There's no comparing Tupac with these other artists in my opinion, but I would like to see who comes in 2nd. Personally I like Eminem when he's being serious and more hardcore like "The way I am" "Sing for the Moment" "Loose Yourself" "Til' I Collapse" "Cleaning out my closet" and "Mosh" but can't stand songs like "Without Me" "Real Slim Shady" "My Dad's gone crazy" is like two diff side to things. Only liked some songs by Jay-Z, was a big DMX fan when he first started. Tried listening to some old Biggie Small's musics but dunno how they can compare him next to Tupac back then.
Hey where's MC Hammer? It's Hammer time baby! Anyways, nobody beats Tupac... he's simply the one who led hip-hop into the golden age in the mid-90s...
Nas is the most intelligent rapper in the game. Em is the most talented. Jay earned the most respect. Pac earned the most regard and was immortalized. and that's my take. Personally I think you should listen to Hieroglyphics if you want to hear some of the most innovative and intelligent rap out there.
I'll finish it for you...is crap compared to other rappers. It sounds good and that's about it. His music has 0 substance.
Rakim (of Eric B & Rakim) is probably hands down one of the greatest lyricists of all time, if not the greatest. Your list doesn't even crack my top five!
Tupac's actual music doesn't live up to his legend, IMO. He was really good, but he's not miles better than anyone else on that list, as most people seem to think. I think I enjoy Jay the best, especially his final album. He has a lot of sub-par stuff (they all do, really), but when he's on, no one can touch him. Pac probably deserves to be second. I'd put Biggie third. He has the most unique rap style in the sense that his voice is very rhythmic; it almost seems like he's singing instead of rapping sometimes. Em is good, but I totally agree with Lucky that he's better when he's not messing around with silly stuff. Nas definitely deserves to be on this list.
I voted Eminem, crazy stuff on his latest album. "Ass like that" has to be one of the more humorous songs I have ever listened to.
Biggie and Jay are overrated. Jay gets more respect than any other MC alive, but if you break down some of his lyrics they are really dumb. Actually I have a lot of hat0rade to sip when it comes to NYC rappers. Rappers who should be ran over in the street ------------ Cam'ron and the whole Dip**** clique - The stupidest collection of rappers I have ever heard. Cam'ron is so annoying I want to kill myself every time I have to hear his idiotic double-rhyming. Then they just put out a diss record at Ma$e? Why in the hell would you diss Ma$e and call him a fraud? Ja Rule and Murder Stink - Irv Gotti the fake mobster, the Cookie Monster and his half mule prize pig Ashanti are the biggest gimmick in rap and finally everyone realized it. They all deserve to be choked with the cocaine money that started their label.