First off, the word 'mainstream' can be put to death, because it is an irrelevant term. The most common example people on this board use is 50 Cent...well, I'm not sticking up for 50, I don't like him that much anymore...but he was the king of the underground 4-5 years ago. People look past that fact...

Anyway, my favorite artists consist of the like of Jigga, Eminem, Nas, BIG, Jadakiss, Tupac, Big L, Snoop, Dre, Method Man (I like Wu, but Meth is my man), Redman, Game, Styles P, Lloyd Banks, Big Pun, Talib, Common, NWA, Outkast, D12, Scarface, old 50, Bone Thugs, LOX, Killa, DMX, Rakim, KRS, AZ, Gangstarr, Akrobatik, Mr. Lif, Esoteric, old Ice Cube, Kanye, some Luda, some Wayne, some Mobb, Obie Trice, Run DMC...to name a few.

Anyone saying underground rappers are better than any of these artists is naive. Yes, most of those guys are pretty 'lyrical', but half that shit doesn't make sense, they just put words together in a way that sounds good. As far as production, how can a beat made in someone's basement sound better than a Just Blaze or Kanye track...it doesn't, not even close. Commercial and mainstream terms are irrelevant terms...Jay for example...has some commercial songs...but 90% of his material is not.

It must be understood, the term 'selling out' is irrelevant as well...these people do this for a CAREER...yes they love the trade, but they also want to make a financial living doing it. So, sometimes you have to make some business moves to further your CAREER...it's being smart...not selling out.
MacWQ33 Reviewed by MacWQ33 on . Hip-Hop Fans.... We have any here?? What do you listen to//who is your favorite artist? :jointsmile: Rating: 5