Aug 2, 2016

So, the first one of these compared Jordan and Kanye with Jordan coming out on top. With this poll, I pose the question: Who is bigger, more important, and more influential to the culture and community of NYC and who reps it better?

I had a tougher time picking the artist and the athlete for this one. I contemplated Babe Ruth, Biggie, 50 Cent, Lou Gehrig, and more. Ultimately, I determined that the most important athlete and most important artist to represent NYC has to be: Jay-Z and Derek Jeter.

Jay-Z is an undeniable GOAT. Some would say he carried on a legacy that Biggie began in NYC. He has 13 number one albums (most by any solo artist), is known for repping that Yankee hat wherever he goes, and made the anthem to NYC and hit-single, "Empire State of Mind." His legacy as a New York great is extremely cemented.



Jeter on the other hand, brought arguably the most famous baseball team in the world five world series championships to the city of New York as the centerpiece superstar of the team. He will go down as the greatest yankee of all time, and arguably one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His legacy in the city is also undeniable.



The question is: Athlete or artist?

 

Aug 2, 2016

Well, I'm an actual lifelong New Yorker so based on what I've seen, Jay-Z reps it better simply because he's actually from NY, unlike Jeter who was raised outside of NY. Personally, if you weren't raised here, then you're not really from here. This is your adopted home. However, Jeter is probably more important. His appeal is much broader than Jay's appeal within the context of NY. Hip Hop fans love Jay but Hip Hop fans, conservatives, old people, little kids all love Jeter. Outside of the USA, in areas where a lot of people don't give a s--- about baseball, perhaps Jay is popular than Jeter but within NY, I think Jeter gets more respect from a broader base of people. But NY is also a diverse place. There's a lot of Mets fans who may respect Jeter but don't feel any real connection to him (like me) or Mets fans who really don't respect him nor give a s--- about him. Then there's people who don't give a s--- about baseball or they might root for a non-New York team because NYC is now filled with carpet bagging, out of town, transplants.

 

Aug 2, 2016

I pick Hov too. He said it best: "I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can."

But I wonder what New Yorkers would say. If you walked up to 100 random NYers of varying age and race, I wonder who would come out on top and more valued to the city.

 

Aug 2, 2016

Thanks. Trying to go through all the major music and sports cities and see what everybody's opinions are. I've tried to see if anybody has ever done this anywhere else on the internet at all, and honestly can't find a thing. So that's cool. I think Jay, but there really is a strong case for both.

 

Aug 2, 2016

I completely agree with that last sentiment, and I don't think it's even debatable that Jay is more influential across the world. I think all musicians will beat out athletes when it comes to world influence. I'm saying specifically in the city they rep. I still pick Jay, but I ran a twitter poll last night and out of 55 votes it was only 47%-53% Jay.

 

Aug 2, 2016

Nice thread, I'm also a native New Yorker and it would be a pretty close call if I were to go around asking which one of the 2 is considered more important. Jeter probably has a more positive image being that he was an athlete to our most illustrious sports franchise and overall was a discreet, classy guy. I voted for Jay, his appeal is worldwide and he's always been a wonderful ambassador for us. When you think of Jay you think of NY...and Beyoncé of course.

 

Aug 2, 2016

It was 6-3 if I'm correct. Not a lot of people have participated even though it's a cool idea