Top Ten (10) Hip Hop / Rap Artists of All Time
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Hip Hop has been referred to as a lot of things, a culture, a lifestyle, a movement and a musical genre, however one constant that remains is that Hip Hop / Rap is here to stay. In its relatively short life span, Hip Hop has created legends in the musical field. We have compiled the Top Ten Best Hip Hop / Rap Artists of all time. Great care went into our selection and we appreciate any comments you may have regarding our top ten.
10. Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli certainly does not have the wide ranging album sales or international recognition, however there is probably no hip hop artist more respected than Kweli. At this point, you won't find Kweli in any mainstream hip hop top 10 lists however maybe that's because he chooses to avoid rapping about hoes, drugs, and money. Whatever the case, Kweli has made an enormous impact on Hip Hop and with a little more wider recognition would move up this list.
9. Q-Tip
Presently he gos by the name "Kamaal Tha Abstract", however Q-Tip has been instrumental with the development and progression of the hip hop movement through the remarkable Tribe Called Quest. Focused on Q-Tip's suave voice and melodic rhymes, Quest brought two undeniably classic albums which cross over into great international success.
8. LL Cool J
LL Cool J's staying power and commercial appeal are evidenced by his consistent release of Gold and Platinum albums. LL has hit on every genre in rap from the hardcore to the club bangers to the suave recordings. Each time, LL brings us a new and improved sound and an amazing presentation and performance.
7. Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes has been a staple in the hip hop community since his Leaders of the New School beginnings. Busta has constantly re-invented himself in the process, banging out club hits and thought provoking songs for over two decades. Busta does shy away from anything and his in your face style has motivated an entire generation.
6. Nas
Nas, aka God's son has the raw talent to be one of the best ever. On each album, Nas takes us on a journey exercising his artistic range. Nas does not fear controversy, including making favorable comments about Hitler. Nas' talents are undeniable and he has made his mark on hip hop.
5. Snoop Dogg fka Snoop Doggie Dogg
Snoop Dogg aka Calvin Broadus hit the music scene with the assistance and tutilege from the greatest hip hop producer of all time Dr. Dre. Snoop Dogg's impact and appeal on hip hop can be seen by his broad international success. He continues to remain the most recognizable hip hop / rap artist in the world.
4. Jay Z
Jay Z broke onto the scene in 1996 and since then has created an empire in music and Hip Hop. Hov also co founded Roc A Fella records and has assumed the presidency of Def Jam. Additionally Jay Z has launched careers of numerous platinum selling artists. Jay Z has achieved nearly everything that can be achieved in the rap and hip hop community.
3. Emimem (Marshall Mathers)
Slim Shady is a master lyricist and has unleashed his prowess on everyone from Michael Jackson to Moby to Benzino to his own mother. When Marshall Mathers brings it, he holds nothing back and has destroyed those who have attempted to even look in his direction. Eminem writes from the heart and personal experience and as his life changes, his songs change. Eminem has put a solid foot print in hip hop and with additional work will rise to become a legend.
2. Notorious B.I.G
Had Biggie not been gunned down in his prime, he would have become the best rapper ever. The Notorious BIG was the best of his time and his rhymes reflect the trials and tribulations leading to ultimate success of a true hip hop hustler. No one had the party moving more than Biggie. His classics remain in constant rotation on many radio stations and throughout many clubs worldwide.
1. Tupac (2 Pac) Shakur
Tupac is a rap and hip / hop legend. No hip hop artist stirs up more intense passion than 2 Pac. Even postmortem, Tupac continues to release and sell platinum albums. In fact more so than when he was a alive. Dee[ within his words, his passion and spirit resonates for his people and plight of the Black people. Tupac showed no fear and taught us how to be strong in the face of adversity. Once he captured your attention, he captured your heart with powerful messages supported by his enduring struggle for change.
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What Do You Think?
How does our list sound to you? Let us know what you think and give us your top 10 below in a comment.
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110 Comments
1.big 2.pac 3.dmx 4.nas 5.big
1.big
2.pac
3.dmx
4.nas
5.big pun
6.immortal technique
7.papoose
8.rakim
9.jadakiss
10.TI
REAL HIP-HOP
i dont believe in an order, but i think that those that know hip-hop have more than just a 10, but here are some REAL hip-hop artists currently at the top of my head that i grew up listening to, and still listen to 'till this day, fuck 50cent, lil wayne, eminem and all those little bitches.
REMINDER: HIP HOP IS A CULTURE, AND IT'S POETRY. REAL HIP-HOP IS ABOUT MAKING A CHANGE IN LIFE AND STRUGGLES, NOT ABOUT CASH, FLASH, KILLING, AND HOES.
1] Grandmaster Flash
2] Freestyle Fellowship
3] Jurassic 5
4] Lords of the Underground
5] Mos Def
6] Common
7] 2Pac
8] Wu-Tang
9] Newcleus
10] Cyne
11] Digable Planets
12] Big Daddy Kane
13] Afrika Bambaataa
14] Dilated Peoples
15] Brother Ali
16] KRS-One
17] LL Cool J ((back in the 80's/early 90's))
18] Run DMC
19] Naughty By Nature
20] Pete Rock & CJ Smooth
21] Public enemy
22] Talib Kweli
23] Souls of Mischief
24] Seven Star
25] Cise Star
26] Ice Cube
27] Immortal Technique
28] Gang Starr
29] Ras Kass
30] Eric B. & Rakim
IDK
2Pac is deffinately my #1, Nas is my 2nd, and B.I.G is my 3rd. As for the rest i really dont kno but i was born in 1992, im 16 and i only listen 2 real hip hop, my list will be different than urs i guarantee.
01) 2Pac
02) Nas
03) B.I.G.
----------
In no order:
DMX
Eminem
Dr. Dre
Snoop Dogg
Bone Thugs
Mobb Deep
Wu-Tang
Busta Rhymes
Old Jay-Z
Ice Cube
----------------
but lil wayne, cassidy, g-unit, and ppl like tht, they are not hip hop, they are rap, there is a difference.Kanye West is in the middle, he sometimes is hip hop & sometimes hes rap. The only few artists still tryna keep it alive is who i have listed, and some tht didnt make my list but such as Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco (kills wayne), LL Cool J, The Game (tries but lacks), Kanye West(overrated), Common (underrated), and some others. But these mainstream dudes aint fuckin with anybody i listed up there.
top 10
1) Lil' Wayne
2)lil Wayne
3) LIL WAYNE
4) LIL' wayne
5)Lil' Wayne
6) Lil' Wayne
7) Lil' Wayne
8) Lil' Wayne
9) Lil' Wayne
10) Lil' Wayne
lil' who? Nas gotta be above
lil' who?
Nas gotta be above Eminem and Jay Z.
LIL WAYNE AINT NOBODY!!!
LIL WAYNE AINT NOBODY!!!
jay-z and 50 are dick riding
jay-z and 50 are dick riding faggots.
1. pac
2. biggie
3. Nas
4. KRS-one
5. P. Monch
6. Eminem
7. the game
8. ice cube
9. Rakim
10. Lethal interjection. (he pick up the phone now my fingers on the trigga!)
1.Tupac 2.Biggie 3.Run
1.Tupac
2.Biggie
3.Run DMC
4.Dr. Dre
5.Public Enemy
6.NWA
7.Nas
7.Wu-Tang-Clan
8.Snoop Dog
9.Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
10.LL Cool J, Eminem, Jay Z, GZA
top 10
1 Ice cube
2 Nas
3 Immortal Technique
4 Xzibit
5 Eminem
6 2pac
7 MC Ren
8 Slick Rick
9 Chino Xl
10 Ras Kass
Top Ten (10) Hip Hop / Rap Artists of All Time
1- TUPAC
2-BIGGIE
3-BIG L
4- NAS
5- EMINEM
6- JAY Z
7- SNOOP DOGG
8-DR. DRE
9-WU TANG
10- OUTCAST
DIS MY LIST BIG L WUD B HIGHER HAD HE MADE MORE ALBUMS
And if some1 calls Lil'
And if some1 calls Lil' wayne for an hip hop artist one more time im gonna fucking snap! his a mainstream hitmaker! his music is more like pop, him and justin timberlake are pretty similar in music!
Some of you should really check out the elements of hip-hop
My Hip-Hop list! not bullshit like some of the others
This list contains some actual Hip-Hop Artists:
1. KRS-One
2. Nas
3. The last emperor
4. Classified
5. Tech N9ne (not exactly hip-hop, but pretty close)
6. Rakim
7. Mos Def
8. Wu-tang
9. Snoop Doggy Dogg(not snoop dogg)
10. 2pac
wtf
wheres eazy e/nwa
ice cube?
my top ten
1.Nas (the best lyricist)- Illmatic
2.Big Pun- capital punishment
3.Sean Price-monkey barz
4.Gza of Wu-tang -liquid swords
5.Phonte of little Brother -minstrel show
6. fat joe- don cartegena
7.talib kweli-quality
8.Biggie- ready to die
9.Ludacris- chicken and beer
10.scarface- the fix
my top ten 1. lil wayne 2.
my top ten
1. lil wayne
2. eminem
3. cassidy
4. kayne west
5. gucci mane
6. jayz
7. the game
8. t.i
9.tupac
10 biggie
my top 10
1.Big L-Biggie-Tupac
2.Eminem
3.The Game
4.Krayzie Bone n Bizzy Bone
5.Jay-Z (old jay)
6.Nas
7.Big Pun
8.Lloyd Banks
9.Cassidy
10.Me lol
my top 11
1. tupac
2. nas
3. big pun
4. b.i.g
5. big L
6. canibus
7. immortal technique
8. ice cube
9. krs one
10. the game
11. me
u aint nothing
u call urself a rapper let me hear some of your songs bitch
My Top 10 1.Notorious
My Top 10
1.Notorious B.I.G.
2.2pac
3.Nas
4.Eminem
5.Canibus
6.Jay-Z (older shit)
7.KRS-One
8.Busta Rhymes
9.Scarface
10.Lil Wayne
ofcoarse this is opinionated, but hope people can agree
my mcs
1. 2pac (the greatest ever)
2. biggie
3. clipse (lyrics are top notch)
4. the game (westcoast don)
5. chamillionaire (great delivery/content)
6. lupe fiasco (content/quality)
7. kanye west (originality)
8. jay-z
9. snoop dogg
10. kurupt
11. warren g (g-funk)
12. lil wayne (he got that swag on his rappin)
you need to have Eminem on
you need to have Eminem on the list!!
Understanding Hip-Hop
If anyone truly understands music and ofcourse in relevance to the topic, hip-hop, you will simply come to a point where you can not actually rank artists! Everyone says they are the greatest of all time, we all know that they are often just refering to som form of individual's appeal! Jay-Z could never be the greatest of all time based on his rapping skills alone, it's generally because he lived through the period which Tupac and Biggie didn't make through. We all know it's because he wasn't as big as any of these artists! What about Mos Def, KRS-One, Rakim, Pharoah Monche and all the great talent I have forgotten here?! As an artist Jay-Z is one of the most successful because he sells. The fact is if you are not with the trends of pop-culture you can not always be recognised as the greatest, therefore the lists I see are more bent on the commercial side of things than an effective critical analysis of the application of talent into the artform! Tupac isn't necessarily the greatest "flow" of the 90s but he had important things to say which we all hold in high esteem presently! That's what makes him an amazing artist. So these lists are all pointless because they are a subjective opinion because there is always talent out somewhere that is not being acknowledged and every person has a limited confine of listening!
you are all wrong and dont
you are all wrong and dont know what hip hop is, the best hip hop artist of all time is MF Doom
I'm 25
Based on the list criteria (sales and other things mentioned) this may be a good list. But it should be renamed to something other than ...of all time. But I DO think that all of these rappers deserve to be on this list.
I could never make a list of the best of all time, but I can share MY favorite with you. All the
1. Andre 3000
2. Cee-Lo
3. Kanye West
4. Common
5. DMX
6. Project Pat
7. Jay-Z
8. Fabolous
9. Big Boi
10. MJG
Marshall Mathers defiantly deserves to be on this list. STOP HATING
Lil Wayne has fallin off since Carter 1 and 2. If he ever gets back to that status, he will be in my top 5.
Pac and Biggie didn't make my list because they are dead. THAT IS THE ONLY REASON. I love them both.
Why is Project Pat on my list? I don't know. He tells great stories. I know he makes up words but it always comes together so nice.
My Top 10
1. 2pac (Tha Best artist Hip Hop Had R.I.P.)
2. Notorious B.I.G. (Tha King Of New York R.I.P.)
3. Eminem (Crazy and Sick Rhymes)
4. Nas (Great Lyricist)
5. Jay-Z (Made Great Lps)
6. Dr. Dre (Was tha Dr. of Hip Hop)
7. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (Greatest Rap Group)
8. Snoop Doog (Master of G-Funk)
9. Eazy-E (A Real Compton G R.I.P.)
10. Real Hip Hop Muzik (R.I.P.)
This My top 10 n dont hate this is my opinion
Hip-Hop died and Rap took its place
Hip-Hop died and Rap took its place
1.Tupac
2.Big L
3.Biggie
4.Big Pun
5.Nas
6.DMX
7.Wu-Tang
8.Eminem
9.Jada Kiss
10.Eminem
11.LL Cool J
12.Talib Kweli
13.Common
14.Jay-Z
15.Mos Def
*10.Bone Thugs N Harmony PS.
*10.Bone Thugs N Harmony
PS. If Big L and Big Pun aren't in yout Top Ten, then you don't know Hip-Hop!! It's simple as that!!!!
No love for Europe?
Why hasnt anyone listed Dizzee Rascal or Mike Skinner? Skinner is a song writting genious. His beats and his stories are unparalelled. Dizzee Rascal can hang lyrically with ANYONE.
whos the best MC's
Pac, Eminem, BIG, GaMe, Nas, Shyne.
thats whats up
the original list
1. 2pac (no doubt ofcourse! n no reasons required!)
2. Nas (his lyrical skills aint as good as 2pacs but his message and rhymes talk of similar controversial topics)
3. Notorious BIG (his lyrical skills are unmatched but he wasn't inspirational enough)
4. The Game (bringin back the West Coast talent of rap lyricism...kinda reminds u of Pacs well-deserved arrogance)
5. Bone Thugz-N-Harmony (their flow is amazingly unique)
6. Snoop Dogg (the Godfather of G-Funk)
7. The Roots (they incorporate live music into real talk lyricism...its alot harder than u think)
8. Immortal Technique (his general knowledge of the world around him reflects his lyrics)
9. Eminem (yes i know....mainstream...but his lyrical flow deserves applause)
10. DMX (no one can show more anger in his voice than this brutha right here)
1.big 2.pac 3.nas 4.krs-one
1.big 2.pac 3.nas 4.krs-one 5.rakim 6.jay z 7.big l 8.eminem 9.dr dre 10.snoop dogg 11.ice cube 12.the game 13.jadakiss 14.styles p 15xzibit or dmx are the top 15 rappers of alltyme and 50cent, soulja boy and lil wayne makes the last two hundred million rappers of alltime believe it or not
ohhhhhhhh.......
LL rhyme a cHiLd....
wers is ja ruLE??????
LiL jon is much better..
and eminem shouLd be the 2nd...
run dmc being a pioneer must be at the List....
but a still got a good LIst..
another one is mah main man cooLio....
not sure about this list
talib kweli, Q-tip. notorious b.i.g, possibly 2pac all deserve to be there, as for the rest im not so sure. what about mf doom he has a completely original style, mos def another one, black thought from the roots, krs one, and some of the rappers from bands like the pharcyde, and jurassic 5 could be contenders. busta rhymes was great with leaders of the new school, but got way to commercial in recent times. eminem had is moment in the spotlight, but not enough staying power to be one of the best. jay-z is just a commodity rapper, if your going to put him on the list you may as well puff daddy there to.
this is just my opinion
1.Pac
2.Biggie
3.Jay
4.Eminem
5.Kanye
6.Nas
7.Lupe Fiasco
8.OutKast
9.Mos Def
10.Run DMC
1. Biggie 2.
1. Biggie
2. 2pac
3.Jay-Z
4.Rakim
5. Eminem
6.Big L
7.50 Cent
8.Lil Wayne
9.Kanye West
10. Lupe Fiasco
Too Short should be on somebodys list
Todd Shaw has been making albums since 1980,and before that he made tapes for people,called speacial request.He has 17 too short albums,has done countless guess appearances on other artist albums and singles.He also has alot of mixtape albums,and complation albums.I really don't think anyone has more songs than Too Short.All the rap artist knowof him.
nas is the best ever
1. NAS
2. TUPAC
3. BIG
4. TALIB
5. RAKIM
6. GAME
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. JAY Z
NO doubt Nas represent, no one compares to nas, Either on lyrics, flow, rhymes(aint hard to tell) and also the concious beat. I dare not give any1 spot # one other than to NAS.
O NO U DIDNT
I KNO U DID NOT JUS PUT TUPAC AFTER NAS. NAS IS NOT THE BEST RAPPER EVER. TUPAC WAS A LEGEND, NAS IS JUS A STUPID REGULAR RAPPER FRUM NEW YORK, I KNO HE GOOD BUT DERE IS NO WAY POSSIBLE IN DIS WHOLE UNIVERSE, DIS WHOLE GALAXY DAT NAS IS BETTER THAN PAC, THE COMPASSION, THE DEEPNESS, IT JUS FLOWED THROUGH UR BODY LIKE UR BLOOD, HIS WORDZ R UNMATCHED, UNCOMPARABLE, NO ONE HAS NETHANG ON PAC, I KNO ALOT OF PPL BETTER DEN NAS BUT DERES NOT ONE RAPPER THAT WAZ, IZ, OR EVER GOIN TO B, BETTER DEN TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR.
ur dumb as hell
idk wat the hell is wrong with u but nas does not compare to Tupac. Tupac wrote inspirational music. his music is the greatest and hes the greatest ever. Nas is #2 bcuz i dnt beleive B.I.G. was on Tupacs level and i know u know that. I got love for B.I.G. too but his music wasnt really the inspirational type like talib kweli,common,Tupac etc. but Nas is not #1. Tupac will always be #1. he has over 75 million records sold. over 50 million in the USA . so that shows how much the people here in America love Tupac.magazines and mtv also had polls for fans to vote and the all voted Tupac as the greatest of all time. Get ur shit right please. thats ur opinion so ill respect it but reality, Tupac is the greatest.
ALL BOUT BROWNSIDE
1. Brownside
2. Conejo
3. Wicked Minds
4. Ese Moska
5. Capone (Not Mr. Capone-E
6. Lil Cuete
7. Lil Sicko
8. Mr. Criminal
9. Payaso
10. Kid Frost
this list is not authoritative
and it was clearly arranged by whitey. record sales dont make you the best MC.
eminem above nas...ha!
and anyone who has a member of g-unit in his top 10 is obviously underexposed to the history of hip-hop (yes, this means you, dumbass)
Wu-Tang
No GZA? This is a joke.
top 10 lyricist
1. papoose
2. biggie
3. 2pac
4. lloyd banks
5. wu -tang
6. nas
7. talib kweli
8. mos def
9. common
10. pharaoh monch
Bone Thugs N Harmony Still In Tha Game
1. 2Pac
2. Eazy-E
3. Bone Thugs N Harmony
4. Notorious B.I.G.
5. Jay-Z
6. Nas
7. Dr. Dre
8. Common
9. Rakim
10. Ice Cube
I Agree BTNH is a legend in
I Agree
BTNH is a legend in a rap world
Beastie Boys should be in
Beastie Boys should be in the top 10
beastie boys? r u fuckin
beastie boys? r u fuckin serious? u r da dumbest person i kno, beastie boyz aint shiit compared to da ppl we got on our top 10 like Pac, Biggie, Eazy-E, NWA, Bone Thugz N Harmony, i mean dey r Legendz, beastie boyz aint got shit on dem, fuckin dumbass.
First of all the Beastie
First of all the Beastie Boys first album came out in 1986. They are pioneers. Second, you don't know me. Anyway, judging by the way you type I bet you are real intelligent.
You gotta love LL's sense of
You gotta love LL's sense of style in hip hop jewelry.
Best MCs off all time
1. 2Pac
2. Notorious B.I.G.
3. Rakim
4. Eminem
5. Jay-Z
6. Nas
7. Snoop Dogg
8. Krs One
9. LL Cool J
10. DMX
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