Popular rapper Eminem is one of the greatest in the hip-hop scene. Fans often debate the talents of other legendary rappers such as Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac Shakur, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Nas. While Eminem is a major name in the debate, some believe that his success is due to his race rather than his talent.
Melle Mel opens up on Eminem
Recently, the Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time list by Billboard and Vibe caused controversy, and rap icon Melle Mel shared his thoughts on Eminem’s placement. The Detroit rapper landed in the fifth spot, a position that Mel believes he received only because he is white.
He acknowledged that Eminem is a capable rapper who has achieved great sales and has a unique rhyme style, Mel argued that his race played a significant role in his legacy.
“Obviously, he’s a capable rapper. If we was talkin’ about sales, he sold more than everybody, if you talkin’ about rhyme style, okay, he got a rhyme style. But he’s white! He’s white! So now, if Eminem was just another n**ga like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list? When a n**ga that can rhyme just as good as him is [No.] 35? That had records and all that. He’s 35. He’s white.”
Mel pointed out that if Eminem were just another Black rapper, he would not be in the top five of the list. Instead, he believes that Eminem’s race has given him an unfair advantage over Black rappers who are just as talented.
