But to me it seems like RD requires the listener to buy into Jay Z's persona more, whereas you can chill to Doe Or Die without feeling like you're being forced to empathize with AZ's life story and 'struggle'. and I prefer that.
Yeah word. If you don't really dig the Jay-Z persona, or you've just gotten tired of it, then it's hard to appreciate the man's music. Dude always seems to throwing a party for himself, it gets old.
Az's a lot less showy, has a lot less swagger, and a lot more technical skill if you ask me. Less acting, more rapping.
As for what album is more of a "classic", and more important in the history of hip hop, RD without a (reasonable) doubt. As far as craft goes it's also probably the better album. But I still bump Doe or Die on occasion, and I never play RD....that has to mean something.