Peter Rosenberg Overlooks Kanye, Calls This the “Rick Ross Era”

..."Ross will hands down be the number one emcee in the game today, and there is no close second place."

If I understand what Peter Rosenberg's saying, this isn't about who the most popular rapper alive is, or the best, or the richest, or the most powerful: it's about all of them combined. In other words, when you look back on 2012, who will be the first rapper to come to mind? Who owned that year? Just like a NBA fan fan can't think about '96 without thinking about Michael Jordan, he's saying that if Ross' new album is dope, we'll all look back at this year, and maybe last too, as being Ross'.

It's a bold call, and after thinking it over Rosenberg's not crazy - you can make a strong case that rap is currently Senor Man Boobs' game. But where I have to disagree is when Rosenberg says "and there's not even a close second."

Really? Kanye's not even a close second? I beg to differ. In fact, I've got him number one over Ross. Ricky may put out more material than Ye, but no one makes a bigger impact on rap, and the broader culture, than Kanye.

Just look what happened after "Theraflu', a track that wasn't even an official single. Everyone from rap blogs to TMZ to Entertainment Weekly was talking about that song - Ross has never had that kind of coverage with one song, not even his biggest hits like 'BMF".

Beats? Ross picks great beats, Kanye makes great beats. Consistency? Do with "808s & Heartbreak" what you will - Kanye's still got multiple classic albums, does Ross even have one truly classic album? Other than perhaps when it comes to lobster bisque eating ability, Kanye's got Ross beat in every category that really matters.

As always, I expect the citizens of RefinedHype Nation to hash things out in the comments below. Have at it people....

See More: From Kanye to Drake, Debating Hip-Hop’s Most Valuable Rapper