Reason First: Are B.I.G. and 'Pac Legends 'Because They Died?'

Actor and podcaster Michael Rapaport is a mainstay in today’s hip hop world. He has made a way for himself, by being a student of rap throughout his life. His latest war of words against rapper Kodak Black is yet another foray into the realm of critiquing the genre. This all stems from Kodak Black’s assertion that he is better than slain rappers Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. These statements should always be welcome even if they are unwarranted.

For Rapaport, to go after the young hip hop star is like a school teacher dressing down a student for drawing pictures of planets that don’t exist. Because of the creativity involved in making those sketches, it’s akin to rappers who should feel welcome to say that they’re better than legends and architects of the hip hop genre. The competitive nature of the game grants hip hop artists the opportunity to continue to to bring up the question of who is the best.

As he describes “hip hop media people” as not possessing the testicular fortitude to speak for themselves, Rapaport reprimands not only Kodak Black but those who love these students of the game. By addressing the fact that rap bloggers don’t bring to the table integrity and honesty, he should be applauded for his opinion and for stoking the coals. There is a high heat on the topic of rappers who compare themselves to hip hop greats as rapper Kanye West once said, “I hear people compare themselves to big a lot/ You know B.I.G. and Pac, you know to get it hot.”

Rapaport’s point is to point out that the web is littered with “radio personalities” who feel the same way as he does, but fail to “speak their minds.” Kodak Black should have every right to say that he’s better than the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur (among others) because he makes a valid point. He says that they’re legends because “they died.” He draws a line in the sand saying that you’re either with my statements or not. He holds that if these two megastars had not been gunned down, their catalogues may not have had the same impact as they have now. The much smarter rappers like Jay-Z who has enjoyed over two decades in the arena of hip hop are living legends that beat out other skilled rappers like Big Pun. Kodak Black does not challenge Jay-Z’s status as rap’s Elder Statesman. He should continue to say that he’s apt enough to do it. He’s in the prime of his career and has the mind that Rapaport wishes that hip hop bloggers exhibited.

Kodak Black’s off the cuff retort is a bold statement that should not be ignored. Rapaport’s rant should be classified as a much older adult critiquing the younger artists of today. He also has a right to show to the new generation just what hip hop is all about. Both Rapaport and Kodak Black have the capacity to influence, which is the most powerful tool known to man. Their words, although on the polar opposite of each other, reflect thinking that is healthy in hip hop. They are permitted the power of the internet to voice their ideas and opinions to millions by submitting content over the information superhighway. 90s kids and 2000s children are focused on mumbling, lean, Xanax, Percocets, and melodies. The generation that Rapaport is accustomed to focused on lyricism and themes. Few rappers today are engaged in either of these activities. While Rapaport may not like it, hip hop has been a young man’s sport since its inception. And if he wants to commentate from the sidelines, let him.