It’s not uncommon for legendary rappers to be asked to list their Top 10 favorite MCs of all time during interviews.
The subject usually sparks polarizing reactions from the interviewer and whoever else is privy to the answers. Black Thought’s Instagram Live discussion with longtime Hot 97 personality Fatman Scoop on Sunday (May 17) was no different.
In the interview clip, The Roots frontman disclosed his picks for the greatest to ever pick up a mic: Rakim, Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Kool G Rap, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, The D.O.C., Run-DMC’s Rev Run, Schoolly D, Three Time Dope’s EST and LL Cool J.
Being among rap’s elder statesmen, it’s natural for the 48-year-old spitter to pick influences who had their heyday in the 1980s. Schoolly D and EST from Three Times Dope are hometown picks for the Philadelphia legend, while the Dallas-born D.O.C. is the sole outlier not from the East Coast.
Elsewhere in the interview, the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon mainstay discussed his creative process when recording collaborative tracks with two of his favorites — Rakim and Kool G Rap.
“If I did a record with G Rap, the nuances of my style that come from G Rap will probably stand out more because that’s who I was paired with,” Thought said. “There’s certain artists that are one-fifth of who I feel like makes me up and Rakim is one of those dudes.
“I occupy a dope space where most of the MCs that I have a certain level of respect for, that respect is mutual. That’s all the validity, that’s all really the accolades, that’s all my flowers while I’m still here.”
Watch the full interview above.
He forgot Eminem though
Why do you think he’s called Black Thought….duhh
He didn’t forget him. He doesn’t like corny, angsty music made for 16 years old with no content. I mean who wants to listen to an almost 50 year old rapper screaming and winning like a b*tch
Well Black Thought is featured on em’s most recent album clown, so i doubt its anything to do with not liking em, BT is just an old head who prefers the shit he grew up on because thats who inspired him to start rapping!!
you sound stupid. eminem freestyles be way better then his mainstream album. foh. just because you go by hit songs. doesn’t mean he isn’t a lyricist, you fuckboy.
He forgot 6ixe9ine the greatest rapper from New York since the greatest died. His opinion is invalid. The old, irrelevant, dusty senile nicca should shut. 6ix9ine is the epicenter of New York rap, how can he omit him
You need your teeth knocked out son
He is right though. I mean 6ix9ine has accumulated more Youtube views in a day than these niccas in their lifetime. Men lie, women lie, numbers do not lie. Check the scoreboard.
You must have ate paint chips growing up
If you know the song Boom! from The Tipping Point you already know BT likes Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap, and I am not suprised with the rest of his picks. Dope
It’s pretty difficult to come up with such lists. It’s really a subjective assessment, anyway. That’s Black Thought’s opinion, though. Every man is entitled to his own opinion.
No your not entitled at all. Take his words as gospel and accept.
To even put chuck d’s sissy ass on here is a joke
100%…Most overrated rapper of all time, he’s a good voice that’s it. He just pushed the right buttons at the time, it had nothing to do with his actual rapping talent, cuz there’s not much there. With that said, obviously BT is an old head and that’s who he grew up on. I don’t agree, but that’s his opinion. I personally think Black Thought deserves be in anybody’s top 10 over Chuck D
Chuck Ds most overrated… man y’all need to go back and listen. As far as skill set of just rapping I understand where your coming from…. but I’m sure most would agree when it comes to lyrical content Chuck D is in a league of his own…him and maybe KRS ONE. Tell me another rapper that made it as big saying the shit Chuck D was saying without getting reprimanded or blackballed by the industry….I’ll wait
It’s his opinion tho…and for the record Chuck D’s lyricism is legend….. if it wasn’t For Chuck D there definitely wouldn’t be no Ice Cube.
But chuck made 2 of the great hip hop albums of all time with more replay value than your favorites.
First they said “his favorite MC’s” then they said “greatest to ever pick up a mic.” Which one was it? Sounds like these are his favorite to me. Presenting it like something else makes the story completely invalid.
Heavy D is the GOAT!!! Y’all know this!
Don’t fuck wit me
I would say Logic is one of the greatest rappers of all time. He’s in my top 5
Hey Logic, why don’t you login as yourself?
Definitely in nu team 5 ever. When you look at top 5 now I could agree and add Eminem, J. Cole, Kendrick and Royce da 59
*def not in my top 5 ever
Also Logic is the best rapper of this generation of music.
Only to you..can’t find another 10 human beings that know rap consign that statement
Only to white boys
No Nas you do not have a list. Go love yourself!!!
He has Rakim who begat Nas just like he has Kane who begat Jay. It’s all about what he grew up on because everyone on his list has better known rap sons that trace their style back to their predecessors.
no pharaohe or black thought himself, bogus list.
I must say that this is a VERY respectable and “Hip Hop” list. I jumped to conclusions on this because I saw Big and Pac didn’t make the cut but, this is a VERY good list right here. Black Thought is older than I am. I’m Shaquille O’ Neal’s first NBA jersey number age and my top 5 is (in no order), Nas, Big, Pac, Em, and Hov. I got Wayne, Kanye, and Kendrick in the bottom 5 and those other two slots are a little tougher to fill up in my own personal top 10. This top rappers shit is all about age and personal preference and taste. Some niggas might have Silkk The Shocker or even Birdman in their top rappers list. I’m not mad at this list at all tho. Eminem himself is very fond of LL. Rakim revolutionized emceeing. KRS is the living and breathing human form of Hip Hop. Rev Run was a part of one of the greatest and most commercially successful groups of all time, as was Chuck D. Very respectable list right here.
Yo son,
Learn how to shorten your posts. Too fucken long and full of mumble-jumble.
Stick to tweeting.
H
I was with you until you mentioned Silk the shocker and Birdman??moot even in New Orleans.
It’s refreshing to see a top 10 without big or pac. There’s no unwritten rule that says everyone has to like them. I personally didn’t like anything pac did, and that doesn’t change the fact that I’ve been a fan of the music for well over 30 years.
Andre 3000, Nas & Black Thought together would be a crazy track! Black Thought and J.Cole would be stupid nice too!
Scoop was dope for putting Finesse on his, one of my favorites from the early 90’s. Masta Ace never gets put on anyone’s list. Kane’s my #1 but he hasn’t put out an album in over 20 years. Rakim ain’t did shit in probably almost as long. Ace was nice on The Symphony and he’s still putting out bangers in 2020. No other rapper from that era can say that. I mean KRS is still rapping, so is G Rap. But they’re not like they use to be, well to me anyways. Ace’s only downfall back then was he was in a crew with G Rap and fucking Kane, 2 of the best. I’d put Chino XL, Vakill, Fred The Godson & Ras Kass on mine too.
Id put phonte and elzhi over Chino. The lyrical miracle spiritual empiracle just don’t hit as hard anymore
Not like they use to be. From 30 fucking years ago. FOH
lemme guess 8 are his friends, and 2 are pac and biggie. no one gives a shit. do u actually ask urself “is this blog worthy” u fucks have no journalistic integrity.
ur degrees from devry dont count.
Top 10 Rappers ( No Particular Order)
1 Gza
2 Celph Titled
3 Krs One
4 Redman
5 B Real
6 Rockness Monsta. (RIP Sean P)
7 Guilty Simpson
8 Method Man
9 Vast Aire
10 Prodigal Sunn or UG
Nothing BEATS Hip Hop Baby!
Everyone’s list is different but it’s interesting to hear his thoughts. I’d put BT, Nas, Rakim, Andre 3000, Pac, Kane, QTip, Krs 1, B.I.G, and Em.
LIKE MADEA WILL SAY
HELL T0 THE N0
IM AB0UT T0 BUST A CAP
WHAT THE HELL D0
TH0SE SAID RAPPERS
Y0U BELCED 0UT M0STLY
FR0M THE S0UTH AND WEST
G0T T0 D0 WITH PIONEERS
LIKE KRS 0NE ,THE INFAM0US M0BB DEEP , FU-SCHNICKENS
JUNGLE BR0THERS
D0 Y0UR H0MEW0RK
THATS THE PR0BLEM
T00 HARDHEADED
LISTEN T0 THESE HERE
PI0NEERS WRITE D0WN
Y0UR TH0UGHTS BETCHA
Y0U’LL CHANGE Y0UR HULLUCINATI0NS
Better to just to do one list from 90s on wards and another for the 80s because obviously Rakim, G-Rap, KRS, Kane and so on need to listed high due to their influence but yeah its just stating the obvious so might as well do separate lists.
TOP 5 2000’S
1A.50 CENT , THE GAME
1B.NIPSEY HUSSLE
1C.Y0UNG BUCK
2A.TYLER THE CREAT0R
2B.Y0UNG BUCK
2C.DA BABY
3A.DRAKE
3B.21 SALVAGE
3C.P0P SM0KE ( DRILL ) RAP
4A.POST MALONE
4B.QUAV0,MIG0S
4C.KENDRICK LAMAR
5.FREAKY TAH
Being black is like a curse.. just full of jealousy, oppression, hate and unprofessionalism.. just because you are an older rapper doesnt mean you just cant be honest n pick even guys younger than you.. I see this problem with every rapper.. black thought so you trying to tell me these guys you picked better than nas, eminem. Lil wayne? Only when it comes to black stuff you’ll start hearing stuff like it’s all opinion.. it’s not opinion.. there’s no way those guys made better rap music than d guys I mentioned.. Please I’ve lost respect for you.. you a hater too.. sad
Its impossible for me to pick my 10 best because i have about 20 number 1’s. So ill just say that Chuck D, Rahkim, Ll cool j, Scarface, and Mos Def, are high on my list. I love Hip Hop and its impossible for me to pick a top 10. It would be easier to give a 10 worst list.