"No One Can Do It Better" - Nas v. Amy Winehouse

After some questionably odd pictures of God's Son and Ms. Winehouse, it got us to thinking about a debate we've had many times. Which Salaam Remi-produced track is better: Nas' "Made You Look" from God's Son or "In My Bed" from Frank.

Take a listen:

versus

Styles Davis says, "Frank is a top 20 album of the decade...and "In My Bed" was definitely one of it's dopest tracks. "Made You Look" goes hard...but Amy x Salaam = Classic. I got Amy."

Johnny Soultrane says, "I cosign everything Styles just said. Where you at Amy? You're what the game's been missing."

Mr. Strayhorn Fritzington says, "Production value is key. The horn section brings a completely different layer to Ms. Winehouse's track figuratively and literally. Amy."

Yao Mingus says, "Yeah I gotta go with Amy on this one too...The Nas track is anthem-worthy but...it's Amy she killed it. Case closed. I choose you Amy.

Buddy HoodRich says, "This is ridiculous. Have you seen the video. It's raw. It's aggressive. It's hip-hop at it's finest. Man up lil homies. QB's Finest. (Not to be confused with Ron Ron)."

We wouldn't be a blog if we didn't say it...

Nas Lost.

4-1.

The Styles Davis Quintet

"No One Can Do It Better" - John Legend v. The Roots

Once again we present to you...No One Can Do It Better. In the last installment, we pitted the prettiest man on the planet against Kasseem Dean's future babymoms. We find ourselves with another great match up of Johnny Patron and the Legendary Foundation.

The Contender : John Legend - Another Again (2006)

versus

The Challenger: The Roots - Doin' It Again

Styles Davis says, "It's hard to go against the The Roots. John is my main man, but with the added instrumentation and the crazy verses by one of the game's most underrated, Black Thought...I gotta go with Philly's Finest."

Johnny Soultrane says, "I mean this isn't very close. Simple mathematics folks. John Legend x The Roots >>>>> John Legend. Motherfiduck the wagon...I choose the band."

Mr. Strayhorn Fritzington says, "While I admire the virtuosity of The Roots, I must tip my hat to the talented Mr. John Stephens and his Ivy League credentials. The lush piano playing is lost within the heavy hip-hop bass provided by The Roots. I shall go with John.

Yao Mingus says, "I almost want to go with John on this one, but The Roots revamped a song that was four years old and managed to make it a fresh cut as if I had never heard the original before. The Roots.

Buddy HoodRich says, "I can lowkey bump some John Legend...but only when he's on his "She Don't Have To Know"/"Number One" cheating tip. I can't ride out to some emotional John Legend in the whip. I go with the Hip-Hop version out of basic HoodRich principles. Black Thought brings that boombap...and I can dig it."

The Roots win 4-1.

-The Styles Davis Quintet

"No One Can Do It Better" Prince v. Alicia Keys

So we were over here louning' and lampin' as always. Per usual, we got into a heated discussion over people swaggerjacking other peoples samples. This led into a fight about people covering songs they really don't have any business covering. From there, we started comparing songs and a post was born. Introducing the first "No One Can Do It Better" post.

In our first battle we have Prince's 1982 "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" versus Alicia Key's 2001 cover version, "How Come You Don't Call Me."

Take a listen:

versus

Styles Davis says, "Hands down it's Prince. This isn't even close. Alicia doesn't have the vocals of Prince or the performance skills."

Johnny Soultrane says, "Alicia Keys used to be my baby, but she went and stole Mashonda's man. Not sexy. Prince wins, cuz he would never steal someone's man...they would probably walk into his open little arms." #shotsfired #pause x10000

Mr. Strayhorn Fritzington says, "Prince is the consummate showman and musician. Ms. Keys is quite talented in her own right, but she clearly has many miles to go before even entering into the same musical stratosphere as Sir Prince Rogers."

Yao Mingus says, "This isn't really fair. If we took the studio versions of each performer, it would be a completely different story. Alicia's more layered version destroys Prince's attempt at musical subtlety. Plus Alicia is slightly prettier. Alicia Wins"

Buddy HoodRich says, "I gotta cosign [The Mingus]Dynasty. The studio versions are completely different. Clearly Prince is the dopest performer of all-time. But when Alicia and all that thickness get in the studio, it's a wrap. I got my girl Alicia for the win."

Prince wins 3-2.

-The Styles Davis Quintet