Rap Game Allen Iverson: Lil Wayne Posted by Lucas G. on 11/04/13 | Filed under Opinion, Lil Wayne, Rap Game, Allen Iverson

We meant to get to this last week, but Eminem kinda sorta totally took over the interwebs with "MMLP2". What was lost last week was the news that Allen Iverson is officially retiring. Now, most of us would have guessed the retirement presser would have come about two ears ago considering, you know, he hasn’t played since 2011, but I guess when you are Allen fucking Iverson you can do whatever you want. Now that all hopes of an A.I. comeback have been officially squashed, it's time to pay tribute to him in the only way we know; with a Rap Game Allen Iverson piece. So let's get to it...

First, let's discuss A.I. in all his glory. The number one pick out of Georgetown, Iverson went on to become Rookie Of The Year, a twelve time all-star, and an MVP twice. Oh yeah he also won the scoring title four times (three of them in a row). Looking at his dimensions, 6 feet and 165 pounds, the unknowing eye would guess that A.I was a spot shooter, but when you watch him play he plays like the biggest guy on the court. With ridiculous handles and lightening quick speed, Iverson loved to drive.  He was fearless when slicing through the lane, throwing his body around often facing much bigger, stronger players; he had no trouble sacrificing his body in order to create space or draw a foul. He might not have been the biggest, but he was definitely the most fearless. While he definitely earned it, sadly, Iverson never won a championship, and with off the court press conferences (do I even need to link this) and a brash attitude he was a polarizing figure if ever there was one. Say what you want about him - he might not be your favorite person - but on the court, his talent was undeniable. So just who is the rap game Iverson?

Lil Wayne, of course. I know some of you are probably about to mash that “x-button” at the top of the screen, or are firing up your best hate for the comments, but just the fact that you probably doubt this pick is the best argument for Wayne. Recently, Wayne has been no stranger to criticism. From a rock album to the American Flag ordeal, Wayne’s best work has been overshadowed by controversy. Like Iverson, the controversies get talked about much more than what he can do or has done. 

There is no question he has slipped these past few years, but there was a time when Wayne was the most dominant emcee in the game; everything he touched blew up. He labeled himself the “best rapper alive” and while your gut told you that he wasn’t, you would be hard pressed to find evidence to the contrary. Never really earning the respect of hip-hop heads was like Iverson never winning a championship. He was deserving and definitely had the talent, but for one reason or another, it never worked out and he never reached that goal. To those who can put aside all the bullshit and look at the proof, these two underdogs are some of the best of their time. But the majority of people remember the bad and irreverent things over the good, which is where you really need to look to see just how good both were. Love em or hate em, you have to respect Weezy and Iverson for what they did in their crafts.

Stylistically, they are similar too. A.I was speedy, fluid, flashy, and had moves on top of moves. Weezy is the exact same way on the mic. Without warning, Weezy can switch up his flow, his tempo, or his voice in order to make the line hit, but it doesn’t seem choppy or forced. His slick flow is like Iverson in the paint. He will drive, change directions and put up an absurd shot, but it works because it seems so fluid and natural.  Also, there is a similar flare about them; which the youngins might call swag. Their nobody-can-stop-me swag was a big reason why both were so good. Weezy would rap to prove he was the best rapper alive just how Iverson would play to show he was stronger than anyone else out there. In the end it was their confidence that drove them to greatness. Put al the bullshit aside and listen to Weezy on "Go DJ", the dude can straight up spit.

So there you have it, in what is sure to be the highlight of Allen Iverson’s career, he has now been the subject of a RefinedHype piece been compared to Lil Wayne. I didn’t know exactly if it would fit, but now that it is all said, and done I think the comparison is pretty spot.

What do you think RefinedHype Nation?

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