So the eternal battle between was right and what's righteous continues. Sadly the outcome has yet to be determined. So in that respect I can only attempt to argue my point inorder to shed light on somethings usually left out of this epic debate. Yes I said epic. Defined by both the scale and the elivated narrative of just how the Heroes came to be.
The greatest example of this would probably be Jay-Z. Sean Carter himself doesn't claim to be a rapper and yet is one of the best to ever grace the mic. Even the average listener would know his start in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, NY. His start on the mic with mentor Big L and Notorious B.I.G. The start of his empire in Roc-A-Fella Records with partner Damon Dash. His storied ability to never wrte down a lyric in the booth but spit with perfection as if he was reciting the lords prayer.
This character, this Hero if you will, represents what's good in Hip-Hop. The best is not something you wake up to, its something you strive for. The difference between Jay-Z and say a LL Cool J, is simply the honest approach. LL was the best when Kangol hats were fresh. Although he calls himself the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All-Time) his passion toward bringing newness to the mic and a true push to advance the music was lost a long time ago. With Jay, he defies what we actually think is the best. Most of us didn't think he could do better than Vol 1, but he did. Continuously developing his gift into something that's not that easy to explain.
Imagine a the Ferrari Testarosa. One of the baddest cars ever made. The penacle for about 3yrs until the F series. Then there the Lamborghinis and the Diablo. It could have stopped there but Here come the Ferrari Enzo. Beauty meets the Beast in one Super Powerful and Super Expensive car. Jay-Z is that Ferrari. Ever changing, ever influencing and ever advancing the art form.
Now if Jay is Hero then who is the Villian? To many to name. I could be typical and say Radio. Or Stereotypical and say 'The South' or even Political and say the Record Labels. But that's like blamin the steering wheel because the tru k won't open. Its the full machine of commercialism and the idea that rap music is a product that kills the credibilty of Hip-Hop music.

(I'm typing this on my Sidekick and my thumbs hurt, lol SO I'll finish this later on a Computer) . . .