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- Nas. 5,813 votes. Hailing from Queensbridge, Nas solidified his status as one of the greatest emcees with his groundbreaking debut album, Illmatic. With raw, introspective lyrics that showcased his unmatched storytelling skills and an unparalleled flow, Nas captivated listeners and influenced generations of rappers.
- The Notorious B.I.G. 6,218 votes. A titan of the hip-hop genre, Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G., made an enormous impact on the music scene.
- JAY-Z. 5,289 votes. Few can argue with the massive success and influence of Shawn Carter, known worldwide as JAY-Z. As a rapper, entrepreneur, and industry mogul, he has been a dominant force in the music world since the release of his seminal album, Reasonable Doubt.
- Wu-Tang Clan. 4,025 votes. The Wu-Tang Clan burst onto the scene in 1993 with a sound that was both gritty and innovative, forever changing hip-hop. Hailing from Staten Island and led by producer extraordinaire RZA, the nine-member collective blended kung-fu imagery with street narratives, creating a unique sound that resonated with fans around the globe.
Aug 11, 2023 · Here are our picks for the best New York rappers of all time, so far: 50. Ice Spice. Simone Joyner / Getty Images. When “Munch” took over the streets of New York a year ago, the quicksand ...
- The Notorious B.I.G.
- Nas
- Jay-Z
- Prodigy
- Havoc
- Puff Daddy
- Flavor Flav
- Method Man
- Gza
- Rza
Christopher George Latore Wallace, later known by the epic name of The Notorious B.I.G., was just 24 years old when he waskilled by a drive-by shooting. In his short life, he made an incredible impact on East Coast rap. His debut album Ready To Diereceived significant critical acclaim, and many consider him responsible for revitalizing the New York...
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known as Nas to his fans, has created more than a dozen studio albums that reached gold, platinum, and multi-platinum status. His debut album, Illmatic, released in 1994, is considered one of the best hip hop albums ever recorded. He was once involved in a highly publicized feud with fellow New York rap titan, Jay-Z. Next:...
Producer, rapper, and entrepreneur Shawn Corey Carter, known by most as Jay-Z, was born and raised in New York City. His musical career began in the 1980s, and he became one of the world’s best-selling music artists, selling more than 140 million records. He’s also won 24 Grammy awardsand cemented his fame with a business empire covering a wide arr...
Born Albert Johnson in 1974, Prodigy was one part of the hip hop duo Mobb Deep and is credited as one of the originators of East Coast hip hop in the mid-1990s. He met his future rap partner Havoc while in high school in Manhattan, and the two would eventually become one of the best-selling rap duos of all time.
Kejuan Waliek Muchita was born in 1974 and would eventually become known as Havoc and one-half of the rap group Mobb Deep with Prodigy. Not only was he a central figure in the growth of the 1990s East Coast rap scene, but he also produced songs for legendary rappers like The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Eminem, 50 Cent, and a slew of other well-known art...
Born Sean Combs in 1969 in New York City, the influential rapper has changed his stage name several times over the years, but his talent has remained intact throughout his work as a singer, producer, and entrepreneur. The incredibly successful businessman has a net worth estimated at $740 million and has sold more than 12 million albumsin his caree...
Flavor Flav was born in 1959 as William Jonathan Drayton Jr. in Roosevelt, New York. He was a founding member of the landmark rap group Public Enemy and earned six Grammy Award nominations. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He’s known for wearing a clock necklace. Next: Ultimate hip hop songs playlist (the best of the best)
Method Man was born Clifford Smith Jr. in 1971 on Long Island, New York. He performs as part of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan and was also part of a hip hop duo with fellow rapper Redman. He embarked on an acting career in the 1990s and also spent years collecting tens of thousands of comic books.
GZA is a founding member of Wu-Tang Clan and a pioneer in rap and hip hop. Born Gary Eldridge Grice in 1966, he was interested in breakdancing, DJing, and graffiti in his early years. He soon began writing and eventually got signed to Cold Chillin’ Records as The Genius. An analysis of his songs reveals to listeners that he has quite a large vocabu...
RZA was born Robert Fitzgerald Diggs in 1969 and is the unofficial leader of Wu-Tang Clan, as well as a cousin of members GZA and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Although his status as an influential New York rapper is undeniable, some of his most famous releases have occurred in film and television with music scores for movies like Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Kill...
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- Jay-Z. Top Song: "Empire State of Mind" (feat. Alicia Keys) From Album: The Blueprint 3 (2009) At the top of our list of the best New York rappers of all time, we have quite a notable figure in the Big Apple and beyond: Jay-Z.
- The Notorious B.I.G. Top Song: "Juicy" From Album: Ready to Die (1994) is celebrated for his effortless flow and legendary storytelling abilities, leaving a clear mark on hip-hop despite his brief career.
- Nas. Top Song: "N.Y. State of Mind" From Album: Illmatic (1994) Nas is often hailed as one of the greatest lyricists in hip-hop, known for his vivid storytelling and complex rhymes that capture the essence of life in New York.
- 50 Cent. Top Song: "In Da Club" From Album: Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003) 50 Cent's mix of street credibility and chart-topping hits propelled him to stardom, with his debut album becoming one of the biggest successes in rap history.
- Jay-Z. Shawn Carter, Jay-Z is not only a legendary rapper but also a successful entrepreneur. He emerged onto the scene in 1996 with his debut classic album Reasonable Doubt.
- Nicki Minaj. As female artists are standing on top of the rap game, Nicki Minaj deserves much credit as being one of the first megastars in hip-hop to represent women within the genre.
- Cardi B. With one of the best personalities in hip-hop, Cardi B’s charm has fans from all over the world gravitating towards the former South Bronx resident.
- 50 Cent. Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent, burst onto the rap scene in the early 2000s. His debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in 2003, produced by Dr. Dre, was a massive commercial success and featured the smash hit “In Da Club.”
The 50 Greatest NYC hip-hop artists: Guest list. Music. You've seen the list, now hear what Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, Peter Rosenberg and more have to say. The biggest names in New York hip-hop ...
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Jul 21, 2023 · 5. Jay-Z. Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, is a rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Brooklyn, New York. He is considered one of the greatest rappers ever and has significantly impacted hip-hop culture and the music industry. Jay-Z began his career in the early 1990s, releasing his debut album “Reasonable Doubt” in 1996.
