Soren Baker speaks on Billboard’s All-Time Rapper list.
49 thoughts on “Billboard’s Top 10 All-Time Rappers & Hodgy Calls Out Tyler, The Creator”
come on fam .. this dude aint willing to give anybody any type of credit.
TBAP – is a PAN AFRICAN album… It’s not gonna resonate with this guy.
Yall lame for this shit
My G … I want to see your list… in fact .. I NEED to see your list .. and judging by the commentary you offered in your disqualification of so many greats from the top 10 – I assume that your list will be chock full of qualifying detail and line for line quotes sighting lyrical quality – beat selection – originality and so many more of the traits that made these artists great.
Pac not on your list? I agree with Lauren Hill, and Biggie, for sure because of the lack of a catalog, but Pac?? Dude, along with Biggie, helped create a lane for Gangster rap (I know, I know Biggie wasn’t gangster rap but they get lumped in) He was an actor, a poet, and a rapper. He may not be # 1 but he definitely is in the top 10. Lil Wayne? Dude has more forgettable songs than ones you remember.
I agree that TPAB was way overrated. You don’t have to have a certain skin tone to appreciate music people in the comments section. The struggle is real across ALL skin tones. Also remember that race is a socially constructed ideology to help to divide people. With that said Section. 80 is his best album to date. Raw album is Overly Dedicated. Most polished, GKMC, and TPAB is just meh. It’s for KDot and that’s OK.
D$: 2Pac did not create a lane for gangster rap. That lane has already been paved and driven by Schoolly D, Just Ice, Boogie Down Productions, Ice T, N.W.A, The Geto Boys and others before 2Pac. Thank you for watching the video and I appreciate your feedback.
As a 2Pac fan I understood your opinion. I personally feel like 2pac is the best rap artist(not emcee or lyricist) because of his ability to convey raw emotion through his lyrics like no other rapper (that I have heard). I feel a few come close like Scarface, DMX, Ghostface, Nas, etc but songs like “Pain”, “Mamas Just A Little Girl”, “Thugz Mansion”, “Blasphemy”(personal favorite 2pac song), “White Man’z World”, “Life Goes On”, “Lord Knows”, and “It Ain’t Easy” force you to see the humanity in the artist in a empathetic way. At least in my opinion. I’ve heard someone say that 2pac was a pioneer of emo rap(lol), I understand it totally. His introspective lyrics and and ability to pull you into his perspective is unmatched in my opinion. This is why I feel 2pac is the best rap artist. Indeed his extracurricular activities do add on to why most people like him, but as far as his music that is my opinion. Lastly, you really don’t like TPAB? Sonically, that album covers almost every genre in black music in just one album. Then the messages and metaphors, man Kendrick killed it. Also conceptually with the break down of the poem throughout the album was ingenious and as far as I know original. Lyrically and sonically I haven’t enjoyed a hip-hop album like TPAB since Late Registration and K.Dot isn’t my favorite TDE artist(that would be Ab-Soul) so I’m not hopping on the bandwagon. However, Kendrick being in the top ten is debatable and early, but I’m not mad at it either. Lastly, I don’t trust Billboards opinion on the genre.
This is true. You listed some really obscure, and not so obscure (mainstream wise) artists there. However; I would add context to my original comment:
Pac made gangster rap ‘cool’. He made suburban kids feel OK listening to his music. You had Snoop, Dre, and Pac all riding together. He didn’t have to do the heavy lifting of other artists (hello, tipper gore) but he made sure he opened that door.
Tupac opened the door fully to commercialized gangster rap, and a whole subset of the population as well. Those artists helped make these record labels aware and The door was cracked with those artists you mentioned, but Pac barged in. He was raw, but articulate, and had such an energy about him. I agree with some other commenters on here about your list. I respect your hip-hop mind, for sure, but I would like to see your list. I mean Tupac was not hip hop, he was/is rap. So if you say the best rappers of all time he has to be (well doesn’t have to be, but should) on your list. We are talking ALL TIME. I don’t know another singular individual, during the 1990s, that was better than Pac. Nas, Biggie, are on the same plane for sure. I think you also have to take into account the cultural, social, and generational impact he brought.
Pac had lyrics, the full spectrum of emotions, the record sales, the passion, notable rap beef victory, changed the landscape of the music more than anybody before him. Above all, the HIGHEST respect from his peers, most importantly the other top tier craftsman. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but this dude is just simply blind.
Jake: 2Pac was at war with and had been with several of his peers, notably The Notorious B.I.G, Nas, Jay Z and Mobb Deep, among many others. He mentioned that in some of his material, too. Many of those artists are considered “top tier craftsman” by many, if not most.
He rapped about what society made him. He was framed, went to jail and he talked how that affected him. Jail has a way of changing perspectives, often for the worse and I think that was reflected in his music. I guess I never thought about that though, since Tupac fans just like the idea of him. Whereas Eminem raps about rape, doing drugs, being a misogynist homophobe. That’s great lyricism?
Surprised that of all the comments I’ve read, no one has made their own list. Here’s mine in no order:
Pac
Tech N9ne
Eminem
Nas
Aesop Rock
Kendrick Lamar
Phonte
Ghostface Killah
Lupe Fiasco
DMX (first three albums, in his prime – now he’s a joke, unfortunately)
And just to preempt the people who will no doubt talk shit about this list – it’s all opinion, and reflects who has made connection to me. Obviously someone with a different background and tastes will think very differently. Don’t attack my list, just put up your own.
Who is this Cat??? No Pac??? Or Biggie!!! This dude is he is a clown! The crazy thing about cats like this we let them shape the opinions of others. This guy is not the standard! People please question this guys creditably!!
His name is Soren Baker, he’s a credible evaluater been doing since before you were born, obviously he’s not credible in your book for a certain reason.
Pac = The GREATEST to ever do this shit. Ask all the rappers who they look up to… Eminem doesn’t fuckin count as far as sales go. He went pop. Pac is the MOST FELT rapper of all time. And number 1 in sales because Eminem doesn’t fuckin count. And LMFAO @ Lauryn Hill. Who raised you niggas???
Wow this Mfer must has some nerve ! Tupac not on their top 5 is debatable but not in your top 10 that includes Wayne ? Tupac the most influential rapper of all time no debating !! And he lives on today more than 20 years of his death not because of rage and terrible music
1. The Notorious B.I.G.
2. Nas
3. Jay Z
4. 2Pac
5. Eminem
6. Rakim
7. Dr. Dre
8. Ghostface Killah
9. Big Daddy Kane
10. Snoop Dogg
11. Andre 3000
12. LL Cool J
13. Ice Cube
14. KRS-One
15. Kanye West
you dont know what you are talking about please do more research before you demand that others do. 10 mil sold is what certifies diamond sells in the US alone that is not counting world wide numbers. BIG went Diamond, Outkast went Diamond learn something.
New School:
1. Kendrick Lamar
2. J. Cole
3. A$AP Rocky
4. Drake
5. Chance The Rapper
6. Hopsin
7. Big Sean
8. Earl Sweatshirt
9. ScHoolboy Q
10. Tyler, The Creator
11. Joey Bada$$
12. Action Bronson
13. Big K.R.I.T.
14. Danny Brown
15. Machine Gun Kelly
If you say 2Pac isn’t in your top 10, ok. But saying that he isn’t better than half the rappers on this list is insane. Every rapper on this list would put Pac in their top 5 DOA including Biggie. Fa real, fa real.
Tupac???? He should be number one!! Check Pacs accomplishments. This shitty ass list was made by a group of Donald Trumps friends so it’s doesn’t mean shit to hip hop ????????
1)Biggie 2)Phonte 3)Nas 4)Rakim 5)Scarface 6)Jigga 7) LL Cool J 8)KRS -1 9)Pac 10) Ghostface. Not saying these are my FAVORITE Rappers, but each is really nice and fierce on the mic. Just as important, there is substance to them lyrically.
2Pac should have made the list for sure. The list is the 10 all time best rappers and 2Pac is definitely in that list. Was he the best MC as far as lyricism? Okay maybe not, but yes his movement and inspiration is what made him so special.
HiphopDX needs to never invite this dude on here again. Says Pac was great with emotion but that Pac went away from emotion but then goes and says Pac went more into rage in his last two albums. Last time I checked, rage is an emotion. Rage is something that anyone can feel. When Pac got out of prison, he was pissed. And that’s an understatement. Says Pac got away from those emotional stories, but “Life Goes On.” Just know “I Ain’t Mad at Ya.” But, you know, Pac had gotten away from that tho right? Guess Pac wasn’t sharing multiple stories on “White Manz World.” Dude contradicts himself in this video and hiphopdx didn’t even call him out on it. But Eminem using “rage” is cool though for emotion. And he even says “it was a lot of emotion” when talking about his last two albums, even though earlier he said it lacked the emotion.
Billboard can suck a dick for not picking 2Pac as one of the greatest. Kendrick? Andre 3000? Lauren Hill? No disrespect to none of those artists, but let’s be real. None of them are the calliper of 2Pac! Forget that guy in that interview as well! Where’s T.I., or UGK, Scarface, LL Cool J, Wu-Tang, Redman, Method Man… I can go on and on. These Billboard guys are a bunch of lame White folks that know nothing about the culture of Hip-Hop. Oh! NWA? Dr. Dre? Ice Cube? C’mon! I’m pissed, now!
No overrated 2Pac who made 10.000 songs about the same subject: thug in jail, thug in the street. thug in heaven, smoking weed and drinking hennesey or be contradicting fuck all bitches and i love black women.
This is exactly why lord Hamas states that while people are guest in the house of hip hop… Your opinions don’t count on a subject that they strictly view on a academic level… They have no sense of emotion or sense of the struggle that brown ppl go thru so they will never fully grasp the true meaning of hip hop
come on fam .. this dude aint willing to give anybody any type of credit.
TBAP – is a PAN AFRICAN album… It’s not gonna resonate with this guy.
Yall lame for this shit
Plenty of PAN AFRICAN albums resonate with me, dowjonez. Albums from Public Enemy, Ice Cube, dead prez and others are among my favorites.
My G … I want to see your list… in fact .. I NEED to see your list .. and judging by the commentary you offered in your disqualification of so many greats from the top 10 – I assume that your list will be chock full of qualifying detail and line for line quotes sighting lyrical quality – beat selection – originality and so many more of the traits that made these artists great.
PLEASE write this list.
Thank you for reading, DowJonez. I’ll keep you posted on my list. I hope all is well.
Lame ass white boy talking about the greatest rappers
Dave: Other than being white, what about what I said was lame?
Pac not on your list? I agree with Lauren Hill, and Biggie, for sure because of the lack of a catalog, but Pac?? Dude, along with Biggie, helped create a lane for Gangster rap (I know, I know Biggie wasn’t gangster rap but they get lumped in) He was an actor, a poet, and a rapper. He may not be # 1 but he definitely is in the top 10. Lil Wayne? Dude has more forgettable songs than ones you remember.
I agree that TPAB was way overrated. You don’t have to have a certain skin tone to appreciate music people in the comments section. The struggle is real across ALL skin tones. Also remember that race is a socially constructed ideology to help to divide people. With that said Section. 80 is his best album to date. Raw album is Overly Dedicated. Most polished, GKMC, and TPAB is just meh. It’s for KDot and that’s OK.
D$: 2Pac did not create a lane for gangster rap. That lane has already been paved and driven by Schoolly D, Just Ice, Boogie Down Productions, Ice T, N.W.A, The Geto Boys and others before 2Pac. Thank you for watching the video and I appreciate your feedback.
Greetings Soren,
As a 2Pac fan I understood your opinion. I personally feel like 2pac is the best rap artist(not emcee or lyricist) because of his ability to convey raw emotion through his lyrics like no other rapper (that I have heard). I feel a few come close like Scarface, DMX, Ghostface, Nas, etc but songs like “Pain”, “Mamas Just A Little Girl”, “Thugz Mansion”, “Blasphemy”(personal favorite 2pac song), “White Man’z World”, “Life Goes On”, “Lord Knows”, and “It Ain’t Easy” force you to see the humanity in the artist in a empathetic way. At least in my opinion. I’ve heard someone say that 2pac was a pioneer of emo rap(lol), I understand it totally. His introspective lyrics and and ability to pull you into his perspective is unmatched in my opinion. This is why I feel 2pac is the best rap artist. Indeed his extracurricular activities do add on to why most people like him, but as far as his music that is my opinion. Lastly, you really don’t like TPAB? Sonically, that album covers almost every genre in black music in just one album. Then the messages and metaphors, man Kendrick killed it. Also conceptually with the break down of the poem throughout the album was ingenious and as far as I know original. Lyrically and sonically I haven’t enjoyed a hip-hop album like TPAB since Late Registration and K.Dot isn’t my favorite TDE artist(that would be Ab-Soul) so I’m not hopping on the bandwagon. However, Kendrick being in the top ten is debatable and early, but I’m not mad at it either. Lastly, I don’t trust Billboards opinion on the genre.
Peace and Love to all,
iNL83
This is true. You listed some really obscure, and not so obscure (mainstream wise) artists there. However; I would add context to my original comment:
Pac made gangster rap ‘cool’. He made suburban kids feel OK listening to his music. You had Snoop, Dre, and Pac all riding together. He didn’t have to do the heavy lifting of other artists (hello, tipper gore) but he made sure he opened that door.
Tupac opened the door fully to commercialized gangster rap, and a whole subset of the population as well. Those artists helped make these record labels aware and The door was cracked with those artists you mentioned, but Pac barged in. He was raw, but articulate, and had such an energy about him. I agree with some other commenters on here about your list. I respect your hip-hop mind, for sure, but I would like to see your list. I mean Tupac was not hip hop, he was/is rap. So if you say the best rappers of all time he has to be (well doesn’t have to be, but should) on your list. We are talking ALL TIME. I don’t know another singular individual, during the 1990s, that was better than Pac. Nas, Biggie, are on the same plane for sure. I think you also have to take into account the cultural, social, and generational impact he brought.
Thank you for your previous response!
Fuck Billboard.
How the fuck they do a top ten without Pac??!!
Pac had lyrics, the full spectrum of emotions, the record sales, the passion, notable rap beef victory, changed the landscape of the music more than anybody before him. Above all, the HIGHEST respect from his peers, most importantly the other top tier craftsman. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but this dude is just simply blind.
Jake: 2Pac was at war with and had been with several of his peers, notably The Notorious B.I.G, Nas, Jay Z and Mobb Deep, among many others. He mentioned that in some of his material, too. Many of those artists are considered “top tier craftsman” by many, if not most.
He rapped about what society made him. He was framed, went to jail and he talked how that affected him. Jail has a way of changing perspectives, often for the worse and I think that was reflected in his music. I guess I never thought about that though, since Tupac fans just like the idea of him. Whereas Eminem raps about rape, doing drugs, being a misogynist homophobe. That’s great lyricism?
Surprised that of all the comments I’ve read, no one has made their own list. Here’s mine in no order:
Pac
Tech N9ne
Eminem
Nas
Aesop Rock
Kendrick Lamar
Phonte
Ghostface Killah
Lupe Fiasco
DMX (first three albums, in his prime – now he’s a joke, unfortunately)
And just to preempt the people who will no doubt talk shit about this list – it’s all opinion, and reflects who has made connection to me. Obviously someone with a different background and tastes will think very differently. Don’t attack my list, just put up your own.
That list has ZERO credibility. ZILCH. NADA. NONE. No Pac, but you have Lauryn Hill on the list? This has to be a joke. They can’t be serious.
Lauryn Hill deserve more to be on this list than Lil’Wayne
Who is this Cat??? No Pac??? Or Biggie!!! This dude is he is a clown! The crazy thing about cats like this we let them shape the opinions of others. This guy is not the standard! People please question this guys creditably!!
His name is Soren Baker, he’s a credible evaluater been doing since before you were born, obviously he’s not credible in your book for a certain reason.
Fuck their list, Tupac is remain the best dead or alive, all rappers wants to be like Pac
how the fuck u can put lil wayne on that list
Pac = The GREATEST to ever do this shit. Ask all the rappers who they look up to… Eminem doesn’t fuckin count as far as sales go. He went pop. Pac is the MOST FELT rapper of all time. And number 1 in sales because Eminem doesn’t fuckin count. And LMFAO @ Lauryn Hill. Who raised you niggas???
Wow this Mfer must has some nerve ! Tupac not on their top 5 is debatable but not in your top 10 that includes Wayne ? Tupac the most influential rapper of all time no debating !! And he lives on today more than 20 years of his death not because of rage and terrible music
Makaveli the Goat fuck this list
1. Pac
2. Rakim
3. KRS-1
4. Jay Z
5. LL Cool J
6. Scarface
7. Eminem
8. Ice Cube
9. Eightball
10. Biggie
Honorable Mentions
Snoop
Devin the Dude
Mac
Tela
Fiend
The Future
1. Kendrick
2. J Cole
3. Kanye
4. Lupe
5. Big Krit
6. Pusha T
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
1. The Notorious B.I.G.
2. Nas
3. Jay Z
4. 2Pac
5. Eminem
6. Rakim
7. Dr. Dre
8. Ghostface Killah
9. Big Daddy Kane
10. Snoop Dogg
11. Andre 3000
12. LL Cool J
13. Ice Cube
14. KRS-One
15. Kanye West
2pac is one of only two rappers to ever go diamond, along with eminem do your research
you dont know what you are talking about please do more research before you demand that others do. 10 mil sold is what certifies diamond sells in the US alone that is not counting world wide numbers. BIG went Diamond, Outkast went Diamond learn something.
New School:
1. Kendrick Lamar
2. J. Cole
3. A$AP Rocky
4. Drake
5. Chance The Rapper
6. Hopsin
7. Big Sean
8. Earl Sweatshirt
9. ScHoolboy Q
10. Tyler, The Creator
11. Joey Bada$$
12. Action Bronson
13. Big K.R.I.T.
14. Danny Brown
15. Machine Gun Kelly
thats it
no more of this shit site.
i cant believe Pac aint made the list.
hip hop dx you suck…
If you say 2Pac isn’t in your top 10, ok. But saying that he isn’t better than half the rappers on this list is insane. Every rapper on this list would put Pac in their top 5 DOA including Biggie. Fa real, fa real.
Tupac???? He should be number one!! Check Pacs accomplishments. This shitty ass list was made by a group of Donald Trumps friends so it’s doesn’t mean shit to hip hop ????????
1.Tupac
2.Biggie.
3.DMX
4.Eminem
5.Big L
6. Nas
7. Lil Wayne
8.Drake
9.J Cole
10. Jay z
1)Biggie 2)Phonte 3)Nas 4)Rakim 5)Scarface 6)Jigga 7) LL Cool J 8)KRS -1 9)Pac 10) Ghostface. Not saying these are my FAVORITE Rappers, but each is really nice and fierce on the mic. Just as important, there is substance to them lyrically.
2Pac should have made the list for sure. The list is the 10 all time best rappers and 2Pac is definitely in that list. Was he the best MC as far as lyricism? Okay maybe not, but yes his movement and inspiration is what made him so special.
1 2pac
2 Eminem
3 Biggie
4 Kendrick
5 Nas
6 Andre 3000
7 Rakim
8 lil wayne
9 Kanye
10 Jcole
lol sinz. can you read bro?
HiphopDX needs to never invite this dude on here again. Says Pac was great with emotion but that Pac went away from emotion but then goes and says Pac went more into rage in his last two albums. Last time I checked, rage is an emotion. Rage is something that anyone can feel. When Pac got out of prison, he was pissed. And that’s an understatement. Says Pac got away from those emotional stories, but “Life Goes On.” Just know “I Ain’t Mad at Ya.” But, you know, Pac had gotten away from that tho right? Guess Pac wasn’t sharing multiple stories on “White Manz World.” Dude contradicts himself in this video and hiphopdx didn’t even call him out on it. But Eminem using “rage” is cool though for emotion. And he even says “it was a lot of emotion” when talking about his last two albums, even though earlier he said it lacked the emotion.
Billboard can suck a dick for not picking 2Pac as one of the greatest. Kendrick? Andre 3000? Lauren Hill? No disrespect to none of those artists, but let’s be real. None of them are the calliper of 2Pac! Forget that guy in that interview as well! Where’s T.I., or UGK, Scarface, LL Cool J, Wu-Tang, Redman, Method Man… I can go on and on. These Billboard guys are a bunch of lame White folks that know nothing about the culture of Hip-Hop. Oh! NWA? Dr. Dre? Ice Cube? C’mon! I’m pissed, now!
why is hiphop obsessed with lists … theres way to many rappers to pick a best
No overrated 2Pac who made 10.000 songs about the same subject: thug in jail, thug in the street. thug in heaven, smoking weed and drinking hennesey or be contradicting fuck all bitches and i love black women.
You didn’t listen to Pac.
And what did Big rap about that was so different? I’ll wait.
He didn’t want most of those tracks released though. The stuff he actually released while alive wasn’t repetitive, it was the only posthumous albums.
Everyone has contradictions, and that was one of the reasons Pac was so interesting.
I feel like Lauryn Hill only made the list because they needed to put a female in there.
Get Lil Wayne the fcuk out of there and put Pac in.
This is exactly why lord Hamas states that while people are guest in the house of hip hop… Your opinions don’t count on a subject that they strictly view on a academic level… They have no sense of emotion or sense of the struggle that brown ppl go thru so they will never fully grasp the true meaning of hip hop
Lord Jamar**
1. Nas 2. Nas 3. Nas 4. Nas 5. Nas