Tom Swoope Events

09/03/2026

Inspectah Deck has the greatest verse in Hip-Hop history. I said what I said.

“Triumph.” No hook. Nine of the greatest MCs alive on one record, and the man they put FIRST is the one who set a bar nobody else on the song could reach. That’s not my opinion — that’s a room full of geniuses telling you who was best that day. Inspectah Deck

But #2 through #15? That’s where the fight starts. And I’m not just naming these, I’m defending them:

André on “Elevators” — turned a verse into a therapy session about fame before anybody was brave enough to do that. André Lauren Benjamin

Eminem on “Renegade” — he was a GUEST on a Jay-Z album and walked out with the house keys. That’s all that needs to be said. Marshall Mathers

Pac on “Pain” — no punchlines, no wordplay games. Just pain. Nobody else makes you FEEL a verse like that. Tupac Shakur

Prodigy on “Shook Ones Pt. II” — most quoted, most sampled, most feared 16 bars New York ever produced. 30 years later it still hasn’t aged a day. Prodigy

Jay on “Can I Live” — he rapped a business plan and made it sound like scripture. Hustler’s ambition turned into literature. jayz

Biggie on “What’s Beef?” — storytelling menace, and he made it sound EASY. That’s the part nobody’s ever been able to copy. The Notorious B.I.G.

Jadakiss on “Show Discipline” — bar for bar one of the most complete verses ever recorded. Kiss don’t miss. JADAKISS

And before y’all start yelling — YES, I know somebody got left off. That’s the whole point. 😂

ONE IN. ONE OUT. Who are you adding and who has to GO?

Drop your list in the comments and send this to that one friend who thinks they know more about Hip-Hop than everybody else.

Want to argue about this in person? That’s literally the show. 🎤
📲 Text “Hey Tom” to 216-284-3444
🌐 www.tomswoopeevents.com

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09/01/2026

KANYE IS #1. And yes, I said what I said. 😂

My 15 Greatest Hip-Hop Producers of All Time - based on impact, innovation, consistency, influence and legacy.

Ye changed his production style multiple times and STILL influenced generations behind him. Dre is the blueprint. Premier is hip-hop purity. The Neptunes made weird sound mainstream. RZA built an entire universe. Timbaland made drums nobody else would’ve even thought to use.

And I made sure some producers who don’t always get their proper respect got seats at the table: DJ Quik at #10, Mannie Fresh at #11 and Daz Dillinger at #14.

Then look at the honorable mentions: 9th Wonder, Q-Tip, Havoc, Alchemist, Hit-Boy, Madlib, Jermaine Dupri, Swizz, Lil Jon, Zaytoven, DJ Paul & Juicy J…

So don’t just tell me the list is trash. 😂

ONE IN. ONE OUT.

If Kanye ain’t #1, tell me who is - and make your case.

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08/31/2026

Joe Budden read my list on his show this morning. 😳

I said what I said. The 15 Most Overrated Singers In R&B History — and apparently it made it all the way to JBN x JBP and JoeBuddenPodcast. Appreciate the love, Joe.

Now… I already know the Beyhive is loading up in my comments. 🐝 Take it up with the list, not me. I’m just a man with opinions and a microphone.

Full list is on my page. And when you’re done arguing about that one, I got a few more up there that’ll ruin your whole afternoon. 👀

Which one did I get wrong? Tell me in the comments — respectfully. 😂

Text “Hey Tom” to 216-284-3444 for everything I’ve got coming.
🎟️ www.hiphopandrnbbingo.com

08/30/2026

The real test of a great songwriter? Can you write a HIT for somebody besides yourself?

My 15 Greatest R&B Songwriters — with extra weight on writing classics for OTHER artists.

Kenny Edmonds at #1. in the 15. Legends like Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Raphael Saadiq and Bryan-Michael Cox sitting in honorable mentions. 👀

Who needs to move UP — and who has to come OUT? Tag somebody on this list and let them defend themselves! 😂

RnB

08/30/2026

THE 10 GREATEST R&B PRODUCERS OF ALL TIME.

And READ THE FINE PRINT before you start typing: PRODUCTION CREDITS ONLY. NOT SONGWRITING.

1. Quincy Jones - Michael Jackson, Brothers Johnson, James Ingram, Patti Austin. The blueprint. #1 until somebody gives me a reason he shouldn’t be.
2. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis - Janet Jackson, Alexander O’Neal, Cherrelle, New Edition, Usher. They didn’t just produce hits - they helped change what R&B sounded like.
3. Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff - O’Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, Billy Paul, Lou Rawls. Philly Soul is basically an entire argument for putting them #1.
4. Babyface Kenny Edmonds - Toni Braxton, Bobby Brown, Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston, TLC, Tevin Campbell. At one point this man damn near had custody of R&B. 😂
5. Teddy Riley Teddy Riley - Guy, Keith Sweat, Blackstreet, Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson. You cannot tell the story of New Jack Swing without Teddy.
6. Norman Whitfield - The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Edwin Starr, Rose Royce. He was pushing the boundaries of R&B production before most of our favorites touched a console.
7. Thom Bell - Stylistics, Delfonics, Spinners, O’Jays. Those lush strings and sophisticated arrangements helped define an era.
8. Timbaland Timbo the King - Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Missy Elliott and more. Timbaland had R&B drums sounding like they arrived from 20 years in the future. 😂
9. Holland-Dozier-Holland - Supremes, Four Tops, Martha & the Vandellas, Isley Brothers. Motown absolutely counts in this conversation. Tom Swoope Events Tom Swoope

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10. Leon Sylvers III - Shalamar, The Whispers, Lakeside, Dynasty, Midnight Star, Evelyn “Champagne” King. Before you tell me he doesn’t belong, GO LOOK AT THE CREDITS. Then come back. 😂

08/29/2026

08/27/2026

Alright... this one took some WORK. 😂
MY 50 GREATEST R&B SONGS OF ALL TIME.
And before y’all start cussing me out, understand the assignment.
This ain’t just about which song sold the most records.
I’m looking at:
Cultural impact.
Timelessness.
Vocal performance.
Songwriting.
Influence on R&B.
And most importantly - how deeply that record lives in Black culture.
That’s why “Before I Let Go” is sitting at #5. You can play that song at a cookout, wedding, family reunion, repast, somebody’s 50th birthday or an event where nobody even knows why we’re gathered - and Black people know EXACTLY what to do. 😂
And YES, I put Troop - “I Will Always Love You” on there. Y’all ALWAYS forget that damn record, and I’m tired of it.
R. Kelly is on the list because we’re ranking the music and its R&B legacy. Period.
Now here’s how we’re arguing:
Don’t tell me, “This list is trash.”
That’s lazy. 😂
Tell me ONE song I ranked too high, ONE I ranked too low, and ONE song I completely left off.
And if you’re really about your R&B...
DROP YOUR TOP 5.
I already know I’m about to get cooked. 😂
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08/26/2026

I already know some of y’all are gonna be MAD before you even finish reading the list. 😂

THE 15 MOST OVERRATED SINGERS IN R&B HISTORY.

Now READ before you start typing…

OVERRATED DOES NOT MEAN BAD.

I’m not saying these artists don’t have hits. I’m not saying they aren’t talented. I’m not questioning their careers, influence, songwriting, dancing or ability to make great records.

I’m talking about THE VOICE.

Does the reputation of the vocalist actually match the vocal instrument?

Control.
Range.
Agility.
Pitch.
Consistency.
Live performance.
Emotional delivery.

That’s the conversation.

And YES… I put Beyoncé at #1. 😂

The BeyHive can meet me in the comments.

Chris Brown fans… y’all right behind them.

And Alicia Keys fans, don’t start playing “If I Ain’t Got You” like that’s gonna change my mind. 😂

Here’s the rule:

Don’t just yell “YOU’RE CRAZY!”

Tell me WHO you’re removing, WHO you’re adding, and WHERE they should rank.

Now let’s argue like grown folks.

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Overrated

08/25/2026

NEW YORK, YOU’RE UP.
Same rules. This is NOT just “who had the most hits?” I’m ranking R&B LEGACY.
Influence over sales.
Peak impact matters.
Catalog matters.
Innovation matters.
Songwriting and production matter.
What you changed matters.
Who came behind you matters.
And to qualify, you had to be born/raised in New York OR your group had to be formed in New York. Soul and funk are part of the R&B family, too.
Now... New York made this WAY harder than Ohio. 😂
Luther.
Mary.
Mariah.
Alicia.
Keith.
Stephanie.
Freddie.
Mtume.
Chic.
Ashford & Simpson.
Cameo.
Guy.
Atlantic Starr.
You start digging into what New York contributed to R&B and realize QUICKLY that ten spots ain’t enough.
But Luther Vandross at #1?
I’m sleeping GOOD tonight. 😂
Now argue with the rest.
But we’re keeping the same rule from the Ohio post:
Don’t just tell me somebody should be on the list. Tell me WHO you’re taking OFF, WHO you’re putting IN, and WHERE they rank.
And don’t come in here naming rappers. 😂 R&B, soul and funk ONLY.
Chicago... y’all next.
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