Top 10 Best Rap Groups of All Time

When it comes to rap groups, it's hard not to think about the legends that shaped the genre and took it to new heights. The best rap groups brought together unique talents, styles, and energy that made them unstoppable. From raw lyrics to smooth harmonies, these crews weren't just about individual stars. They were about creating something even bigger as a team.

This list gives you the chance to weigh in on who you think deserves the title of the best rap group of all time. Are you drawn to groups that broke boundaries with their gritty, unfiltered rhymes? Maybe you're more into the ones that mixed clever wordplay with iconic beats.

The Top Ten

Wu-Tang Clan

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, and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Cappadonna, who was initially a close affiliate, later became an official member of the... read more

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 nine rappers spit together, their rhymes are just magic, creating masterpieces such as "C.R.E.A.M.," "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 Killa, and ODB (R.I.P.) can each 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 depended on it. Not only do the Wu drop classic albums together, but they also drop masterful albums in their own solo careers. Like Ol' Dirty Bastard said when he famously interrupted the Grammy Awards to speak the truth: "Wu-Tang is the greatest. Wu-Tang is for the children."
N.W.A.

N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, California. They were among the earliest and most influential figures in the gangsta rap subgenre, widely regarded as one of the most seminal groups in hip hop history. Their 1988 album Straight Outta Compton played a pivotal role in shaping the sound... read more

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 and Tupac's rise (after N.W.A had disbanded), and Eazy-E with the sound of the rarest and equally engaging voice, I say this group swept all before them alongside, but not below, Wu-Tang. They inspired two decades of cult followers. Way to go.

I actually had trouble choosing between N.W.A, D12, and A Tribe Called Quest, but these guys are so inspirational and really made a change. Listen to all 3 of the crews I listed. My top 3 are:
1. N.W.A
2. A Tribe Called Quest
3. D12
But all are amazing. I'm going to list the best by each:
N.W.A - F the Police, Straight Outta Compton, Express Yourself (couldn't pick)
A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario
D12 - Hailie's Revenge, How Come, My Band (couldn't pick)
All in all, they are all amazing. Listen to my listed songs, and you won't be disappointed!
Public Enemy

Public Enemy is an American hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, DJ Lord, and the S1W group. The group was formed in Long Island, New York, in 1985. They are known for their politically charged lyrics and their 1988 album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.

Even though groups like N.W.A, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and Wu-Tang Clan were great, Public Enemy deserves to be number one. 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. Flavor Flav (even though he lost his mind) continues to be the world's greatest hype man and actually employs B-Boying, unlike a lot of hype men 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.
Outkast

Outkast is an American hip hop duo formed in 1991 in East Point, Atlanta, Georgia. It consists of rappers André "André 3000" Benjamin and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. The group gained widespread critical and commercial success in the 1990s and early 2000s.... read more

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, Southern, club, mainstream, underground, old school, new school, 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 who 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 and hip-hop whose impact and influence can never be questioned, but Outkast will always be at the top of my list of favorites.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

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. They are best known for their melodic style and hits like Tha Crossroads and 1st of tha Month.

Some people like to say Wu-Tang's and N.W.A's music has never been recreated, but just sit and think. Have you ever heard a reproduction of the Bone Thugs? Well, if you're 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 rapping 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 what's up. What's not to like about the Bone Thugs?
They have rapped with every major rapper there ever was, Tupac, Biggie, 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!
A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest was an American hip hop group formed in 1985, composed of MC and producer Q-Tip, MC Phife Dawg, and DJ and producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Jarobi White was an original member but left after the first album. They are regarded as pioneers of alternative hip hop, especially for their... read more

They should be in the top 5 at least. I'll go as far as 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? A Tribe Called Quest could re-release a digitally remastered Midnight Marauders 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?
D12

D12, an initialism for The Dirty Dozen, was an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. D12 had chart-topping albums in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The group was best known for hits like Purple Pills and My Band, and included rapper Eminem among its members.

Yes, they may only be known because of Eminem, but either way, they were going to 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 while still being 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. They are the best group to ever do it, bringing entire funny stories while still being incredibly lyrical and having insane flows. Eminem's best time was in D12 too.
Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys were an American rap-rock group formed in 1981. The original members were Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz, and Adam "MCA" Yauch.
They are known for their pioneering blend of hip hop and rock, as well as for influential albums such as Licensed to Ill (1986) and... read more

The Beastie Boys are, in my opinion, far more insightful and creative than most of the other groups in the top ten, with the exception of OutKast and Wu-Tang Clan. I'll concede that Licensed to Ill wasn't the most lyrical of albums, but Paul's Boutique and their subsequent albums are fantastic. Paul's Boutique offers more consistency than any Eminem or D12 album. Check Your Head conveys a better message than any Eminem album, and Ill Communication has superior beats and structure. People often judge the Beastie Boys based on the two songs they've heard, but in reality, they are so much better than all these other groups. Also, Eminem isn't even the best white rapper in my opinion.

Anyone who doesn't consider the Beastie Boys at least "in the conversation" for the best rap group of all time either is under the age of 25, has no respect for music that came before what's popular now, or discounts them for being white and Jewish, thinking that just because of that, they don't deserve to be in the conversation. There are no other explanations.
Run-D.M.C.

Run-DMC was an American pioneering hip hop group consisting of Joseph Run Simmons, Darryl DMC McDaniels, and Jason Jam Master Jay Mizell. They were formed in 1981 and disbanded in 2002 after Jam Master Jay was murdered. Run-DMC were among the first hip hop acts to gain mainstream popularity and were... read more

Though I don't think they're the best out there, come on people, they at least deserve respect. Their 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 Cool J, Beastie Boys, or Run-D.M.C.

Run-D.M.C. defined what rap was all about. You can't touch My Adidas. Peter Piper is STILL one of the bangingest records ever. I'm the King of Rock, there is none higher. They paved the way for everybody.
The Roots

The Roots is an American hip hop group formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known for their jazzy and eclectic approach to hip hop, the group gained widespread acclaim with albums such as "Things Fall Apart" and "Phrenology." The... read more

The Roots are, without a doubt, the best rap group. They stay true to their roots and have continued to produce classic music for over 15 years. Black Thought is a genius who can deliver lyrically on any track. His talent deserves more recognition. The rest of the group is equally impressive, and their ability to play their own instruments is a bonus in an era dominated by artists like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. I firmly believe they deserve recognition as the greatest rap group of all time. For anyone unfamiliar with their work, I recommend listening to How I Got Over to understand why they deserve to be at the 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, their 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. They raised the bar to a new level.

The Newcomers

?
Tha Alkaholiks
?
Epic Rap Battles of History

The Contenders

Mobb Deep

Mobb Deep was an American hip hop duo from the Queensbridge Houses in New York City. The group consisted of rappers Havoc and Prodigy. They were known for their dark, hardcore style and made a significant impact on East Coast hip hop during the 1990s.

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 until Prodigy's unfortunate death last year, and they secure their place as top 10.

I love these cats. They had drama-filled music for the '90s, straight war music. Their music was like theme music when something was about to go down. Classic albums like The Infamous, Hell on Earth, and Murda Muzik are straight headbangers, and Havoc is one hell of a producer too.

That was real rap from the '90s. This sort of rap will never die. Listen to Shook Ones and there will be no doubt!
Eric B. & Rakim

The God MC, Rakim, is the greatest of all time. He changed the game when he came out, elevating it with his vocabulary. No one was dropping knowledge in their rhymes like he was. If you want to know how a real MC is supposed to spit, go back and listen to Paid in Full, Follow the Leader, Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em, and Don't Sweat the Technique. All classic albums.
Rakim is the greatest of all time.

Most influential 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 untouchable careers. Also, it has Rakim, one of the best MCs ever!
Gang Starr

Guru is like an uncrowned king when it comes to rap. He was one of the best lyricists who never got the credit he was due. For real, he was the 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 that Guru deserves to be in the top 5 when it comes to being one of the greatest lyricists of all time. He sounds so intellectual on the mic and has one of the best voices. He was streetwise in his records.
When it comes to that real street-level, real hip-hop sound, DJ Premier is the greatest of all time. Listen to the tracks on Jeru the Damaja's album The Sun Rises in the East, and you will agree with me that Premier is the greatest hip-hop producer of all time. He made tracks for everybody in the rap game, from the East Coast to the West Coast. His tracks are all-time classics.
Bad Meets Evil

Bad Meets Evil has had some great songs: Living Proof, Fast Lane, Above the Law. Really, most of the 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, and Royce is great too. But they really haven't made that many songs together, and they even beefed for a while, with Eminem and D12 and Royce and Slaughterhouse (Slaughterhouse is better than D12 as well).
Anyway, they aren't the closest group, similar to that of Eazy-E and N.W.A. They have a lot of great songs, but they're not the best team or the most prolific. Overall, they're a great duo, and you should definitely check them out, but I don't think they're the best duo.
Cypress Hill

Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. They were the first Latino American hip hop group to achieve platinum and multi-platinum album sales. The group has sold over 18 million albums worldwide and is known for songs like Insane in the Brain and their advocacy for cannabis... read more

G-Unit shouldn't be near the top ten, and D.M.C. is only on here because of popularity and respect. Cypress Hill has all the skill these rappers don't possess. I say give this band at LEAST the #7 position.

These guys, N.W.A., and the 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 turntables. They stick to what they know and are great at it.
G-Unit

G-Unit was the last real rap there was. 50 changed the game, and as a group, they took over the entire rap game from 2003 to 2009. Everyone loved the Unit!

There has been nothing like G G G G UNIT, and there never will be. They had the General 50 Cent, the Punch Line King (PLK) Lloyd Banks, the best hype man and raw Tony Yayo, along with the rock star Young Buck.
They dominated the whole mixtape scene and remain the gods of mixtape, changing the whole rap game forever. Those other groups don't even come close to the hype, power, and sales G-Unit had. They deserve to be top 3 at least!
Run the Jewels

Run the Jewels, also known by the initialism RTJ, is an American hip hop duo consisting of rapper and producer El‑P and rapper Killer Mike. They began collaborating in 2012 on El‑P's solo album Cancer 4 Cure and officially formed Run the Jewels in 2013. Since then, they have released multiple albums... read more

Killer Mike and El-P are some of the best rappers of the 2010s. El-P is also a GOAT-tier producer. They 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 Run the Jewels one of the best.
Hieroglyphics

Hiero should be number 3 on this list after D12 and Wu-Tang. Just listen to their songs. They're great. Casual, Del the Funky Homosapien, Domino, Pep Love, A-Plus, Opio, Tajai, Phesto, DJ Toure, Snupe, Mike G, Jay-Biz. Most of them are unknown, but still, in my opinion, they are the third-best rap group ever.
Fort Minor

It's 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 ranked higher, even though they only have one album, unfortunately.

Fort Minor is my favorite rap group EVER. A close second is FloBots, but these guys are amazing. The fact that they only have one album annoys me, though. Wonder why they stopped...
De La Soul

True hip hop here. They are true masters of their craft. And they're still going! Many groups break up after a couple of years or albums, but De La Soul is still at it.

So overlooked, like water. You hardly notice it, but we all benefit from it.
Outlawz

In my opinion, The Outlawz create the best music out of all the groups listed. One of their challenges is living under the shadow of arguably the best rapper of all time. Some people expect to hear an unreleased Tupac verse in every song they produce. People really need to give them a proper listen, as the industry has blackballed them for far too long. Yes, Wu-Tang Clan are amazing emcees and are well-respected for their skills, but for me, The Outlawz make better songs. Here are some songs to check out: Black Rose, Pushing On, Our Life, Remember Me, Real Talk, and many more.

The list is based on publicity. Outlaw Immortalz, A Tribe Called Quest, and 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.
N.W.A should be followed by Westside Connection. A group with Tupac has to be second. I admit the remaining Outlaws now aren't decent, but the three I mentioned earlier were wild as hell! Kadafi was dope but died at like 19. Raw talent gone early, just like Pac.
The Fugees

One of the greatest hip-hop groups ever. Lauryn Hill is one of the best female MCs to ever bless the mic, plus Wyclef's production is amazing. Better than G-Unit!

The birthplace of Miss Lauryn Hill.

The Fugees aren't my favorite rap group, but I voted for them anyway since I can't take it that they're so far down. They should be 5-8.
Three 6 Mafia

Three 6 Mafia is an American hip hop group from Memphis, Tennessee, signed to Columbia Records. The group was formed by DJ Paul, Lord Infamous, and Juicy J in 1991 and was originally known as Triple 6 Mafia. They won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for It's Hard out Here for a Pimp in 2006.

Three 6 Mafia is without doubt the best rap group ever. They were ahead of their time and don't get enough credit for their influence in hip hop.

Three 6 Mafia are the lords of Memphis and Southern hip hop. Their early tapes, compilations, and their debut Mystic Stylez were horrorcore classics.

Three 6 put Memphis on the map with their brand of donnybrook Southern hip hop.
Odd Future

They are the future of hip-hop. They have been getting big since Yonkers. They have their own TV show. And they have a record label, Odd Future Records. They are different from everyone else. They don't talk about how much money they got and they get girls and they got a mansion in the hills and all that stupid crap.
They have some of the best beats in hip-hop right now. They have good lyrics.

Single-handedly the most interesting and true-to-themselves group of guys. Wolf Gang may have their flaws when it comes to some of their songs, but they are more original than other groups. This list seems like it only hits mainstream groups. YM and TG are all about the money. Where is the soul in that? I'm not a Wolf Gang person personally. I'm a MC rep. So I'm just going with originality in my comment here, and they deserve a higher place.
Slaughterhouse

Slaughterhouse is Bad Meets Evil plus Crooked I, Joe Budden, and Joell 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 Eminem, Proof, and then waiting to see what unholy, but hysterical stuff Bizarre would say, but the others were average. Slaughterhouse has five solid contributors. They're like the Avengers of rap.

Are you kidding me? Slaughterhouse is all about lyrics, lyrics, and more lyrics. They are probably the best lyrical rap group ever. However, don't blame me if you get too hooked on them, as I did. Once you start listening to them, there is no way out.