Well Legends status come from years of decent music and sales. The greatest rapper of all times is L.L.Cool J, because he have been around for 15 years or more or less. Also he have constantly reinvented himself. Ain't he the one who started the love rap? All the so called thug rappers talk about being tough,callin women Hoes and then the next song is I need a girl...blah,blah. Melle Mel is correct , back in the days when Hammer was hot everyone called him a sellout. At the time know one knew how much money was inside of hiphop,but now they see the light. No apppoligies to Hammer they are just happy to be able to by fancy cars and be treated like a star. If you took the money out of hip-hop how many of these rapper would still want to do this? When Mel came out their was no money in it, it was done for self gratification not for the paper.