We unpack why Nas is easily Top 3 dead or alive, not just because of Illmatic, but because he dropped three full albums in 2023 that prove he's still one of the most consistent lyricists ever.

Then we rewind to his early alliance with Dr. Dre on The Firm—a pivotal cross-coastal moment that united New York grit and West Coast polish.

From there, we pay respect to legends like Rah Digga and Xzibit, breaking down that iconic 8 Mile “lunch truck freestyle”, and discussing how raw, underground MCs shaped mainstream rap.

We also dig into a key cultural question: Was Lady of Rage to Snoop Dogg what Lil’ Kim was to Biggie? And how does Nicki Minaj fit into that legacy, especially given her rocky relationship with Kim—despite clearly pulling from her blueprint?

To top it off, we break down Billboard’s Top 25 Female Rappers of All Time, released April 7, 2025. We get into who made the cut, who got snubbed, and what the list says about women’s rise in the game.

And we can’t ignore Snoop’s 2025 glow-up: running Death Row Records like a mogul, still putting out music with the Dogg Pound, and being called “Earth’s Gentleman.” This transformation wouldn’t be complete without recognizing Master P, who helped Snoop escape Death Row’s darkest days and taught him the game.

🎤 This episode blends nostalgia, analysis, and respect for the art. If you love the culture—from dusty cassette freestyles to Billboard drama in 2025—you’ll want to hit play.

🔍 Keywords: Nas Top 3 Emcees, 90s hip hop legends, Nas and Dr. Dre The Firm, Rah Digga freestyle 8 Mile, Xzibit freestyles, Lady of Rage vs Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj Lil Kim comparison, Billboard top female rappers 2025, Dogg Pound in 2025, Snoop Dogg Death Row, Snoop Master P history, Hip hop culture 2025, Old school rap meets new school, Nicki Minaj influence, Golden era rap...

🔖 Hashtags: #NasTop3 #90sHipHop #NickiVsKim #SnoopDogg2025 #HipHopLegends #TheFirmAlbum #BillboardRappers2025 #FemaleRappers #DeathRowRecords #GoldenEraRap