Despite the subjective nature of music, people love, love to debate who they believe is the greatest rapper of all time. It’s an argument that will likely go on for infinity, with no “right answer” ever to be determined. On Wednesday (July 20), a list of the “Top 25 Southern Emcees Of All-Time” went viral, prompting social media to flood the post with their opinions.
While Pastor Troy was ranked at the bottom (after replacing a crossed out Jeezy), it was Geto Boys MC Scarface who ultimately took the crown. Other entries included T.I. (No. 3), Lil Wayne (No. 2), Pusha T (No. 4), J. Cole (No. 5), Bun B (No. 14), Big Boi (No. 7) and Rick Ross (No. 6).
Scarface rose to notoriety in the late ’80s and early ’90s alongside his Geto Boys brethren Willie D and Bushwick Bill. The group released seven studio albums, beginning with 1988’s Making Trouble and culminating with 2005’s The Foundation.
While the 1996 album The Resurrection charted the highest on the Billboard 200 at No. 6, it was We Can’t Be Stopped that proved to be their most lucrative. Released in 1991, the project was ultimately certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) thanks in large part to the single “Mind Playing Tricks On Me.” The song peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the Geto Boys’ highest-charting single.
Scarface also has 11 solo efforts in his catalog, including The Untouchable, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA in May 1997. Mr. Scarface Is Back, The World Is Yours, The Diary, My Homies and The Last Of A Dying Breed were all certified either gold or platinum as well.
Last month, Rolling Stone sparked a contentious debate with their 200 Greatest Hip Hop Albums list. One particular fan was incensed the longtime music magazine placed Cardi B’s 2018 debut Invasion of Privacy at No. 16 ahead of multiple classic albums — and they weren’t the only one.
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“Rolling Stone just ranked ‘Invasion of Privacy’ as the 16th best Hip Hop album of all time and placed it above all of these classics: [Nas] Illmatic, [Outkast] Aquemini, [MF DOOM & Madlib] Madvillainy, [Dr. Dre] The Chronic, [Lil Wayne] The Carter III, [2Pac] All Eyez On Me, [JAY-Z] Reasonable Doubt, [Kendrick Lamar] good kid, m.A.A.d city and [Eminem] The Marshall Mathers LP. Wtf man.”
Check out the full ranking of the “Top 25 Southern Emcees Of All-Time” below.
- Scarface
- Lil Wayne
- T.I.
- Pusha T
- J. Cole
- Rick Ross
- Big Boi
- Future
- André 3000
- Project Pat
- Pimp C
- MJG
- Eightball
- Bun B
- Cee-Lo Green
- Juvenile
- Mystikal
- Ludacris
- Gucci Mane
- Curren$y
- Big KRIT
- 2 Chainz
- Quavo
- Killer Mike
- Pastor Troy (crossed out Jeezy)
Suck on that, T.I…extra pretentious bastard.
But TI said Scarface was the King of the South… Do you just not know history or you just hating to hate?
The fact that I called him an extra pretentious bastard should answer your question. Use your critical thinking skills…
i agree with scarface, big boi and cee lo are my 2 and 3
well, they got #1 right… but ummm, Andre @ number 9? and under FUTURE at that?! FOH! Future aint even really an MC.
I think that’s indisputable. Face had the first Southern classic, The Diary. That shit still goes almost 30 years later.
3 stacks number 9 and pimp C number 11? Fools are on that crack. Was int mad at face being 1. I say Andre 3000 is a better MC, personal taste though.
Came in ready to cosign the list for having Scarface 1. But lol at Future ahead of 3 Stacks.
Really seriously WTF are they smoking?
Jeezy is better than Future and Gucci Mane.
Love and respect Scarface but I wouldn’t put him number 1 but I’m not complaining about the people that do put him no 1.
Big Krit and Ludacris would be my contenders for number 1, I wouldn’t put Project Pat, Future, quavo or Gucci Mane on
my list. They forgot about guys like Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Z-RO and I would also put Slim Thug, Trae the Truth and Young Buck over some people on this list.
You from Texas?
Swap project pat with lil Wayne and ok
Gangsta Boo was better than project pat
Where’s lil Boosie?
That’s nice, Why did Scarface cancel his farewell tour?
No disrespect to scarface he is a great rapper and I’m one of his biggest fans.
Me personally I nominate Freaky Tah Rip.
Trick Daddy and Mr.Cheeks. Lost Boyz.
Tah and Cheeks are from Queens (Jamica to be exact)
Scarface is definitely a legend in his own right when it comes to the rappers.
I think Trick daddy/ freaky Tah and Mr cheeks of the lost Boyz should be on the list.
Tah and Cheeks are from Queens (Jamica to be exact)
Trick definitely up there in the top ten.
Devin the dude
Exactly Devin The Dude. One of the best from the south. J.Cole, Future and Quavo what a fucking joke to be on list. Devin The Dude always putting out classic fucking shit.
Exactly Devin The Dude. One of the best from the south. J.Cole, Future and Quavo what a fucking joke to be on list. Devin The Dude great lyricist and always putting out classic fucking shit.
Yep, definitely.
Rightfully so..
Scarface being number 1 is rightfully so not just in south but period! Because his lyrical content and delivery for our culture is so profound rather it was good or bad true and real I give him his flowers and honors NOW.
No Phonte, Stic.man of dead prez or K-Rino on this list is criminal…….to each its own tho
Yep, Phont definitely on there. I forget about them.
Scarface is rightfully number 1. Those who disagree are probably too young to have witnessed the full evolution of Hip Hop and the musical contributions made by Scarface. His lyrical content as well as delivery stand alone. He’s a true LEGEND. That takes nothing from the talent that came behind him that he in someway influenced.
It’s not a fact it’s subjective. I don’t think he’s number 1. He’s great lyrically and his content and subject matter is good as well
but his flow isn’t up their with the most versatile.
I like the Migos last album but I don’t think I would put Quavo in my top 50 also think Project Pat would rank like 5-6th out of that 3-6 crew alone so I wouldn’t have him in my top 25. There would be other deserving rappers
like Trina, Young Buck, Trick Daddy, ESG, Z-ro, Khujo from Goodie Mob. Ludacris is a monster on the mic he should easily be in the Top 3. It was good to see Pastor Troy on that list he deserves more credit than he gets.
List incomplete without Z-Ro, Big Mike, Tela, K-Reno, and Mr. Mike on it.