Melle Mel Calls BS On Ranking Nicki Minaj Above Rakim

Melle Mel, the lead vocalist of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, recently spoke with Art Of Dialogue about Billboard's ranking of rappers. Noting that Nicki Minaj should not be placed above Rakim in their list, Melle Mel called this ranking "false."

Melle Mel is one of the founding fathers of Hip-Hop and an advocate for rappers' rights during its early stages. He also provided vocals for Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's iconic song "The Message," popular throughout their fan base.

Billboard’s Rankings

On the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, Billboard and Vibe published their respective lists of the 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time. This list caused much debate on Twitter as users took issue with who should or shouldn't be included on it. Ja Rule took to Twitter to condemn the selection in particular.

Jay-Z made the cut, but was only ranked No. 1, leading many to question its accuracy. Other rappers took to Twitter with complaints, with some asserting that Billboard and Vibe should be ashamed of their decision.

Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill and Lil' Kim made the list as well; however, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B were left off. It leaves many wondering how much more great women could have been included had these artists been given more recognition over time.

She's one of the only female rappers with a song in the top 50. Her debut album, Pink Friday, was an enormous success and earned her the title of "modern-day queen of rap."

She went on to release hits like Super Bass and Do We Have A Problem, both of which reached the top of Billboard Hot 100 charts. Additionally, her empowering single "Starships" earned her an award at MTV VMAs for being named Best Hip-Hop Song.

Her most recent project, The Pinkprint, made its debut in 2022 and went on to win Best Rap Album at the Grammy Awards - a testament to her exceptional lyrical talent and masterful use of genre-defying details.

In addition to her numerous hits, Ariana Grande has become a fixture at music festivals around the world - performing at Coachella and the Billboard Awards. She was also featured on Ariana Grande's Bang Bang which reached No. 3 on the charts and became one of the most popular dance songs of 2014.

Her other Top 10 hit, Starships, is an uptempo Eurodance song that debuted at No. 2 on the charts and became the highest-charting female rapper without a feature since 2002 when Missy Elliot scored with Work It. Additionally, Minaj and Lil Baby have drawn inspiration from her unique flow in music videos;

Melle Mel’s Response

Melle Mel, a member of the Furious Five known for his production skills, recently took time out of his busy schedule to debunk Billboard's ranking of Nicki Minaj above Rakim on their list of greatest rappers of all time. To everyone's amusement, Melle's response elicited several laughs from those present.

Melle's praise of the legendary MC may be a little overstated, but his admiration for him remains undiminished. His insight and insight have been known to translate beautifully in the studio - with consistently outstanding results.

Melle deserves recognition for his latest album, A Good Day to Be Alive. Its standout track "The Greatest" seamlessly blends classic hip-hop stylings with cutting-edge production technology to create a high-energy masterpiece that will remain on shelves for generations to come. This kind of rap album brings back childhood memories of fun times spent with friends or getting caught stealing someone's wallet at the mall. The title track is an unmistakably intense jam featuring some of today's finest drumming along with keen attention to sonic detail.

Eminem’s Placement

Billboard recently published a ranking of the greatest rappers of all time. The publication evaluated artists based on various criteria, such as commercial viability and their influence on hip-hop culture.

On the list were Eminem, Nicki Minaj and Rakim. Although Nicki Minaj doesn't make the top ten list, her career still holds impressive promise.

She has earned numerous accolades and made an indelible mark on the hip-hop community. She is widely considered one of the greatest female MCs of all time.

Nicki Minaj is renowned for her rapping abilities as well as her creative alter egos. She often dresses like Barbie and draws inspiration from her feminine image when writing songs.

Her male second self, Roman, is prominently featured in her music. Indeed, it plays a major role in her latest single "Roman's Revenge," featuring Eminem.

Royce Da 5'9" is an artist renowned for being both a great rapper and producer. He's also one of the most consistent artists in the business, consistently releasing high-quality material.

He has also made a significant impact on hip-hop culture, creating iconic songs such as "Lose Yourself," which earned it the status of being certified diamond and reached the top of charts worldwide.

His unique combination of lyricism and songwriting sets him apart, creating a sound that is instantly recognizable while also being highly entertaining onstage.

His rhyming skills are unsurpassed, and his ability to craft an impactful song is truly remarkable. With a long list of hits and chart-topping singles under his belt, it's no wonder why he ranks among the top rappers.

Melle Mel’s Final Words

Nicki Minaj is without a doubt the most desirable woman in show business, at least that's what we've been informed by multiple sources over the last several months. And she definitely has an impressive resume - some might even say she's one of the greatest female rappers ever (or at least one of the last 10). She also has her own line of patented products, from clothing to cosmetics. But she's not the first diva in hip-hop; there is an incredible diversity in this genre - but not all are created equal. Billboard has taken notice of this trend and compiled a list of the best rappers, from big daddy to little fudgiest. We won't name names in our list, but we do give each and every one a big thumbs-up! Plus? We'll announce our winners next week - stay tuned!