Seminal or Derivative ?

Is it better to invent a product,
or to get paid for improving on someone else's previous idea?
Is seminal knowledge better than derivative knowledge?

I asked one of my young cousins, "Who is smarter - An African tribesman who invented a hollowed out log to use as a boat to get across a river? Or an American who invented a more fuel efficient cruise liner to cross the oceans?".
He said "Both... you don't need a big ship to cross a small river.".

I'd say that he was right.
People are only as smart (or as good) as they are required to be.

But if we use money as the tool for measuring intelligence, skill or success - the waters become muddied.
Is Elvis a better singer than those he emulated?
Is LaDainian Thomlison better than Jim Brown?
Is Lil Wayne better than L.L.?
Is Bill Gates smarter than the original OS designers upon whose platform his system sits?

Maybe the key to true financial success is found in inventing a better mousetrap - not in the invention of the original mousetrap.

So to the O.G.s - my list of the best Rap/Hip-Hop songs of all time;
- Public Enemy - (Almost anything)
-Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - They Reminisce Over You
-Slick Rick - A Children's Story
-L.L. Cool J. - Mama Said Knock You Out
-Wu Tang Clan - Bring The Pain
-Boogie Down Productions - My Philosophy
-Nas - If I Ruled The World
-Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Gals
-Dr. Dre - Nothing But A G Thang
-Eric B & Rakim - Follow The Leader
-Various - (This last slot varies based on my mood)

As you can tell, I go with the originals (to me). I prefer seminal to derivative.
I also notice a Nation/FOI influence. Maybe because they were talking about more than big booty hos and buckets on 20's.

I think the reason that so many people hate rap is that these entertainers are seen as having somehow cheated the system.
We're always told to dress, act, speak and be a certain way.
But these "uneducated street thugs' somehow have more of the thing (fortune/fame) than do those who'd intend to subjugate them.

The modern rappers can make more money from one album/tour/product line than his predecessors made in a career.
So the question isn't really - "Who's smarter; Jay Z or Bill Gates?". (The answer is; "Both")
But the question is; "Who is smarter Kanye West or Method Man?".