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Mar 16, 2024 · The best rappers of all time include those like Lil’ Kim and Kendrick Lamar, who combine a lyrical know-how with a style that’s their own. Between critical acclaim, cultural influence, album...
Aug 8, 2023 · From Drake to OutKast, Lauryn Hill to Lil Wayne, these pioneers and next-gen futurists shaped rap music over the past 50 years of hip-hop. In honor of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop this year, GRAMMY.com is celebrating some of the genre's most impactful artists, producers and creators across the decades.
- Bryan Kalbrosky
- Jay-Z. Jay-Z is the rapper who everyone tends to just plug in at the top of their all-time hip-hop lists. You’re probably thinking that’s exactly what we’re doing here and I can’t necessarily blame you for your skepticism.
- The Notorious B.I.G. A lyrical genius who wasn’t afraid to prove it and quite possibly the best storyteller in rap. Biggie always made it feel like he was letting you in on a secret.
- Tupac. The word I keep coming back to with Tupac Shakur as I thought about why I ranked him so high: Range. He could bring you to tears, he could make you laugh, he could make you want to get up and dance.
- Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick Lamar dominated rap in the 2010s. Between putting out three of the finest albums across any genre that decade, providing an entire political moment with its anthem with “Alright” and winning a literal Pulitzer, Lamar has established himself as one of our vital perspectives across all cultures with the way he sees the world and the stories he chooses to tell.
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Who are the Best Rap lyricists?
- Lil Uzi Vert
- Wiz Khalifa
- Slick Rick
- Black Thought
- Kid Cudi
- Meek Mill
- Cardi B
- Fat Joe
- Treach
- Immortal Technique
Lil Uzi Vert is one of the best and brightest rappers in the emo rap and SoundCloud rap communities. Each of his releases has added layered complexity and subtle shifts in tone, becoming enigmatic of the modern-day rapper.
Wiz Khalifa was one of the most prominent rappers of the 2010s, releasing a long string of hit songs that resonated with both the urban hip hop and pop music communities. His studio debut single Black And Yellow was an instant hit and rose to the top of the Hot 100, with plenty more following it up.
Slick Rick is known for two things: his title as being rap’s greatest storyteller and that iconic signature eye patch. A smooth flow and detailed imagery characterize his raps and turn him into one of the most sampled artists and most influential rappers in the history of music. Vividly painted narratives drove his work and inspired a generation of...
Black Thought is still one of the best freestylers in the game today and an unquestioned master in lyricism. His appearances with other artists often see him outshine or outplay them in terms of wordsmithing, including working with artists like Eminem, Royce Da 5’9”, and Big Pun. Beginning his career in 1993, he has become one of the most polished ...
Kid Cudi rose to fame thanks to his debut single Day ‘n’ Nite, a worldwide hit that was originally published on his MySpace page. After signing with Kanye West’s label, he released a steady stream of solid rap verses and landed several major chart hits. He’s mostly known for his influence on alternative and contemporary hip hop, with his honest dis...
Meek Mill started out as a battle rapper, honing his skills before eventually debuting his first studio album Dreams And Nightmaresin 2012. He quickly rose to mainstream prominence and had one of the brightest futures in hip hop but was incarcerated for a time and lost a lot of steam. He’s since turned that experience into activism, advocating for ...
Cardi B might be a controversial figure for many, but there’s no denying that she’s one of the most successful female rappers of all time. Coming from the TV show Love And Hip Hop: New York, she eventually turned into one of the most popular music artists of the modern day on the back of her single Bodak Yellow. Forbes recognizes her as one of the ...
Fat Joe started his career as a member of the hip hop group Diggin In The Crates Crew but soon after began his storied solo career. Forming several of the most impressive hip hop groups in history, he would inevitably produce hits with other big-name artists like Lil Wayne—Make it Rain—and Ja Rule—What’s Luv? Ultimately, his work is best summed up ...
If you’re looking for one of the most dynamic technical rappers in the game, look no further than Treach. Coming shortly after LL Cool J, he was one of the artists who built the blueprint of what successful hip hop would become. Street anthems and mainstream hits on his albums blend perfectly and shift between them in a way that few other artists w...
Immortal Technique might be one of the more controversial names on this list, thanks in large part to the controversial political topics they cover. An activist as much as he is a rapper, he mainly focuses his lyrics on far-left-wing politics and tackles complex global issues from that point of view. Whether you agree with his thoughts or not doesn...
- 4 min
Mar 25, 2024 · So let’s get into it, we ain’t talking about the Billboard Hot 100, right here the real hip hop heads rank the top 100 best rappers of all time, from Nas, Tupac, Jay-Z and Biggie, to Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Future and J. Cole, here are the top 100 best rappers of all time. 1. Nas. Essential listening: Illmatic (1994)
Sep 10, 2015 · Chris Mench. Sep 10, 2015. COMMENT. Images via Wikia / GetNetWorth / Wikipedia. No idea's original. Hip-hop is a 39-year-old musical genre, and at this globalized stage of its evolution, we...
Aug 18, 2023 · 1. Eminem. Born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, Eminem took the dire circumstances of his youth, as well as other inspirations, and created vivid stories through his lyrics. He hit it big with the album The Slim Shady LP in 1999.
