Billboard dropped their big best rappers of all-time list and we couldn’t help but notice that a few notable names came up missing. No Tupac Shakur, anyone? And how did K. Dot make the list? Of course, the Notorious B.I.G. is unbelievably lauded and rightfully so. If anyone deserves to go slink into the starry rap Hall-Of-Fame it’s Mr. slow flow, but his untimely death tends to mar his career. Did he put out enough work, is what we all ask. I mean, the man didn’t really get the chance to be terrible, right?
These lists are always difficult to do and even more difficult to receive. Our favorite artist may be left off, and there really is no room between logic and desire. So it comes as no surprise that the backlash has been swift. Unfortunately, it’s also cut along racial lines. Still, did they get it right?
What Is It About This Best Rapper Ever List?
Ural: Understanding Billboard’s decision in curating their top ten list, what metric did they use? Was it commercial, critical or general popularity? Regardless, this list was going to piss off someone. Honestly, the storied publication would have been better off doing separate list reflecting different aspects that could be argued with a hint of logic.
Andre: I don’t like some of the picks, but I do like the off-the-cuff nature of the list. This is the web, and so much of this stuff are murky waters disguised as well-worn thoughts. And they did have this: “Many of our favorites — Big Daddy Kane, Drake, KRS-One — didn’t make it, and each of those omissions hurts deep down. We also have to note: we’re ranking rappers, not rap artists. That’s why Dr. Dre and Kanye West, for example, two legendary producer-artists who don’t match the mic skills of those listed here, were left out.” Which isn’t a unified theory of rap or anything, but it’s a decent levee against what has been an outcry by blogs, publications, fans and artists. This stuff is deeply personal to all of us. But how could you ever even think about leaving ‘Pac off a list like this? Despite my conversation with the legendary Soren Baker on the DX Daily, I strongly disagree with the Che Guevera of rap being left off. He’s in Cuba right now, crafting a rebuttal, I’m sure.
Ural: Reflecting the democratized opinions on the internet, Pac being off the list is totally fine to a selected few. Dr. Dre, Kanye West, and even Drake represents the greatest emcees to walk this earth for some. In other circles, Big Daddy Kane and KRS-One don’t even exist. Hip Hop is damn over 30 years old and there are hundreds of legendary artist who’s released great bodies of work. Add the voices of millions due to the internet and you’d be pressed to find anyone agreeing on such a list. There are too many variables in individual taste. Speaking personally, half the list are missing my favorite emcees and that’s totally fine.
Andre: But we’re not talking about your favorite emcees. We’re talking about the best ten. And, sure, the dubious criteria casts a wide net, but it doesn’t mean that a well-articulated opinion based in fact isn’t better than what someone identifies with on a personal level. I get it. Things are relative. But there’s still room for evaluating skill and effect on culture. In that way, ‘Pac deserves to be on there. Otherwise, we should just abolish lists altogether and everyone should keep their personal favorites as well as their objective picks to themselves.
Still, how do you justify Lauryn Hill making this list? How many raps does the legendary Ms. Hill even have?
Let’s Talk About The People Who Made It
Ural: There’s a reason Lauryn Hill’s solo debut never got a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album: The Academy specifically states that at least 51 percent of an album must contain rapping. Anyway, former HipHopDX News Editor Steven J. Horowitz and Billboard Senior Editor Alex Gale helmed the list which gives the list some merit. However, these feel like more of their favorite emcees than any type of real filtering system. In fact, the list has the feeling of a heated emotional conversation at someone’s barbershop than analytical discussion.
Andre: I’m not sure I can let Billboard off the hook for that. I mean, there’s still an authoritative voice to Billboard, despite the off-the-cuff nature of the list. Lauryn doesn’t have enough material to be considered an emcee in my opinion. It’s the same reason why XXL caught all that flack for putting her on their best female emcees list from last year. It just… doesn’t make sense. Especially considering that, again, Tupac was left off the list because for some reason. Now, I also want to say that I understand that overanalyzing lists are one of the worst things about the web, but these things are really close to everybody’s hearts and minds. Veracity still has to be there, right?
Ural: Of course veracity is important, but coming to a general conclusion is difficult if there isn’t a measurement placed in the first place. I’d honestly like to know why Tupac was left off the list. Was it because he’s dead? Well, that’s hard to argue when Biggie is number one. Is it based on actual albums sold? Well, Pac sold more than Biggie before and after death. Is it solely about lyricism? Well, like Mr. Grant said, Ms. Hill doesn’t even rap enough to justify that reasoning. Better albums? Some would consider Illmatic critically more bulletproof than Ready To Die. Then there’s the question of being influential. Again, there are so many questions that could be asked on how exactly they came to that conclusion. Right now, this list really isn’t based in a reality outside of their own.
Andre: Maybe, which, I guess, is how the lone artist from this generation, Kendrick Lamar made the list?
Ural: K.Dot represents what most fans of the list want in a young emcee today anyway. Being completely honest, King Kendrick isn’t the only great rapper of this generation. He is a critical darling if the past couple of weeks have anything to say. Again, why Lamar? J. Cole went platinum without any features and Drake is single handedly the biggest selling rapper of this generation. Over a hundred hit singles have to mean something. What exactly did Billboard see in Kendrick than any other emcee of this generation? Hell, Rakim is the only artists representing the 80s.
Andre: So what? As far as lyricists go, Kendrick is the best of the bunch, but it’s a bit premature to put him on the list, I think. J. Cole and Drake, as amazing as they are, are still looking for their classic record, I think. Still, I guess someone from this generation needed to be up there. I just wish it was easier to justify him because I want to believe he’s in the top 10 all-time.
Still, I guess it’s Billboard’s opinion at the end of the day, but leaving off the likes of Tupac and LL Cool J just feels like a crime. And, I hope this doesn’t jinx Kendrick. I need one more amazing piece of work to add him to mine. What about you, man? What do you think overall?
Ural: Some could argue that Lil Wayne has yet to put out a definitive classic record. Sure, we can agree on how great Tha Carter II and Tha Carter III are, but Wayne’s prolific mixtape output really outshines actual album output. And, this is a problem with BIllboard’s list. There are too many questions for each artist represented. Regardless of how amazing Andre 3K is, he’s yet to actually release a solo project. Therefore, wouldn’t it have been better to just add Big Boi and just have OutKast? This list is general enough for the casual rap listener to understand and maybe that’s who this is for. Those thoroughly invested in Hip Hop are liable to have a variety of opinions and that’s absolutely fine.
Andre Grant is an NYC native turned L.A. transplant that has contributed to a few different properties on the web and is now the Features Editor for HipHopDX. He’s also trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Follow him on Twitter @drejones.
Ural Garrett is a Los Angeles-based journalist and HipHopDX’s Senior Features Writer. When not covering music, video games, films and the community at large, he’s in the kitchen baking like Anita. Follow him on Twitter @Uralg.
FUCKING USELESS BIAS LIST.. WTF?
1) BIGGIE CAN NEVER BE GREATER THAT 2PCA
2) WHERE IS SNOOP?
3) JZ IS A BIZ MAN NOT A GREAT RAPPER
4) WHO THE FUCK PUT LIL WAYNE ON THAT SHITTY LIST?
5) WHAT HAS LAMAR DONE IN THIS SHORT TIME?
LIL WAYNE? WHERE IS 50 CENTS? IF LAMAR AND WAYNE COULD BE THERE?
FUCKING CRAPPY LIST– WHERE IS ICE CUBE?
2 PAC IS GREATEST OF ALL TIME
No way K.Dot should be on this list he hasn’t even put out more then 2 albums this is nonsense. Pac should be number one. Where the hell is Big Pun and Big L?
Leaving ff Tupac was criminal. No excuses for it.
But you guys are almost just as bad disrespecting Lauryn Hill like that. Lauryn Hill is the greatest female mc to walk this planet. She may not have bodies of work with pure rap but her rap verses shit on any verse from any other female ever.
no she’s not. Rah Digga raps circles around Lauryn
No she wont but Ra Digga is a dope female MC for sure
Honestly, whoevers name gets listed on the billboard top 10 will always offend someone because they left a certain artist out of the rankings. But leaving Tupac out is literally absurd to me, and shows me they know absolutely nothing about hip hop. From now on I’m gonna view the billboards like it is ESPN, they area tending to just the casual fans.
No Beastie Boy? He my favorist rappesr.
I actually really like this list. Lauryn is a little suspect because of her lack of work but Tupac is honestly not that good a pure rapper, his rythm is sometimes off and he def does not use the same amount of skill in his verses (alliteration, internal rhymes ect.) when compared to the people on this list. Obvi he is hugely influential and he makes good music but so do Dre and Kanye
Pac is the alliteration king. Do you even listen to pac?
Add Pac, KRS, and Face trash Lauryn, Weezy and KDot
Dr. Dre, Kanye West, and even Drake represents the greatest emcees to walk this earth for some
LMFAOOOO. THE TOP 3 RAPPERS OF ALL TIME WITH GHOSTWRITERS. They can NEVER be mentioned…. EVER
HIPHOPDX yall kill me sometime because whoever allows non hip hop artist on the site is contradicting to what yall support. I understand it’s a business, but your part of the reason why no one remembers the history of hip hop. Unfortunately it’s a dying art. The last of the great arts at that
what about 50 cent? huh you guys suck
Drake isn’t a rapper. He used to be. Now he’s a pop artist. He should not and never will make it on this list.
How the fuck 2 pac didint make the list get thet fuck outtta here with that bull shit
Tupac was possibly the best songwriter in Hip Hop History but still An Average MC So even though I am a big fan it did not bother me him not being on there it was a nice change.
LIL WAYNE !? Really !? his beyond awful the carter 2 was mediocre at best and that was by far his best album i could list 100s of rappers who are far and beyond more talented .
Biggie Is Overrated 2 albums before he died one of which is Great but Overrated and the other one just good he had a great flow so you could argue number 1 in that regard but I could name tons of rappers with great flows who have more Lyrical substance and a stronger body of work.
Kendrick Lamar is also Overrated his good but I would happily take the likes of Blu Lupe Fiasco & Elzhi over lamar.
hill is only on there because she is a woman there are far & beyond better rappers she has always been a better singer than rapper.
Lets be real Tupac made great records but when it comes to lyrics and rapping, he is ok. My knock is not having Nas on here. Replace Hill or Kendrick. And yalk crazy if you don’t think Wayne dont deserve it. From Dedication to Carter III was one of the greatest runs for a rapper ever. Most of yall was probably listening to it anyways. But Nas def should have been on here though.
My bad i see that Nas is on here. Dont get at me lol
If you say Wayne had a run then why not include DMX??
I would agree with you. Reason i didnt bc i haven’t really took the time to listen to all his albums since i have mature. I like his songs that were maintlstream/videos but never took the time
Heard his albums were dope. I will take the time now to go back ans listen to them
Nas is there
No pac?? Really billboard wtf?? But its all good We all know pac is the g.o.a.t and we don’t need no damn list to tell us. this whole list is questionable no big pun & jay over eminem. Yall done really bumped your head.
I agree pac sucks
No, he doesn’t.
I heard pac was gay.
No, you’re gay.
PAC is top 10 DOA. BUT IM STILL TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW ANDRE SAID KENDRICK IS THE BEST LYRIST ON THE LIST. DOES ANDRE NOT SEE EMINEM?
Pac wasn’t really a rapper. He was more like a rapper wannabe
He raps, so he is a rapper.
I’m GLAD, they Left Pac off the List. I Tried listening to him last Night, and Had to Turn that SHIT OFF. He’s NO WHERE NEAR, as Lyrically NICE, as the 10 on that list. Fuck PAC.
Fuck you you stupid assume puck your mother is wack as fuk
No he has a point pac sucks.
No, he doesn’t have a point. Pac doesn’t suck. OP is wrong.
Wow I can’t Believe people think pac should be in the top ten. He was a crappy rapper when he was alive. And I was relieved when he was dead
How was he crap? Relieved when he was dead? Did he fuck your bitch or something to make you hate him personally?
I’m sad PAC didn’t make it in that list….Nigeria’s hitman rapper…. I’m sad he also didn’t make it t se US black president….He fought a gud fyt….
Stupid
With the complete omission of KRS-1 from the list, I have to trash this, and question their knowledge of hip-hop,rap music,call it anything you want. No KRS just deads everything.
Switch Hill for Pac, and then switch up the order.
No i agree pac sucks
It’s because the ghetto has anointed PAC our hero. These crackers ain’t with that positive black man talk so they denied him. Y’all better look at who runs our child now. We lost our culture to a snake who could care less about most of these emcees as long as they can eat in some way of them. Who the hell are u to say the people’s voice doesn’t count?
Kendrick, which is my fav rapper today! should have not been on this list, along with Weezy, Lauryn Hill and Gface. Best rapper of all time, and you are missing, Pac, KRS 1, and LL? cmon man this shit is bogus.. KRS should be 1st, followed by EM , i dont care if that man is white, he is the best lyricist of all time my gosh.. i dont like that pop shit he do, but lyrics wise, he is the best. Pac, Nas, Jay, LL, Rakim, Big, Rapsody, and the last should be a toss between pharoeMonch/Mod def/twalib/safeer/canibus/andre 3staks
@Nancy Are you high? Pac is the antithesis of a pop star. How is he not a rapper when he does rap? SMH think about what you say. He sure knew how to use a gun when he shot those two off-duty cops. @Pete No, you suck for agreeing with a troll or are you that same troll?
Who is Puc? Also, nice racism, white boy.
Billboard WTF.? 2 pack was the best rapper ever. And he made a huge difference on the music industry.
Nobody can top 2Pac (except KRS-One). When it comes to lyrics and flow, and the impact an artist had on society, it has to be Tupac. Jay-z and Biggie do not have talent or awareness that 2Pac had toward his society. Biggie and Jay-z could never ever make a song like Brenda Got a Baby, or Keep Your Head Up, or Dear Mama. Who else can make these songs and then turn around and make AUTHENTIC real G music like Ambitionz as a Ridah or Picture me Rollin. 2Pac cared that’s why his music is Timeless and God gave him the Gift that nobody can take away from him. You can be the biggest Commercial Richest Rapper every but you ain’t shit to the Streets and Hood’s World Wide. Hell… even Niggaz in Afghanistan are bumping 2Pac and Ice Cube. They know what’s real
My Top 10 Rappers of All time.
1) 2Pac
2) Tupac
3) 2Pac Shakur
4) Tupac Shakur
5)Krs-One
How as pac a pop star ? He barely had features ifhe dd it as all from his camp biggie was more a pop star
if we talking about a pure mc then why Redman is never on a list?
Any list without 2Pac,Big Pun,Bun B and KRS-One can go to the trash real quick!!!
this should be a podcast
Fuck tupac crips all day. Bloods are the gayest gang in the world.
Tupac likes sucking penis. He couldn’t sing with dat penis in his moff
But at least you can still type with a penis up your @$$.
No PAC then this is bull , this list don’t even matter .If look at list and don’t see Pac and Nas top two in any order then I know their list isn’t about MCs its about Rappers , and those are two different people literally .
No Tupac?? I see some of the comments people left and I’m disgusted. Tupac was boss of this whole shit. He doesn’t have fans, he has souljahs. Therefore, Joe and Crip can blow a…
Nas is number 1 and screw the rest white people!!! The billboards!!! Nas is the GOAT period!!! And get that trash Eminem off the list… He is only in the White Pop world… A Pop white rapper….No one listen to Eminem ever!!!
Word no tupac on the list was not cool at all, Dr dre is not a MC he hires ghostwriters so does kanye
I think it’s kinda funny, that lil wayne is considered to be even on this list, mainly because of his commercial success, and his output of music, but at the same time…. Method Man should be considered then, cuz he was on nearly every/any album in the 90’s, and murdered every/any of those verses, no matter what famous artist was featuring him on their song, or what kind of beat it was…..
BILLBOARD MEANS NOTHING TO THE STREETS . WHO CARES FOH DX .
They just trying to controversial and trying to stand out, by not putting 2pac in there.
Pac wrote, had flow, lyrics, power. The whole package. Ask any MC these days who they think is legendary. Pac’s name gets dropped at least once in everyones catalogue. Man i dont even need to justify it.. But i sure did lose respect for billboard. Also no Method Man? These faggots are trippin
must PAC be on the list take him off
Biggie was a zero talent hack.
You dont know shit about hip hop, do you
This list was not from general population because 2PAC was not mentioned. I am from the EAST coast and PAC made a lot EAST COAST rep WESTSIDE! He was our political solider, that’s probably why he wasn’t mentioned. BLACK LIVES MATTER!!!!! Billboard is straight POP. Look how they do Chris Brown, all urban stations play numerous Chris Brown HITS all day long in every city which should make him have more top 10 Billboard hits than any other R&B artist. Real rap fans
Any list that doesn’t include Scarface and Common doesn’t really mean shit in my opinion
This s just bull-ish!! 2pac??? Rap culture is what it is because of PAC. If he is isn’t in the is, nobody else should be. Who makes up these numbers and rankings man? Smh
you do know 2pac, didnt change the culture, he wasnt such a big legend as people try to claim nowadays. He died at the high of his carrier, at a time when east and west was at war and 2pac was the most outspoken about the issue.
Opinions… The one thing that is certain is that Pac is the benchmark. Other rappers are always compared to Pac. Nobody wants to be the next Biggie, but a lot of tards have claimed to be the next Pac. Pac is number 1 and that’s not even an opinion.
You can hate or like him, but 2Pac was the whole package..looks, charisma, intensity, lyrics, music, sales, DRAMA. He is our Elvis and hip hop’s benchmark……………………
1. 2Pac
2. Rakim
3. Slick Rick
4. Too Short
5. Nas
6. Kurupt
7. Eminem
8. Biggie
9. Snoop Dogg
10. Ice Cube/Ice T
I would like to give people like Big L, Method man, Big Daddy Kane, Eazy E, LL Cool J, Krs One, The D.O.C., Guru, Andre 3000, Kool G Rap, lil Wayne, Kayne, MC Ren, DJ Quik and ofcourse I forgot some.
your list is better than billiboard . billiboard uploader can be doing that list with illness
There should never ever, ever, ever be a top 20 list of rappers and Tupac and Ice Cube not be mentioned. Never!!!! No matter what your taste is in rapping, you can’t deny Tupac. When I tell you I was literally angry about this list. Where day he’ll y’all get this list from.
Where da hell is what I meant. Top 10
Lauryn Hill > Drake. All Day. Just her solo work alone trumps anything drake does, and she writes her own lyrics. Lauryn solo album had more hardcore rap parts than Drakes album s put.together. Lauryn doesnt need Robotussin for her throat.like drake does
Drake should not be mentioned on the list of top ten rappers not even top one hundred. He’s not lyrical and has no appeal to hip hop
I think this list is base on lyrics and how many years from now there songs will sound relevant to people 20 or even 50 years from now. All of these artist that are mentioned have albums that sound relevant no matter the time line.
And tupacs doesn’t? And How the hell is Lauren hills songs relevant to this day
Glad pac was off the list
Pac was, is, and will forever be at a higher level than all other rappers.
Like he said “I’ll make you famous…make the front page”
Let me give you my own list of greatest rappers of all
1.2pac
2.Biggy
3.snoop
4.mnem
5.Nas
6.J.kiss
7.Ja rule
I don’t know which is worse, billboard’s compilation or hiphopdx’s reaction. 1st Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is more hip-hop than all of drake’s album put together, he shouldn’t be anywhere near that list. Hip-Hop is about penning lyrics and mic skills ghost writing is not permitted. 2nd Illmatic is accepted widely as the greatest hip-hop album of all time, it signaled the end of the golden era, Ether is the greatest diss-track of all time so why is the artist with these accomplisments not No.1? Nas No.1 anyone?
The only problem I have with the billboard list is lil Wayne and kendrick being on it. They have no right to be on it. Everyone else you can have a argument for. And so what pac isn’t on it. Krs one ain’t on it either. Same as LL and Kane. And what about Kool g rap and cube. There are lots of emcees who aren’t on it. Slick rick chuck d etc I agree with biggie though. So I’m happy about that.
My top 20 is 1. Biggie, 2. Rakim 3. Krs one, 4. Nas, 5. Tupac, 6. Jay z, 7. LL cool j, 8. Big daddy Kane, 9. Kool g rap, 10. Ice cube, 11. Slick rick, 12. Scarface, 13. Masta Ace, 14. AZ, 15. The GZA, 16. Guru 17. BIG L, 18. BIG Punisher, 18. Redman, 19. Andre 3000, 20. Black Thought. Honorable mention: Prodigy, Jeru the damaja, Eminem, canibus, Pharoahe monch, treach, Kool moe Dee, chuck d, grandmaster caz etc.
You’re kidding right? 2Pac, Snoop, Missy Elliott……………… Who made this list? You might need to look for another job.
Their opinion…
Are you for real!?!? One doesn’t open your white trailer mouth and talk trash! Only if your come from long generation of 18th century white trash colonist!
Music has no color, regardless who is signing it! It transcends all barriers expect your racist existence….
top 10 rappers of all time tupac biggie rakim snopp dogg ice cube nas jay z mc lyte queen latifah ll cool j slick rick thats my list new york kid and dont forget krs one dj scott larock
AM SUPPORTING YOU SHABAZZ
drake is one his way for sure 2pac greatest of all time biggie also would somebody please give nas his just do
At first, I was thinking that L Boogie shouldn’t have been on the list, due to the nature of her not having released much material, and the material that she has released, she sings on more of it than she raps. HOWEVER, the list isn’t “10 Best Rappers By Material They’ve Released”, it’s “10 Best Rappers”. When you consider her skill on the mic, I could definitely see why someone would put her on the list. That being said, I do think it’s a “PC” choice, a “put a woman on the list for sake of putting a woman on a list” type deal. In an attempt to not be biased by sex, that is effectively what happens. She’s amazing, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t see her being Top 10 worthy. It’s all opinion, though.
On another note, here’s my “Top 10 Best Rappers” list. It was hard not to include some of my personal favorites, but I wanted to be as objective as possible. However, some of my favorites are definitely on the list.
1. Jay-Z
2. Eminem
3. 2Pac
4. Nas
5. Kanye West
6. Lil’ Wayne
7. Drake
8. Kendrick Lamar
9. Andre 3000
10. Common
Honorable Mentions: Jadakiss, Prodigy, Raekwon, B.I.G., AZ, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, Black Thought, Kurupt, Jay Electronica, Sean Price
For me, I considered several factors when making this list. It wasn’t just my personal preference. The main factors I based this list on were “skill (wordplay, flow, and style, among other things)”, “significance (i.e. impact on the game)”, “catalog”, and “influence on other rappers”, among other things. Bear in mind this is just my thoughts as of today; this could easily change in the next few days, or even the next few minutes. When you’re not basing a list on statistics alone, it then becomes subjective.
Also, I know a few names on my list will definitely get a few people pissed off, who will undoubtedly call me some teeenage fanboy. To debunk that, I’m an 80’s baby who was fortunate to have really started getting into hip hop heavily in the mid 90’s, which imo was hip-hop’s golden age. I’ve been a huge fan of hip hop ever since, and definitely consider myself someone who understands and appreciates lyricism (and rap music as a whole) on a high level. I’m not just some fan boy and I didn’t pick this list entirely based off personal preference. If I did, the list would have a couple different people on it.
All that being said (and as I’ve mentioned before), this list is subjective, meaning it is based on MY opinion, not yours or anyone else’s.
It’s your list which makes it right for you …. Like you said it’s all subjective it’s whatever inspires you ….. I think people get hung up on looking for the “truth” or the right one …. In all honesty why can’t we scrap “the list” and recognize exceptional work regardless of era
No top 10 rapper list is complete if you don’t include Kool G Rap and Ice Cube. Kendrick, Wayne and Lauryn Hill should NOT be included. I can’t stand Eminem’s music but I can understand why he would be included. Fuck a list tho.
and yes, 2Pac should definitely be in the top 10 also. It’s ludicrous that they didn’t include him.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UMpnspwz67U
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mixin-in-da-kitchen-ep/id1052600707?uo=4
http://open.spotify.com/album/34K15WgMe3jFk65mofK5Dz
I think Wayne deserve the spot for the gentleman created a wave of new Artists-talking about Drake,Kendrick Lamar,Future and so on.
He expanded music in creative sectors which noone could have ever imagined.
Moroever-songs like TIE MY HANDS,GEORGIA BUSH,MY HEART RACES ON,His verse in Hollywood Divorce by OutKast show that Wayne can be lethal if he wants to.
Do you remember We Takin Over?
I would go with;
Andre 3000
BIG
Big Pun
Nas
Eminem
Lil Wayne
Jay Z
Rakim
Kanye West
Snoop Dogg
And my best Rapper song is VIBRATE by OUTKAST(Andre 3000).
For those of you who don’t believe lauryn Hill should not be on the list, take a listen to the fugees, “the score” & “blunted on reality” those are Ms. Hills rapping credits, her style is solely unque and Her rhymes are thought provoking and memorable: while flaunting hip hops purpose. She is dope and deserves her spot,. Her music is still relevant and her verses had so much substance. I do admit that there are some errors, Pac & Krs one are missing and some people should not be on there at all, who the fuck puts Eminem over Nas, eminem should not be there , nor should lil Wayne or kendrick; although he is great he does not have enough time in to be on the list, although he well on his way.
I get mad frustrated when I rhyme
Thinking of all the kids who try to do this
For all the wrong reasons
Seasons change, mad things rearrange
But it all stays the same like the love Doctor Strange
I’m tame like the rapper,
Get red like a snapper when they do that
Got your whole block saying”TRUE DAT”
If only they knew that,
It was you who was irregular,
Sold your soul for some secular
Muzak that’s wack,
Plus you use that loop over and over
Claiming that you got a new style
Your attempts are futile, Ooo chile
Your puerile,
Brain waves are sterile
You can’t create, you just wait to take, my tape’s
Laced with malice
Hands get calloused
From grippin’ microphones from here to Dallas
Go ask Alice if you don’t believe me,
I get Inner Visions like Stevie
See me, ascend from the chalice like the weed be
Indeed be like Khalil Muhammad
MC’s make me vomit
I get controversial
Freak your style with no rehearsal
Ooo, contraire mon frere
Don’t you even go there
Me without a mic is like a beat without a snare
I dare to tear into your ego,
We go, way back like some ganja and pelequo
Or Coleco-Vision
My mind makes incisions in your anatomy
And I’ll back this with Deuteronomy
Or Leviticus, God made this word
You can’t get with this
Sweet like licorice,
Dangerous like syphillis, yeah.
-Lauryn Hill
I play my enemies like a game of chess, where I rest
No stress, if you don’t smoke sess, lest
I must confess, my destiny’s manifest
In some Goretex and sweats I make treks like I’m homeless
Rap orgies with Porgy and Bess
Capture your bounty like Elliot Ness, yes
Bless you if you represent the Fu
But I’ll hex you with some witch’s brew
If you’re doo-doo, voodoo
I can do what you do, easy, believe me
Fronting niggas give me hee-bee-gee-bees
So while you’re imitating Al Capone, I’ll be Nina Simone
And defecating on your microphone
-lauryn hill
First of all fuck these top ten lists!!! When it’s all said and done everyone of those rappers “MCs” is essential to hip hop.art has no real metrics attached to them besides sales. So shouldn’t Eminem be the greatest by that standered…. And leaving 2pac off the list was obviously a click bate tactic so these two writers could stir the pot and play devils advocate because their taste of music is so “Devine” … There’s a reason some Universities around the country chose to have courses based solely on his lyrics and impact on hip hop culture if Tupac is not the greatest rapper of all time he’s certainly deserves a spot in somebody’s shitty top ten list…. Oh and btw Kendrick and biggie both have two “official” albums out the difference is biggie got shot, Kendricks two albums alone have been critical and mainstream hits despite the radical changes that have gone on in the music industry… These two morons (the writers) have lost their hood pass, not for the list mind you , but simply for defending it and treating like the Ten Commandments of hip hop …. Because Americans love lists, and everyone seems to be posting theirs
1.Tupac
2.Black thought
3.Kendrick/J Cole
4.Jay electronica/MF doom
5.Rza,Gza,Ghost,Meth/Krs one/Chuck D
6.Nas/Pharoah Monch
7.Biggie/Pun
8.Blackstar /Common
9. Eminem/Rakim/Jay Z(not a fan of j but respect)
10.Cube/3k/Ugk/scarface/Kanye/Royce
This may look like cheating but maybe this is how list should be compiled from now on…. To show respect for all those artist who have influenced us on our journey through hip hop
And it don’t stop !!!!
Ok then show me your top ten …. I bet it’s worst than mine ….
This is worse than billboards list.
Eminem
Pac
Biggie
Big L
Nas
Kendrick
Wayne
Eazy
TI
Jay Z
Each year, the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress chooses 25 recordings showcasing the range and diversity of American recorded sound heritage in order to increase preservation awareness. The diversity of nominations received highlights the richness of the nation’s audio legacy and underscores the importance of assuring the long-term preservation of that legacy for future generations. Tupac Shakur’s song “Dear Mama” was added to this prestigious list at the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2010. Congratulations Tupac Amaru Shakur for being the #1 rapper of all time. R.I.P. 2PAC
nobody mentions Too Short….unbelievable.He’d make my top 5
make one
Well 2pac had a magnetic effect, it was almost as though he was the original inventor of rap. I guess that in order for other rappers to exist they have to gauge there skills against against the original. Call it what it may 2pac set the bar in many ways and no one has came close since his untimely death.
Still Kendrick Lamar is the best emcee of this generation. His style, lyrics, creativity and everything in music is just classic.
Unlike J. Cole who’s forcing but I don’t see style in his music.
Any lizards that don’t have Biggie and Tupac is 1 and 2 and I realize some people ain’t going to like it in that order some people will like it then it’s not a real list should be biggie one Tupac two and then go from there they were the two best of all time and not because they died they inspired everybody that came after them