10. Eminem
Despite critiques of his later works, Eminem remains a heavily talked about member of the rap game for his earlier, more accessible and iconic albums, which heavily influenced and shaped the current rap landscape. Eminem continues to put out albums, even though it’s clear he has officially peaked in overall cultural impact.
9. Young Thug
Young Thug goes under many monikers. Despite his goofy antics, the rapper continues to put out music that is consistently far above average, as well as pushing the boundaries for what rap and hip can be. Thugger continues to influence his contemporaries, and carry the genre forward.
8. Andre 3000
Andre 3000 serves as the second half of the duo OutKast, which also includes artist Big Boi. Both were wildly popular in the late 90s to the early 2000s. Andre 3000’s quick and articulate delivery helps settle him into this spot, but his overall rhyming ability cements number eight as his home in this list.
7. Tupac
Icon, philanthropist, and household name Tupac comes in at number seven. Tupac was pivotal in defining the east coast, west coast war between the two sides of the country popular in the late 80s to the 90s. Tupac was no doubt a legend and an icon of the time popular for his social and political commentary.
6. Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie’s take-no-witnesses style of lyricism and storytelling is a unique one that was huge in pushing forward the New York boom-bap style of rapping that became popular in the 80s and 90s. Even before his untimely death, Biggie was ready to die for the art, appropriately titling his projects Ready to Die and Life after Death. Unfortunately, Biggie’s limited discography hurts him, leaving him in the bottom half of this list.
5. Black Thought
Black Thought is widely unknown to most casual Hip-Hop fans, but can be recognized when pointing out that he is the frontman for Jimmy Fallon’s in-house band The Roots. Black Thought’s sometimes triple meaning laced bars are jaw droppingly meaningful and able to be appreciated time and time again by his keen eared listeners.
4. Kanye West
You can’t have a top ten list of rappers without Mr. West. Personally my favorite rapper of all time, Kanye has influenced the rap game beyond comparison to nearly anyone else. Kanye has contributed to producing hundreds and hundreds of records, as well as producing albums that are all far above great: not a single lacking release.
3. MF DOOM
The Masked villain goes by many different monecers. Rapper MF DOOM has one of the best deliveries in Hip-Hop, as well as being known as the greatest rhymer of all time. DOOM can go entire bars without missing a single rhyme with a previous line. DOOM also has made one of the most influential experimental Hip-Hop albums of all time. DOOM is widely known as “‘Your favorite rappers favorite rapper” having artists and legends like Drake, Kanye West, JPEGMAFIA, Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler the Creator, and Open Mic Eagle all claim DOOM as one of their favorite MCs. Just remember all caps when you spell the man name.
2. Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar can easily cement himself as the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) if he continues to release music to his current consistency. His junior album To Pimp a Butterfly continues to wow and be the greatest album of the 2010s, as well as mix mainstream attention and great lyricism.
1. NasNasir Jones has paved the way for modern rap as we know it. Through his flawless breakthrough, illmatic, to his other incredible poetic statements like It Was Written, The Lost Tapes, God’s Son, and King Disease all show Nas’s ability to balance exceptional production choice, peak lyrical ability, and cutting edge delivery of a seasoned veteran, still releasing music today. Nas is the Greatest Rapper Of All Time.
