In a newly-released list that takes “a comprehensive look back at every year of rap and which MC moved the crowd the most,” Complex.com has listed the best rapper alive for each year since 1979. In a preface to the list, it’s explained to the reader that best rapper alive differs from the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) argument since it features artists that were the “best at one particular moment.”
“It’s more about a general feeling among fans rather than any discernible facts. Best at one particular moment…Being the BRA [Best Rapper Alive] doesn’t mean you’re the biggest or the most successful; it just means you’re the Best at one particular moment,” the publication states.
Among the artists featured on Complex’s “The Best Rapper Alive, Every Year Since 1979” list are LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Eminem, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Kendrick Lamar.
Harlem, New York rapper Kurtis Blow was one of the first featured on the list, taking the best rapper alive spot for the year 1980. That year, the New York City wordsmith released his self-titled debut album and also dropped the rap classic, “The Breaks.”
Queensbridge’s own Nas was dubbed the best rapper alive for the year 1994 by Complex. 1994 also served as the year Nas dropped his Illmatic album. Although unable to take the best rapper alive spot for 1994, The Notorious B.I.G., Scarface, and Redman did receive honorable mention.
The most recent artist featured on Complex’s list is Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj. Thanks to her newly-released album The Pinkprint, Minaj clenched the best rapper alive spot for 2014. 2014 also marked the year Minaj became the “first female rapper in 56 years to have four No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.”
To view the full “The Best Rapper Alive, Every Year Since 1979” list visit Complex.com.
For additional Nicki Minaj coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
pac made the list, 50 made the cut, nas made the cut, weezy made the cut, jay-z made the cut, kanye made the cut, kendrick made it but wheres ricky rozay the biggest bawse?
Drake ain’t rap.
This is a really cool idea for a list, especially when it seems like every list has been done before. The only one I disagreed with was putting Jeezy over Game in 2005
nicki the best rapper in 2014? i strongly disagree.
Where did my comment about how much i hate this site, how stupid their opinions are, and how no one should go on it go?
I hate these lists. It’s always the most “famous” artists that make it. The main reason why “Illmatic” was a dope album is because of the PRODUCTION! Without the dope production, Nas ain’t shit. Nas is just another overrated rapper, along with Jay-Z, Big, Pac, Eminem etc. Some of you clowns don’t know shit. Your just a bunch of followers and sheep. The marketing and hype of certain artists got you brainwashed into thinking they are the best.
Let’s just forget that J. Cole dropped one of the best hip hop albums in 2014.
He did not do such thing. Mediocre production with empty flow = not a best album of any year.
Since 2019 drake runs this rap shit and has been the certified best rapper alive and will continue to do so. Numbers prrove it. All u Internet hipster nerds with no hopes of p
Are you at least getting paid to be Drake’s official internet cheerleader?
I just totally go to be comfortable fun stuff I have you hooked up because the Japanese I heard some stuff he’s been to true is it true that you had a beautiful Chucky and stuff Shelby from stairs you never would have let me know how long is it just listen and do things you need to chill
no religion will not allow you to see ok give me some I just totally go to be comfortable stuff I have you heard some stuff he’s been through is it true that you had a beautiful turkey and stuff to do from stairs and never would have let me know how do I get this is its just listen and do the things you needwhat you need to do too much of it in the kitchen shooting dismissed
1992. SNOOP DOGGY DOGG / DR DRE ———– 1993. SNOOP DOGGY DOGG ———— 1994. BIGGIE ————- 1995. BIGGIE ————- 1996. 2PAC ———— 1997. BIGGIE ———— 1998. DMX ———– 1999. JAY Z ———– 2000. EMINEM ———– 2001. JAY Z ———– 2002. EMINEM ———— 2003. 50 CENT ———– 2004. 50 CENT ———— 2005. 50 CENT ———– 2006-2014 —– R.I.P HIP HOP
On Point
eminem shouldn’t be on that list
lmao jeezy get on there and ja rule does not..every1 banging rule from 2000-2004
I aint goin near complex they site is trash no doubt they aint gon have Ghostface Killah and Jadakiss on there