This is a fire list counting down the 50 greatest rappers to ever grace the mic in honor of hip-hop’s 50th Anniversary.
When we think about the term, “GOAT”, we think about the qualities and traits that a specific person needs to have that separates them from everybody else. The term “GOAT” was created by rapper LL Cool J is an abbreviation for ‘Greatest Of All Time’.
In 1973, a Bronx DJ that goes by the name of “DJ Kool Herc” and his turntables at a back to school party created the genre known as hip-hop/rap. Fast Forward to 2023, as it enters its 50th year in August, hip-hop/rap has become the popular genre that everyone loves even when it is misunderstood. With the high demand of rap and hip-hop going up like always, we can see the genre turning 100 in the future.
We’re going to reveal 10 rappers each week leading up to who we deem as the “GOAT.” To determine who makes the list, we looked at the rapper's impact, skills, versatility, longevity, personal work, and influence. We also looked at how other artists in the industry view the rapper and the public’s point of view.
Now, don’t get mad if you don’t see your favorite artist on the list. You can get mad with your friends when debating about the list though.
This is The Rap Hotline's Top 50 Greatest Rappers Of All Time List:
#50. Eazy E
Straight out of Compton, Eazy E's presence on the mic and the rap game was second to none. His personality and vibe is what the rap game was missing at the time and that was the hard truth of what was going on in the streets of Compton alongside his crew from NWA. He didn’t get the name ‘’Godfather of Gangsta Rap’’ for nothing. He inspired a lot of people's favorite rappers to rap about real and honest rap no matter how vulgar and graphic it was. This loc wearing, fresh jheri curl, and Oakland Raiders hat always on display artist already made an impact on rap/hip-hop before his life was cut short at the age of 30.
#49. Future
When you think about Future and the impact he had on rap overall, it was clear and evident that he was going to be remembered as one the greats, not only in Atlanta, but in rap overall. His flow and tone that he introduced in the early 2010s gave rap a huge boost in finding new sounds for the new ear. His epic three mixtape run with ‘Monster’, ‘Beast Mode’, and ‘56 Nights’ was like watching Jordan three-peat with the Chicago Bulls. His approach on love in his songs is like if LL Cool J made a song called ‘I Don’t Need Love.’ Social media and the music industry crowned him as the “Toxic King” because of that. His near-flawless work of discography, hits, and influence is why people crowned him Best Rapper Alive.
#48. Lupe Fiasco
When you think about who’s the best lyricist in rap and Lupe doesn’t cross your mind not one bit, that is concerning. Some people viewed him as a rap nerd because of his appearance but everytime he gets on the mic, that “nerd” spits the hottest bars that will leave you with a permanent stank face. He made it cool to be different and comfortable with yourself and do what's best for you. He dropped one of the best debut albums and didn’t look back. His lyrical ability is why he deserves to be on this list.
#47. MC Lyte
To be crowned as one of the first ladies of hip-hop means you had to do the impossible and go through so much to get to a higher place in male dominated genre. That’s when MC Lyte comes into play. Songs like ‘Paper Thin’, ‘Poor Georgie’, and ‘Ruffneck’ displayed proof that women can rap too. She came into the rap scene at 16 years old and was on a mission to become Queen of Rap. She was also the first female solo rap artist to be nominated for a Grammy with her song ‘Ruffneck’. Whenever you talk about all time female rappers, you cannot forget the trailblazing queen herself, MC Lyte.
#46. Will Smith
Yeah, we went there. The Fresh Prince himself, AKA Will Smith, is one rapper that you have to mention whenever you talk about the greatest. Not number one to some people, but you can’t ignore the impact and influence he had on rap when gangsta rap was on the rise. Looking back at his music career in the late eighties and early nineties, you could make a case that he was one of the best rappers alive at the time alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff. His colorful and playful lyrics helped bring rap/hip-hop to a lighter and more relaxing side with songs like, ‘Parents Don’t Understand’, ‘A Nightmare on My Street’, and ‘Summertime’. Also, his style and energy that he brought into the nineties couldn’t be ignored either when he transitioned into an actor starting in one of the greatest sitcoms ever, Fresh Prince of Bel Air. First rapper to win a Grammy and one of the fewest rappers to win an Oscar. That alone should tell you how Dynamic Will Smith was and still is.
#45. Jadakiss
Once you hear that iconic signature laugh, you already know who's about to rap some of the craziest bars you ever heard. That laugh is like a bat signal letting you know that a lyrical masterclass is about to start. From The LOX to his solo career, Jadakiss' versatility has always shined with his hunger and aggression daring anyone to step up against him on the mic. His gritty and luxurious bars make you want to put on a fresh pair of timberlands and a New York Yankee hat. Believe it or not, he will make your favorite rapper regret going against him.
#44. Common
One the greatest conscious rappers to ever grace the mic, Common. One of Chicago’s new hopes in the rap scene back in the early 90s when he went by the name ‘Common Sense’. Just like a lot of rappers on this list, he had a legendary three album run with: 1994's ‘Resurrection’ , 1997's ‘One Day It’ll All Make Sense’, and 2000's ‘Like Water For Chocolate’. His relaxing tone over soulful beats was his bread and butter and what also made hip-hop/rap fans love him even more. First rapper with a Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy. The only thing he is missing to be the first rapper to win an ‘’EGOT’’(Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) is a Tony Award.
#43. Kurtis Blow
The first rap/hip-hop superstar himself. Kurtis Blow was the first rapper to sign with a major record label in 1979. He graced onto the scene with his breakout hit ‘The Breaks’, which also made history becoming the first rap record to have a certified gold single. Those accomplishments alone set himself as a pioneer of rap/hip-hop and began to bring the genre itself out of the underground scene.
#42. Snoop Dogg
When Snoop Dogg made his debut on Dr.Dre’s single, ‘Deep Cover’ in 1992, his cool, calm, and collective flow had listeners anticipating what Dr.Dre had set up with Snoop Doggy Dog in the future. Lets just say, it paid off big time. A year later, he released ‘Doggystyle’, which saw immediate success and is one of the best debut albums in rap/hip-hop history. He’s the public figure and face of rap/hip-hop. When you ask people what rapper they know or like, the majority is going to be Snoop Dogg. He is seen as one of the founding fathers of west coast rap, gangsta rap, and G-funk rap which makes him more than enough to be on the greatest of all time list.
#41. Pusha T
Virginia is known for its influence on popular music and Pusha T is one of those influencers. As a member of one of the most iconic duo, Clipse, he rapped about his times as a drug dealer while also rapping about the lifestyle of making money through rap alongside his brother No Malice. He began to go into deeper details about his drug dealing days and open up more with his emotions when he transitioned into his solo career. Those efforts gave us some very good solo albums including two Grammy nominated albums such as ‘DAYTONA’ and ‘It’s Almost Dry’.
Comments