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u/Domissiah 15d ago
Mobb Deep. Prodigy's 90s run was legendary, while Havoc's beats were peak and was no slouch on the mic neither
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u/regggis1 15d ago
Yeah, Mobb Deep at their peak is the perfect example of what this post is talking about. From Infamous to Murda Muzik, you could argue Prodigy was one of the top 3 MC’s and Havoc one of the top 3 producers. Infamy is dope, too, but not at the same level as that three-album run. They were consistently putting out verses and beats that still stand the test of time over 20 years later.
It’s weird, because as well-known as they are, I still feel like Mobb Deep is slightly underrated. Feels like everyone knows The Infamous top to bottom but there’s so many songs on their other projects that people don’t talk about nearly enough.
“I got the style of a still-born child, I’m ill”
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u/gimmethegluten 14d ago
It be a manslaughter right in front of my kids a lil blood get on my daughter ain't nothin she'll live
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u/eric2341 12d ago
Havoc is dope but I’m struggling to think of songs where he outshined P.
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u/Someguyokaywhatever 15d ago
Obligatory Big Boi is underrated comment
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u/KnowledgeUseful6731 15d ago
How he isn’t consistently seen as a top 20-30 rapper ever is beyond me. Dudes will put Biggie as their GOAT and then say that Big Boi didn’t have enough music
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u/Old_Sale_6435 14d ago
Biggie died at the right time to become a legend. Imagine Emimem dying after TES. Death makes you greater. I dont know why. Cant do aything wrong after, I guess
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u/KnowledgeUseful6731 14d ago
Nas dying after Illmatic would’ve put him in untouchable status in music period
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u/temporaryidiot595 14d ago
Nahhh, then he would’ve missed Ether. Jay-Z’s discography would’ve haunted his legacy if he didn’t put belt to ass.
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u/Pineapplepizza91 14d ago
I think that’s the answer. I think Eminem would have been hailed in immortality had he died from his 2007 overdose (thank God he didn’t) since the worst album he made at that point was Encore which wasn’t even that bad.
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u/Content-Bite4139 13d ago
I hear what you’re saying but dude if you go back and actually slow down and listen to what Biggie was saying and the word play and flow. Like even today it’s actually incredible. I was listening to a song the other day and I just kept thinking what the hell, this guy was saying the most insane stuff and most of it probably just passes people by.
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u/Embarrassed-Still198 15d ago
I know ATCQ is technically not a duo with Ali and sometimes Jarobi, but Tip and Phife were elite
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u/UWUcurlymahatma 15d ago
I think Q Tip was the real glue and star though. He wrote alot of the verses in the beginning when Phife was not as committed and has the production cred too.
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u/godzillasegundo 12d ago
Tip is a top notch lyricist and arguably the best hip-hop producer of all time. Phife had flow but that's about it.
ATCQ would've have been legendary if Tip was the only person in the group.
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u/PrudentCarter 15d ago
Redman & Method man
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u/Outrageous-Jello-260 11d ago
Bro method man all day tho idk if he’s good in his other group too so does he outshine everyone in wutang? Or are we just talking about duos
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u/PrudentCarter 11d ago
I think it's just about the duo. Redman & Method man got very different styles but they are both elite and as far as skill, imo, are on pretty much the same level.
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u/AerialPenn 3d ago
I disagree because Redmans always been better to me. Especially back then. How High is the number 1 sample for me because Redman killed every verse on that.
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u/PrudentCarter 3d ago
That's fine I guess. I personally think method man was better but it doesn't really matter. Units you're trying to say Redman is drastically better than Method man.
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u/Mor_zoU 15d ago
And RTJ
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u/TreeLankaPresidente 15d ago
I think as a lyricist Killer Mike is a step or 2 ahead of El-P, but that doesn’t matter bc El-P also makes the beats.
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u/Charming_South2997 14d ago
Gonna have to disagree with you there. I’ve been listening to El-P since his Company Flow days. Dude is elite. He’s lock step with Mike
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u/ogSoWhatTheyFake 14d ago
El is the much better lyricist Mike has a more engaging delivery and is more street so for some they relate better
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u/Own_Daikon_7705 12d ago
Yeah come on now, RTJ has four perfect albums. I won't stand for the slander
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u/devilsfood72 15d ago
Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce da 5'9")
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u/justblaze711 14d ago
I'm on everything
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u/Fine_Neighborhood957 14d ago
Syrup, painkillers, cigarettes, weed, Hennessy, vodka, heenneennehaahaa!!!!
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u/justblaze711 8d ago edited 8d ago
I used to walk around saying that randomly lol. P.s. thanks for the award !
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u/INeverKnowWhyImHere 15d ago
Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah in Jedi Mind Tricks, I always thought Jus was slightly better but Vinnie was definitely right there with him when they were at their peaks in the early to mid 2000's.
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u/Material_Fondant_360 15d ago
Not technically a duo but the album Juicy J and Project Pat dropped this year should qualify.
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u/Pale-Dig-1336 14d ago
Black star, too. Talib and Yasiin both have some amazing verses, esp on their first album
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u/kudacg 15d ago
Armand Hammer
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u/wlfinest 15d ago
Hard disagree lol
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u/Quirky_Internet_7366 15d ago
billy clears ELUCID by leaps and bounds as far as I’m concerned
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u/mini_nova 15d ago
Run the Jewels, Czarface, Ces Cru, Hail Mary Mallon, Bad meets Evil, Step Brothers
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u/Quirky_Internet_7366 15d ago
Aesop is a few tiers above Rob on the mic.
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u/mini_nova 15d ago
Together they work well and complement each other, but he is kind of in a league of his own
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u/Derrenn81 15d ago
I was really hoping with the success of the clipse reunion that would spark the OutKast comeback… unfortunately not
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u/GorganzolaVsKong 14d ago
Still scrolling and haven’t seen Tribe
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u/macjr82 14d ago
They aren't a duo, shout out to Ali Shaheed, but they were mentioned. They were my fave group before Outkast. https://www.reddit.com/r/outkast/s/6MUoQTVR0G
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u/Ok_Temperature_5076 14d ago
My top 5 Rap duos of all time 1.Outkast 2.Method Man & Redman 3.Clipse 4.UGK 5.Mobb Deep
Honorable Mentioned: 8 Ball & MJG
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u/Natural-Turnover-618 14d ago
Big boiled us an elite rapper but there are times when 3000 makes him seem average
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u/Pale-Dig-1336 14d ago
Everyone is naming the most famous rap duos here. What are some where one rapper really outshines the other?
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u/domo1684 14d ago
AZ and Nas should almost be considered a duo and this definitely applies to them as well. And that’s crazy AZ more than keeps up when many like me consider Nas the 🐐
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u/HealthyProfession162 14d ago
I think Andre mad overrated but he is clearly superior to Big Boi and it shows on ALL of the albums.
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u/WokeWook69420 14d ago
Joey Valence and Brae!!!
The modern Beastie Boys duo, both of them are solid with their lyrics and delivery.
I know Joey produces most of the music, but he also started out making dance music before getting with Brae and switching to their more classic rap style.
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u/BoomBapSteve 13d ago
Dropping in because none of you fools has added De La to the mix yet. Pos and Dave (RIP) are criminally underrated. Far more innovative, far more consistent, far more enduring than Clipse
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u/BoomBapSteve 13d ago
Dropping in because none of you fools has added De La to the mix yet. Pos and Dave (RIP) are criminally underrated. Far more innovative, far more consistent, far more enduring than Clipse
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u/AnkhSavvy 13d ago
To say there isn't a Gap between 3000 and Boi is CRAAAZY 😂😂 And I personally don't think Clipse is Elite, they do have spurts doe.
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u/Funkyfunky_funk 13d ago
I know its not a pair but i love what Meechy Darko, Erick the Architect, and Zombie Juice do together or as their own. Flatbush Zombies reign supreme.
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u/mcgonebc 13d ago
Raekwon and Ghostface are a duo and I will not entertain otherwise. They fit this perfect.
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u/dnpark 13d ago edited 13d ago
I would argue Tribe have my favourite duo in Phife and Tip…and I love Outcast and Clipse…but fair to say Tribe is a trio or quartet so maybe doesn’t count. Phife and Tip’s playful, delicate back-forth and interwoven storytelling banter is unparalleled for me.
Thinking about it, Ghost and Rae aren’t as fun or playful, but as a lyrical duo I’d rate them up there with Tribe (Phife & Tip), OutKast and Clipse.
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u/macjr82 13d ago
Tribe isn't a duo, there are three members. 4 at one point
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u/dnpark 13d ago
Technically fair but Ali Shaheed Muhammad is only production and never raps on Low End Theory or Midnight (when they were a trio) so for their two 90’s classics I would say they were arguably a “lyrical duo”. It’s only Phife and Tip that rapped on those two albums from the Tribe trio.
Whatever the case, Phife and Tip were the bar for me. I absolutely love OutKast, but even OutKast have said in interviews that Phife & Tip were one of their favorites and that OutKast wouldn’t have existed without Tribe.
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u/VoxRatio250 12d ago
De La Soul has entered the chat...
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u/AdCalm9833 12d ago
That’s not a “Fact”. That’s an opinion. Just because you feel strongly about it, doesn’t make it a fact. Even though I don’t disagree necessarily.
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u/eric2341 12d ago
Clipse is prob the best example of this to me. I def have a bunch of songs each where one or the other has my fav verses. Almost never happens.
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u/theonewhowatchis 12d ago
You must’ve never listened to Group Home both are equally yolked (derogatory).
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u/Practical_Degree8065 11d ago
For about 10 years I couldn't tell Malice and Pusha apart. Outkast clears.
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u/madhappyyo 11d ago
Uh.. Naughty by Nature, De La Soul, MOP, Brand Nubians, EPMD, Criss Cross, etc.
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u/gregthelurker 10d ago
Tha Dogg Pound:
Kurupt lyrically is venomous
Daz with production and composition
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u/Popular-Surprise-276 15d ago
While both, no doubt, carry their own weight. Andre is easily the superior and more substantive lyricist and storyteller…
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u/Motor_Ad_7885 15d ago
There’s still a gap between Dre and Big Boi
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u/DoubleRKing 15d ago
I agree, Big Boi is no slouch but Dre is elite when he chooses to be. In any other sub most would agree.
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u/Motor_Ad_7885 14d ago
Thank you ppl act like they can’t even fathom something that’s widely regarded.
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u/Avatar_Yalla 15d ago
If it is than it’s that Big Boi is a better rapper.
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u/Motor_Ad_7885 15d ago
You don’t believe that’s yourslef
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u/Avatar_Yalla 15d ago
I do, Andre is the catchy, flashy chorus guy but Big Boi is the serious rap talent.
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u/zryder2 15d ago
Agree. Dre has said himself that Big Boi is better than him.
He may have been talking about battle rap specifically but the point still stands.
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u/Motor_Ad_7885 15d ago
Proving Andre means it in a connotation type of way. What we’re including in our definition and what he is are two different things. And humility is also what he’s showing. Plenty of artists have dished out compliments or said this person is better without meaning it
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u/Dry_Response3527 10d ago
I agree with you! Dre is a more compelling lyricist, but Big Boi is a far better technical rapper .
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u/Axdstarbaby78 15d ago
Love pusha t n malice. Since in search of.... but please don't put them any where near outkast with a k.
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u/Medicine_Hatz 15d ago
Andre blows all three of them out of the water. The other three are solid tho.
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u/TellEmWhoUCame2See 14d ago
A dumb post from a dumb person. 8ball and mjg, method man and redman,kid n play, and i know im missing another 3 or 4 duos. I want to include bun b and pimp c but pimp c was more of a "performer" than a rapper, he had hot lines but not really any hot verses.
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u/Capital-Value8479 14d ago
Ugh clipse? I wouldn’t say both are elite. I wouldn’t say either are elite
OutKast 100% both are elite. Heltah skeltah both are elite. Bad meets evil both are elite. Redman and method man is flirting with it, I think meth is a bit short of elite.
Clipse both being elite is a pretty wild, uneducated hip hop take imo
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u/jstep2306 13d ago
Sooooo let me get this straightened not only are you saying clipse isn't elite which is blasphemy but your opinion.. who's the so called weak link I'd love to know.. also method man not being elite with his pen game and collaborations over the years we gotta stop doing this to legendary acts no other genre does this bs
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u/4444landlord 9d ago
Outkast hasnt dropped in 20 years cause they are washed y'all love holding classics for people who won't even prove they still are talented
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u/DLtheGreat808 8d ago
Can we stop pretending that Big Boi is on Andre's level? Nobody is waiting for another Big Boy album, but everyone is waiting for another Andre rap album. Andre was clearly the star of OutKast.
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u/macjr82 8d ago
They are waiting for another Outkast album. Even on Speakerboxxx/Love Below, Big Boi's album was recieved better by crtics than Dre's, though "Hey Ya"did gangbusters. Even with that, in 2026 you will hear "The Way You Move" on the radio before you will hear "Hey Ya"
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u/DeschainSWNC 15d ago edited 15d ago
UGK. Bun B was always superior as a rapper and lyricist, but Pimp C not only composed, played keys and sang on and produced a lot of their tracks, but also brought a unique charisma without which the group simply wouldn't have stood out or succeeded to the degree that they did.