We’re finally here! The moment everyone has been waiting for! The finale of the Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time.
In honor of hip-hop/rap turning 50 years old this year, our mission was to honor the trailblazers who paved the way for artists and the world ever since the genre was created. The anticipation is real right now, so let’s dive in!
#10. LL Cool J
The original ‘G.O.A.T.’ in hip-hop. From the Kangol hat to the aggressive lyricism, LL had it all. He was Def Jam’s diamond in the rough. He brought the “b-boy style” into the rap game when he first released “I Need a Beat” in 1984 from his debut studio album and also Def Jam’s first album, Radio. With his fly appearance and ladies men demeanor, he already saw immediate success with rap. He made it cool for rappers to start expressing their feelings towards a significant other with “I Need Love.” He breathed swagger into hip-hop with iconic Kangol hat, gold necklaces, and the boombox. You can say he was the ‘It’ boy for rap in the 80s. His longevity still pays off in rap and television today.
#9. Eminem
We can talk all day about his race and where he stands in this genre for another day, but you can’t lie and tell yourself that at one point he had the world in his hands. 15 Grammy awards, 10 No.1 albums, and three diamond singles. That’s really impressive. Known for his controversial lyrics, fast pacing flow, and his unapologetic personality, Eminem in his prime was the best. His iconic three album run starting with his debut album The Slim Shady LP (1999), The Marshall Mathers LP (2000), and The Eminem Show (2002) was one for the books. He gained everyone’s respect and even put fear into rappers' hearts that dared to diss him because he would end their career. His legacy in rap will forever be established as one of the best to ever do it.
#8. Kanye West (Ye)
Started off as a producer in the late 90s to early 2000s producing beats for Jay-Z and Scarface, a lot of record labels didn’t know he could rap too. After a life changing event in which Kanye almost died in a car accident, he caught everyone’s attention when he released “Through The Wire.” Rapped and produced by Kanye, he quickly caught fire which led him to becoming the next big thing for Rocafella and rap. To be in the conversation in both the greatest producer and the greatest rapper debate is well noted the impact Ye had. He created new sounds in rap with songs like “Stronger,” “Touch The Sky,” and “Power.” He brought art into rap with albums like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and The Life of Pablo. Outside of rap, Ye set a trend in streetwear for everyone with his Adidas brand Yeezy. When you think about the influence he had on rap and outside of rap, you can’t deny that he’s responsible for how rappers express themselves through rap and art.
#7. Drake
Easily one of rap’s greatest commercial artists of all time. He got his feet wet with his mixtape Comeback Season, but made his position as the next one up when he released another mixtape titled, So Far Gone in 2009. This generation defining artist continues to be the biggest music superstar in this time of age. The accolades are so long that we couldn’t fit in this article. While his boss and mentor had to do time in jail, Drake made sure to keep the Young Money boat afloat until his boss gets out. His versatility with rapping and signing is his bread and butter. His sophomore album Take Care is a prime example of that. Whenever an artist has a tough time deciding which album is the best, that artist knew they did something right. In that case, Drake has done something right.
#6. Tupac
Tupac used his talented mind and skillset to become one of the greatest rappers to touch the mic. Although he didn’t showcase lyrical excellences, he made sure to get the message through to his listeners with his raw and powerful voice no matter how passive aggressive it was. Poet, actor, and activist, Tupac was comfortable with being himself and being the voice for the hopeless with his “T.H.U.G. Life” attitude. Going platinum while in prison, Me Against The World, Tupac was already one of rap's biggest superstars. Bailed out by Suge Knight and Death Row, Tupac was already on a mission with his rival Bad Boy and putting out high quality music which led him to release All Eyez On Me in 1996. The album is still solidified as a classic. Even though his life was cut short in a shooting, his impact and influence on the music scene still plays a huge role in artists we enjoy today.
#5. Notorious B.I.G.
Known for his big appearance, Notorious B.I.G. was already on the main stage with his debut album Ready to Die in 1994. With his deep voice backing up the lyrical powerhouse that he is, he was untouchable in a way like he was a king. Which is why many people dubbed him ‘King of New York.’ He was the beacon of hope for the people in the streets of Brooklyn, whenever you go back and listen to “Juicy.” Even though his life was cut short 7 months after Tupac passed, the impact and influence played a big role especially rappers from New York.
#4. Nas
The rise of Nas was like watching Michael Jordan becoming the Michael Jordan we all know today. Nas came on the scene with all the hype surrounding him and hasn't even released his debut album yet. He met everyone’s expectations when he dropped the greatest rap debut album of all time Illmatic in 1994. If rap albums were history topics, Illmatic would be the Magna Carta. Everything you’re looking for in a rap artist is on Illmatic. It’s a debut classic album that still remains one of the best and aged so well. Nas’ powerful lyricism and impactful storytelling skills was solid like a rock. He has been making his mark as being one of the few artists making a case for 3 decades. His longevity and availability is what made him half man. half amazing.
#3. Lil Wayne
Weezy F. Baby and the ‘F’ is for forever. Wayne has been rapping since he was twelve years old and hasn’t stopped yet. Coming straight out of the streets of New Orleans, Wayne was already a superstar when he was just a teenager in a group called The Hot Boys. Then in 1998, at the age of 17, he released his debut album Tha Block Is Hot. It sold 229,500 copies in its first week. Wayne was primed to be special from the start. He backed up his claim as ‘The Best Rapper Alive’ and never looked back. With a flawless Carter series that brings out the best in Wayne, unlimited amount of mixtape gems, and trendsetting moves, Wayne made a huge impact on rap and the way it sounded. His hard hitting wordplay will leave you speechless after it went over your head for countless years. He saved hip-hop/rap with a generation defining album called Tha Carter III which sold 1 million in the first week. If he wasn’t rapping, he was looking for talents for his Young Money roster in which he founded two of the most successful rappers of all time, Drake and Nicki Minaj. Lil Wayne’s cultural impact on rap will forever be immortalized.
#2. Kendrick Lamar
This Compton native rapper became an instant force with raw and new sound when he released his first debut studio album Section .80. It wasn’t until he released his groundbreaking and culturally defining sophomore album called, good kid, m.A.A.d City. He created a major shift in west coast hip-hop and gangsta rap with a great concept album and an emotional rollercoaster on every song. He was never afraid to experience new sounds that fitted perfectly with rap like he did with “To Pimp a Butterfly” when he infused jazz and rap together. Every album he does, it has a new sound. And he never disappoints with that new sound. He earned 17 Grammys overall so far
and a Pulitzer for his work on DAMN. A flawless discography and the impact Kendrick has made that has allowed him to grow as an artist is why he’s the best rapper of this generation.
#1. Jay-Z
HOV DID! He’s your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper and he can back it up too. Sure, there’s a lot of rappers thatcan match their peak compared to Jay, but what about the longevity, the quality of their projects, andaccomplishments? He was warming up in 1996 when he dropped his debut album Reasonable Doubt under hisco-founded label Roc-A-Fella Records in which he went toe to toe with Notorious B.I.G. on “Brooklyn’s Finest”and one of the most iconic hook samples in a rap song called “Dead Presidents” alongside “Hard Knock Life”from the Annie play that he used for “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem).” He clashed heads with Nas and evenstood solid after the clash. His catalog is untouchable (Vol 2… Hard Knock Life, The Blueprint, The Black Album,and American Gangster). His net worth is untouchable. His rhymes are untouchable. When you look at what arapper is supposed to be, Jay-Z is the prime example. He’s not a businessman, he’s a business, man! Just like whenWayne helped Drake and Nicki get them to where they needed to be at, Jay helped Ye and Rhianna grow as an artistand business professionals which resulted in them becoming a billionaire. Jay set the bar on rap culture to a newhigh in every decade he was in. That’s why, Jay-Z is the greatest rapper of all time!
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