Personally I think Nas.

^Why?

I think Nas is a better rapper because he stayed rapping about New York and things that have to do with the roots of rap rather than versace and maybachs. His songs also produce stronger and realer vibes in my opinion and the Illmatic is better than any of Jay-zs albums. Nas also killed it on Ether and made Jay-z look like a cluck. I like Jay-z a lot, don't get me wrong but Nas I think wins based on a bunch of small details.

As if Nas never rapped about material things and Jay-Z never rhymes about anything other than versace and maybachs. ;)

NAS wins this and this really needs no explanation. Comparing Nas to Jay Z is like comparing an artist to a salesmen. I think a better comparision would be between Jay Z and Biggie and Biggie still would win.

Realtalk, that's real talk.

Biggie is overrated as well, all style no substance. Jay-Z is a second rate Biggie.

I disagree. Jay has showed that he is a much better lyricist than Biggie. Just listen to the way he strings metaphors and multisyllable rhymes with ease on his debut. Granted, had Biggie lived, he may have become a better lyricist. On the storytelling tip though, Biggie beats Jay hands down.

I really can't relate to idea of listening to either of them for their lyrics at all.

fair enough, neither BIG or Jay are top tier lyricists.

Yeah pretty much. At a push I would go with Jay-Z though.