A Good Ass Question: How Many Emcees Have Out-Rapped Kendrick Lamar on a Track?

February 21, 2012 The Black Kevin Arnold 14 comments

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the best emcee of them all?

Hundreds of rappers probably wake up and ask this question in their bathrooms every day. And every day, I’m sure the answer is always the same—“Kendrick Lamar.”

Over the past two years, Lamar has proven himself to be a lyrical monster and arguably the best rapper in the game. In my opinion, he’s numero uno; better than Jay-Z, Ye’, Eminem, Drake (Who took Lamar on tour and gave him his very own track on “Take Care“) Rick Ross—everyone. Granted he hasn’t spit a verse on a song with any of those artists, but by simply listening to the music Lamar has released in comparison to what the “Who’s who” of rappers are putting out, I’d definitely put my money on K.Dot to renegade any rapper breathing. The entire west coast, which is probably the most talented region in Hip-Hop right now, has already crowned him king. That’s a big deal.

Every time the Compton emcee gets on a track with another rapper, it’s like winning a round of Mortal Kombat without taking any damage—flawless victory. In 2012, K. Dot is pretty much in a league of his own.

Last week Lamar dropped “Cartoons & Cereal” and it’s just about the only thing I’ve been bumpin’ in my car. And while he definitely spit Dylan Dilinjah-esque hot fire, I’m not sure if he had the best verse. C&C also features MMG weed carrier Gunplay and, surprisingly, I think Ross’ sidekick not only held his own, but actually out-rapped Lamar.

Now I know there are a lot of people who will disagree with that opinion, but I seriously believe that Lamar came in second on his own song. This rare occurrence caused me to ask the question, “How many emcees have out-rapped Kendrick Lamar on a track?”

Let’s first start by taking a look at who HASN’T out-rapped Lamar. Busta Rhymes, Casey Veggies, Wiz Khalifa, Birdman, Gucci Mane, Murs, Ace Hood, Dom Kennedy, Mack Maine, The Game, Tech N9ne, Warren G, GLC, Consequence and XV have all fell victim to Lamar’s 16′s and are barred from this conversation.

“I’m On 2.0,” featuring eight other rappers besides Lamar (Trae Tha Truth, Big K.R.I.T., Jadakiss, J. Cole, B.O.B., Tyga, Gudda Gudda & Bun B), was released earlier this month and Lamar only had an eight-bar verse, compared to others who had 16′s. With that said, I’m not sure how much weight that track should hold.

Besides Gunplay’s shockingly dope verse on C&C and maybe (MAYBE!) a few of the emcees on the “I’m On” posse cut, the only time I’ve seen Lamar get out-rapped is when he’s on tracks with his TDE labelmates—ScHoolBoy Q and Ab-Soul (Didn’t include Jay Rock because I honestly think he’s a bum—the Memphis Bleek of TDE, even). I don’t know if it’s because they consistently rhyme with him, but Soul and Q always give Lamar a challenge when they’re all on tracks together.

Kendrick Lamar – The Spiteful Chant ft. ScHoolBoy Q

Kendrick Lamar – P&P 1.5 ft. Ab-Soul

So to answer my own question, I’d have to say three: ScHoolBoy Q, Ab-Soul and Gunplay. But what do you guys think? How many emcees have out-rapped Kendrick Lamar on a track? Now that’s a good ass question.

http://twitter.com/Mean_Joe_Green Mr. Green

Eminem featuring Kendrick would be a dreaaaaaam collabo. I don’t think he’d “Renegade” mister Mathers. But the shit would be incredible!
Macaroni

Jon Connor out-rapped Kendrick Lamar on a track before.Michigan stand up.
http://twitter.com/#!/CraigSJ CraigSJ

Agreed on ScHoolboy Q, especially on “Spiteful Chant”. Agreed on Gunplay stealing “Cartoon & Cereal”. If you ask me, Busta edged him out on the “Rigamortis” remix too.

PS. I still think Kendrick Lamar is secretly just Devin the Dude rapping as his “Zeldar” character.

http://mostlyjunkfood.com/ marc heilbrunn

i’ve Been saying that about Zeldar. Gunplay really sounded like the ghost of Brad Jordan on ‘Cartoons & Cereal’ too IMO

http://twitter.com/#!/CraigSJ CraigSJ

Brad Jordan ain’t dead! He’s… just… in jail for bucking child support… yeah… nevermind.

http://mostlyjunkfood.com/ marc heilbrunn

haha yeah i miss that voice

http://twitter.com/Catf1sh CHicks

I think the issue here isn’t who’s out-rapped Kendrick Lamar on a track, but who capable of out-rapping him has done a track with Kendrick.

“Busta Rhymes, Casey Veggies, Wiz Khalifa, Birdman, Gucci Mane, Murs, Ace Hood, Dom Kennedy, Mack Maine, The Game, Tech N9ne, Warren G, GLC, Consequence and XV have all fell victim to Lamar’s 16′s and are barred from this conversation.”All of these people were on tracks with Kendrick but did feel like anyone on this list could out-rap Kendrick? No. Not a single one of them. It’s either that people are afraid to do tracks with Kendrick, for fear of being Renegade’d, or either he’s very selective with who he does songs for. It’s one thing to collaborate with Dr. Dre and Smoke DZA, and another thing entirely to collaborate with someone such as Skyzoo.

http://mostlyjunkfood.com/ marc heilbrunn

skyzoo doesn’t get enough love

http://mostlyjunkfood.com lloyd

Right?

http://mostlyjunkfood.com/ marc heilbrunn

he’s hyper consistent and usually has great production. i saw him live once and he put on a great show. and i believe he’s sponsored by Jordan. don’t know why he isn’t embraced more

purp

na to be fair, i dont think many people could come on a track with kendrick and change their flow and rhyme scheme with such ease as k. dot. if kendrick wanted to he could change his flow 5 times on a track and body every flow. not sure if many people can really hang with dude. and the whole tde thing, i reckon kendrick just doesnt want to destroy his own boys on a track like that, even tho Q and soul are dope ass rappers in their own right
Rymega

that “old” rapper on rick ross’s triple beam dreams. you know the guy responsible for illmatic. the same dude who bodied his feature on the outro track of tha carter Iv.

rymega

i know they haven’t collaborated but i think the old timer will do his best not to be outshined by kenderick

Camwagon

Not to take anything away from Ab and Q, who are great in their own respect, but Kendrick can kill them if he wanted too. He seems like a humble guy, so he wants his boys to shine too. He can’t go ham on everything, because that just wouldn’t be fair. I do agree that Gunplay’s verse stole the show on ‘Cartoons & Cereal’ though. Very surprised too.