in other words, for example, if lets say Nas is your favorite rapper...how/when and why did that happen?

I think the first Jay Z songs I heard were Big Pimpin' and Hard Knock Life which I absolutely detested at the time and because of that I never payed much attention to him. However, I heard a few tracks off Dynasty which I liked and when The Blueprint came out and that remains to this day the best album I have ever bought. At that stage I went through his back catalogue purchasing all his albums and I have continued to get his subsequent releases. I now like Hard Knock Life but I'll never like Big Pimpin'.

Nas, and it happened when I first started listening to LYRICS, not just beats. I heard and could understand what he was saying. So lyrics, creative. I heard so much about Illmatic, I went back and just didn't stop listening to it.

Then, RIGHT AS I DID THAT, he and Jay got into it. I defended him hard back then, Lol. He killed Ether and it was just done from there.

Illmatic, It Was Written, I Am..., Stillmatic, God's Son, Hip Hop Is Dead, Untitled.

I've only had a problem with Nastradamus and The Firm, but even had high spots in those songs. The Lost Tapes, CLASSIC.

But, that being said. I grew up and I don't get all stupid if cats don't like him. I don't like a lot of rappers. Just the way it works. I'm still a fan of both he and Jay-Z.

My Bro introduced me to 2pac when I was around 10. I been listening to his music ever since. I got every album. Simply marvelous.

I'm a huge fan of Nas as well. Life We Chose is one of my favorite tracks.

That's a good question, bruh. I honestly don't remember. It's hard too because I'm not sure if I have a absolute favorite, but I do love Biggie. He kept blowing me away with his lyrics and verses.

Hos be irritating like the hiccups/ excuse me
flows just go through me/ like trees to branches/ trees to avalanches
its the praying mantis/ deep like the mind of Farrakhan
A mutha****in Rap Phenomenon

Biggie was just ILL on that verse. He was just consistent throughout that whole album, it just blew my mind.

Over time my favorite rappers changed but I liked 2pac as a kid and now I as an adult I still listen to his ****. Lyrics and memories is what makes him my favorite. All his hit singles were coming out and I remember when everybody listen to his **** and when he got killed. His music reminds me of my childhood memories and plus his lyrics are alright.

He makes better music than most of these modern day rappers.

I was always a fan of DMX. I remember back when I was in 6th grade I had Its Dark and Hell is Hot. But I knew of him before that, I had heard some of his music before that cd came out. I remember hearing him on mase's cd...on the hook of take whats yours and on 24 hours to live. I think the song "money power and respect" also came out before its dark and hell is hot. Anyways, I remember liking his voice (no homo). He sounded very angry, powerful. I was a fan of his from that point on. He was always one of my favorites. I started to turn away from his music for a minute after Grand Champ dropped. Back in 2003, I was on some anti-commercial ***** where I didnt listen to the popular rappers. But eventually I came across a couple of cds that had his unreleased music, basically songs he did from 1991 to before Its dark and hell is hot. I started listening to him again, and in 2007 I listened to him more then any other rapper, so he became my favorite rapper. Whoever i listened to the most over the course of a year became my new formula for determining my favorite rapper. 2008, I also listened to DMX more then any other rapper. So hes been my favorite 2 years straight. Prior to that, I listened to alotta Nas and Biggie.

My Bro introduced me to 2pac when I was around 10. I been listening to his music ever since. I got every album. Simply marvelous.

I'm a huge fan of Nas as well. Life We Chose is one of my favorite tracks.

I love that song too homie :yes:

With Jay it basically started back in 2006. Up until that point 2-Pac was my favorite rapper. Then I remember me and Gold Mac were discussing rap, and he said is 2-pac even your favorite rapper? Cuz I was talking about how I don't know all his music and I don't even listen to him that much. So then it got me thinking, then I bought Jay-Z's fade to black concert on DVD. And it just hit me then how great Jay-Z has been. I just realized how much a legend he was after watching that. Not that I didn't know he was a legend before that, I did, but for some reason I wasn't a big fan. But after that I just became a big fan, and the rest is history.

DMX.. I Guess it's a question of temper.. I like his realism, No bull**** approach and christian undertones.

If your a fan of DARK MAN X (DMX)

Then you gotta love his song The Professional

Thats my JAM!

The Intro is one of the tighest songs to train to in my opinion.

DMX is the man!

2pac
DMX
NAS
PROOF
BIGGIE
EMINEM
Ras Kass
Canibus

(No Particular Order)

and my personal favorite PASTOR TROY!

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/55/l_a347ad3f7336282e6f8566a32e927542.jpg

Nas ....when He came back after JZ---Esther

Rakim--When I heard Paid in Full

Big Daddy Kane--His lyrics were just crazy (before his time)When I heard, Raw.

I see why he was Big Pun's Favorite(another lyrical Magician) "even if I stuttered I would still sh-sh **** on you"-Pun....."Eeee-even if I stutter I'ma still come off"...Kane

in other words, for example, if lets say Nas is your favorite rapper...how/when and why did that happen?

Nas

My mate borrowed me Stillmatic when I was about 14/15 and just getting into hip hop. I loved it.

These days I only get excited by a few artists. The likes of Lupe, Common, Nas, Royce, Pharoahe, Jay Elect, Tech N9ne and a couple others. I constantly look to see of the names I just mentioned have got any new **** out.

I obviously listen to other rappers but dont really go out in search of their new stuff, I just stumble across it.

Biggie. He's made his message so clear.
You could picture what he was saying.
He also didn't drop lines someone could easily think of.
When I first listened to him carefully, I was like damn this fool says **** a lot of people wouldn't think of.
He also made it look effortless.
You can kind of tell when someone is trying hard.

The year "Don't Sweat The Technique" came out, the nba made a music video with highlights of their players, and this song was used. From there, I needed more Rakim. I didnt even realize who he was, the first time I heard Paid In Full, I knew I heard it before, but not where. So I'm assuming that was 1992ish.

"classical, too intelligent to be radical
masterful, never irrelevant, mathematical"

The God MC.