Top 5 Best Rappers of All Time
We chose the following MC’s strictly based on their lyrical talent. All of these MC’s bring something different to the game, diversifying what hip-hop has now become. These artists were rated based on longevity, social impact, swagger, poetic value, lyricism, originality, consistency, delivery, and much more.
5. Jay-Z
This Brooklyn raised MC started in the mid 1990’s with the release of Reasonable Doubt, which set the foundation for the rest of his career. He is by far one of the most financially successful rappers in the game, selling 26 million album copies, and still counting. Just as he says “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business–man.” He’s dominated the game ever since the passing of 2Pac and Biggie, and has led strong for the last 10 years. No matter how many years pass, he will still sell out Madison Square Garden in a heartbeat.
Favorite Quote: “But I can’t teach you my swag, you can pay for school but you can’t buy class, School of hard knocks I’m a grad, and that all-blue Yankee is my graduation cap”
Favorite Album: Reasonable Doubt
4. Nas
Growing up in the Queensbridge housing projects in New York City, Nas was forced into a tough life. Quitting school at a young age, he still managed to maintain his literacy skills, which is prominent in his lyrics. Nas actively expresses what he’s seen through his lyrics, which enables this poetic genius to paint the picture of urban life with his clever and smooth lyrics.
Favorite Quote: “Life’s a bitch, but god forbid the bitch divorce me”
Favorite Album: Illmatic
3. Notorious B.I.G
His hypnotizing delivery, unique voice, and strong lyrical presence instantly put Biggie at the forefront of the rap game. He only released 3 albums, but it was enough to make him a legend in most people’s eyes. His career was cut short when he was gunned down in Los Angeles, CA on March 14th, 1997.
Favorite Quote: “Damn right I like the life I live cuz I went from negative to positive and it’s all”
Favorite Album: Ready to Die
2. Rakim
The best rapper of all time with a laundry list of punch lines, a smooth style, and a positive lyrical influence. He’s continued to re-invent himself as a superior lyricist, releasing a consistent number of albums since 1986, and ultimately laying down the standards for other hip-hop artists for decades to come.
Favorite Quote: “I start to think and then I sink, into the paper like I was ink. When I’m writing, I’m trapped in between the lines, I escape when I finish the rhyme”
Favorite Album: Paid in Full
1. 2Pac
The most poetically inclined rapper of all time, 2Pac mesmerized us with his strong voice, smooth flow, and laundry list of rock solid albums and hit songs. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he was gunned down in Las Vegas on September 13th, 1996.
Favorite Quote: “If you can make it through the night, there’s a brighter day”
Favorite Album: All Eyez on Me
We all have our favorites, but I’m from California so I grew up listening to 2Pac, Dr.Dre, Snoop, Zion I, Mac Dre, and the rest of the west coast rappers. Overall, New York has produced some the best rappers, which is why they dominate this list. I’ve provided 12 more of my favorite rappers below, that didn’t make the list. Add your top 5 choices in the comments below.
Honorable Mentions
- Mos Def
- Common
- Talib Kweli
- Andre 3000
- KRS One
- Eminem
- Lil Wayne
- Big L
- Mac Dre
- Ice Cube
- Big Daddy Kane
- Lupe Fiasco
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12 Comments
2009-09-21
11:18:24
Pretty solid list. I'd probably put 2pac at 1 and I'd have eminem in the top 5.
2009-09-21
12:43:29
Yea, I agree. Rakim is a solid rapper, but 2Pac did put out more material in his short career. Another rapper that has been consistent is Lil Wayne. He's very commercial, but he has been putting out solid tracks with the most creative one liners I've ever heard.
2009-10-06
21:05:15
Lupe Fiasco should be in the top 5....listen to "ooh", "dumb it down", and "failure" <---one of the best tracks known to man
2009-11-07
13:00:58
mac dre is the best rapper of all time. this list is a mainstream joke. with the exception of pac and biggie (old stuff) it really makes me laugh. cant just take whats given to you by mtv or any of that tv fake stuff. underground rappers put so much more effort into their lyrics and they make it for people like me. IMO anything on tv is just garbage now and i cant believe people dont FIND music they like better than just listening to a radio station with some weak beats.
2010-01-04
21:02:47
Coming from a true hip-hop head i can respect your list. It's one of the better ones on the web haha. Here's mine.
1.Biggie
2.Tupac
3.Jay-Z
4.Nas
5.Eminem
6.Rakim
7.Common
8.Andre 3000
9.Big L
10.Big Pun
2010-01-04
21:02:47
Coming from a true hip-hop head i can respect your list. It's one of the better ones on the web haha. Here's mine.
1.Biggie
2.Tupac
3.Jay-Z
4.Nas
5.Eminem
6.Rakim
7.Common
8.Andre 3000
9.Big L
10.Big Pun
2010-01-04
21:02:47
Coming from a true hip-hop head i can respect your list. It's one of the better ones on the web haha. Here's mine.
1.Biggie
2.Tupac
3.Jay-Z
4.Nas
5.Eminem
6.Rakim
7.Common
8.Andre 3000
9.Big L
10.Big Pun
2010-01-19
16:06:07
biggie died march 9th not 14th
2010-01-19
16:06:07
biggie died march 9th not 14th
2010-01-19
16:06:07
biggie died march 9th not 14th
2010-01-20
00:06:07
biggie died march 9th not 14th
2010-06-08
22:44:53
1.2pac-not cuz he was a poet or lyricaly great but becuase he had meaning in his songs,he spoke the truth,he wasnt fake,listen to the song My Block(remix) i wish he put out that song while he was alive but if u hear it you'll know why hes number 1
2.Eminem-hes number 2 because his lical skillz or just pefect,he almost never repeats the same rhymes ike"no rappers like me,ill fuck em up diasticaly,u understandin me,finish em diasticaly,theyll have a dirasticaly finish,theyll diminish"-repeat,i just made that rap off the top of m head 4 an example,he also has meanin in his rhymes just listen 2 Rock Bottom or If I Had
3.Norious B.IG.-his lyrical spit is just crazy,he doesnt repeat either very much and the songs he can creat so vividly just listen 2 his Suicidel Thoughts
4.Snoop Doggy Dogg-his raps so smooth,he can rap almost just like eminem and biggie,and just put words together so smoothly,but sadly he was only like that for Doggystyle and songs b4 it but listen 2 the song Tha Shiznit
5.Mobb Deep-these guys desserve ther spot 4 there hardcore instrementals there dark lyrics and flow they put together,there dark subjects of rappin just listen 2 Shook Ones Pt.2 or Survival of the Fittest,i put them ahead of nas and jay z becuase nas only rpped so perfectl well in Illmatic after that it was just good rap and ahead of jay z becuse i jut dont like his way of rappin real,its good no doubt but just not the way of rapping like,hes still in top 10 tho
6.Brotha Lynch Hung-man this guy is sick,but he delivers rap so smooth,fast,raw,and undiniably quik,but were u can understand him also just listen 2 his Sicc Made or Locc to da brain or Liquor siic Or even Deep Down and of course his Refuse 2 lose