The top 10 best rappers of all time discussion is something that nearly every hip-hop fan has had at some point or another.
On Sunday, Billboard published its list of the top 10 rappers of all time, which has since sparked countless debates on the Internet. How could they leave off KRS-One, 2Pac, Ice Cube, Kanye West and Scarface? Why did they include Lauryn Hill (whose rapping output is extremely small) and André 3000 (who has never released a solo album)? Why is this list so East Coast heavy?
The list is debatable, but it is pretty much impossible to make a list that is going to please every hip-hop head. The list is also very favorable for ’90s acts. All but two of the rappers on the list released their first album between 1993 – 1999. The only two rappers who released their debut albums outside of that window are Rakim and Kendrick Lamar.
Billboard ranks The Notorious B.I.G. as the number one rapper, reasoning, “Unlike everyone else on this list, Biggie never dropped a single bad song, or a single errant bar.” The magazine judged rappers based on their lyrical dexterity, ability to move a crowd, and overall rapping skill. This separates the winners from artists like “Dr. Dre and Kanye West” who don’t match the mic skills of those listed here” despite their “legendary producer-artist” status.
The list begins with Lil Wayne at number 10. Billboard writes of the New Orleans rapper, “…his dizzying run of mixtapes, albums and guest spots from around 2004 to 2009 is arguably the most prolific example of quality meets quantity hip-hop has ever seen.” Wayne arguably hit his peak with 2008’s “A Milli.” Kendrick Lamar and Ghostface Killah come in at numbers 9 and 8 respectively. Then comes Lauryn Hill ofThe Fugees at number 7, whose 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and included hits such as “Doo-Wop (That Thing).”
Andre 300 of Outkast at number 6. Writing of Andre, the magazine says, “As the better half – no offense to the also awesome Big Boi – of Outkast, Andre 3000 was the limber anchor behind the group’s impeccable five-album run, one unmatched by any other hip-hop act in terms of quality, success and innovation.” The two hit number one with their song “Hey Ya.” However, Andre’s skills may be heard best on “Da Art of StoryTellin‘.” Nas comes in at number five, with his classic album Illmatic earning credit for it’s realist imagery and serious tones. Legendary New York innovator Rakim hits number four and iconic Detroit rapper, Eminem, locks in the number three position. Writing about their number three choice, Billboard explains, “Eminem is one of the few who broke through to the mainstream, thanks to censor-stoking rhymes about rape, murder and drug abuse delivered in a tongue-twisting, thought-provoking way.” Eminem’s storytelling capabilities are best heard
Number two went to Jay Z who, according to the magazine, “developed a remarkable discography with rhymes that continuously wow, delivering several classics along the way.” Jay Z has received an enormous amount of fame, due not only to his rapping, but his business ventures and marriage to Beyonce. Many say 1996’s Reasonable Doubt was his best album, which included a masterful collaboration with the number one seed.
