Ice Cube & Ja Rule are Not Fans of Billboard’s Top 50 Rappers List
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Ice Cube and Ja Rule reacted harshly to Billboard and VIBE’s Top 50 rappers list, which including JAY-Z, Nas and more.
Ice Cube and Ja Rule had some words for Billboard and VIBE after their Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All-Time list released earlier this week. Cube, who recently released Snoop Cube 40 $hort as part of Mount Westmore, was listed at #18, but was seemingly unimpressed with his placement. The 53-year-old spoke to TMZ on Friday (February 10) while at LAX.
“I don’t fuck with Billboard or the editor,” Cube told TMZ. When asked about being placed at #18, Cube responded, “Billboard ain’t hip-hop, so their opinion don’t matter. So who gives a fuck?”
While Mount Westmore members Snoop Dogg, E-40 were also on the list at #9 and #41, respectively, Too $hort was not mentioned. Reacting to the snub, Cube said, “It’s an irrelevant list. It’s like assholes; everyone got one and they all stink.”
Completely left off Billboard and VIBE‘s list was Ja Rule, who clapped back on Twitter.
There ain’t 50 rappers dead, alive or waiting to be born better than me… #ICONN #Vibes @billboard congrats to everyone on the list well deserved but check my resume… #ICONN #Vibes
— Ja Rule (@jarule) February 9, 2023
In compiling the list – which also celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop – Billboard and VIBE considered body of work and achievements, along with charted singles and albums, gold and platinum certifications, cultural impact, longevity, lyrics and flow. Rounding out the top ten were JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, 2Pac, Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G., Lil Wayne, Drake, Snoop Dogg and Nicki Minaj.
“In determining these rankings, the Billboard and Vibe editorial teams opted first to limit the rap arena to North America,” read the article’s opener. “So for example, as estimable as his career is, British rapper Slick Rick isn’t on this list. We also opted not to include the significant contributions of reggaetón and dancehall MCs on this list, just to keep our pool of nominees a little more focused.”
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