Welcome to part 4 of the Top 50 Greatest Rappers Of All Time list. We’re almost finished but this edition is covering rappers #20-#11. Brace yourselves. Don’t forget to like and comment the article down below when you’re finished reading it!
#20. DMX
His ruthless aggression and love for dogs made an immediate impact on rap when he grace the scene. If you were looking for a rapper to spit the hard truth like a boot camp sergeant for the ghetto, DMX was that guy. He was so popular that in 1998 when he dropped two classic albums It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood and didn’t get nominated for a Grammy. Jay-Z boycotted the Grammys himself because of the snub. He took the whole world by storm with songs like “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” “How’s It Goin’ Down,” and “Party Up.” Although he unfortunately passed away in 2021, his legacy and impact will forever live on.
#19. Ghostface Killah
One of the most accomplished Wu-Tang members, Ghostface Killah’s lyrical ability pops out against the best in the rap game. He calls himself ‘Tony Stark’ from his love of Ironman which is very understandable considering his solo work was hard as steel just like Iron Man’s suit. From luxury streetwear and rhymes to his storytelling skills, Ghostface executed on all cylinders with those traits. His dynamic chemistry with Raekwon shined not only on the Wu-Tang songs, but also on their solo projects. When you listen to his solo work like “Ironman,” “Supreme Clientele,” and “Fishscales,” you can feel the hunger and ambition. The rapping style that he invented has aged well when you listen to artists like Action Bronson and Westside Gunn give their own twist with it.
#18. Method Man
M-E-T-H-O-D MAN! Back to back members from Wu-Tang on this list. Just like Raekwon and Ghostface, Method Man was one of the most accomplished Wu-Tang members too. Even when he was in the group. The mainstream viewed Method Man as the popular guy in the group because of his nice and savvy flow, impressive lyricalism, and his dark rhymes stood against the test of time. His iconic warcry hook to the hustlers on Wu Tang “C.R.E.A.M.” is one of the most famous sayings in music history. He went toe to toe with Notorious B.I.G. on “The What,” and gave Tupac a run for his money on “Got My Mind Made Up.” Method Man was one of the “It” rappers in the 90s. Everybody wanted him on his record. Even his solo career saw immediate success with albums like Tical and Tical 2000: Judgement Day.
#17. Q-Tip
The abstract. This artistic and spiritual rapper that co-founded one of the greatest rap groups (A Tribe Called Quest) to ever grace the scene of rap. His laid-back and smooth rhymes over jazz and funky beats could never fail the listeners. He established a good connection between jazz and rap (Buggin’ Out and Verses From The Abstract) with the formula he always had ever since he debuted. When you ask well known musicians today like Kanye West and Pharrell who inspired them to find their style, they’re going to say Q-Tip. Q wasn’t just also nice on the mic, but he was also nice on the productions.
#16. Big Daddy Kane
A rapper who’s flow was faster than the speed of light. The swagger that he brought in the rap game set a trailblazing trend. From the high top fade design to his incredible taste in fashion. Big Daddy Kane influenced a lot of rappers like Jay-Z, Bun B, and ODB to expand their style of rapping.
#15. Scarface
The first real South rap superstar. Many people consider him as the greatest dirty south rapper. Coming out of Houston, Texas and growing up in the streets of Houston, he perfected his style of rap with storytelling and addressing issues way ahead of its time during his time with “The Geto Boys” and solo career. He’s like Slick Rick of the dirty south. Whether he’s addressing mental health issues alongside his partners from The Geto Boys, Mind Playing Tricks on Me, or struggling to escape the street life but fails, I Seen a Man Die, Scarface storytelling paints a picture in a way that has never been painted before. Especially in the South. He broke that mold and began to get the South more exposure. Each song he did had an emotional impact behind it. His solo career was one for the books too with albums like Mr. Scarface is Back, The World is Yours, The Diary, and The Fix. From songs with Tupac to Jay-Z, he has a few memorable features that will be talked about until the end of time.
#14. Ice Cube
Ice Cube came up with these four iconic words “Straight Out of Compton” and never looked back. As one of the members of NWA, Cube was the maestro with the pen for Eazy E, Dr.Dre, and DJ Yella rhymes. His no filter rhyme schemes and uncensored expression was the driving force for NWA besides Eazy’s persona and also his solo career. He was the true soul of NWA. Everyone thought Cube would fall off after he left NWA, but he proved those doubters wrong when dropped an all time debut classic AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted in 1990. You can say it bought peace for a minute when he dropped “Good Day” in 1992. One of the best feel good rap songs ever.
#13. Andre 3000
Although he didn’t have a solo album, he still stood out as one of the greatest. His artistic expression inside and outside of music, flexible and crazy lyricism, and the energy he brought on every Outkast song/feature is well noted. When you look at how far he and Big Boi developed from their first album all the way to their last, it’s pretty noticeable Big Boi challenged Andre to expand his skill. Andre was known as ‘The Poet’ with verses from Outkast like “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” “Extra Terrestrial (ET),” and “Aquemini.” He made it cool for artists to express themselves in the way we are seeing today.
#12. Rakim
He might tell you some dope rhymes, but don’t think he ain’t no joke. He’s always thinking of a master plan. Rakim met up with his long time partner DJ Eric-B to form possibly the greatest rapper and DJ combo in rap history. Classics like “Paid In Full,” “Follow The Leader,” and “Don’t Sweat The Technique.” Before Rakim and Eric B. came to the scene, rappers' flow and skills began to sound alike. Then, Eric B. and Rakim introduced the rap game to a new style of rap and lyricism. Rakim’s influence on hip-hop should be studied in universities. From the gold jewelry to showcasing lyrical exercise.
#11. Nicki Minaj
When female rap began to fade away and rap in general began to look like the male dominant genre again for a long time, Nicki Minaj came to the rescue. She caught attention by the rap audience when she dropped her mixtape “Beam Me Up Scotty” in 2009 and then signed to Lil Wayne’s label ‘Young Money’ alongside Drake. Her powerful lyrics and animated deliveries was something the game was missing at the time. She was already primed not only to be the best female rapper, but also the best rapper before her debut album Pink Friday dropped. Her iconic three album run (Pink Friday, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and The Pinkprint) solidified her position as best female rapper for a decade and at some point, the best rapper alive. She broke records and broke barriers like never before. She’s easily one of the most influential rap artists of all time considering how many female rappers today like Flo Milli, Ice Spice, and Doja Cat got their style and wanted to rap because of her.
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