Neither did Eazy, Jay Z, Snoop had That’s that and a few other songs written by D.O.C, even Cube had songs written by D.O.C.
But I think they would still go in many Top 5’s.
Music Top five rappers all time
- Thread starter Sally Cinnamon
- Start date
But I think they would still go in many Top 5’s.
Honorable mentions to AZ and Scarface.
Talking of AZ, back in 98 a magazine released a free CD that contained a freestyle from AZ. He rapped over a few famous beats such as Janet Jackson 'don't know what you got', Usher 'you make me wanna'.
Anyway, it was one of the best freestyles I'd ever heard and to this day I can't flipping find it.
Edit: I've properly looked for it and found it at last.
Last edited:
Not in mine. By the way, Jay Z wrote 'Still Dre'. That's comical to me.
Fair enough, you’re a purist. For me delivery is the most important - Andre 3K, Slick Rick, Eazy make my list.
Don't get me wrong, I like Eazy (especially 'Eazy Duz it' and later the tune Real Muthaphuckkin G's) but I don't consider guys like him as talented as those I mentioned.
If you listen to Big Daddy Kane's Tiny desk concert, your hesitation will vanish.
Great article for anyone wanting a different slant on this theme.
https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-rapper-alive-every-year-since-1979
Kind of has an in-built justification as it doesn't include the word 'ever'.
https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-rapper-alive-every-year-since-1979
Kind of has an in-built justification as it doesn't include the word 'ever'.
Everyone knows Das Efx recorded the best rap song ever.
And apologies for the double post, but Rakim was doing this in 1988. Legend.
Not a single mention for Lil’ Pump yet?
This thread is full of old heads
This thread is full of old heads
Love him or hate him Eminem should feature.
Big Pun, Big L, Nas, Biggie, Andre 3000, Method Man. All worthy mentions.
Big Pun, Big L, Nas, Biggie, Andre 3000, Method Man. All worthy mentions.
I like Mobb deep. Know it’s not just one guy but a couple of their songs are my favourite rap songs.
Survival of the fittest is a top track
Survival of the fittest is a top track
Mos Def
Big Pun
Kendrick
Method Man
Black Thought
Big Pun
Kendrick
Method Man
Black Thought
Oops my bad. In that case
1. Rakim
2. Black thought
3. Mos Def
4. Ice Cube
5. Kendrick Lamar
Jigga has written probably 99% of his lyrics, dude doesn't even write he recites. Im aware that Consequence wrote Encore for him and that Jaz-o his mentor and Young Chris of Young Bloodz influenced his style (2000s with Chris) but every rapper has had a ghostwriter before. Even the most talented MCs have but no way can you compare an actual talented and capable lyricist like Jay to Dre and Eazy who are certainly not MCs. Dre, Eazy and Puff never envisioned themselves as rappers when they got into the game, they were encouraged by their peers and associates to do it.
Rakim
GZA
Cube
On a personal note I love Killer Mike
GZA
Cube
On a personal note I love Killer Mike
I can't take articles that place drake and nicki minaj as best rappers of any year seriously
Hey, at least I read the OP, right?
In no particular order, on the whole my top 5 would have to be the overpowering:
Busta Rhymes
Black Thought
Lil Fame
Billy Danze
Rakim
I'll put any of them up against anyone and most likely it wouldn't even be close.
Cee-lo was also a supremely skilled rapper. His style along with the likes of Sadat X, Snoop, Krondon (actually
) B-real, Devin the Dude, Young Zee has to be appreciated.
3000, mos def, lauryn hill, bun b, luda, red & meth, sean p, The game, Evidence, Styles P, Guru, Eminem, Nas, Biggie, Pac are all great allround rappers, but i don't think they can mess with my top 5 here. I really don't
Busta Rhymes
Black Thought
Lil Fame
Billy Danze
Rakim
I'll put any of them up against anyone and most likely it wouldn't even be close.
Cee-lo was also a supremely skilled rapper. His style along with the likes of Sadat X, Snoop, Krondon (actually
) B-real, Devin the Dude, Young Zee has to be appreciated.3000, mos def, lauryn hill, bun b, luda, red & meth, sean p, The game, Evidence, Styles P, Guru, Eminem, Nas, Biggie, Pac are all great allround rappers, but i don't think they can mess with my top 5 here. I really don't
Riff Raff
Guy who does dragon ball GT rap
KSI
3pac (rip)
Snoop Dogg
Guy who does dragon ball GT rap
KSI
3pac (rip)
Snoop Dogg
The only reason why we have these Greatest of All Time discussions is because of Rakim. If it wasn't for Rakim the focus would still be on DJs.
We are brethren
Criminally underrated even among heads (just look at this thread) but as nice as anyone on a mic with a discography that puts most to shame
As per the op rules
GFK
Mos Def
Kendrick*
Snoop
Kwali
*its still early for kendrick and he probably benefits from being around in an era so bereft of genuine MCs but GKMC & TPAB are bonefide classics imo
With the excluded
GFK
2pac
Snoop
Nas
Jay Z
Travis Scott
Macklemore
MGK
Lil Wayne
Cardi B
lol
Macklemore
MGK
Lil Wayne
Cardi B
lol
I agree. I think what perhaps holds him back in these sorts of discussions is that whilst he has a solid consistency of very good records, I don't think he has one that is regarded as a classic of the genre, like Raekwon has Cuban Linx (which is great because of Ghost) and GZA has Liquid Swords. Ghost has more solid and consistent albums than any Wu member, but none that are regarded as highly as the above two or 36 Chambers.
Regardless, there's no other rapper I'd rather listen to. That fire in his voice is unmatched.
There's potentially an issue there as they were probably 'Best Hip Hop artist' rather than best rappers of those years.
But there was certainly a 6-18 month run where Drake was an absolute savage. The guy can rap. I'm among his biggest critics in terms of how he uses/wastes his talent but he can rap.
Nas
Wu Tang clan
Rakim
KRS One
Mos Def
Wu Tang clan
Rakim
KRS One
Mos Def
Probably the best list here.
Also agree with the shouts for Black Thought, Ghost and Big Pun. Haven't seen anyone mention RA the Rugged Man who is definitely worthy of a shout too.
His ghost writers can rap, he has a nice flow is all.
These lists are so generic, and mostly boring.
Quick question - does everybody here just use lyricism and ability to rhyme to a higher degree as a gauge on whether a rapper is better than another?
Quick question - does everybody here just use lyricism and ability to rhyme to a higher degree as a gauge on whether a rapper is better than another?
True, he's not really a pure rapper either.
No you are right, we should use who can mumble faster to determine who is the best rapper.
Top five by the natute of the name should be generic?
This is like complaining that people have five of messi, Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo, Beckenbauer, cruyff as their top five.
Yeah sings too much and use auto tune on toovmany songs for my taste.
Your reply is too generic and boring.
No but hip-hop wasn't built for the lyrics, if we're being technical.No you are right, we should use who can mumble faster to determine who is the best rapper.
No just the idea of 'top 5' lists, and GOAT debates etc.
It's artistic, individual and should be creative - but more times than not people end up defaulting to people who can rhyme the best.
His ghost writers can write.
He can rap.
Everything in its place. Drake doesn't have a Classic album. He doesn't write everything he spits. He's a second tier rapper in a sea of hundreds of others.
But it's outright foolish to suggest that he didn't own Rap for at least a year.
He's a very talented recording artist that has flirted at times with being something a bit more real, but that's clearly not his goal.
I wouldn't waste your time, complimenting Drake is sacrilege.
And any good he does do, is only helped by the fact that the quality of hip-hop is so low, rather than him having any talent at all.
Ah that I sort of agree and disagree with. I agree that everyone has their own style so was artist isn't necessarily better than any other but there is a gulf in class as well between aetists so might as well rank them.
Yeah he owned pop no doubt.