Artificial Intelligence is the future of technology and accessible bots like ChatGPT and MidJourney have risen rapidly in popularity.
For the uninitiated, ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI. It is designed to process and understand natural language and provide responses to a wide range of questions and prompts in a human-like manner.
It’s data is collected from a variety of sources, including books, articles, websites and other text-based materials. The model is trained using a process called unsupervised learning, which allows it to learn from the patterns and relationships in the data without explicit instruction. The training data is carefully curated to ensure that the model learns to generate accurate and informative responses to a wide range of questions and prompts.
With that in mind, we thought it would be interesting to see if ChatGPT could settle an age old debate: who is the greatest UK rapper of all time?
Image created via MidJourney
To start with, we gave the A.I. the question in a simple form to see how it responded:
GRM: “Compose a debate for who the greatest UK rapper of all time is.”
ChatGPT: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today’s debate on who the greatest UK rapper of all time is. On one side, we have supporters of Dizzee Rascal, and on the other side, we have supporters of Stormzy.
“First up, let’s hear from Team Dizzee.
“Dizzee Rascal burst onto the UK music scene in the early 2000s with his debut album “Boy in da Corner.” He was one of the pioneers of the grime genre and his innovative style and flow paved the way for future UK rappers. He has had multiple hits including “Fix Up, Look Sharp,” “Bonkers,” and “Dance wiv Me.” His contribution to UK rap cannot be understated and he has won numerous awards, including the Mercury Prize for his debut album.
“Now, let’s hear from Team Stormzy.
“Stormzy, born Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., is one of the most successful UK rappers of all time. He first gained recognition with his “Wicked Skengman” freestyle videos on YouTube before releasing his debut album, “Gang Signs & Prayer,” which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. He has since released several more hit albums, won numerous awards, and headlined major festivals, including Glastonbury. He has also been vocal about social issues and has used his platform to address important topics such as racism and mental health.
“So, who is the greatest UK rapper of all time? Is it Dizzee Rascal, the pioneer of grime who paved the way for future generations, or is it Stormzy, the socially conscious artist who has achieved incredible success and made a significant impact on UK rap culture? It’s up to you to decide.”
Clearly it understood the question and gave us a detailed – albeit strangely showman-esque – answer, but we wanted to push the boat further and see just how deep we could get into the debate, as well as to get a definitive rather than an open-ended answer. To widen our options, we gave it some popular names who are often in the debate as to the greatest UK rappers of all time.
However, upon asking ChatGPT to consider 10 candidates individually before deciding a winner, the A.I. struggled once it got past five due to the sheer amount of information it was being asked to provide.
To counteract this, we decided to split the group into two: five veteran MC’s and five stars from the new generation, to decide a winner of each category.
Image created via MidJourney
GRM: “Provide a brief essay-style argument as to who the greatest original UK MC of all time is, for each of the following: Skepta, Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Giggs, Ghetts. Decide a winner.”
ChatGPT: “Skepta is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in UK grime. His unique style and flow have influenced an entire generation of MCs. He burst onto the scene with his debut album “Greatest Hits” in 2007, and has since released a number of critically acclaimed projects. However, when it comes to the title of the greatest original UK MC of all time, Skepta falls just short of the mark. While his contributions to the genre cannot be understated, his impact does not quite match that of some of his peers.
“Dizzee Rascal is a true pioneer of UK grime. He burst onto the scene in 2003 with his debut album “Boy in da Corner,” which won the prestigious Mercury Prize. He has since released a number of critically acclaimed albums, and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry. Dizzee’s ability to blend grime with other genres such as hip hop and electronic music has set him apart from his peers. His influence on the genre is immeasurable, and for this reason, he is a strong contender for the title of the greatest original UK MC of all time.
“Kano is another strong contender for the title. He burst onto the scene in 2005 with his debut album “Home Sweet Home,” which is widely regarded as a classic of the genre. He has since released a number of critically acclaimed albums, and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry. Kano’s ability to tell stories and paint vivid pictures with his lyrics is unparalleled in the genre. His influence on the scene cannot be understated, and for this reason, he is a strong contender for the title.
“Giggs is perhaps the most polarising figure in UK grime. He has a unique flow and delivery that has set him apart from his peers. He burst onto the scene in 2008 with his album “Walk in da Park,” and has since released a number of critically acclaimed projects. While his gritty, street-oriented lyrics have earned him a devoted following, his controversial subject matter and legal issues have also made him a lightning rod for criticism. Nonetheless, his contributions to the genre cannot be overlooked, and he is a strong contender for the title of the greatest original UK MC of all time.
“Ghetts is perhaps the most underrated MC on this list. He has been a fixture on the UK grime scene for over a decade, and has released a number of critically acclaimed projects. His intricate wordplay and complex rhyme schemes have earned him a devoted following, and his ability to address serious issues with his lyrics sets him apart from his peers. Despite his impressive body of work, he has not received the same level of mainstream recognition as some of his peers. Nonetheless, his contributions to the genre cannot be overlooked, and he is a strong contender for the title of the greatest original UK MC of all time.
“After considering the contributions of each of these MCs to the UK grime scene, it is difficult to choose just one as the greatest of all time. However, Dizzee Rascal stands out as the most influential and pioneering of the group. His ability to blend grime with other genres and his impact on the scene as a whole cannot be overstated. While the other MCs on this list are also incredibly talented and have made significant contributions to the genre, Dizzee’s status as a true pioneer sets him apart as the greatest original UK MC of all time.“
Image created via MidJourney
GRM: “Provide a brief essay-style argument as to who the greatest new generation UK MC of all time is, for each of the following: Central Cee, Dave, Little Simz, J Hus, Stormzy. Decide a winner.”
ChatGPT: “The UK rap scene has witnessed a surge of talent in recent years, with several new generation MCs making a name for themselves on the global stage. Among them, Central Cee, Dave, Little Simz, J Hus, and Stormzy have stood out for their unique styles, powerful lyrics, and impressive flows. While each of these artists has had a significant impact on the genre, I would argue that Dave is the greatest new generation UK MC of all time.
“Dave burst onto the scene in 2016 with his debut EP, Six Paths, and has since established himself as one of the most versatile and talented rappers in the UK. He has released two critically acclaimed albums, Psychodrama and We’re All Alone in This Together, which have been praised for their introspective and socially conscious lyrics, masterful wordplay, and innovative production.
“One of Dave’s greatest strengths is his ability to tackle complex and sensitive issues with poise and intelligence. On Psychodrama, he delved into his own experiences with mental health and trauma, addressing topics like depression, suicide, and abuse in a deeply personal and relatable way. He also used the album to shed light on broader social issues, such as racial inequality and police brutality, making him a powerful voice for change and social justice.
“In addition to his lyrical prowess, Dave is also an exceptional storyteller, capable of weaving intricate narratives and painting vivid pictures with his words. He has a remarkable ability to capture the essence of the human experience, whether he’s rapping about love, loss, or the struggles of everyday life.
“While Central Cee, Little Simz, J Hus, and Stormzy are all incredibly talented MCs in their own right, none of them have quite matched Dave’s combination of lyrical depth, storytelling ability, and social awareness. Dave has proven himself to be a true artist, one who uses his platform to make a difference in the world and inspire others to do the same. For these reasons, I believe that Dave is the greatest new generation UK MC of all time.“
Although it may not understand the nuances between rap and grime, it certainly gives a remarkably detailed answer with two artists taking the crown of each group: Dizzee Rascal and Dave.
Now we wanted to see if ChatGPT would claim an overall winner, so we asked it to decide between the two of them.
Image created via MidJourney
GRM: “Provide a brief essay-style argument as to who the greatest UK MC of all time is, Dizzee Rascal or Dave. Decide a winner.”
ChatGPT: “The debate over who the greatest UK MC of all time is, between Dizzee Rascal and Dave, is a highly contested one. Both artists have made significant contributions to the UK music scene and have cemented their place in history. However, when examining their impact, skill, and influence, Dave emerges as the clear winner.
“Dave burst onto the scene in 2016 with his debut EP “Six Paths” and has since become one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful UK rappers. He has won numerous awards, including the Mercury Prize for his album “Psychodrama,” which was widely regarded as a masterpiece of storytelling and social commentary. Dave’s ability to tackle complex and controversial subjects such as mental health, racism, and politics with a sharp wit and undeniable talent has earned him a legion of fans and widespread respect.
“On the other hand, Dizzee Rascal, who first emerged in the early 2000s, is undoubtedly a pioneer of the UK grime scene. He has released several seminal albums such as “Boy in da Corner” and “Maths + English” and has been credited with bringing grime to the mainstream. His impact on the UK music scene cannot be understated, and he remains one of the most influential artists of the genre.
“However, while Dizzee Rascal has undoubtedly made his mark, Dave’s contributions to the UK music scene are unparalleled. His lyrics are more socially conscious, his wordplay is sharper, and his flows are more versatile than Dizzee’s. Moreover, Dave has been able to successfully navigate the ever-changing landscape of UK rap, adapting his sound and style to keep up with the times.
“In conclusion, while Dizzee Rascal is a legend in his own right, Dave’s impact, skill, and influence make him the greatest UK MC of all time. Dave’s ability to tackle complex subject matter with such precision and skill has earned him a place in the annals of UK rap history, and his music will undoubtedly continue to resonate with listeners for years to come.“
So there we have it. According to ChatGPT, Dave is the greatest UK rapper of all time. Do you agree?