The 5'0"-er is leagues ahead of Tip in the lyrics department for me. No one in the commercial "backpacker/indie/jazz hop" scene of the late 80's-early 90's can come close to Phifer.

Choosing between Phife and Q-Tip would be hard for me. I really don't like Q-Tip's solo music, but he ruled ATCQ.

RE the matter at hand, I really hate voting against Big Daddy Kane because he's more of a pioneer, has a cooler voice and has continued to do good work since his heyday (here's one example):



But still, Q-Tip wins.

Q-Tip: 7
Big Daddy Kane: 0 :(

I know oojay went with BDK

That's 1 for BDK and 8 or so for Q-Tip

Q-Tip blazes it. Next tie will see a forum favourite do battle with a former band member turned tax evader. Don't miss it.

MF DOOM

MF DOOM: Before some smartass says actually his name's just 'doom' now, I know. He will forever retain that MF to me.
Alike Slick Rick, MF was born in England before applying his trade in the US.
Doom was a significant figure in underground hip-hop for several years before making his name in many collaboarative efforts including DangerDoom (With producer Dangermouse of Gnarles Barkley fame) and Madvillian (With Madlib)
He's released 6 studio albums as well as a hell of a lot of mixtapes and collaborative efforts under a variety of different gimmicks.
He's largely recognized by those in the know as one of the finest MC's of the current generation.

Lauryn Hill: Starting her rapping career as part of the popular group The Fugees gaining worldwide acclaim after second album The Score went multi platinum launching her career.
Her first solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill reached unprecedented popularity sparking a wide range of awards and later controversy of it was claimed Lauryn Hill had said 'she would rather her kids starve than white people buy her records'
Hill has maintained popularity regardless of which pursuit she were to take up and has provided an influence for many artists in the neo-soul movement who cite Hill as the main reason for many of them getting into music.

Lauryn Hill is kind of boring. Doom is kind of amazing.

Hill: 0
Doom: 2

Jans, all caps when you spell the man's name... :D

Hill: 0
DOOM: 3

doom by a longshot. I was never a big fan of the Fugees honestly and Lauren Hill.

doom 4
Hill 0