I was listening to 97.9 late last night on the way home since 610 was talking baseball and they were taking calls to vote for top best rappers of all time. I heard some ridiculous votes for .50 cents, Ma$e, and as great as Kanye is, he is still a newcomer. Please vote for who you think is the Greatest Of All Time. Sorry but don't post asking or making a case for why Zero, Lil John, Lil Flip, Master P and other weak ass rappers weren't included. Here is my top 10: 1. Tupac Shakur - The guy was a genius lyrically and rapped about a variety of subjects from Teen pregnancy to his political views to poverty and crime that plague various people in America. He could rap about why women are referred to as b#tchs but at the same time praise & glorify women as being the most important people on earth without ruining his message. His voice, delivery and poetic yet gangstar lyrics make him my # 1 choice. 2. Biggie Smalls - Unlike Pac, he didn't have the opportunity to come out with more albums but the two he released could be classified as classic and probably would have continued to make solid LPs. He also painted vivid imagery through his lyrics and had a point to his songs unlike most rappers these days. 3. Dr. Dre - He has always been a producer/rapper although now he is mainly a producer. When he raps, he has great lyrics and his "Chronic" album is regarded as the album that took rap to the popularity it has reached today. He is also credited with the discovery of Snoop and Eminem and some other talented artists. 4. Jay-Z - Wasn't one of my favorites earlier in the 90's but has grown on me. He has many classic songs and a few classic albums: "Reasonable Doubt", "Blueprint" and "Black Album". He is in my top 10 b/c of his contineous innovation and changing of his style. He stays fresh without ruining his style and become a "pop artist like P-diddy and Ja RUle". The guy is a genius lyrically and probably comes up with flows in his sleep. 5. DMX - Personally, the one I listen the most over the past 5-6 yrs. He is criticized for not being creative like Jay-z by changing his style up. He tends to stick to the same subject material but that's what I like about him. His life mirrors his art, the continuous struggle within himself of wright and wrong, good and evil. True fans who really listen to his words and see what is going on in his life know what I am talking about. Each album tells a story of his life with clever lyrics and his way of delivery is awesome. This is why he is in my top 10. 6. Scarface - Represents Houston baby!!! He is one of the best at telling stories through his rhymes by imagery much like DMX. Has a bunch of classic songs and the album "Diary of a Mad Man" is a definite classic. (Tie) 7. Nas - Not one of my favorites as his albums usually have only a few great tracks mired with other mediocre tracks. He is a great lyricist but can't put great albums together with the exception of "Illmatic". (Tie) 7. Slick Rick - Dude was a genius at story telling, probably the best out of all these. He always told a story when rapping and delivered it so smoothly and creatively. Very intertaining to listen to. 8. Outkast - I know they are a group but has been consistently brilliant and ever changing their style to evolve as artists. They have a variety of styles and aren't afraid to explore into different genres for beats and songs. They are lyrically very talented and rap about various topics rather then dwell on how many cars and watches and Bling bling they have like most of todays crappers. (Tie) 9. NWA & Public Enemy - Had a lot of great songs and expressed political views with great lyrics and delivery. They are also credited with the begining of rap industry as we know it today. They always had a message to their songs which I why I like them so much. 10. Eminem - Kinda skeptical about putting him on this list b/c although he is very talented, he just seems to make music that creates controversy in order to sell albums. He is a great lyricist though and starting to become a good producer so I'll throw him in here. Honorable mention: Rakim (Never heard his albums, just a few songs but he is talented lyrically and some think he is the G.O.A.T. but I don't have any of his albums...before my time I guess); Dela Soul; Ice Cube (ruining his legacy with new songs on West Side connection album. He hasn't lived the gansta lifestyle since probably the early 90's but continues to act like one in his late late 30's), his early stuff is great though.
2Pac. The best. I even thought this before he died. He is remembered more for his death, getting shot up in New York or his rap rivalries and his music usually gets put behind all this and ignored. As his friend said "He had a plan e much less a plan b." He was really something.
I don't know, maybe I'm getting old, but where are guys like Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Run DMC, and Curtis Blow hehe. There sure are a lot of young guys on that list.
I think that TuPac has the biggest bandwagon. Not saying that he is over-rated or anything. It's just that if you are killed, you are guaranteed fame. TuPac put emotion into what he did and did a damn good job. He didn't enter the commercial world and he did not sell out. However I do believe that a lot of people like to say that he is the greatest just to ride his coattail. My favorite has always been Jay Z. He created a dynasty and made rap awesome. He got away with things because of his 'swagger.' Never had (major) run ins with the law. Is with possibly the most gorgeous looking girl in the world. But the best part is that he left at the top. No one in rap has done that intentionally, they were either shot or lost their flavor. The guy has some of the greatest lines. I also believe that Nas is very low on that list. Although im a Rocafella fan, I consider mysef a closet Nas fan. By the way, Lil Jon, Cash Money, and Bad Boy have taken rap back 10 years. Its not even funny, they should be thrown in jail. Peace
I agree. Rakim is better than most of the guys you put on that list. Honestly, I can't rank my favorites - at any given time any of them can be my favorite, but : 2Pac - honestly I don't think there's anyone better Rakim Q-Tip Chuck D Snoop KRS ONE Eminem (don't hate - the guy is one of the greatest) Slick Rick Dr. Dre LL Cool J Bone Thugs (it's a group, but whatever) PM Dawn (most underrated, and yes, another group) Most overrated : Mase, Notorious B.I.G.
Tupac is the best ever. His songs are revelations of a world gone mad. If he was born in the suburbs he would be the most famed literary artist since hemmingway. He's a genius that would've revolutionize the world as we know.
As great as Kanye is? Ha. He is a good producer, but a horrible rapper. Best current rapper: Talib Kweli Greatest of all time: 2Pac... no one put as much passion into words as he did.
Another vote here for Rakim. I listened to some Eric B & Rakim last night. It's getting harder to remember that rap used to be worth something.
EDIT: Oh, you mean rapper without a 'w'. Nevermind. Seriously, no love for Chuck D? Unlike a lot of todays rappers, Chuck actually had something to say.
