Ice Cube recently chopped it up with DBIC Magazine for an upcoming issue dropping this November 1. The west coast veteran explained why he chose to title his most recent release I Am the West, saying that the title is not only is it a celebration of his home state’s contribution to the rap game, but a call to arms for all west coast emcees.
“I think after you’ve been in the game as long as I have, you can’t take anything for granted,” he said. “You have to re-establish yourself. The big dog has to piss on trees every now and then to let everybody know he’s still there. That’s kind of the premise for the record being named I Am the West. Another one is to celebrate what we’ve added to the game of hip-hop and not shy away from it. We’re letting people know that we’re proud of where we come from. Hip-hop has turned on its ear because of the west coast. We’re not gonna be forgotten in this industry, even though the west coast has faced a backlash or abandonment from the industry towards the kind of music we do. It’s really a celebration of our contribution to hip-hop.”
In other news, BET will premiere its “Top 10 Rappers of the 21st Century” tonight at 8PM ET. Hosted by Big Tigger, a panel of judges that includes Jermaine Dupri, DJ Vlad, Boi 1nda, Greg Street and others will debate who are the top ten most influential and skilled rappers of the 21st century.
Prior the debate, BET asked its viewers to decide the top fifteen rappers of the 21st century thus far based on the parameters that the artist released his debut album in 1999 or later. The list chosen by BET’s viewers includes 50 Cent, Drake, Eminem, Eve, Fabolous, Game, Gucci Mane, Jadakiss, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Nelly, Rick Ross, T.I. and Young Jeezy. Viewers wanting a piece of the action can log on to BET.com to participate in their Virtual Court voting system.
Wow some of the worst rappers i’ve ever heard and seen in my life..when u put Drake,fabolous,gucci mane,Nelly,rick ross and young jeezy u know hip hop is dead..lil wayne is a overhypded piece of shit..his music has no meaning,creativity or thought what so ever
WAYNE IS A SPITTER..NOT A LYRICAL RAPPER OR STORY TELLER OBVIOUSLY….
FABOLOUS AINT TIGHT? HMMM
Fab’s Old shit was tight as fuck, and Nelly’s First album is a classic. C’MON MAN!!!!!!!
They might just want to consider throwing a rapper by the name of Jay-Z in there… I mean just saying… Vol. 3,Dynasty, Blueprint, Black Album, American Gangster.
Oh Roc-a-fella, Roc-a-Wear, fitteds low with the button downs.
@ least 5 of the rappers on the list attempt to emulate, or he’s their idol.
BET, is the worst thing to happen to Hip Hop since 2003….
He came out in 96 with R.D. He is ineligible as is Nas, and other 90’s greats
Damn… your right, i thought they just had to release material after 1999. Missed that parameter. Comment rescinded, but Eminem should definitely not be eligible either then.
Lil Wayne shouldn’t be eligible either.
NVM, it said “released his debut album in 1999 or later”. Damn!
This has bugged the hell out of me. Eminem shouldn’t be eligible, I thought Infinite came out in 1996
They going by studio albums. Infinite doesnt count as a studio album. Em should most definately win this since he the only great included in the list
Fuck B.E.T.!!!!
GAME AND GUCCI AND CUBE ! ALL DAY WEST COAST FUCK RADIO PLAY
Gucci Mane is the worst rapper ever to make it big i have no idea how the hell rap needs to make a turn or wack dude like this will destroy it.
No Lupe Fiasco, smdh.
This is why you don’t fuck with BET. For coons, by coons.
am I the only one who realizes there’s no possible way drake should be on there, considering the fact that he just barely dropped an album, and in all honesty.. i think wayne’s the block is hot dropped in 98 if im not mistaken.
yeah no Lupe, no Talib, no Mos Def, no Jay-z…did children vote on this? I mean what has Fabolous done that Talib and Lupe have not done? From what I have seen, this not a list of the best rappers but of the best-selling rappers and the rappers who 106 & Park viewers want every single day…might as well throw in Waka Flocka.
No Lupe?? that shit is criminal. Talib & Mos Def come out with a album in ’98 so they probly don’t count. Eminem is the natural winner out of that list. But i wouldn’t be sure when it comes to bet.. u can’t say u didn’t expect a list like this from them though.. But 50 Cent, Drake(how the fuck), Gucci Mane, Nelly, Rick Ross?? fuck no.. even Wayne and Young Jeezy..
Cube Isnt A Top 10 rapper of tha Centurry!!
N Where Tha Fck Is Missy At??! I Don C Jay-Z
DRAKE, WAYNE, GUCCI, ROSS, JEEZY & NELLY?
MAYBE TOP 10 OVERHYPED & OVERRATED RAPPERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
THEM NIGGAS WOULDNT MAKE MY TOP 50
for me this list will be abotu big money rather than so much skill.
Eminem has to be in there biggest rapper ever and one of the best sorry to his doubters, kanye cause damn he’s changed eveerything, 50 cause well he bleweverything up and killed it twice just to make sure. ludacris he is bigg seller the mouth of the south. dizzee rascal cause he went from british underground grimer to world star. t.i cause he done it and made it, MF DOOM he made some critical albums and changed how people think. viktor vaughn just for being a badmother fucker. lil wayne as muc h as i think he is iver rated he has changed thing altho him and certainly drake and nicki may be felt more next decade. my final choice, is tough because jada, fabolous although he aint lived up to it has certainly been good and shinoda took linkin park big you may class it rock but he raps and on fort minor. but joe budden is my man to round it off at the top.
gucci mane???? might as well put soulja boy on this list. they lookin for who’s the most popular and who sells the most and who gets the most airplay. fuck BET!!
i love rap without it i dont kno wat would happen
t.i. is da best rapper alive not lilwayne
t.i.,lilwayne,gucci,soulja,drake,jezzy,kanye,jcole,waca,and eminem is the top 10 rappers
eminem is the #1 rapper. real tlk an i dnt even like him like dat. but i gotta admit it!!!!
I wanna applaud evryone on here that won’t “drink the Koolaid” and go along with BET’s B.S.list of greatest rappers of the 21st century.This is an attempt to exclude the “true’greats that have actually made contributions to the “now lost culture”and give props to these new”over hyped”Over played”tight-ass jeans,coke bottle glasses wearing so-called emcees.BET is trying to “usher”in an era of-“POP”-HOP and Techno dressed as HipHop,don’t be fooled y’all.
word at youajoke
cmon man this list is wack as fuk lol gucci???????? wayne???????? drake????? jeezy??????really cmon, what about lupe fiasco, young buck (fuk his problems hes got lyrical talent)
“I love HIPHOP, I just hate the niggas in it.”
Also keep in mind folks, the list just says top ten, and typically skill has little to do with the list.
No Lupe huh? BET u some corny mutherfuckas?
no lupe? who the fuck chose this shit? and surely jay would count as 21st century?
and gucci mane? daaaamn what the fuck has this world come to
ahh na i see, jay wouldn’t count unfortunately, reasonable doubt would shit on all these bitches put together. apart from maybe pre-2005 eminem
No Lupe? Talib? not even Bun? yall on that bullshit..
once again BET proves it doesn’t know WTF it’s talkin about…Where the fucks Elzhi Royce Torae Skyzoo Joell Ortiz Lupe if they knew the first thing about rap all of those would of been named.
just checked the BET website, eminem was crowned the top. probably the best choice out of the shitty selection
Em was gone for half the decade and Encore, the re up, relaapse were all dissapointments
How can ICE CUBE not make this list??? It’s bullsh*t
Wow! you are slow.Jay-z,Ice Cube and snoop did not come out in the 21st century .So How the fuck would They qualify?
Nigga they still released albums and had success in the 21st century i beleive that quailfies
fo sure anonymous
this is worse than the top ten lists I see random niggas post on this website everyday…damn…drake, gucci, ross top 10 rappers of the 21st cent? this whole list is wrong…completely…
DO NOT GO TO BET.com.this is ridiculous.you seriously leave out hov?boycott bet…
AGREED.
NAS BEST RAPPER OF ALL TIME
Gucci Mane, I cannot believe that… I dont get it. I watched a few youtube videos of him and listened to several (not only mainstream tracks).
Honestly, can anybody explain to me what he so so good at, I mean mc-wise??? And pls, use reasoning and at least some normal English.
The list i crap, can belive that. what about UGK, Snoop? if that is the top10 list, rap is dead.
The list i crap, can belive that. what about UGK, Snoop? if that is the top10 list, rap is dead.
you are slow.Jay-z,Ice Cube and snoop did not come out in the 21st century .So How the fuck would They qualify?
“MOST INFLUENTIAL AND SKILLED OF THE 21ST CENTURY” NOT WHO FUCKING CAME OUT IN THE 21ST CENTURY. FUCKING ILLITERATE FUCKTARDS. BESIDES, EVEN IF THAT WAS THE LOGIC EMINEM IS ON THAT LIST. GUCCI CAME OUT IN 98. AND JADAKISS WAS 90’S TOO. DUMBFUCKING FUCKS.
Wow! The people on this site are slow.Jay-z,Ice Cube and snoop did not come out in the 21st century .So How the fuck would They qualify?
my top 10- ICE CUBE,NAS,SCARFACE,SNOOP DOGG,JAY Z,RICK ROSS,TI,EMINEM,LIL WAYNE,50 CENT
i saw the bullshit, as much as i hate gucci he should have been on the list before drake, one ok album and ur top 10 for the century, that show was bias as shit. what happen to The Game, i mean im not a fan of his but damn he had more sales with his first album than drake, ross and jezzy do put together and he didn’t make it. and nelly sold 30 mil and didn’t make it becasue hes not relevent right now but the show was for the last 10 years. BET is garbage
Ready MotherFuckers You anti-hip hop Fagets Real Top Ten
10. T.I.
9. Ludacris
8. Common
7. Lupe Fiasco
6. Nas
5. 50 Ceny
4. Lil Wayne
3. Kanye West
2. Eminem
1. Jay-Z (Hate To Say It)
I’m A 90’s Nigga That list would be better but thats how the list should go.
Who Wants To Argue?
Good one but here’s mine.
10. Brother Ali
9. Kanye West
8. 50 Cent (purely because of record sales on GRODT)
7. Immortal Technique
6. Slug/Atmosphere
5. Tech N9NE
4. Lupe Fiasco
3. Jay Z
2. Nas
1. Eminem (MMLP was great, Eminem Show was insane, Encore wasn’t that bad, Relapse was decent, Recovery was amazing)
Revised version
Honorable Mention to T.I. and Common would’ve made it but his best shit came out in the 90’s except for Finding Forever.
10. Brother Ali
9. Kanye West
8. Ludacris
7. Immortal Technique
6. Slug/Atmosphere
5. Tech N9NE
4. Lupe Fiasco
3. Jay Z
2. Nas
1. Eminem
@ anonymous.. whether thats of all time or to have 1st come out in 21st century its still wrong! .. man u got 50 cent, lil wayne and kanye west above NAS(G.O.A.T) and Lupe ??? are u crazy
nigga they released more material in the 2000 and had abigger impact on the game thats why
@ Anonymous:
How could you say Street’s Disciple, HHID and Untitled are bad albums? SD was a good and under-appreciated double album. HHID was bad/ok? That album kicked ass. He truly changed the game with that one. Untitled was dope too.
Sure Jay had a more successful decade than Nas did, but let’s check his 2000s album out shall we?
Blueprint- classic
Blueprint 2- mediocre
Black Album- classic
Kingdom Come- ok
American Gangster- good, not great
Blueprint 3- good, not great
So again, Jay was more successful, but Nas had the stronger discography. That’s why I think Nas>Jay, even though I like them both.
Fucking EVE
Fuck Eve, Eve Sucks
How many good albums has gucci released…0
How many classics has Jeezy released…0
Im a LOX fan but Jada’s albums arn’t as good as times passed
Fabolous was one of the most dissapointing rapper of all time (read the article on HHDX
DRAKE R U Fucking kidding me (not yet faget)
Game is one of the biggest flops.
The list pissed me off
And yes Fuck Eve Eve Sucks
C’mon, they’re talking about the 21st century! Gucci could drop an album today and still wouldnt deserve rapper of the DAY!…
Dont forget; 21st century!: Eminem, 50 Cent, T.I…Jay-Z(?)shit is hard to decide, not enough REAL good mcs this decade in my opinion. Dont matter though Slaughterhouse gon’ take that shit 22nd century!
WTF R U FUCKING KIDDING ME? HALF OF THOSE FUCKING PEOPLE DON’T FUCKING BELONG THERE!!! RICK FUCKING ROSS? YOUNG JEEZY IS AVERAGE, NOT FUCKING GREAT, JUST AVERAGE. DRAKE CAME OUT IN 2000ANDFUCKING9!!! FABOLOUS? WHAT THE FUCK? WHERE THE FUCK IS IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE? TECH N9NE? LUPE FIASCO? BROTHER FUCKING ALI? HELL WHERE THE FUCK IS JAY Z? AND DR. DRE RELEASED CHRONIC 2001 IN 1999 WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT? THIS IS COMPLETE BULLSHIT. I BET BOW FUCKING WOW ENDS UP ON THAT LIST CAUSE OF JERMAINE DUPRI. BULLSHIT. COMPLETE BULLSHIT.
FUCKING GUCCI MANE ARE YOU FUCKING SHITTING ME?
WHERE THE FUCK IS NAS?
Nas is the G.O.A.T but mannnn how many times people gotta be told- this list is for rappers who’s first studio album came out in the 21st century. damn
Dude it says ‘most influential and skilled rappers of the 21st century’. Nas had a bunch of fucking amazing albums in the 21st century. Sure Illmatic was 90’s. But Stillmatic, Hip Hop Is Dead, N.I.G.G.E.R, Distant Relatives with Damian Marley. Nas deserves to be on that fucking list. Eminem came out with Infinite in 96, SSLP in 98, and he’s still on it.
I don’t agree with the list, but c’mon fellas! You can’t have Jay-Z, Nas, Dre. Wayne, Common etc…on your list! Why?! They said it’s based on the artist releasing their DEBUT album AFTER 1999. It’s a shitty “official” list but let’s at least actually read the article to see which artists actually qualify!
dmx? even though his 1st was released in 1998, give da nigga a pass. hes the G.O.A.T! atleast he doesnt ride with satan as compared to all the rest on that list!
The comments make me smile.
The criteria is DEBUT released 1999 or after, so a lot of the artists people are mentioning do not fit the criteria (such as Nas, Jay-Z, Snoop).
Most of the 15 short-listed artists don’t do it for me, but the record sales don’t lie – they are certainly popular.
I like the call for Brother Ali, but I bet his songs don’t get played on BET…
WRONG GAY GUYS IT GOSE 10.TI 9.NELLY 8.REDMAN 7.METHODMAN 6.ANDRE3000 5.LUDA 4.LIL WAYNE 3.MR.WEST 2.JAY-Z 1. M&M
fucking list the best rappers are WC , Scarface, Ice Cube, Eminem, Ras Kass and BG Knocc Out
why is eminem on this list, I mean, he’s certainly the best out here now (in my opinion) but his debut was infinite in 1996, It might have been a lot worse than slim shady LP, but still, if they put him on the list, you might as well do Nas or DMX or Jay-z
I didn’t get it either at first, but they’re more than likely referring to studio albums under a label. Infinite was self-released.
MAJOR LABEL DEBUT YOU IDIOT
1999 huh they suck
DMX was ’98
Big Pun was ’98
Blackstarr ’98
Devin the Dude ’98
Killah Preist ’98
BTW eminems SSEP was also ’98
Jadakiss wass on biggies album with the lox in ’97
Gucci Mane had dicks in his mouth in ’98
Fuck these bullshit list that are only hear to promoted this rapper…wheres nikki?
Heres my muthafuckin list
The RZA
The GZA
Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Inpectah Deck
Reakwon the Chef
U-God
Masta Killah
Cappadonna
Ghostface
AND……..
M-E-T-H-O-D MAN
“Wu Tang 4 The Children”
top rapper of 21st century.. well lets narrow it down to Kayne and Em
let me spark a debate for y’all
the last time i checked, dont we have around 90 years before the 21st century ends? LOL
If they are starting from 1999, that isnt even 20th century..its just making sales for their lame tv shows..
KNOWN WORLDWIDE
1. 2 PAC
2. B.I.G
3. JAY Z
4. NAS
5. DR DRE
6. SNOOP DOGGY
7. KANYE WEST
8. EMINEM
9. 50 CENT
10. JA RULE
LoL at this list !!!
2pac number 1? 2pac!?!?!?!
50 cent?
“SNOOP DOGGY”
KANYE WEST?
Ja Rule?
I almost pissed myself laughing!
Snoop, Kanye, & Dre all better than Eminem?
Ja Rule being there period?
you’re an idiot
who would keep Lupe Fiasco off this list.is this a fucking koke or something