As a college student, I had the absurd belief that I knew anything. Adding the fact I quickly gained the title of Urban Music Director at WTBU, I was even more confident.

The position just meant I could contact record labels for ‘free’ music. I gave doubles to DJ Snicka, who I was blessed to move into next to freshman year.

Two rooms down was Lil Mike, another DJ who was as skinny as he was boastful. Must have been that NYC upbringing…

We would talk music and the easy conversation was who’s the best. While everyone agreed that Biggie and Nas were great, they were still young.

Yes, ‘Illmatic’ has dropped and while only a few years old, we all still recognized its greatness. But we looked back to the greatness of the 80s and the origins of rap.

And with that in mind, I would refer to Rakim and KRS-1. Mike countered with LL Cool J.

It took close to 20 years, but I am man enough to admit my mistake. To quote Mr. James:

Watch your mouth, don’t ever step out of line.

LL Cool J, nigga. Greatest of all time.

It’s a boast that thousands of people have claimed; one that hundreds of rappers has spit if only to provide substance towards all thier previous claims and conquests.

But the culture, ‘the business’ and those inside the know know that there’s only a small list of people with a legitimate claim to the title of G.O.A.T.

And I’m slightly saddened to admit that Tood James has been atop this throne for longer than I would like to admit.

There are arguments to be made for which ‘style’ of rap you prefer and how one signifies success in an industry that has changed on the fly, altering with the times from radio plays and Bandstand appearances to record sales and video awareness to clicks, likes and bytes.

LL didn’t bite his style, but countless after him have followed his path whether they admit to it or not.

LL entered the game during the dominance of the DJ, yet gained fame by proclaiming the device used by both MC and DJ. He may not have been the best lyrical artist, but few deny his status during the multiple rap battles he’s engaged in.

And while some look to longevity as a factor, it’s easy to forget that while Mr. James is currently a television personality, he was relevant for a 15-year span that saw numerous changes to the industry and few changes to LL.