Over the weekend, The Need To Know podcast added a new take to Hip-Hop’s “Big 3” debate. While Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and J. Cole are often called the “Big 3,” the podcast shared their thoughts and ranked a second “Big 3” involving rap stars Big Sean, Wale, and Meek Mill.
SaVon Slater, NTK host, posed the question, saying, “If you had to rank the ‘Big 3’ number two, the second big three of Wale, Big Sean, and Meek Mill. How would you rank those gentlemen?”
“Easy,” replied co-host Alex. “For me at least, Wale. Meek Mill. Big Sean.”
Regina Cho, NTK co-host and journalist, would provide a more in-depth answer. “I’m going Wale, Big Sean, then Meek Mill,” says Cho. “Because Wale, he makes such … ok, so Big Sean, I feel like every time I talk about Big Sean, I feel like I don’t have amnesia. He literally had hits. “Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay,” “My Last,” Dark Sky Paradise, the entire album was phenomenal. I do think he (Big Sean) makes great music. But Wale, when you think about it, he always makes great music. He’s never dipped. So that’s why he is my number one.”
Alex would interject with, “Yes. And the pen game, I’ve never cringed at a Wale verse.”
Regina continued: “Like even today, he (Wale) makes great songs. Whereas Big Sean and Meek Mill, both dipped in terms of music quality. Big Sean, I just love him so much, like I’m never giving up on Big Sean. I’m excited for the album. And then Meek Mill, I do think he had an amazing era, but that era is not here anymore.”
Alex would clarify the reason behind ranking Meek Mill over Big Sean. He says, “You want to know part of the reason why I had Meek before Big Sean. To Regi’s point, he had a plethora of hit records. I don’t want to take that from him—his (Big Sean) contribution to G.O.O.D. Music, come on now. But, what those Meek Mill records do, they kinda stick around. For the culture, they kinda stick around, even the features he do, they kinda stick around. Down to the intro, which is finally starting to dwindle out just a little bit. But his intro was on lock for like 10-11 years.”
The clip surfaced on social media, and fans flooded the comments section with mixed rankings and opinions. “Meek is not #3 on any planet wtf, and especially not behind no big Sean,” said one X user.
Another user championed Wale. They wrote, “Literally had this chat with my friend just now. I even feel like Wale probably got more hits than Cole, and The Album About Nothing could go toe to toe with any offering by Cole, and lyrically, he’s one of the greats – I dare say his lyrically better than the Big 3.”
A user would reference Big Sean’s lyrical growth to validate the top spot on their list. “They’ve all made music since 2015,” the user commented on X. “Sean has only gotten better lyrically and Meek dropped some of his best music in the late 2010’s. Detroit 2 was incredible. What dip are y’all talking about? Meek is great, but he’s inconsistent so he’s 2 for me”
The infamous “Control” track by Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Electronica was pivotal in the “Big 3” debate. Wale, Meek Mill, and Big Sean were among many big names mentioned in Kendrick Lamar’s verse. The track would be removed from Big Sean’s second album, Hall of Fame (Def Jam/G.O.O.D.).
Only Meek Mill responded to Kendrick Lamar’s “Control” verse with his track ”Ooh Kill Em.” Big Sean has never admitted to dissing Kendrick in his music; however, fans believe several subliminal verses have been released since “Control.”
Big Sean has been questioned in interviews about his friendship with Kendrick Lamar as he prepares to release his upcoming album, Better Me Than You. Sean clarified on social media that his On The Radar freestyle did not target Kendrick.
Neither Wale, Big Sean nor Meek Mill has commented on the debate. Wale announced he will be hitting the road in September.