Rappers Are Divided Over Recent Melle Mel Comments

After Melle Mel newly appeared on The Art of Dialogue, 50 Cent and Chuck D commented on the rapper's opinions of Kendrick Lamar and Eminem.

50 Cent and Chuck D are on opposing sides after hearing comments from Melle Mel on The Art of Dialogue. While appearing on the show, the 61-year-old gave his opinions on Billboard's 50 Greatest Rappers of All-Time list, critiquing Eminem for being placed at the No. 5 spot.

“Obviously he’s a capable rapper,” Mel said. “If you was talking about sales, he’s sold more than everybody. If you were talking about rhyme style, okay he got a rhyme style. But he’s white. He’s white!"

Mel continued, “So now if Eminem was another nigga like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list when a nigga that could rhyme just as good as him is 35? That had records and all that? He’s 35. He’s white.”

He also questioned the influence of Kendrick Lamar, as the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers rapper was placed at No. 2 on the list, behind JAY-Z.

“I don’t know what records he made like that,” Mel said. “I might know one or two of them, but I don’t think you even hear Kendrick in the club like that.”

He added, “Nobody wants to rap like Kendrick Lamar. Nobody wants to rap like Eminem. A lot of people wanted to rap, like ‘Pac and Biggie.”

Coming to Mel's defense was Public Enemy frontman Chuck D, who called Mel the "Wilt Chamberlain" of hip-hop.

Firing back in a now-deleted Instagram post was 50 Cent.

"There was more money selling dope than being in Hip Hop when Melly Mel was popping, the culture has grown so much," Fif wrote. "I am not sure if it would be what it is today with out artist like Eminem. Shit I am not sure I would be who I am with out him but you know it is competitive so nigga gonna hate."

Watch the segments from the AOD episode below.