Everyone wants Jay to go back to Reasonable Doubt, but as a man he can't. Jay-Z is not selling drugs anymore (whether that is fact or fiction is none of my concern) and has went from a Brooklyn boy who rapped to a BUSINESS. The genius of being a true artist is being able to transform yourself without losing yourself. You as an artist should be able to tell the story no matter the book you're reading from. Jay-z closed the old book and started a new one while Nas has been stuck on the same book, same chapter since Illmatic damn near. He has become stagnant as an artist. This is where Nas lost. Nas has physically and financially left those projects in Queensbridge but mentally he wants to stay there. Although he is a force in hip hop, his testimony's are no longer believable. Jay began to think globally while Nas only saw things locally, as his circumstances changed so did Jay's lyrical content.

I don't think it's a matter of who's better because these two are not the same. Nas may very well be the best NY lyricist, while Jay is the better lyricist in general. Both are deserving of the title but only one stepped up to the challenge and put the crown on his head. This is not just my opinion look at the numbers, Jay has beaten Elvis! Jay has retired and came back while Nas has almost given up on hip hop. Don't give up! come back and save it..Jay did.