50 Cent has responded to Melle Mel’s claims of Eminem only being named a top 5 rapper in Hip Hop history by Billboard because of his skin color.
In a now-deleted post, 50 took to Instagram on Sunday (March 5) to defend the man who he feels is one of the main people responsible for him becoming one of the biggest artists in Hip Hop history.
“There was more money selling dope than being in Hip Hop when Melly [misspelling Melle] Mel was popping, the culture has grown so much.” 50 cent said. “I am not sure if it would be what it is today with out artist like Eminem. Shit I am not sure I would be who I am with out him but you know it is competitive so n-ggas gonna hate. LOL fuck outta here ! We sucker free.”
On a recent appearance of The Art Of Dialogue podcast, the 61-year-old Hip Hop legend spoke with host Mighty Bolton about Eminem’s No. 5 placement on Billboard’s recent list of the Top 50 Rappers of All Time.
Melle Mel, who’s No. 48 on the list, began: “Obviously he’s a capable rapper. If you was talking about sales, he’s sold more than everybody. If you were talking about rhyme style, okay he got a rhyme style. But he’s white. He’s white!
“So now if Eminem was another n-gga like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list when a n-gga that could rhyme just as good as him is 35? That had records and all that? He’s 35. He’s white.”
He continued: “And anybody could be as mad … They could feel how they wanna feel. If you don’t think that race plays a part in the equation of how great he is — I heard one of the dudes that’s down with him, Royce Da 6’9″ [mislabelling Royce Da 5’9″] or one of those – I heard he’s just as good as Eminem. Why he ain’t as big as Eminem? Because he’s Black! Ain’t none of that shit hard to figure out. Eminem gets a top spot because he’s white.”
Melle Mel says Eminem is only considered a top 5 rapper because he’s white. pic.twitter.com/I5PRMqRR3G
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) March 2, 2023
It’s unclear whether or not Melle Mel was referring to Future, who’s ranked No. 35 on the list when he elaborated on the specific number.
Melle Mel isn’t the only rapper who’s provided a scathing opinion about the controversial list.
In a recent interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Lil Wayne claimed he was the best rapper ever, scoffing at his N0. 7 placement on the list.
“Man, who the hell is before me? Was the list including all Hip Hop, like before and after as well? I can deal with that,” he said. “I will tell you that I am a muthafucking one. Everybody whose names you named, they also know I’m number one. Go ask ’em. They know what it is.”
Weezy further cemented his bold stance on his DMX-sampled single “Kant Nobody” which dropped last month.
“Best rapper, ex-trapper, dress dapper/ Swizzy gave me a head-banger, a neck-snapper/ X factor, make a rapper an example/ All I need is a beat with a DMX sample,” Weezy raps.
Ice Cube, who was No. 18 on the list, told TMZ Hip Hop last month that he doesn’t associate with Billboard and could care less about the list.
“Who?” he questioned when the reporter brought up the list. “I don’t fuck with Billboard or the editor. Billboard ain’t Hip Hop so their opinion don’t matter. So who gives a fuck?”
“It’s an irrelevant list,” he continued. “It’s like assholes: everybody got one and they all stink.”
[via]
