The argument of who is the best rapper, is one that keeps running about in every hip-hop industry across the world and Ghana has seen its fair share.

From style to flow, dexterity, cultural influence and many others, rappers are scrutinised to see how big their crafts and impacts are, regardless of who they are or how long their stay in the industry.

However, music producer, Hammer of The Last II, believes it is not right to compare older rappers to the crop of artistes now.

“I don’t think it is smart to compare the old guys to the new ones. Because the older ones had to lay a foundation for the young ones to exist,” he told Daniel Dadzie on the Super Morning Show.

He explained that in the age of hiplife, there would be no Obrafour if Reggie Rockstone had not broken the rules and changed the rhetoric.

Reggie Rockstone changed the story from one-sidedness so the youth can make music and make money, Hammer said.

“Obrafour was inspired by what Reggie did with Hiplife and that is why he existed in the rap game. He learned it and added his style,” the music producer said.

He again mentioned that Obrafour with his style and influence, also inspired may artistes including Sarkodie which defined their career path.

Sarkodie, Hammer explained learned Obrafour’s craft so much that like many fans think he could sing his (Obrafour) songs word for word.

“So, to compare Sarkodie and Obrafour is unfair. You can’t even do it because one created a platform for the other one to even exist in the game. Some of these young rappers also came out because of Sark. If they hadn’t heard Sark they wouldn’t have been in the game,” he added.

Hammer said that the internet and social media have changed the criteria people use in their debate because of its tremendous help to the new generation.

“We were selling good CDs but people are streaming now, the numbers have changed, so you can’t really compare the different times.”

“Back then, you needed to know Bola Ray in order to be heard; now you can just put your stuff out on your pages,” he added.

Hammer cautioned rap enthusiasts to draw a line between the two generations when debating on ‘who is best’.

Radio personality and DJ, Sammy Forson, who was also on the show added, “all these new rappers thrive on what the older ones built and that is something that we should not overlook.”