Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Either that or it's biting.

So, apparently there's a new phenomenon in Hiphop: white rappers who have the ability to sound just like some of the greatest rappers of all time.

This is actually a thing.

But not just sound like them; they can emcee like them.

And when I say some of the greatest rappers, I'm talking about two in particular.

Here's the thing, though.

The rappers in question aren't wack for doing what some not too long ago would call a severe commission of the holiest of holy Hiphop commandments.

I mean, they're actually nice. Actually, beyond nice. They're dope. AF


This new dude Your Old Droog, who sounds JUST LIKE Nas. From the vocal cadence to the raspy voice to the unorthodox flow to the storylines and rhyme schemes and..., well, you get the idea. It's literally uncanny. So much so, in fact, that the Internet's going nuts with conspiracy theories speculating that it is indeed Nas rhyming under a random moniker. Alas, he's not. But that doesn't mean he wack by any means.



And then there's Action Bronson, who, like Droog, seemingly came out of nowhere (only he sounds JUST LIKE Ghostface) only to collaborate with an enviable roster of Hiphop's who's who of talent.

As luck would have it, Nas and Ghost just happen to be ranked really high on my list of greats, current and ever.

Some might say they're taking the most direct of bites in rap history, falling right in like with the likes of relatively anonymous rappers Noe and Gorilla Black, those two unoriginal puppets who tried to jack JAY Z and Biggie, respectively.

Droog, just like Bronson, came out of the gate with a thorough introduction to the world, complete with really good, above average production, a rarity for first-timing new jacks.

And now, a hot new Droog song featuring Prodigy only garners him more comparisons to Nas, what with an official Queensbridge collaboration/co-sign.

Bronson's latest track is also a banger.



Now all Droog has to do to quell the biting allegations is to collaborate with Nas, much like Bronson did when he was featured on a stellar [unofficial] Wu-Tang Clan single rhyming alongside Ghost. occasions.

Your Old Droog last week during his first-ever live performance.

In some ways I feel conflicted supporting veritable imitators when their obvious inspirations are still very much active in the game, but the music and lyrical talent is tough to ignore.

It's doubtful Bronson and Droog could ever duplicate the success that Ghost and Nas have had (either individually or collectively) for the past two decades, but time will tell.

For now, though, I'll just let Bronson and Droog serve as adequate substitutes.

But I'm guessing this trend is far from over. I guess we'll just have to wait to see which established, likely black, rapper gets mimicked next by a newcomer.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This happens all the time in Hiphop, with plenty of black rappers trying their darndest to sound like their favorite rapper. See Nicki Minaj and Lil Kim and Ma$e and Loon for more on this topic.