^ im talking about commercially, you cant count someone u dont know whos "somewhere out there" as the best... and just cos lots of people like eminem doesnt mean hes "weak"... dude, thats like saying any popular MC sucks becoz lots of people like their music.. and thats fucked up. I wouldve said Nas is the best if he continued the way illmatic was going, but his albums after that (with the exception of It Was Written & Stillmatic) havent even come close to illmatic and some of his early spark was lost... i still think hes ONE OF THE BEST but not THE BEST...

ps. I didnt count the lost tapes cos i think those songs were recorded during the illmatic days (i think)

as for jayz, you gotta admit, this guy has a crazy flow and hes a pretty good lyricist. But he couldnt take eminem on lyrically or in a battle. hes still top stuff tho

so i stand by this: the top 3 living MC's are:
Eminem
Nas
Jay-Z

..peace