Melle Mel recently made headlines when he claimed that Eminem’s ranking in Billboard’s top 5 rappers in hip hop history was due to his skin color. In response, rapper and actor 50 Cent took to Instagram to defend Eminem and the impact he has had on the hip hop culture.

In his now-deleted post, 50 Cent stated that the hip hop culture has grown tremendously since Melle Mel’s time, and that without artists like Eminem, the culture may not have reached the heights it has today. He went on to say that he owes a lot of his success to Eminem, and that competition in the industry often leads to hate and criticism.

“There was more money selling dope than being in Hip Hop when Melly Mel was popping, the culture has grown so much. I am not sure if it would be what it is today with out artist like Eminem. Shit I am not sure I would be who I am with out him but you know it is competitive so n-ggas gonna hate. LOL fuck outta here ! We sucker free.”

Melle Mel, who ranked No. 48 on the list, argued that while Eminem is a capable rapper, his race plays a part in his ranking. He asked whether Eminem would be in the top 5 if he were black and compared him to other black rappers who he believes are just as talented but have not received the same level of recognition.

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“So now if Eminem was another n-gga like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list when a n-gga that could rhyme just as good as him is 35? That had records and all that? He’s 35. He’s white.”

“And anybody could be as mad … They could feel how they wanna feel. If you don’t think that race plays a part in the equation of how great he is — I heard one of the dudes that’s down with him, Royce Da 6’9″ [mislabelling Royce Da 5’9″] or one of those – I heard he’s just as good as Eminem. Why he ain’t as big as Eminem? Because he’s Black! Ain’t none of that shit hard to figure out. Eminem gets a top spot because he’s white.”

This is not the first time that Eminem’s race has been a topic of discussion in the hip hop industry. In a genre that has historically been dominated by black artists, Eminem’s success as a white rapper has often been a subject of controversy. However, Eminem’s talent and contributions to the hip hop culture cannot be denied.

Other rappers have also spoken out about Billboard’s top 5 list. Lil Wayne, who ranked No. 7, claimed he was the best rapper ever and scoffed at his placement on the list. Ice Cube, who ranked No. 18, dismissed the list as irrelevant and stated that he does not associate with Billboard.

“Man, who the hell is before me? Was the list including all Hip Hop, like before and after as well? I can deal with that,” he said. “I will tell you that I am a muthafucking one. Everybody whose names you named, they also know I’m number one. Go ask ’em. They know what it is.”

The controversy surrounding Billboard’s list highlights the ongoing debate about the criteria used to rank hip hop artists. While sales and popularity are important factors, the cultural impact and contribution to the genre should also be considered.

In conclusion, while the debate about Eminem’s ranking in Billboard’s top 5 rappers may continue, his talent and impact on the hip hop culture cannot be denied. As the hip hop culture continues to evolve, it is important to recognize and celebrate the diverse talents and contributions of all artists, regardless of race.

What are your thoughts on Melle Mel’s claims about Eminem’s placement on the Billboard’s Top 10 rappers of all time list? Do you believe race plays a significant factor in the industry’s decision-making process when it comes to ranking artists? Leave your comments below.

Steve Carrier

Steve is the Founder of Thirsty for News and Ringside News. He has been writing about various topics dating back to 1997. He first got into website development at the time and has been focused on bringing his readers the best professional wrestling news at it's highest quality.

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