Best rappers of all time

Ranking musicians is an impossible task, of course, because everyone brings their own criteria and preferences. For example, we recently tried to rank the greatest American rock bandsand we realized there was no perfect science. Rap is so much more about the way something makes you feel, which makes it very hard to judge and quantify, best rappers of all time. How exactly does one define greatness?

Born in the gritty South Bronx during the s, hip hop culture emerged as a voice for the marginalized, with park jams and block parties serving as the stage for its rapid growth. Over the decades, the culture has emerged as a local phenomenon in New York to become one of the most powerful pop culture forces in recent history. Along the way, there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of rappers who have graced the microphone with all of them battling it out to be the dopest MC in the game. From the poetic mastery of Melle Mel and Kool Moe Dee, who crafted vivid narratives and intricate wordplay, to the captivating stage presence of Run-D. The s saw the emergence of commercial juggernauts like 50 Cent, whose gritty street tales and melodic hooks took hip hop to new heights, and Lil Wayne, whose eclectic approach to wordplay and punchlines set the stage for a new era of lyrical creativity.

Best rappers of all time

After finding God, Rev. His lyrical intensity and fearless aggression are battle-tested, as he sparred with the likes of 50 Cent and Beanie Sigel in the s before single-handedly dismantling Dipset in a Verzuz battle. However, the Port Arthur native born Bernard James Freeman twangy flow ended up being far more influential than his initial underground career aspirations. Now a rap elder statesman, Bun keeps a keen eye on next-gen talent, offering key co-signs to such contemporary stars as Drake and Kodak Black. Thee Album became an instant hip-hop classic with its early use of funk samples and hilarious punchlines. But few rappers, if any, have repped the Bay longer or stronger than E Dre would be the first to tell you that he is not a traditional MC. Five No. After serving a two-year prison sentence in for firearm possession by a convicted felon, a rejuvenated Guwop subsequently went on a mainstream run like he was a new artist. His robust output yielded a record 20th top 10 entry on the Top Rap Albums chart in , claiming the title belt from Tech N9ne. Prior to that in , Mane scored his first Hot No.

It Takes a Nation of Millions exploded louder than a bomb and changed the direction of rap for at least three full years after its release.

The ranking was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop music 's inception and was compiled by the magazines' respective editorial boards. To determine the rankings, the boards created a list of criteria based on a rapper's artistry, achievements, and cultural influence. It received criticism due to its exclusion of rappers who are not based in North America , as well as the omission of dancehall and reggaeton artists. Billboard and Vibe presented the first set of rappers on January 11, , and ten more rappers were announced over the course of three weeks. The top rankings were unveiled on February 8, , which crowned Jay-Z the greatest rapper of all time and Nicki Minaj the greatest female rapper of all time. It sparked multiple debates within the hip hop industry, many of whom criticized the publications and artists featured in the premier positions. Billboard initially created a list of the 10 greatest rappers of all time in November , with the top position held by The Notorious B.

Thanks to their hard-nosed demeanor and gruff wordplay, Brooklyn duo M. Proud descendants of the Black cultural and human experience, Brooklynites Mos Def and Talib Kweli stood as inheritors of the grand hip-hop tradition. They were also representative of artists rejecting the overt violence characterizing the Notorious B. A follow-up album finally arrived in — but even if their output was limited to just that first, singular document, Black Star deserves its place in the pantheon. Together, the Tupelo, Miss. Who knew that wearing clothes backwards could ever become a thing? Blige — that percolated on uplifting, feel-good party vibes and smooth dance moves. Slum Village breathed life into the Midwest rap scene when it bubbled up in the s with soul-grabbing lyrics and funky samples. Originally comprised of venerated beat maestro J. Unfortunately, Dilla, who exited the group in to pursue a solo career, died in , while Baatin passed away three years later.

Best rappers of all time

After finding God, Rev. His lyrical intensity and fearless aggression are battle-tested, as he sparred with the likes of 50 Cent and Beanie Sigel in the s before single-handedly dismantling Dipset in a Verzuz battle. However, the Port Arthur native born Bernard James Freeman twangy flow ended up being far more influential than his initial underground career aspirations. Now a rap elder statesman, Bun keeps a keen eye on next-gen talent, offering key co-signs to such contemporary stars as Drake and Kodak Black. Thee Album became an instant hip-hop classic with its early use of funk samples and hilarious punchlines.

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More than just a rapper, Rakim proudly proclaimed himself to be a writer. He might have been a newcomer, but as his impressive debut proved, he could tell engrossing stories with pinpoint precision, adjust his cadence ever so slightly to give his words greater weight, and still sell a modest amount of records. Jay Z was having a resurgence of sorts as well. On her third album, she balanced her talent boasts and sex metaphors with details of her broken relationship and family concerns. And impending. By this point Weezy's claim to be the greatest living rapper on Tha Carter II no longer seemed nearly so audacious. The first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Jay-Z believes everyone has genius-level talent. No other album this year made us look into ourselves as deeply or as far outwardly. More Kendrick Lamar. He was a master of what he said and how he said it. Young Jeezy's totalitarian vision engulfed the country from the grassroots to the top. Atlanta is the most dominant city in rap right now, with a vibrant crop of young artists setting the bar for hip-hop, but in , Killer Mike proved that he can still hang with the young gunners and elevate his lyrical prowess even further. A pure technician on the mic, Twista possesses one of the best flows ever, and is a true icon of the Chicago rap scene.

Pimp C might not have been the most successful rapper, and he might not have had the longevity he died prematurely after an overdose on lean , but his influence is undeniable — Frank Ocean and Big Sean count themselves as disciples. For proof of his genius, you don't need to look any further than "Big Pimpin'," the Jay Z track he and fellow U. In just eight bars, Pimp C snatches ownership from Hov.

Something went wrong. Busta's style remained avant garde, but his increased sense of speed and control—peep how he holds the same rhyme through every verse on "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" —earned him points on the technical end. Can we get much higher? His distinctive G-funk sound, characterized by synth-heavy instrumentation and laid-back grooves, helped to define a new era of hip-hop and propel the careers of countless artists, including Snoop Dogg and Eminem. Hov also proved that he'd retained his nimble technical abilities; love it or hate it, he was still the most envied rapper in hip-hop. That approach gave way to some of the sharpest rhymes of his career. He demonstrated that elite lyricists could be complicated and complex, and ruff, rugged, and raw, too. You want to hear a Harlem barbershop hella vociferous with avowed expertise, mention some list compiled by a music mag. The Long Island-raised MC has been flexing his lyrical muscles and captivating rap fans with his high-octane performances for decades now. Starting out as a member of the trailblazing hip-hop group N. His rising profile was briefly tempered by legal problems in March , when the rapper was sentenced to three years for a probation violation. However, like Snoop on The Chronic , Meth had to share the spotlight on 36 Chambers , piquing interest but holding him back from the throne. Long Beach Rappers. With a ravenous rhyme style and the powerful recurring use of dogs as a lyrical motif, DMX had the most commanding presence rap has ever seen. But it wasn't all about Chuck D.