JAY-Z has been named the greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and VIBE, and as is usually the case with Hip Hop rankings, it has caused quite a stir.
The publications began rolling out their list of Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time last month as part of a collaborative effort to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary this year.
After showing love to the likes of Kanye West, André 3000, Lauryn Hill, Ice Cube, Rakim, LL COOL J and Black Thought across its No. 50 to No. 11 picks, Billboard and VIBE unveiled their final 10 selections on Wednesday (February 8).
Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Drake, Lil Wayne and The Notorious B.I.G. were ranked No. 10 to No. 6, in that order, while Eminem, 2Pac, Nas and Kendrick Lamar occupied the No. 5 to No. 2 slots.
But coming in at No. 1 on the list was an MC who is no stranger to being hailed as the greatest rapper of all time: JAY-Z.
Billboard argued its case by citing Hov’s commercial success, critical acclaim, cultural impact and entrepreneurial greatness, along with his “regal-scented rhymes that speak to the struggle.”
Aside from his 24 Grammy Awards, 14 No. 1 albums and 140 million record sales, it’s Jigga’s “longevity, the breadth of his accomplishments, and what he’s meant to Hip Hop from a musical, cultural and financial standpoint for the last three decades” that make him the G.O.A.T., according to the publication.
The list caused plenty of chatter on social media, and among JAY-Z’s army of loyal fans, it was unsurprisingly welcomed with open arms.
“Absolutely. Nobody has as many consistently amazing hip hop records as HOV,” one fan reacted on Twitter, while another noted: “Wayne himself says jay is the GOAT I don’t know why yall pressed [crying face emojis].”
Not everyone agreed with the ranking, though.
“Em is the most decorated Rapper in history. Em is the best selling rapper of all time. Em as achieved EGOT status. Has achieved the biggest sold out shows in rap history. Lose yourself is the most successful song of all time. Em is the only top selling rapper in top 10 music history,” one Slim Shady stan countered.
There were also plenty of Tupac Shakur fans outraged at the late rap icon not being named the greatest of all time, with one person arguing: “Pac died 2 decades ago but still relavant [sic], to me thats a goat.”
JAY-Z’s latest honor may help to soften the blow of what was another barren night at the Grammys last weekend (in terms of awards, anyway).
The Brooklyn-bred billionaire entered the 65th Annual Grammy Awards with three nominations for his show-stealing verse on DJ Khaled’s “God Did,” which was up for Song of the Year, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance — but lost out in all three categories.
Nevertheless, Hov still had the last word (literally) as he closed out the ceremony with a Last Supper-inspired performance of “God Did” alongside Khaled, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, John Legend and Fridayy.
Despite his contentious relationship with the Recording Academy, Jay later revealed that he felt compelled to rap his four-minute verse at the Grammys because he “owed” it to Hip Hop.
“I thought about it, I was in my head and I just broke down and said, ‘You know, it’s a four-minute verse.’ Again, for the culture, for Hip Hop, we got to do that,” he said in a rare interview with TIDAL.
“This ain’t your traditional song. … It’s not your traditional structure of what you think a song that would be nominated for Song of the Year would sound like. It’s not what you expect. And for the culture and for Hip Hop, we got to do that.”
He continued: “We owe that. This thing that changed our lives. We got to do that. A four-minute verse performed at the Grammys. We owe it to the culture, and it ain’t even a burden. It’s a blessing. It’s easy and fun.”
Honestly you could put Nas, Jay, Pac, Biggie, Eminem and Kendrick in any order.
After that I would go with Ice Cube, Ghostface, Black Thought, Rakim, Snoop, Andre3k in no order.
I would push Common higher that 33, Chuck D higher than 34, Black Thought higher than 28.
I think it’s too early to put Kendrick up there especially at the top..longevity has to be a big criteria..he’s definitely a top artist today with nasty skills on the mic..some people may say big and pac don’t have the longevity but their skills and impact in the short time keeps them at the top
Eminem so butt hurt over Jay and Drake getting flowers he deserves more. On the real Eminem would bury both of them and had on their own songs. Now the same age he campaigned for is writing him out the history books of hip hop as Elvis. I just think it’s funny on 2003 every gangster rapper needed him for a career boost an the entire world fell victim to it. Now Jay Z who is officially retired along the ghost writing super star are now surpassing Eminem. Stan’s must be mad his star power is disappearing and despite MTBMB being a great album… crickets. Either way fuck Jay Z , Drake and Em
Their all Epstein pedo clients
am not biggest em fan but i just look at spotify he at top 10 most follow and stream daily/monthly tho. and he sell 1m album (old or new combine) the last 5 years,
I dont know why billboard still even exists in the streaming era. How do “plays” constitute as buying an album ? Its so fucking stupid. So many rappers on that list sent out messages on twitter and Instagram to leave your playlist on repeat every night while you sleep. Its all bullshit.
JAY Z is a great rapper but he was NEVER the number one rapper in the world. EVER. In ‘96, it’s Pac; in 97’ it’s Biggie; In the late 90’s and a early 00’s it’s DMX, Eminem and then 50 Cent. After the end of the 50 era, it’s the Kanye and Lil Wayne era, and after that the Drake, Kendrick and Cole era.
Jay Z was the greatest rapper in 1998, in 2000 when the Blueprint dropped you can make an argument for 2004 when Black Album dropped but T.I was killing shit that year… and in 2009 best rapper alive when he shook the world with D.O.A death of auto tune off the blueprint 3 album and New york state of mind his best selling single to this day I believe with Alicia Keys.. Jay Z has been relevant every single year consistently no matter who came and went bruh!!
Jay Z was the greatest rapper in 1998, in 2000 when the Blueprint dropped you can make an argument for 2004 when Black Album dropped but T.I was killing shit that year… and in 2009 best rapper alive when he shook the world with D.O.A death of auto tune off the blueprint 3 album and New york state of mind his best selling single to this day I believe with Alicia Keys.. you sound crazy fam.
Jay changed the game in 96 with Reasonable Doubt creating his own label. From the beginning Jay was Hot.. Nobody was doing that. Do your research.
No you idiot, The Blueprint dropped in 2001 which belonged to NAS.
The Black Album dropped in 2003 when 50 had the game on lock. Stop trying to rewrite history, you look like a moron.
Seems you’re confirming the longevity of the 🐐
50 was a newcomer and was on fire but was never the best rapper…1998-2003 was Jay-Z..them he came out of retirement to reclaim the throne
Jay definitely has a solid run, but I’d say Tupac is my personal greatest. Pac still has an effect on people worldwide. Jay has good music, but I find him to be so smug that he kind of annoys me nowadays. Can’t stomach new age em, but old Em was an insane force to be reckoned with in his prime. To me, Jay wouldn’t have been such a star had Big and Pac not died. I think even if they had lived, dmx still would have been huge. Oh, ans Big L. Had he lived, Idk if Jay would’ve made it nearly as far. He kind of filled the gap of Biggie and Big L. But nobody was ever able to fill the gap Pac left behind. I think what it was with Pac is obviously how impactful his poetry was. Lots of his songs were actually important, Jay, Biggie, and others, more so just entertainment that becomes dated. To each their own though, I don’t like websites or anyone ranking someone number 1. There’s no such thing as number 1. There isn’t a number 1 Rockstar. Some may say Led Zeppelin, some may say Pink Floyd, others may say Elvis, and another might say ACDC. It’s all a matter of tastes and opinion. It’s like saying “#1 food ever is pizza”. Yeah, most widely loved and enjoyed possibly. But #1 food? Wouldn’t say that lol . Sorry for the long rant, have a nice day everyone.
No Tupac don’t influence people worldwide. The world is really wide. Sorry he died young but even that dont make him at levels of those that lived longer.
Any people from Africa and other nations care to share some insights? From what I’ve heard, the two most widely known rappers worldwide are eminem and tupac.
As a South African I can honestly say that’s true, we started gangs over that west coast ish, and em is a legend in these parts
Men come to Africa, hit ‘‘em up, California love, move crowd I mean crowd than any Hip pop song. PAC is still known and loved like he is alive, no promos but very relevent
Yes, rightful winner!! veni vidi vici. He came, He saw, He won, bar none.
“regal-scented rhymes that speak to the struggle” — Tell me you work in marketing and don’t listen to rap without telling me you work in marketing and don’t listen to rap
That God Did verse is trash and overrated.
At least he knows his time tables.
Totally agree …
Drake and Nicki are on this list I can’t take this seriously
Nobody can deny his talent or catalog. I personally put Em & Nas ahead of him though.
If we look at Billboard statistics. No one really did it like Jay in the time he was out. His albums have been #1 since 1998. I’m not the biggest Jigga fan but it is what it is.
First off Eminem could never be #1 he’s white and Hip hop is a black thing through and through. Secondly Dmx not being in the too 5 is wild. Lastly Jay Z Tupac Biggie are the Top 3 pick any order you want.
Basketball is white sport, invented by a Canadian, who is the GOAT, remind me? 😁
Tiger, Ali, Michael Jackson, Babe Ruth, all white sports and white music, black people are fucking awesome, it just happens that a rap rat from Detroit is the greatest, we had to have one good apple. Thing about, song for aong, or album for album, who would stand against Shady. He eats Mc, did the same to Jay and Nas. Peace
First off Eminem could never be #1 he’s white and Hip hop is a black thing through and through. Secondly Dmx not being in the top 5 is wild. Lastly Jay Z Tupac Biggie are the Top 3 pick any order you want.
The stupid madafacker just show up, what’s up, baby!
First off Eminem could never be #1 he’s wyt and Hip hop is a black thing through and through. Secondly Dmx not being in the top 5 is wild. Lastly Jay Z Tupac Biggie are the Top 3 pick any order you want.
I am a HUGE Kendrick fan. But to rank him above Nas is simply insane. There’s just no way that makes sense, no matter where you rank Kendrick on the list.
That’s the part that had me blown!! I’m like where? And if Jay is number 1, how NAS not number 2. And I saying that because he earned it. He was actually paying his debt to Hip Hop, putting out good music before Jay. I do want to Salute HOV for yet another achievement. And I do think he earned it. He does other things behind the scenes you would have to read to know about. He is the 🐐.
Agreed
Pun at 26? Y’all should be ashamed!
Nas is the best MC to ever do it! Pause think about it!BRAVEHEARTS
Well Jay has been there for a while but that don’t make him the 🐐. If yall don’t have Pac or Biggie in your number one either y’all wildin. In my opinion Kendrick is the reflection of Nas in whatever angle you look from. Nas is 🐐
Music is opinion and taste based, but anytime a list of the greatest of all time is put together you have to be objective and honest. Let’s look and Nas top 10 albums and tell me an artist whose catalog can compare. This is just a random order but again, tell me an artist whose catalog can compare. Illmatic, It was written, Stillmatic, KD3, Magic, Life is Good, KDII, Lost Tapes, God Son and Untitled. Remember this isn’t a popularity contest, nor is this a money contest. This list should be, who has the best catalog. The only artist that’s debatable with Nas being number is Pac. What he accomplished is such a short period was Jordan like. Outside of him, nobody is in the discussion. Let’s look at Jays last couple of albums and tell me who well have they aged. BP3, Kingdom Come, Magna Carta and 444. I’m a big Jay fan and he’s great in his own right but Jays lackluster efforts over the past 5-7years pushes him down to 5-7.
Nicki???? WTH
KRS One, Slick Rick, Kane, G Rap, Ghostface, MF DOOM, Scarface, Biggie, Redman – all of these emcees are better than your wildly overrated Nas, Jay Z, Tupac, Eminems that always crowd out the “top 5”. My 2 cents; you’re welcome.
Those names you listed are amazing forefathers of hip-hop, but let’s be real here, they don’t have the body of work, the longevity, the skill, some are lyrically up there but that’s only like 3 of them and I still have Nas outshining them, those are the politically correct names, but no
🧢 Kool g Rapp body nas on his own track.. hip hop is not a popular contest, tired hearing corny Em, jay z..
KRS One, Slick Rick, Kane, G Rap, Ghostface, MF DOOM, Scarface, Biggie, Redman – all of these emcees are better than your wildly overrated Nas, Jay Z, Tupac, Eminems that always crowd out the “top 5”. My 2 cents; you’re welcome.
Nobody asked!
Word! People who don’t know hip hop always say “em, jay z ”
Methodman, Biggie, mos def, Kool g Rapp, Kane, das efx, kurupt etc are better mcs
Big L wpuld smoke all the Ni$as
Big L wpuld smoke all the Ni$as
Such ashame my generation crowns lik wayne as the goat, but I’m alone over here crowning Lupe fiasco as my generations goat besides Nas
Not mad at the #1, but I wouldn’t be mad at Nas, Tupac, and Eminem at #1 either. No offense to Kendrick Lamar.
This list is mangled
This list is mangled
Hahah.
Jay-Z is the most overrated rapper ever.
He isn’t even in the Top 5.
Hahah.
Jay-Z is the most overrated rapper ever.
He isn’t even in the Top 5.
Jay Z was the number one rapper in the world in ’98 my guy. Hard knock Life vol2 was the biggest album of the year that year and so was Blueprint in ’01.
not a bad list tbh, I would place DMX and Ludacris higher, Scarface bit lower, remove Nicki outta Top 10
I agree. The BB criteria includes sales and chart position, which most of us don’t, so it skews and favors more recent MC’s
Nicki in the top 10? thats the biggest problem, Jay at 1, its ok, its debadeble. But Nicki in the top 10, nah, thats a joke. And Kendrick higher than Pac, Nas, Em and Biggie? HELL NO.
Next time we have a discussion who the GOAT is you donkeys should know this….. Forgive me that’s my passion talking//sometimes I feel like Farrakhan talking to Mike Wallace… Breaks my heart
Forget the order. What bothers me is that future, lil kim and gucci mane made the list, while artists Slick rick, Kool G Rap, Kool Keith, Raekwon, MF DOOM, B-Real and Del should have.
Forget the order. What bothers me is that future, lil kim and gucci mane made the list, while artists Slick rick, Kool G Rap, Kool Keith, Raekwon, GZA, Treach, Too Short, MF DOOM, B-Real and Del should have.