The race was always focused between Kendrick and Drake and J.Cole was always seen as being in the bronze position and was mostly put in the conversation because he had the numbers and the fanbase to back up his position in the Top 3 up; but now I think it is quite clear that he is the best rapper of the Big 3 based on rapping ability. His feature run alone establishes his position not even considering the rap masterclass that is The Off Season. Kendrick is definitely coming in second but he simply isn’t rapping with the same hunger and intensity as Cole and his output just isn’t there. And Kendrick’s previous feature run doesn’t compare to Cole’s run which has been longer and more impactful. In terms of Drake, he is switching genres and can be put out of the conversation for now as he isn’t really rapping meanwhile Cole rapping like he trying to get a record deal still.
Let’s discuss.
“Back on top, punchin' the clock, clutchin' sanity
I got more cribs than Habitat for Humanity
S*** profound, we propagating more profanity
Paid off collections from recollections of calamity
The s*** pop off, I learned to duck under the canopy”
that’s BARS right there they do not understand

Amazing
Agreed.
Cole and Kendrick definitely can be swapped between the top 2 positions but ATM Cole seems to have the edge.
Kendrick = All Time Great
Cole = Great for this era ( which isn't saying much )
Then there's.... Aubrey
One of the best songs this year, but rapping ability idk?
Flow is like butter and how Future is storytelling is elite, he’s so great at that. It overcomes the lack of bars. Bars/punchlines is not everything when it comes to rapping ability.
the hunger on applying pressure is nuts
Uh, applying pressure
Started my grind where crime festers
And nines showing like they in they second trimesters
That's why when niggas throw a shot or two online
I pay no mind to their benign gestures

They’re all at minimum good and at their best great rappers. I can’t respect the opinion of someone who says otherwise
This too
site full of white teenagers and niggas who dont go outside but the real world would agree op
They’re the last rap superstars we’ll see with that in them and not enough people are acknowledging how sad that is
No they aren't. Another will rise, the real always shines in the end. That mf might be on this site whole time
I still wish that Cole would've put "Lion King On Ice" on The Off-Season. I don't know why he left it off. That song was dope.
They’re the last rap superstars we’ll see with that in them and not enough people are acknowledging how sad that is
i got more faith in hip hop than that
Flow is like butter and how Future is storytelling is elite, he’s so great at that. It overcomes the lack of bars. Bars/punchlines is not everything when it comes to rapping ability.
I feel that, melodically he on a different level too, I just feel like he ain't on their level when it comes to technical rapping. Musically he on their level fs tho.
Drake outraps cole by a mile not to talk of kendrick
Laughably stupid thread
Cole massively improved and is now like an A tier lyricist but drake and kendrick are at ground breaking territory as far as technical rapping they’re more interested in creating new flows now than anything cus everything else is easy for them
He the nicest of the 3 rn I’ll definitely buy that but his content still lacking in comparison to the other two for me
Like…I can acknowledge the skill on a strictly technical level rap wise but the s*** he rap about really don’t connect with me on a personal level like Kendrick and Drakes music does
They all worthy of the Big 3 for different reasons imo, checks and balances