Big Gipp Says "Eminem Made Jay-Z Cooler" After "Renegade"

BYAron A.Published on July 26, 2023811 Views

Jay-Z And Eminem Perform And Launch "DJ Hero" - Show

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 01: Rappers Jay-Z and Eminem perform together on-stage at the launch of 'DJ Hero' at the Wiltern Theatre on June 1, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)

Big Gipp gives Eminem his flowers for his verse on "Renegade."

Big Gipp’s provided a number of hot takes in recent times but his latest has the Internet talking about the legacies of two GOATs. When we discuss the greatest rappers of all time, Eminem and Jay-Z have secured their place on the list. However, their 2001 collaboration, “Renegade” has created a specific dialogue surrounding who is the better MC. It’s no secret that many feel as though Jay got washed on the record but according to Big Gipp, Em’s appearance on the record boosted Hov’s cool factor.

During an interview with The Art Of Dialogue, Gipp professed his admiration for Jay-Z but he gave Eminem his dues for his efforts on “Renegade.”Hey man, Eminem,” Gipp said after he was asked about who had the better verse on the song. “And I f*ck with Jay-Z. Jay-Z one of the best, top 5. Solo rappers, top 5, but Eminem at that time was a f*cking monster. He was eating everybody that stood next to him. What you’re gonna say, and what most people are gonna say is, ‘Well I identify more with what JAY-Z said because that’s my life and that’s where I came from and that’s my background.'”

Eminem Made Jay-Z Cool?

Ultimately, Gipp said that Eminem had the advantage overall because of his reach to places in Middle America. As a result, he helped Jay-Z gain a new legion of fans. “If you was to put the same light on Em, he’d really represent it, his community same as Jay represented his community at the time of them doing that record. But as far as influence? S**t, to me Em came out as being as great, or even a better rapper then Jay. Technically, on that record…I think he took JAY-Z into households JAY-Z wasn’t in at that time. He made Jay-Z cooler, no way Jay-Z made him cooler.”

Jay-Z’s overall influence is impossible to deny, especially considering his business acumen and behind-the-scenes efforts. However, Eminem’s verse on “Renegade” continues to have the same impact now as it did in the past. In fact, Jay-Z even admitted on 2009’s “A Star Is Born” that Eminem delivered a stellar performance on their collab. “The white boy blossomed after Dre endorsed him/ His flow on "Renegade,” f*cking awesome/ Applaud him,” Jay raps.

About The Author

Aron A.

Aron A. is a features editor for HotNewHipHop. Beginning his tenure at HotNewHipHop in July 2017, he has comprehensively documented the biggest stories in the culture over the past few years. Throughout his time, Aron’s helped introduce a number of buzzing up-and-coming artists to our audience, identifying regional trends and highlighting hip-hop from across the globe. As a Canadian-based music journalist, he has also made a concerted effort to put spotlights on artists hailing from North of the border as part of Rise & Grind, the weekly interview series that he created and launched in 2021. Aron also broke a number of stories through his extensive interviews with beloved figures in the culture. These include industry vets (Quality Control co-founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee, Wayno Clark), definitive producers (DJ Paul, Hit-Boy, Zaytoven), cultural disruptors (Soulja Boy), lyrical heavyweights (Pusha T, Styles P, Danny Brown), cultural pioneers (Dapper Dan, Big Daddy Kane), and the next generation of stars (Lil Durk, Latto, Fivio Foreign, Denzel Curry). Aron also penned cover stories with the likes of Rick Ross, Central Cee, Moneybagg Yo, Vince Staples, and Bobby Shmurda.