Best ATL Rapper? (East Point, Canton, Sparks: living, gangs, move)

[south-to-west]

TI is the hottest right now...

...but the godfathers of Atlanta's hip hop scene are Outkast! They put Atlanta on the map and have shown so much versatility with their music. By far one of the greatest rap groups of all time.

[itpgardengal]

I'm gonna have to go with Big Boi and Andre'! I guess I'm old school!

[Derrick_TheRiskTaker]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Why wasn't there a choice for, "I don't think Rap is music"?

Then there would have to be a choice for "I don't think country, metal, or rock 'n roll is music....

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Derrick_TheRiskTaker

Then there would have to be a choice for "I don't think country, metal, or rock 'n roll is music....

Hey, that's fine.

[kelabu]

No one else on the list has even been around as long as Outkast. How can they compare? I like TI, but let's see if he's still around in 10 years. Let's see...the Bounce is about as far back as he goes, remember that?
and Ludacris I can't take 'Chris Lova Lova seriously. Come on, college educated 'rappers' should be held to a higher standard. He knows better, and is just using the cloak of ignorance to mask his greed. To my knowledge real thugs don't go to college and should be able to come up with better songs than 'move b****' and 'hoes in different area codes'. Hmph, only person who's worse is Diddy.
Outkast represents what hip-hop started as....a creative outlet for social commentary and black people's plight in America. Has TI made anything remotely close to that original sound either?

[Glitterific]

Wow I can't believe everyone didn't vote for Outkast. Don't let who's hot right now cloud your judgement.

[atlantamoi]

Outkast, no contest. I despise most of the degrading crap that rises to the top of the charts.

[Derrick_TheRiskTaker]

I agree that Outkast has made their imprint on hip hip culture. They have crossed cultural lines and brought to the forefront some great things especially for our imagination. However, T.I., has brought two sides of this hip hop culture to the forefront; the gangster, crazy silliness, and the hip hop version of a southern gentleman. Now, to some degree Diddy (although he is not from Atlanta) has given us the businessman and the so-called wannabe gangsta appeal, now thats where the fake gangster lies...

[atlantamoi]

Originally Posted by Derrick_TheRiskTaker

now thats where the fake gangster lies...

You prefer a real gangster instead of a fake gangster? Honestly, how did street cred of being a criminal ever become something to emulate?

[Derrick_TheRiskTaker]

Originally Posted by atlantamoi

You prefer a real gangster instead of a fake gangster? Honestly, how did street cred of being a criminal ever become something to emulate?

You have taken my point out of context. What I am meant is that Diddy and Ludacris are both educated and yet Diddy conveys and tries to come off as though he's a gangsta or something to that effect. But in reality and looking at their backgrounds (beyond the Vibe and Source magazine crap) they are just some good actors. I do not condone any affiliation or emulation of criminals or criminal behavior under any circumstances nor should we consider these rappers as role models or examples to our children. However, some rappers has set a little better tone for the hip hop genre (Kanye West, Common, Busta Rhymes, Outkast, LL Cool J). Unfortunately many youth can not, do not, and will not distinguish the difference between acting, exploitation and lies.