Music Banter Hall Of Fame: Nominations Thread

NSW · 02-11-2010, 06:04 PM

Nominated by Conan:

The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher George Lattore "The Notorious B.I.G" Wallace was a rapper from Brooklyn, NY. He was an essential figure of the East Coast rap scene in the early to mid 90s. The heart and soul of Bad Boy records, Biggie's work is sometimes shadowed by his infamous involvment in the West/East coast rap fued - a beef Biggie denied being a part of.

His music was equal to his legacy, as it turns out. Biggie had a relaxed, easy going flow coupled with hardcore lyrics and a storytelling ability that combined and contrasted nicely with P Diddy's commercial-friendly beats. But there's not much I can say that doesn't already speak for itself.

FaSho · 02-11-2010, 06:06 PM

If any hip-hop artist deserves it, it's him. Hell yes.

Dieselboy · 02-11-2010, 06:21 PM

Based on his music alone, it would actually be a toss-up for me. But his life and death, and all the details surrounding it, turn the vote over to a yes.

Rickenbacker · 02-11-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaSho

If any hip-hop artist deserves it, it's him. Hell yes.

I couldn't disagree with this more. He's alright, but not that great. His actual music has been blown out of proportions by his legacy, that is, hundreds of hacks utilizing his same style and similar beats. He just wasn't that great when you look at the music, and definitely not worthy of Hall of Fame status.

FaSho · 02-11-2010, 06:57 PM

He's by no means my favorite hip-hop artist, but his flow and lyrics definatley made him one of the most talented mainstream rappers of all time. And his 'legacy' is what keeps his era of rap alive today, instead of being completley smothered by this new 'ringtone rap' garbage.

Rickenbacker · 02-11-2010, 07:04 PM

I don't buy it. I can't possibly give him that much credit when in terms of lyrics he was decent at best and in terms of instrumentation he was just a little too commercial. Sure, he was technically talented flow-wise, but if we based the Hall of Fame on technical ability alone, Dream Theater would be in it...

Engine · 02-11-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickenbacker

Sure, he was technically talented flow-wise, but if we based the Hall of Fame on technical ability alone, Dream Theater would be in it...

And a lot of people on this forum would vote for them *shudder* but, for me, Biggie's raw talent is worth more than that. Whatever he rapped moves me more than anything by Dream Theater and I don't think the lyrics are that bad really (sure some are beyond horrible but still, when he was on he was on on all levels). Nowhere near the truly great lyricists of hip-hop but more emotionally moving than a lot of those. He had the perfect voice and rhythm for rap and he used it as best he knew how. And I still listen to Ready to Die semi regularly (even though puff daddy did everything he could to ruin it). That earns him a YES from me.

edit: not that I have anything against 'Gimme the Loot' but this is the song I would have posted..

~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ · 02-11-2010, 07:37 PM

His music is the only reason anybody who matters (we're not talking 13 year old wiggers) would like him nowadays. That style of hip-hop is long dead from the mainstream charts and the East/West thing has been over for years and years. Sure his death cemented his position as one of the hip-hop greats but if you're going to split that hair then you better be prepared to take on Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Easy E, Kurt Cobain, Mia Zappata, Janis Joplin, 2pac and about 400 others.

His music is why I nominated him because his music stands out independently of his personal life.

His was a technically talented rapper, but he was relaxed, not looking to proove anything and only used complex structures and lyricism when it fit correctly. I completely disagree with "sure some [of the lyrics] are beyond horrible but still", all rappers are hit and miss with their lyrical content because there is just so much of it, and honestly the only time Biggie ever truly "missed the mark" were on some of the more sexually explicit tracks - but even then his ability to entertain and tell stories shone through.

And I chose Gimme the Loot because it's the perfect example of his storytelling lyrics and of the loose-arc that follows both Ready to Die and Life After Death. Fun fact: The "other" rapper in the song is actually Biggie doing a voice.

Vote yes or I will do everything in my power to make your life a living hell.

Just kidding, but seriously Chris I expected better from you :P

Urban Hat€monger ? · 02-11-2010, 08:18 PM

One of those artists that people wet their knickers over all the time and I just don't understand why.
I don't pretend to know much about hip hop but I've had his stuff played to death by my friends and I didn't hear a single thing that stood out.

Nope

Rickenbacker · 02-11-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

Just kidding, but seriously Chris I expected better from you :P

I just fail to see why he was nominated over much more artistically significant hip hop acts A Tribe Called Quest, the Roots, etc.

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02-11-2010, 06:04 PM	#2301 (permalink)
NSW Bigger and Better Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas girl living in the UK Posts: 2,596	Nominated by Conan: The Notorious B.I.G. Christopher George Lattore "The Notorious B.I.G" Wallace was a rapper from Brooklyn, NY. He was an essential figure of the East Coast rap scene in the early to mid 90s. The heart and soul of Bad Boy records, Biggie's work is sometimes shadowed by his infamous involvment in the West/East coast rap fued - a beef Biggie denied being a part of. His music was equal to his legacy, as it turns out. Biggie had a relaxed, easy going flow coupled with hardcore lyrics and a storytelling ability that combined and contrasted nicely with P Diddy's commercial-friendly beats. But there's not much I can say that doesn't already speak for itself. __________________ Hi.

02-11-2010, 07:04 PM	#2306 (permalink)
Rickenbacker / Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Conn Posts: 1,338	I don't buy it. I can't possibly give him that much credit when in terms of lyrics he was decent at best and in terms of instrumentation he was just a little too commercial. Sure, he was technically talented flow-wise, but if we based the Hall of Fame on technical ability alone, Dream Theater would be in it... __________________ last.fm rym Talk About the Passion - R.E.M.'s Discography Reviewed

02-11-2010, 07:37 PM	#2308 (permalink)
~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,538	His music is the only reason anybody who matters (we're not talking 13 year old wiggers) would like him nowadays. That style of hip-hop is long dead from the mainstream charts and the East/West thing has been over for years and years. Sure his death cemented his position as one of the hip-hop greats but if you're going to split that hair then you better be prepared to take on Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Easy E, Kurt Cobain, Mia Zappata, Janis Joplin, 2pac and about 400 others. His music is why I nominated him because his music stands out independently of his personal life. His was a technically talented rapper, but he was relaxed, not looking to proove anything and only used complex structures and lyricism when it fit correctly. I completely disagree with "sure some [of the lyrics] are beyond horrible but still", all rappers are hit and miss with their lyrical content because there is just so much of it, and honestly the only time Biggie ever truly "missed the mark" were on some of the more sexually explicit tracks - but even then his ability to entertain and tell stories shone through. And I chose Gimme the Loot because it's the perfect example of his storytelling lyrics and of the loose-arc that follows both Ready to Die and Life After Death. Fun fact: The "other" rapper in the song is actually Biggie doing a voice. Vote yes or I will do everything in my power to make your life a living hell. Just kidding, but seriously Chris I expected better from you :P Last edited by someonecompletelyrandom; 02-11-2010 at 07:47 PM.

02-11-2010, 08:18 PM	#2309 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	One of those artists that people wet their knickers over all the time and I just don't understand why. I don't pretend to know much about hip hop but I've had his stuff played to death by my friends and I didn't hear a single thing that stood out. Nope __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

02-11-2010, 06:21 PM	#2303 (permalink)
Dieselboy Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 608	Based on his music alone, it would actually be a toss-up for me. But his life and death, and all the details surrounding it, turn the vote over to a yes.