So, just for the fun of it, we at College Times have decided to take two prominent music stars and pit them against each other in a battle, to see just who is the King or Queen on (and off) the music charts. To start us off, we’re taking a look at two of rap music’s biggest icons, Jay Z and Eminem. Each artist will score a point if they come out on top. If they score evenly the spoils will be shared, the artist who tots up the most points at the end then wins.
Top of the Charts
Both Jay Z and Eminem are prolific in the industry for not only being the biggest selling artists in rap, but two of the biggest selling artists in the world. Both were breakout artists in the 90s but just which one has ruled the charts? With 15 albums to date, Jay has notched up an impressive 12 number ones. Eminem has only released 7 studio albums and is due to release his 8th later this year. Of those albums, 5 went to number one.
Round 1: Jay Z
Super Sales
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So Jay has notched up more number one albums than Marshall, but who sells the most records? To date, Z has sold an impressive 50 million albums worldwide. However, Eminem takes the crown when it comes to sales. To date, Slim has sold double that, recording sales of over 100 million albums worldwide. He was even the top selling artist of the Noughties.
Round 2: Eminem
Rolling in Dough
With his own clothing line, shares in the Brooklyn Nets, his own label and massive record sales, it is estimated that Jay Z is worth a cool $460million. Shady has amassed most of his fortune from record sales and his record label; it is estimated that he is worth somewhere in the region of $120million. If money can by you happiness, Jay Z is laughing all the way to the bank.
Round 3: Jay Z
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Master Mentors
While both Jay and Slim Shady have both had people take them under their wing and help them to success, they have now taken over the roles as mentors and helped launch the careers of others. Jay Z is responsible for bringing to the world the talents of one Rihanna, while Eminem helped to launch the career of fellow rap star 50 Cent. Although 50 has been making the rounds since 2003, Rihanna is the real breakout star. Props to Jay.
Round 4: Jay Z
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Big Daddies
Both monster rappers also carry the title of proud papa. Jay is father to one year old daughter Blue Ivy (yeah I don’t dig the name either). Eminem has daughter Hailie and is also the adoptive father of two other girls Alaina and Whitney and is the legal guardian of his younger brother. Seems bad boy Slim has a big heart.
Round 5: Eminem
Award Success
Jay holds the honour of winning 17 Grammy Awards as well as various other awards. Eminem has managed to secure 13 Grammy wins as well as various others, however there’s one award the rapper has managed to secure that no other rap artist has, an Academy Award for Best Original Song ('Lose Yourself').
Round 6: Eminem
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Loved Up
While Eminem has had a very public on and again off again relationship with his childhood sweetheart Kim, the relationship went sour for what has been deemed the final time after their second nuptials. Since then Slim has kept his love life to a minimal and private affair. Jay on the other hand, is the envy of men around the world as he holds the honour of being Mr. Beyoncé Knowles. Yep, Jay is happily married to R&B superstar Beyoncé. Punching above your weight their Z.
Round 7: Jay Z
From the Bottom to the Top
Both Jay and Slim have climbed their way to the top through difficult upbringings Both were abandoned by their fathers and lived in areas considered to be ‘the wrong side of the tracks’. Eminem was constantly bullied throughout his youth, suffering beatings almost daily while Jay has claimed that he was shot at, at least three times in his life and sold crack cocaine as a youth to earn money. However, with their joint enthusiasm for rapping they have pulled themselves out of obscurity and into Rap superstardom, becoming two of the best in their chose genre.
Round 8: It’s a tie.
Pop the bottle of Ace, after eight rounds it’s official, Jay Z is the current King of Rap.
