NAS is THE GOAT ... In less than 1000 words

“I’m the young city bandit, hold myself down singlehanded. For murder raps, I kick my thoughts alone, get remanded. Born alone, die alone, no crew to keep my crown or throne.”

Nas is the greatest emcee ever to bless a microphone. This, my friends, is a fact. Sure, there may have been artists who have sold more records; who have experienced more mainstream success; or even who have had a bigger impact, e.g., Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. But there is not an emcee – living or deceased – who has ever been better at “emceeing” than Nas.

So what does the term GOAT mean to you? For purposes of this article, I ask you to consider: (1) Lyrical content; (2) Influence; (3) Catalogue; and (4) Longevity. On this set of criterion, there can be no other choice – Nas wins.

“I’m taking rappers to a new plateau, through rap slow. My rhymin' is a vitamin held without a capsule."