 3000 is mentioned as Outkast. But i’ve never seen him compared to Nas or listed in a top 5 with Nas as a solo rapper. Like I said, you saw it in a discussion somewhere, maybe a hot take where a lot of redditors agreed with it. It still doesn’t make it a universal opinion. Top 5 is Nas, Big, 2Pac, Jay-Z, Eminem. Then it goes guys like Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Big L, Ice Cube. Big Pun, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Method Man, Redman. And so on and so forth. As far as groups (2 or more rappers) go, I will say Wu Tang Clan, Gang Starr, Mobb Deep, A Tribe Called Quest, Outkast.


MaxStunning_Eternal

Andre is constantly put in top 5 convos. A significant amount of people have made a case for 3k being the GOAT..


abdeezy112

I’d put LL Cool J up there too


Averagesize1996

Eminem in your top 5 😂💀


Plastic_Button_3018

It’s subjective, but that’s a common sentiment whether you agree on it or not. It’s pretty common.


Shootermac10

Put some respec on shady name.


Averagesize1996

Shady most overrated rapper of all time


Shootermac10

That’s just a wild take


getrekdnoob

You say that while sucking off Nas tbf 😭


PhoerSayori

Tbf you compare discogs and it's not close


getrekdnoob

It is closer than you would think, Nas had a way larger period of being down than Eminem. And if you compare talent it's the same thing, Eminem is very talented and so is Nas. Obviously you will all prefer Nas, you all love him lol. But if you aren't bias it's close (this is from someone who has Nas 1st and Eminem 2nd or 3rd).


PhoerSayori

Really? Explain to me how Eminem's like... maybe 5(?) solid albums compared to Nas' early career run and his latest run. Sure there's a down period, but Em has BEEN in it and his high with MMLP and TES is still arguably worse quality-wise to Illmatic and IWW. Straight up technical skill I'd say it's much much closer, but Em hasn't used that skill for more than a few songs per album in well over a decade


getrekdnoob

Eminem had only 1 bad album (Revival) and the rest were good, other than the SSLP, MMLP and TES which are all classics, and known as a top 3 album run. Nas has far more bad albums than that, which tbf is probably due to having more albums. Nas obviously has far more better albums, but that doesn't mean Eminem is bad? Skill it's obvious Eminem is also close, with better storytelling and better rhyme schemes. Even in influence it's close, with Nas being a pioneer and massive influence on nearly all rappers, Eminem also heavily influenced nearly all rappers after him, having influence on every single member of the modern day big 3, and even influencing people like Kanye. Eminem is comparable to all the people put in most top 10s, that's not even deniable. He isn't the best of all time in any aspect, other than sales. But he is incredibly well rounded lol. Remember this isn't me saying he is better than Nas, just saying that Nas isn't some God who triumphs over everybody by an insane stretch, including Eminem.


NormalITGuy

This is an opinion, no disrespect, but saying Eminem has better rhyme schemes is an opinion. They may be more complicated, but in my opinion Nas’ complicated rhyme schemes sit on a beat better. The beginning of the second verse of The Message is an example, or the entire Nas is Like, It Ain’t Hard To Tell… I’m not even necessarily sure I agree with skill, while Eminem is a great storyteller, among the best with songs like My Fault, As The World Turns and Murder Murder, a lot of his storytelling songs are comical and he has issues with depth and getting outside of his range, and I think you’re sleeping o. Nas’ rhyme schemes, they are very complicated, like Book of Rhymes. Encore, Relapse and Revival weren’t great albums but they all had some nice tracks. Recovery was acceptable, but I only liked a few tracks. MMLP was not bad at all, can’t lie, but there were too many poppy songs on it, and Rap God is just insufferable. The last two are presentable but nothing incredible. Not Alike is nasty and it’s got some cuts here and there, but they truly are listen once or twice albums to me, for sure nowhere near the depth and creativity of his original three and nothing since really has been. Influence I’ll leave out of my points, I don’t know much about that tbh, but Eminem is huge obviously, but every rapper on Earth who respects the craft pays homage to Nas pretty much. Eminem is pretty much there too, I think most of the people who don’t put him there are mostly haters because the dude can spit for sure. Eminem is in my top five because he does have great rhyme schemes, creativity and raw skill, but in my opinion Nas has him beat in almost every category. Top 5 to me is exactly what he said, Nas, Big, Pac, Jay and Em, but I’d say in skill in my opinion they’re very, very even, and because Nas’ discography is just better… I just feel like he’s the better artist.


PhoerSayori

You just can't convince me that Kamikaze isn't bitter and contrived and actually good. So many weird and cringe flows or straight up copying other rappers. I personally loathe Recovery because to me it sounds like mindless pop rap from the goal of easy hits. There's corny bars and it is so... so bland to me. Encore just isn't something I'd ever want to listen to outside of like... 4 songs. MTBMB was fine. It wasn't "good" but it sounded enough like a floundering star's late career low effort album that i didn't mind it. MMLP 2 wasn't bad. Rap God gotta be one of the most overrated songs ever but I liked the album enough. Relapse grows on me every few years but it's not phenomenal. Listen, Eminem is a great rapper. Not my personal favorite. But catalogue to catalogue, I don't see the comparison


remarkabletruths

Cuz they’re Nas haters. Andre doesn’t even have a rap solo catalogue, so that alone makes him rank behind Nas.


Clear-Reveal-9998

I think people understate just how hard it is to make a solo rap album, especially when every song usually requires at least 2 verses from you and back in the day 3 verses was quite common. When you're in a group that load is lifted because you have somebody else who has their own verses so not every song requires as much from you and the chemistry between both artists is the main focus. As good as 3K is in a vacuum if you objectively look at the discographies there's no comparison and he hasn't proven he can be great on a solo album. The love below doesn't count because how many rap verses does he even have on that album? As far as his features being so good (and they are) I would expect them to be amazing if you have all the time in the world to hyperfocus on each one when you're not in album mode. Your resume is very important it's proof of what you've done in life and potential only goes so far I'm afraid.


bakedlawyer

Yeah, i remember all songs had 3 verses and were like 4-6 minutes long. Now theye 2-3 minutes long with two verses


MaxStunning_Eternal

His mystique and lore does A LOT of the heavy lifting.


Clear-Reveal-9998

Agreee but I think people get too caught up in speculation and what if scenarios just like what if Biggie and Pac survived? What if Biggie joined the commision with Jay? What if Big L lived? The reality is we will never know unless 3K makes that attempt at a solo album


Majestic_Platypus_76

And the fact that he has three classic albums with OutKast maybe has a little more to do with it. The dude is musically above NaS(NaS’ production has always been spotty outside the first two albums and the recent hit boy run)… he’s also lyrically just a little bit more varied and has more interesting subject matter. And not to be that guy but both as a part of OutKast and as a solo artist he does have more commercial success than NaS as well. NaS is my favorite MC and always will be,but Andre 3000 has the playlist that the aliens would come to earth for.


MaxStunning_Eternal

Cool.


MaxStunning_Eternal

>he’s also lyrically just a little bit more varied and has more interesting subject matter. And not to be that guy but both as a part of OutKast and as a solo artist he does have more commercial success than NaS as well. This isnt true at all. Nas is one of the most diverse rappers. Street, introspective, creative, his conceptual songs. Storytelling, descriptive writing. The unique way he puts seemingly simple things together. And his production was only spotty for one period of his career the rest is fine. Andre benefits from aesthetic and mystique. There isnt anything andre can do that nas cant expect maybe "sing" and he did that too... I've said before most people would choose every other Goat over Nas. Becuse they think he's a boring concious rapper that raps over terrible beats and has 1 classic. And outside of their diamond Album...the commercial success in comparable. Check the numbers..


Majestic_Platypus_76

Yeahhhhh, so by your answer I don’t think you’ve actually heard OutKasts discography. So it’s cool, I’m not about to convince you. Check them out if you r got the time. Thank you for sharing.


Salt-Eggplant-2334

Strong disagree. Not sure if you’re trolling. 3 stacks is one of the most versatile, lyrically gifted rappers of all time.    Go listen to life of the party then try to deny the magic that man can make on the microphone.   I put Nas ahead of him but you’d have to be crazy to not say there’s a conversation to be had about it  Also please work on your grammar. 


Averagesize1996

Still can’t compare the two when he has no albums 🤷‍♂️


Salt-Eggplant-2334

Okay, I’m not gonna really entertain this anymore, but what Andre 3000 has is *ahem*: -One of the most versatile, flawless discographies ever -an insanely versatile flow + delivery -one of the best pens the genres ever seen  -strong messaging, storytelling and killer bars -insane tonal shifts  -extremely gifted technical rhyming ability  But you’re gonna say that it doesn’t count bc he didn’t release a solo album? It’s just a silly argument.  


Supadupafly1988

Well fuckin said👏🏾👏🏾


Averagesize1996

Yup that’s how I feel I love outcast but comparing 3k nas is hilarious


LoadApprehensive676

It's "Outkast".


aksionBrunson

Hilarious? Take Nas dick out ya mouth. He'd even say 3k is in the top echelon of artists.


Averagesize1996

I 🤡 anybody who puts Eminem in they top 5


PZABUK

You realize you're the clown here?


Majestic_Platypus_76

I don’t know buddy I’m not at all an Eminem fan but I can respect dudes technique I can’t relate to his shit at all, but I can admit that lyrically speaking he’s one of the top 10 -15 rappers ever. I get loving NaS… I have since I bought It was Written the week it came out… but I also know when another rappers discog or flow is on par with Nasir’s


Averagesize1996

I don’t have to like Eminem I don’t like him but if y’all love more power too you I’m just not a fan of Eminem.


justarandomlibra

I don't mind stating this...I never been a huge fan of Andre 3k. I legit don't see or hear where people put him in the GOAT convo or rank him in top 5s. That to me has always been crazy especially when he lacks in terms of solo work. I also don't understand the disrespect that Big Boi gets. People act at times as if he doesn't exist. Needless to say I don't understand how Andre is mentioned or ranked higher than Nas and I see it constantly in other rap Reddits, I respect people's opinions that put Andre so high but I personally don't see how. Black Thought was in this same conversation until he started putting out EPs and more solo work and now you see more people "discovering" him or mentioning him in GOAT talks.


Infamous718

Andre doesn't have a solo rap song with 3 verses. For every great 3k verse you have 5 from Nas 🤷‍♂️. Putting him top 5 convos is disrespectful to a lot of Mc's not just Nas. The guy raps 3 times every 5 years people scream "OMG GOAT" when do that little work you better put out great verses. Personally, I don't think he's that much better than Big Boi honestly. Big Boi did a lot of heavy lifting on those earlier Outkast albums especially the hooks he doesn't get credit because 3K talent.


amar989

Exactly… some of these folks MAD WILD!….


Clutch_Mav

Andre is a much more versatile mc than just about anybody. For me, what he excels at is what I would call flow, or his ability to flow in and out of different rhythms (idk if everyone defines that the same way) and he is just unmatched. It’s the same quality that made biggie smalls great, imo, and those are just in their own league when it comes to that. But Nas is better by maybe every other metric. I never blink at seeing 3k on top tens, I totally get it.


theguru86

I mean, they’re both really really good lol. Different ways but still top class.


Alone_Horror_7863

3k is simply a group member…..nothing more, nothing less. He should never be compared to nas or many other great emcees. He hasn’t released one song with three verses and a hook in 32 years. It is beyond disrespectful to compare him to someone like nas.


Pitiful-Art-2706

Uhhh put some respek on 3 Stacks name and just keep it pushing lol.


Medium_stepper624

Saying this about 3K is hilarious and disrespectful at the same time. If you don't think they're on the same level, I don't know what to tell you. Catalog and ability are two different things.


Averagesize1996

It’s disrespectful comparing him too nas period


Medium_stepper624

lol it isn't. There's no way you've listened to Andre rap and you think that.


Numerous_Till_3461

I agree he's not a top 10 rapper. IMO


Confused_Microwave04

This is easily the worst post I've seen in this sub


Averagesize1996

So you don’t have too respond make your own damn post


rescobar1997

Who’s comparing them?


BananeiraarienanaB

No. Everyone has there own opinions. You do not agree and your reasons are valid, but so are there's. 


GoofyTastingPickle

Andre 3k is somehow UNDERRATED as a rapper imo. Think over time he’s been remembered more as the melodic singing side he’s so good at. That man can absolutely rap his ass off though I think he could go bar for bar with anyone. I also think his flow is simply one of the best ever!


erkloe

* Outkast


NoFaithlessness7508

I love and listen to Outkast. I definitely had his solo jont Love Below on repeat in HS. But we as rap fans really need to stop putting Andre3K on such a pedestal. I’ve always felt like there’s enough talent to go around. Hard work (consistent output) is what separates the sheep from the GOATs.


Majestic_Platypus_76

And Andre is the sheep in this metaphor? Interesting… he and BB also put the south on the map, created the dungeon family, sold multimillion records multiple times, had a literal song of a decade as a solo… and musically reverberates 20 years after his last full project that we’re here having this conversation… if he’s the sheep I’d love to see the wolf. And as an old head who was there for both their entire careers I can honestly say that while I love NaS, 3 Stacks has bars that can go against any of NaS best verses. Top 10 for top 10 I’m leaning Andre off talent NaS off consistency and quantity gets the win tho.


Majestic_Platypus_76

For reference my top five is NaS Andre Mos Def Rae/Ghost B.I.G.


Sufficient_Room525

Don‘t do this. Andre is a genius, he can be compared to anyone. Doesn’t mean he necessarily beats everyone… he‘s just one of the most important hip hop artists of all times by himself, and a creative beast.


Averagesize1996

Genius scared too put out a solo album don’t know why y’all separate him from big boi 😂


Sufficient_Room525

I really don’t care about this kind of childish comparison when it comes to real artists. I‘m not saying he’s better than Nas, or worse. Or that he’s better than big boi. Or that I like everything he’s ever put out. In fact I enjoy many rappers more than Andre, most of the time, and Nas is one of them. Nonetheless you have to acknowledge is immense creative impact on hip hop. And they don’t even compete with each other. There’s no reason for any hate IMO. Just listen to ATLiens, Aquemini and enjoy.. PS: personally I ve got nothing but respect for someone who’s not putting out unnecessary rap-albums if he thinks he’s got nothing relevant to contribute at the moment. It’s usually zhe other way round..


MaxStunning_Eternal

Because they think andre is better. When Nas is put up against every other "goat" fans seemingly pick the other guys over him...for whatever reason.


MaxStunning_Eternal

It true guys. This is how fans see him 🤷🏾‍♂️, these are the talking points. Em is more "technical" and "introduced rap to the world" Jay is "cooler" had more hits and made better music Pac is pac and biggie is biggie Wayne and andre are "aliens" Black thought, monch, common are "rap better" And currently kendrick is greater than him. Nas gets the short end of the proverbial stick when compared to other greats. They think he's just a lyricist that cant make hits or "fun" songs. They treat him li Like a spoken word artist that got lucky a free times and not on par with the better goats.


gohmak

Forget solo albums. 3k don't have the bars to contend


DrBiz1

I'm not seeing much/any talk here about other dimensions to artistry that imo puts 3k up there. His creativity, the style of his flows, the beats/production on OutKast albums all resonate with me more than Nas. Not getting into who is better, as that's subjective and I've never been a huge Nas fan, despite understanding his talents. But, Andre brings something very different and unique, which, as a die hard Prince fan, connected with me more than most other rappers.


MaxStunning_Eternal

You mean outkast, organized noize and the dungeon family.


Forsaken-Director-34

I can’t take your opinion as a hip hop fan serious when you can’t even get Outkast’s name right. Andre can 1000% be in the same sentence as Nas. They’re both aliens. You can’t judge using dumbass metrics like how many solo albums he has. When you make comparisons like that it allows people to make stupid arguments. Using your logic no one can be in the same sentence as Eminem bc of record sales or no one can be in the same sentence as Jay or Drake bc they owned the most summers (not even a Drake fan but if we’re keeping it real) or no one can be in the same sentence as too short bc he has the most solo albums out. You get my point. It’s a stupid argument and comparison. OutKast has enough albums out where there are hundreds of Andre verses and his best verses can easily match up w Nas’ best ones. They’re both aliens/unicorns/whatever you wanna call em. Art is art yo. If your view is so simple that you see things as “there can only be one” and you can’t appreciate and recognize Andre for how dope he is you don’t love hip hop.


Averagesize1996

Number 1 know he cannot be mentioned in the same sentence has nas And number two motherfucker this ain’t no Language arts class I can write how I want like I said 3K ain’t got no albums outside of the group you cannot compare this man to anybody who has a catalog hell I don’t like Eminem in he’s a better rapper than 3k.


Forsaken-Director-34

Bruh you dumb as fuck “language arts” lmfao. Learn how to speak English dumbass. Your opinion don’t matter anyway. Just cut the fuckboi shit out and say it loud and proud… you don’t love hip hop fucko. I was tryna keep it cool but you sound like a retarded monkey. Foh with your dumbass take. “Pizza shouldn’t even be in the same sentence as sushi bc I’m fucking stupid, DURRHHHH!!” That’s what the fuck you sound like with your simple ass.


Zalpha_DG16

I like Nas more than 3k but you’re tripping. Skill wise, they are VERY close. You are biased af


Averagesize1996

😂


LePopegory

Andre is either equal of Nas or above him regarding lyricism Nas ofc has the best hip hop album of all time so that’s something else.


lexE5839

He’s not better lol let’s be serious. There are very few people you could even put on the same level of lyricism as Nas, let alone claim they’re better.


Supadupafly1988

At minimum Andrea is on the same level. It can go either way. I agree with few ppl being on the same playing field as Nas. Off the top of my head I can think of maybe 4-6 other lyricists


lexE5839

Sounds fair to me. I got Black Thought, G Rap, Lupe and Big L up there for sure with Nas.


Supadupafly1988

We share some names Lupe, Black thought, Talib, Common, Andrea And the only one I personally put above him is Lupe.. which Nas says he sees the resemblance and Lupe says Nas is his fav (Lupe my #1 all time, Nas is my #2 all time)


lexE5839

Man am I happy to see Talib Kweli and especially Common on there. They always forget that Common wasn’t even a street guy really and went full force against a seasoned Ice Cube in LA and destroyed him so badly he started acting instead. cube is no joke either.


Supadupafly1988

You’re absolutely right, I think common got overlooked for so long for the same reason ppl thought hov was better than nas… the beats lol. And Talib is ridiculous! Early ice cube was a different type of monster. That 4 album run from amerikkkas most wanted/lethal injection/predator/death certificate.. sheeesh