Best Rap Groups
N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, CA. They were among the earliest and most significant popularizers and controversial figures of the gangsta rap subgenre, and are widely considered one of the seminal groups in the history of hip hop music. With Dr. Dre who was very good in rapping just as in producing, Ice Cube's well timed lyrical flow/rhymes which never failed. MC Ren very exotic and better than Tupac BEFORE Biggie &Tupac's rise (after N.W.A had disbanded) and Eazy E had the sound of the rarest (and equally engaging voice), I say this group swept all before them along side but NOT below Wu Tang. They inspired a 2 decades of cult followers. Way to go.
No rap group has ever been than NWA. Everyone knows that they are listening to the world's most dangerous group when they hear it. They made amazing music as a group, had great solo careers, and made careers for so many new rappers (Mainly by Dr. Dre at Aftermath) This includes Eminem, 50Cent and Snoop Dogg. The greatest group in history. Wish they never broke up. Stupid Jerry
Let's Face It.Hip Hop Wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for NWA. they had to overcome a lot more than any other hip hop group. Almost all of there songs have a meaning even though it may seem they don't. And let's also not forget that this group has made more successful solo rappers than any other hip hop group. Dr dre, Ice Cube, Eazy El And Mc Ren.These guys made magic that hasn't gotten old even after 28 years.songs like Straight Outta Compton, Gangsta Gangsta, 100 Miles And Runnin, F the Police And Express Yourself Never get old. Wu Tang Clan? 2nd By A long shot
Overrated, they didn't write their own lyrics, they weren't very skilled mc's, and they helped to kill positive hip hop and make gangsta rap cool.
The Roots is 1,000 times better than this group and should be much higher on the list. The Roots are what real hip hop is about, not these guys.
The Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group from New York City, originally composed of East Coast rappers RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Cappadonna. No one can touch the Wu Tang Clan. They drop classic albums nearly every time and everyone in this group is a true emcee. When these 9 rappers spit together, their rhymes are just magic and create masterpieces such as Cream, Reunited, Triumph, the Mystery of Chessboxin, and Protect Ya Neck. No other rap group can claim to have the influence and the catalog to back it up within the hip-hop game as the Wu Tang has shown. Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Method Man, RZA, GZA, Masta Killah, and ODB(R.I.P. ) each can rhyme tight circles around these coward rappers today getting promotions such as Tyga and Wale. It wouldn't even be fair to compare the greatest rap group of all time to losers who couldn't even drop a good line if their lives depend on it. Not only do the Wu drop classic albums together, but they can drop masterful albums in their own solo careers as well. Like Ol Dirty Bastard said when he famously interrupted the Grammy Awards to speak the truth... "Wu-Tang ...more
Nine of the greatest MC's, all together, formed the sound of classic hip hop (not modern) in the 90's. The GZA's Liquid Swords is one of the deepest, most lyrical albums of all time. The RZA is one of the most talented, influential, MC's ever to pick up a mic. No one can top Pretty Tony and Rae on the Only Built for Cuban Linx album. I agree with the Roots, NWA, Tribe and PE, but the rest of this list is on some bull. The Beasties! Who came up with this list?
I get where NWA is coming from, but Wu Tang is just better. I don't know why, but the Wu Tang Clan just has an incredible sound that no other group has ever achieved and no one else ever will. They should be at the top of this list.
Wu Tang is the greatest hip hop group of all time! They create only masterpieces, Not bull tracks such as these day rappers who create trash! Each member of the group has a unique style. Every member in this crew is a legend. WU TANG FOREVE!
Public Enemy is an American hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Khari Wynn, DJ Lord, and the S1W group. Even though groups like NWA, Bone Thugs and Wu Tang were great, PE deserves to be number 1. Public Enemy was one of those groups that changed the face of hip-hop and gave it a distinct political message. Every emcee respects Chuck D and listens to what he has to say, because of his legendary Hip-Hop status. Flava Flav (even though he lost his mind) continues to be the worlds greatest hype man and actually employs B-Boyin unlike a lot of hypemen these days. They also inspired groups in other genres such as Rage Against the Machine in hard rock/metal. They always drop real knowledge with true certified hip-hop!
These guys are the true public enemy against all those big corporations and all those government people who care about nothing but themselves. Public enemy raps the truth in their music and is still going strong even today. Nobody beats public enemy, not even the wu-tang clan.
I can live with Wu Tang at #1, but it should be P.E. Their first 5 albums are all CLASSICS - special shout out to Muse Sick for it's criminally ignored greatness. No other rap group has their power and genius, end of story.
To truly understand PE's impact you had to be there at the time. And they did it with minimal radio play or exposure. The greatest rap group of all time was Public Enemy. Without question.
Outkast is an American hip hop duo formed in 1991, in East Point, Atlanta, Georgia, composed of Atlanta-based rappers André "André 3000" Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. The duo achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success in the 1990s and early 2000s, helping to popularize Southern hip hop while developing distinctive personas and experimenting with diverse genres such as funk, psychedelia, techno, and gospel. Lyrics, rhymes, beats, soul, personality, creativity, originality, social and cultural awareness, and vision; Outkast had it all, and more. There's an Outkast song for everyone and every occasion. Their music wasn't just hood, or Southern, or club, or mainstream, or underground, or old school, or new school, or rap, or hip-hop music. It simply was, and will always be, great music. It wasn't music for only one race or culture, but poetry and art for anyone. It was fun and serious, chill and hype, smooth and rough, light and dark. Big Boi and Andre 3000 weren't just lyricists and rappers, they were true artists and absolute originals. There's not one person, whom appreciates rap/hip-hop/urban music or any similar genre or sub-genre, who doesn't like at least one Outkast song. There are many incredibly talented groups and solo artists in the history of rap/hip-hop, whose impact and influence can never be questioned, but Outkast will always be at the top of my list of favorites.
Oh my gosh, it Outkast literally behind Bones Thugs-N-Harmony? Ha! What a laugh! Outkast is No. 1 always and forever and there's no changing that. They're more ambitious, creative, and inspiring than any other rap group (except for maybe A Tribe Called Quest) and they have made some of the best songs of all time. Here's some evidence that I'm correct:
Ms. Jackson
B.O.B.
Da Art of Storytellin' (Parts 1 and 2)
Hey Ya!
Rosa Parks
The Way You Move
Elevators (Me & You)
Roses
ATLiens
Player's Ball
There you go. That's my top ten list (No. 1 is "Ms. Jackson" and No. 10 is "Player's Ball")! I hope you all agree with me now lol!
Absolute masters of genre-blending. Incredible consistency and variety throughout their discography. Dropped five back to back classics and disappeared before they had a chance to drop a weak album.
Honestly outkast should be up there, a lot of people may thing their style is whack, but Andre's lyrics are one of the best of all time and they can still make club bangers with those lyrics.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is an American hip hop group from Cleveland, Ohio. It consists of rappers Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone and Flesh-N-Bone. Some people like to say Wu Tang's and NWA's music has never been recreated ever, but just sit and think. Have you ever heard a reproduction of the Bone Thugs? Well If your telling the truth, then you would say "Hell No"
Everything about the Bone Thugs Is 100% Original. The music, the style, the beats, all original. And never once have they ever changed their style for any reason. They are true to the bone and they are still raping to this day!
They spit fast as hell In all of their songs, without even putting 100% effort into It, and they are still known as one of the fastest rap groups of all time. Plus, they love their fans to death. Always talking to their fans on Facebook and twitter and saying whats up, whats not to like about the Bone Thugs?
They have rapped with every major rapper there ever was, Tupac, Big, etc. They are truly the #1 best rap group of all time In my eyes and will always be! Bone Thugs for life! EST for life! I love you Cleveland!
Bone thugs are without a doubt the most talented group on this list. Unfortunately from listening to their discography you may not comprehend, because with the success of Crossroads they were put in a box by record labels, and from then on out, viewed as a cash machine for labels to put out pop singles and albums full of bland radio hits. But even on their worst albums they have gems, and a massive amount of high quality unreleased material. They are a unique and spiritual hip hop group.
This is one of the most innovative, and talented groups to come out of the "golden age" of hip hop. They're also criminally underrated. They sounded like no one! They didn't change their sound either. These young men were SO respected that even the greats wanted to work with them! These men created their OWN lane in the high-traffic era of the mid 90s. I strongly believe that had they come New York or LA and were signed to Death Row or Bad Boy, Bone would be considered one THE best rap groups period!
These guys really are the most talented and unique group that ever lived! Their flow, combined with their incredible harmonizing at blazing speeds is simply untouchable. No one has successfully been able to duplicate their sound. They've even rapped with all the hip hop legends like Tupac, Biggie, Eazy-E and Big Pun. Been in the game for over 20 years and still active; these guys are living legends!
The Beastie Boys are an American Rap/Rock group that was formed in 1981 by its three original members, Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz, and Adam "MCA" Yauch. Beastie boys are honestly way more insightful and creative than the rest of the top ten (besides outkast and wu tang). Though ill give it to you that license to ill wasnt the most lyrical of albums but pauls boutique and so on are great albums. Pauls boutique has more consistency than any Eminem or d12 album, check your head has a better message then any Eminem album ill communication has better beats and structure, people judge the beastie boys based on the 2 songs they've heard, but in reality they're just so much better than all of these other groups. Also Eminem isn't even the best white rapper in my book
Anybody who doesn't consider them AT LEAST "in the conversation" for best rap group of all-time either: is under the age of 25, and/or has no respect for music that "came before" what is popular now, AND/OR discount's and disrespects them for being white and Jewish and thinks that just because of that, they don't deserve to be in the conversation. No other explanations...
Started off as a joke, ended as a legend. Having said that, License To Ill now sounds like a groundbreaker like all the rest of their albums, just with a little less artistic ambition. Albums like Paul's Boutique and Check Your Head are as good as anyone elses best, and the rest of their albums? ALSO INCREDIBLE. Special love to The 5 Boroughs which gets talked down by some critics but is absolutely great.
No rap group on this list can match the Beasties run of sheer greatness. From first to last, all their albums are top notch amazing. and the first three are all-time landmarks of music. Mix in their incredible diversity and creativity and it's game over.
A Tribe Called Quest were an American hip-hop trio that was formed in 1985, and was composed of MC and producer Q-Tip, MC Phife Dawg and DJ and producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. They should be in the top 5 at least. I'll go as far to say top 3. They had great lyrics that went with the flow. They knew how to rap, and they did it to perfection.
Ask yourself one question. How many of these groups music do you still listen to today? ATCQ could re-release a digitally remastered "Midnight Maruaders" and it'd go platinum... Ay Yo, Swing Swing Swing... Chop, Chop, Chop!
Huge influence on hip hop. Consistently awesome music. One of the best rap albums of all time. What more could you ask for?
They are terrific...songs like "Scenario, Can I Kick it? , and I Left my Wallet in El Segundo" should boost them to be a top three on this list
D12, an initialism for The Dirty Dozen, was an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. D12 has had chart-topping albums in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Yes they may only be known because of Eminem, but either way, they were gonna make it anyway. All of these guys are lyrical (maybe except Bizarre) but D12 was all about coming up with the funniest weirdest stuff you could think of but at the same time be lyrical. Bizarre could do that, but the others are all talented rappers and are overlooked as a group because of Eminem. RIP Proof
The only group that could consistently keep up with Eminem, where I would argue that Proof outdid Em in many songs too. Best group to ever do it bringing entire funny stories while still being incredibly lyrical and flows that are insane.
Eminem's best time was in D12 too.
, D12 is the best group ever! No one can beat these guys! They just so awesome! Its sad that Proof died but they can and will go on kicking other groups butts! The only groups that could probably be better D12 is Dirty Boyz.
It is right that N.W. A are top and Young Money are so far down. This is actually a good list. I love Eminem though and D12 made some good songs.
Eminem+Proof+Bizzare+Mr Porter+Kuniva+Swifty=1 good group although not as good as NWA. When you have Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy-E in a group, its going to be hard to beat them.
RIP Proof
Run-DMC was an American pioneering hip hop group consisting of Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay. They were formed in 1981 and disbanded in 2002 after Jam Master Jay was murdered. Though I don't thinl they're the best out there come on people they at least deserve respect. They're years in hip hop (along with the beastie boys) produced nothing short of the blueprint for basically any hip hop you see today (look at your favorite rappers influences and they always get traced back to either ll, beastie boys or run dmc)
Run-DMC defined what rap was all about. You can't touch My Adidas. Peter Piper is STILL one of the banginest records ever. I'm the King Of Rock, there is none higher. They paved the way for everybody.
They were the first successful rappers. Why is 50 Cent so popular on this site it doesn't make sense. I get it he got shot nine times but doesn't make him a good rapper.
They INVENTED Hip-Hop, without them there would be no list for starters. They were, they are and they will be the greatest Hip-Hop group ever hands down.
The Roots is an American hip hop group, formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Undoubtedly the best rap group. They stick true to their name and continue to put out classic music for over the span of 15yrs. Black Thought is a genius and can deliver lyrically on any track. People need to recognize his talent. The rest of the group is dope too, and they can play their own instruments since, which really is a bonus in the age of Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. I think they definitely deserve a nod for the greatest rap group of all time. Anyone unfamiliar with them should listen to How I Got over to understand why I they deserve to be on top.
This is the best rap ever I believe. They are the total package! They play instruments, have real emcees, and stay true to the hip-hop culture. They never sold out. In fact, there newer stuff is just as good if not better than their older stuff. Black Thought, the lead emcee of the group is a very dope emcee, and his rhymes are some of the best that hip-hop has to offer. Their music continues to elevate real hip-hop despite the fake trends out there. The raised the bar to a new level.
They deserve to be the best, hands down. They put out timeless music and Black Thought is an amazing rapper, that can cut to heart of an emotion or issue. No other group comes close to what they have done lyrically or musically. Not only are they a rap group, but they are a band as well that creates their original beats and style of production. No other group comes close! How I Got Over, and their latest album, Undun, prove this!
They're so real and they tell a story with their raps. I also love the instruments and the background music they use. They all are just musically and lyrically talented and it shows in every single one of their songs. They're just awesome!
Mobb Deep was an American hip hop music duo from Queensbridge Houses, New York. The group consisted of Havoc and Prodigy, and were a hardcore East Coast hip hop group. Their second and third albums alone could solidify them as top 10. Throw in their legacy and influence on the culture and a series of successful albums and tours till Prodigy's unfortunate death last year, and they secure their place as top 10.
I love this cats they had drama ass music for the 90s, straight war music their music was like theme music when some was about to go down classic albums the infamous, hell on earth and Murda Muzik straight head bangers and havoc is one hell of a producer too.
That was real rap from the 90's. This sort of rap will never die. Listen to Shook ones and there will be no doubt!
Love early mobb deep. Of course the infamous is a classic and a top 20 hip-hop album but hell on earth was a classic to and muda muzik is very good itself.
Bad meets Evil has had some great songs - living proof, fast lane, above the law - really most of hell the sequel album was really good. They've had some lyrical genius, and some speedy lyrics. But do I think they're the best? No. Don't get me wrong, I love this duo. Eminem is one of my favorite rappers of all time. Royce is great too. But they really haven't made that many songs together, and they even beefed for a while, with Eminem & D12 and Royce & slaughterhouse (slaughterhouse is better than D12 as well). Anyway, they aren't the closest group, similar to that of Easy and N.W.A. Great songs a lot, but not the best team or the most songs. Overall, they're a great duo and you should definitely check them out, but I don't think they're the best duo.
Damn I'm just going to say that they rapped really fast. Hands down man. I think the should at least make it to Top 10 Royce and Eminem one of the best duos. You don't always need a group to kill some times you just need 2 to ill.
Not best group, but they are the best duo. Should at least be in the top 10.
Best hip-hop duo ever. I wonder why they aren't in the top 10 list.
The God mc is the greatest of all time rakim change the game when he came out, he elevated game with his vocabulary, no one was dropping knowledge in their rhyme like he was,if you what to know how real mc is suppose to spit go back listen to paid in full, follow the leader,let the rhythm hit em and sweat the tec. All classic albums. Rakim is the greatest all times
Most influental rap group of all time. Legendary songs like paid in full and I ain't no joke and awesome albums like paid in full. Old group with no long but untoughable careers. Also, it has rakim, one of the best mcs ever!
Where the hell is Grandmaster flash and the furious 5. They had the best rap song in the 80s! Listen to The Message, melle mel is amazing and g- master flashy production is sick!
This are the best they redefined hip hop and what it means to be a good lyricist. He evolved it from simple rhymes using internal and multi syllabllic rhymes
Guru is like uncrowned king when it comes to rap he was one of best lyricists that never got the credit that he was due, but for real he was most underrated mc. If you listen to his early albums like step into the arena,daily operation,hard to earn,no more mr.nice guy and the moment of truth you will agree guru got be in the top 5 when comes being one of the greatest lyricists of all time. He sound so intellectual on the mic, he had one of the best voices on the mic, he was so street wise on his records. And far as premo goes when it comes to that real street level real hiphop sound dj premier is the greatness of all time. Listen to the tracks to Jeru the damaja album the sun rises in the east and you will agree with me that premier is the greatest hiphop producer of all times. All time classics tracks,he made tracks for every body that in the rap game from the east coast and the west coast.
How is groups like D12 in top 5 but Gang Starr is 11th. Tells how unrealistic these lists are.
Guru is the most intelligent rapper I ve ever seen and the Dj Premier is the most talented DJ I ve ever seen!
Yes Gang Starr is the best rap group ever.
Hiero should be number 3 on this list after D12 and Wu-tang just listen to their songs it's great.
Casual, Del the Funkee Homosapien, Domino, Pep Love, A-Plus, Opio, Tajai, Phesto, DJ Toure, Snupe, Mike G, Jay-Biz. Most of them are unknown but still the third best rap group ever in my opinion.
The Outlawz in my opinion make the best music out of any of the groups. One of the problems is they are living under the shadow of arguably the best rapper of all time. Some people expect to have an unreleased Pac verse on every song they do. People need to give them a proper listen to, because far too long the industry has black balled them. Yes Wu tang are amazing emcees and are well respected because of their skills, for me the Outlawz make better songs. Here's some songs to check out below;
The Outlawz - Black Rose, Pushing on, Our life, Remember me, Real talk many more..
The list is based on publicity. Outlaws immortals, tribe called quest Westside connection are all top 10. How is d12 there? Just because of Eminem. Kadafi, fatal and Napoleon were better than kuniva and the others. Nwa should be followed be Westside connection. Group with Tupac has to be 2nd. I admit the remaining outlaws now aren't decent, but the 3 I nentioned earlier are wild as hell! Kadafi was dope but died at like 19, raw talent gone early then just like Pac.
The Outlawz were and will always be the best. They were trained and directly influenced by the greatest rap legend 2PAC. Come on now! No one beats the Immortal Outlawz!
I really don't understand how Outlawz can be so low? come on they were big in 95-96, this was Pacs group. And they still keep going at it!
Its too bad they only have one album, but I think if they just released more they would become one of the best rap groups out there. 100% Reason To Remember The Name.
Man listen to their lyrics. The truth is so real these guys need to be higher even thought they only have one album unfortunately.
Fort Minor is my favorite rap group EVER. Close second is FloBots but these guys are amazing. The fact that they only have one album pisses me of though. Wonder why they stopped... :/
Why isn't the band in at least, top 10! If you don't agree listen to Remember the Name! It will change your mind eaisly!
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino American hip hop recording group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide. G-Unit shouldn't be near the top ten, and DMC is only on here because of popularity/respect. Cypress Hill has all the skill these rappers don't possess. I say give this band at LEAST #7 position.
These guys, NWA, and Beastie boys are the best rap groups ever, individually not the best, but not bad either.
They have skill on the mic and on the turn tables, they keep to what they know and are great at it.
They had live crazy sound, b-real voice is incredible.
Slaughterhouse is bad meets evil plus crooked burden and Ortiz. I consider Eminem a member of slaughterhouse (session one, asylum, throw that, psychopath killer, our house etc.) I like them better than D12 because with D12, it was always eminm, proof and then waiting to see what unholy, but hysterical stuff bizarre would say, but the others were average. Slaughterhouse has 5 solid contributors. Their like the avengers of rap.
Are you kidding me. Slaughterhouse is lyrics, lyrics, and more lyrics. They are probably the best lyrical rap group ever. However, don't blame me if you get too hooked to them as I did. Once you start listening to them, there is no way out.
What? I truly think they ARE the best rap group ever. I bought welcome to our house & was blown away! And when Em is featured on a song its even sicker. Any member of slaughterhouse is lyrically better than Lil Wayne & YMCMB. Shady all the way! This is real rap!
There is very little real stuff out there anymore but this group is real as it gets. Lyrical geniuses, each one, especially Royce! They all can keep up with Eminem the greatest rapper ever so obviously they're good!
Run the Jewels, also known by the initialism RTJ, is an American hip hop duo consisting of rapper/producer El-P and rapper Killer Mike. Killer Mike and El-P are some of the best rappers of the 2010's. El-P is also a GOAT tier producer. Belong in the top 5 for sure.
There is no way all of this can be on this list. what makes a rap group good and a rap group a group is the chemistry. groups without chemistry aren't really a group. that's what makes RTJ one of the best
Should be higher
One of the greatest hiphop groups ever. Lauryn hill is one of the best female mc to ever bless the mic plus wyckef has amazing production. Better then gunot!
The birthplace of miss Lauryn Hill.
The Fugees aren't my favourite rap group but I voted for them anyway since I can't take it that they're so far down, should be 5-8
True hip hop here. They are true masters of their craft. And they're still going! Many groups will break up after a couple of years/albums, but de la soul are still at it.
So overlooked, like water. You hardly notice it, but we all benefit from it.
Amazing rap group. Should be 1
Production is incredible, Stoupe kills every track. Vinnie P. Is one of the best lyricists ever in my opinion. You need to check out some of their music.
Some of their earlier albums sit alongside the likes of Illmatic and Enter the Wu-Tang as achievements in hip hop.
Amazing production, incredible rappers (well, not just Allah nowadays) what more could you ask for?
They are the most underrated rap group of all time, hands down.
These guys literally were the first rap group ever, and they are not in the top 10 at least? Sad, these people only know the popular rappers and don't know their roots
Not a big fan of them but they should be higher than 36 because they created Hip Hop.
These guys were the pioneers of hip hop and are not even in the top ten. Sad.
Big ups to the group that started it all!
Why is Styles of Beyond not on the list? Ryu and Tak are some of the best rappers out there. They have been rapping since the late 90's till now. Their songs superstars, second to none and sugar honey ice tea say it all.
Underrated band... They have amazing songs... Superstars was the sountrack of Need For Speed Most Wanted...
Best rap group ever... Should be in the top ten at least...
Very too much best