Juvenile Asserts ‘400 Degreez’ Outperformed Jay-Z and Nas in Album Sales
The debate over who holds the title of the greatest rapper of all time has been a defining aspect of hip-hop culture since the 1980s.
This ongoing conversation encompasses various criteria, including lyrics, influence, innovation, and significant album sales.
Recently, Juvenile has entered the fray by asserting that the impressive sales of his iconic 1998 album "400 Degreez" place him ahead of legendary figures like Jay-Z and Nas.
In a candid interview, Juvenile articulated his views on the common comparisons between Southern rappers and their East Coast counterparts, suggesting that Southern hip-hop often receives less recognition for its commercial success. "A hit is a hit," he remarked.
"You don’t have to be the best rapper. Some of the best rappers… can’t make a hit. That s**t don’t mean nothing. The best rapper in the world don’t mean nothing if you ain’t got no f***ing hits. N***as always talk about 'Man, Nas, da da da, Jay-Z…' Okay, who sold the most records? I think that’s what counts, right?"
Juvenile Believes His Solo Album Sales Are Superior to JAY-Z and Nas:
Juvenile challenged listeners to look at the numbers rather than just titles.
"Yeah, let’s not go off the – let’s just do numbers, Know what I’m saying? Yeah. Let’s see who sold the most records on each solo album. Numbers don’t lie, man. Pick your best Nas album. Pick your best Jay-Z album, right? Yeah. And I’m going to take [400 Degreez] and you tell me who sold the most on a solo album. I’m taking 400."
His album "400 Degreez" has sold over six million copies as of 2021 and earned a quadruple platinum certification in 2000.
In contrast, Nas' best-selling album, "It Was Written", has approximately three million units sold, while Jay-Z’s top seller, "Hard Knock Life Vol. 2", matches "400 Degreez" with six million units.
Juvenile makes a compelling argument, but the discussion becomes more nuanced when evaluating overall discography sales or comparing top singles from different artists.
While "400 Degreez" certainly had a massive impact on the hip-hop landscape, the broader context of each artist's entire body of work adds layers to the conversation about greatness in rap.
As the culture continues to evolve, debates like these reflect the diverse values within the hip-hop community.
Whether measured by lyrics, influence, or sales, the search for the best rapper remains an enduring aspect of the genre's legacy.