Unlike those cats you listed, Live is still doing it at a very high level...them cats you listed just are not built like that, nondescript...yeah, they got some nice ish here and there, but not on some stand out type ish. Live is just better imo...here is my approximate top 10, no real order...

1. Monch
2. Black Thought
3. Nas
4. Doom
5. Rakim
6. KRS-one
7. J-Live
8. Big Daddy Kane
9. Jay-Z
10. G-Rap


I take into account longevity, consistent quality over time (yes, weak/wack ish brings you down), beat choice, voice, wordplay, creativitiy on the mic, and just overall slickness. I would be happy to go track for track (youtube) with any of those brothers you listed, and let the boards judge...Live be spittin that perfect combination of grown folks ish, with that true school mentality...