Hip-Hop's Great White Wonders
This week VH1 is trotting out another one of its Greatest shows, this time counting down the 100 greatest hip-hop songs. What does a network that airs reality sludge all day long know about the 100 greatest anything? Since it seems that everyone is an expert these days despite their lack of qualifications, I give you my list of the best white rappers of all time. Keep in mind, this list is compiled by a black man who plays an acoustic guitar and writes songs that owe more to Bob Dylan than Chuck D (who is a Dylan fan, by the way).
But that's the point, Hip-Hop Nation. Whereas rap was once the province of brothers living in the Bronx, the color line is now erased. Hip-hop did what America still cannot do: become color-blind. If you can rhyme, you belong. Period. It's probably the best thing about the music — although it doesn't make up for the misogyny, obsession with material wealth, and gratuitous violent references. Hip-hop has truly become a rainbow coalition. The rest of us better learn a lesson. For reals.
So here you go: Hip-Hop's Great White Wonders.
BEASTIE BOYS
The Beasties made the world safe for white dudes who rap and brought a serious dose of humor to the genre. They started out as a punk group called the Young Aborigines but thankfully got a better name and a better sound. Plus, they make the best videos EVER.
EMINEM
He's the Elvis of hip-hop. Eminem walked into a black world and made a name not by being a clown but by being the most serious voice in the room. He showed that white America can be as angry as black America— it’s class, more than color, which keeps us down. Eminem, for a moment, was the spokesperson for the Hip-Hop Nation.
VANILLA ICE
Yes, Vanilla Ice. Say what you will about that goofy haircut and those goofy pants. Say what you will about his Celebrity Boxing beating by Diff'rent Strokes star Todd Bridges. Ice fell on the white hip-hop sword so dudes like Eminem could get to the mountaintop. Thanks, Ice, for taking the hit.
BUBBA SPARXXX
A big ol' Southern boy with Timbaland backing him up: how could you not dig it? Bubba’s music is full of rich irony and stereotypes turned on their head. I know "Ugly" is the song everyone was talking about in 2001, but I dig the grooves and rhyme of "Lovely" a whole lot more. Who wouldn't want to be lovely instead of ugly?
BLONDIE
Her landmark 1981 recording "Rapture" earned her a place in hip-hop history. It's arguably the first rap record EVER. She's brought the Bronx to the 'burbs, and she's easier to look at than any of the dudes on this list.
Drop by GetBack.com for your daily dose of pop culture pleasure -- music, movies, games, and more.
Try playing instruments and you'll find out what talent is you worthless scumbags
honestly, so rappers dont all do their own beats, but hip hop has guys making beats....plusyou tryin saying so much to a beat.....it aint easy.....listen to bone thugs and harmony or twista, they rhyme so fast alot of people cant catch what they say they first time they listen. unlike other genres, rap contains ALOT more lyrics then rock, country, etc.
and for the list....how could you forget paul wall.....he's much better then bubba sparxxx, not to mention he owns more respect amoung the best
With practice you can get a smooth delivery on rhyming and wording [not singing].
This is identical to learning guitar/drums/etc, "practice makes perfect."
It's just in a different form.
Let's take a really ignorant fool and play him some rap. duu Mr. I ca-ca-can do that. I doesn't take a genious to figure out that rap is for the not so intellegent. P.S that doesn't leave you out P. nigity.
1. 3rd Bass-MC Search and Prime Minister Pete Nice were nice on the mic. Not to mention they probably had the first ever all white rapper feud with their relentless attack on Vanila Ice. For that matter, they were probably the first white rappers to beef with a black rapper,MC Hammer, and have the majority of hip hop fans support them. "The Cactus Album" is a classic.
2. Everlast/Whitey Ford: Can't doubt the mic skills at all, and he gave us a true hip hop anthem in "Jump Around"
3. Mike Shinoda- Underrated as an mc, Mike has some real depth to his lyrics. As you mentioned, today all you hear is the misogyny, obsession with material wealth, and gratuitous violent references, so people sleep on Shinoda's ability. He is respected as a producer, and I think the combo of his rapping and producing talents as a white guy (yes, I know he is part Japanese) in hip-hop puts him on the list.