Top Ten Most Underrated Rappers

The Top Ten

Immortal Technique

Felipe Andres Coronel, better known by his stage name Immortal Technique, is an American rapper and political activist born in Lima, Peru, on February 19, 1978. He is known for his politically charged lyrics that address issues such as poverty, racism, and government corruption. He moved to Harlem, New... read more

This man is incredibly underrated. Just because he's not mainstream and doesn't have songs on the radio does not take away from this emcees art. He is probably the most revolutionary rapper since 2pac and doesn't get nearly the respect in hip-hop that he deserves. He is not flashing his money and running around in nice cars, instead he helps people suffering all over the world, and teaches them through his lyrics. Regardless of what people may say, he is one of the greatest rappers of all time!

The most underrated rapper. I got to know about him from a friend and since then, I have been a huge fan of him..
Don't know why Eminem and tupac are even on this list. They are the gods of rap and are well known for it.. They are not at all underrated.
I would place Hopsin on 2nd
Big L

Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 - February 15, 1999), best known by his stage name Big L, was an American hip hop recording artist born and raised in Harlem, New York City. Coleman began his rap career with the hip hop trio Three the Hard Way. His first notable appearance came on Lord Finesse's "Yes You... read more

One of the greatest if not the greatest rappers to ever live. It is truly a shame that he died so soon, if he lived longer I say he would've challenged Nas for the best rapper ever. His flow is impeccable, his rhymes are unstoppable, and his punch lines are unbeatable.

Big L was on a meteoric path to the top of the game before his murder. They say an old friend of his got jealous and gunned him down. Might as well have stabbed Mozart. Poisoned Shakespeare. Bombed Coppola. Essentially wiped out a true creator and game changer.
Hopsin

Marcus Jamal Hopson, better known by his stage name Hopsin, is an American rapper, record producer, director, and actor from Los Angeles, California. Hopsin was born on July 18, 1985. His first album was titled Emurge, but he is best known for his 2010 album Raw, which helped establish his reputation... read more

Easily the most underrated rapper in the world right now. It doesn't take much to get hooked to his music. I got hooked after listening to only two tracks. His beats and lyrics are way better than the beats and lyrics of mainstream garbage rappers like current Eminem, current Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Drake, Wiz Khalifa, etc.

One of the realest rappers out there. He spits the truth and doesn't care about the fame. He didn't change because that's what he believes he is, and he doesn't pretend to be something he isn't. He's my favourite artist.
Royce da 5'9

Ryan Daniel Montgomery, better known by his stage name Royce da 5'9", is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He is known for his solo work as well as his collaborations with Eminem in the duo Bad Meets Evil. Royce is also a member of the hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse.

It's so basic to say 5'9 is Eminem pt. 2. "He comes from Detroit, has a sick flow, and hilarious wit and vulgarity." But honestly being compared to Eminem and not getting the respect for it is why he's underrated. This guy is a beast on the mic, and he carries a chip on his shoulder for being in Eminem's shadow for almost 20 years. His solo work is incredible, especially when he collaborates with DJ Premier's beats. In my opinion, Bad Meets Evil is one of the most lethal rap duos. Easily in the same breath as Outkast, Meth+Red, Mobb Deep, Run the Jewels, you name it. And its not because Em is dragging 5'9 along.

Don't even get me started. I have listened to all of his albums front to back, and have fell in love with his free-flowing, complex, well-crafted verses and flow. He has collaborated with so many great rappers, Eminem, Redman, Big Sean, and Tech N9ne, just to name a few. He has earned the respect of so many rappers. He is also a part of Slaughterhouse and Phryme, and has many tracks produced by DJ Premier himself. Also, he turned down a $250,000 and unlimited beats with Dre for $1,000,000 with Tommy boy in 1998, when he was in his early twenties. I am not saying that was a good or bad idea, but he was offered both of those contracts before 25 years.
AZ

Anthony Cruz, better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper born in Brooklyn, New York. He is widely recognized for his collaborations with Nas and as a member of the hip-hop supergroup The Firm, alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega, and Nature.... read more

Really? Eminem isn't underrated at all. Every YouTube video you see Eminem is the greatest! Or my top five best rappers of all time are 1. Eminem 2. Slim shady 3. Marshall mathers 4. That white kid from detroit 5. Eminem! AZ is by far the most underrated. He's never put out anything less than a great album, and he has more multi syllabic rhymes than Nas, who he collabs with a lot. By the way, 2Pac and Biggie aren't underrated either.

Absolutely ridiculous flow and wordplay. He is unmatched when it comes to rhyming and can jump on ANY beat and smash it. Truly one of the best and has never earned recognition for it. if you need proof, one song will do it... "the format"... enough said
Kid Cudi

Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi, is an American recording artist and actor from Cleveland, Ohio.e gained recognition with his debut single Day 'n' Nite and has since released several critically acclaimed albums. Cudi is also known for his work in television and film, including roles... read more

Cudi is definitely one of the top rappers over the last couple years. Soundtrack 2 My Life, The Prayer, and The Pursuit of Happiness are such heavy and deep songs. Definitely should be up with Immortal Technique on this list
MF Doom

Daniel Dumile (July 13, 1971 - October 31, 2020), known professionally as MF DOOM, was a British-American hip hop artist known for his intricate lyrics and iconic metal mask. He spent most of his life in the United States. His death occurred on October 31, 2020, but it was not publicly announced until... read more

MF Doom is a lyrical genius who deserves to be #1. His tracks are far more advanced and well thought out than any track made by any of these guys. Between his sick beats and his lyrics he is ultimately the greatest rapper to ever grace this planet. And how the hell are the notorious B.I.G. and Tupac underrated, they shouldn't even be on this list. MF Doom beats all

Strange list, a lot of very good underrated rappers, mf, krs one, Joel Ortiz etc. I went for mf doom as he's the one rapper that my friends had never heard of. A lot of rappers good who are definitely not underrated, nas, biggie. But some hugely overrated rappers, Eminem is pretty average, mac miller, Asher Roth? What laugh out loud
Tech N9ne

Aaron Dontez Yates (born November 8, 1971), known as Tech N9ne, is an American rapper and co-founder of Strange Music, which he started in 1999 with Travis O'Guin. He's sold over two million albums independently and is known for his rapid-fire chopper rap style and extensive touring. His music has been... read more

Tech's background is what makes him my favorite underrated rapper. It's an even bigger mystery to me on why his best songs are unheard of. There is way more than meets the eye with this rapper and with his diverse variety will leave you no choice but to put one of his tracks on repeat

Look up his music on YouTube, and keep listening to song after song you'll soon discover hit after hit, not just one or two like most rappers, a half dozen like good ones, he produces hit after hit, his albums are solidly filled with must play after must play, go out onto YouTube right now type in tech n9ne and listen to his music, and keep digging you'll be surprised you haven't heard about him sooner.
Yelawolf

Michael Wayne Atha (born December 30, 1979), known professionally as Yelawolf, is an American rapper from Gadsden, Alabama. Early in his career, he released his first independent album, Creek Water, in 2005. Between 2005 and 2010, he released one extended play (EP) and four mixtapes.... read more

Lyrically one of the slickest rappers in the game and can change flows with ease, not to mention his creativity and artistry in his songs. He can go just as fast as anyone but still maintains proper lyricism and is one of the best story tellers

One of the most Under appreciated emcees in history, He is the most versatile rapper, His style is so unique and it has a lot of good vibes to it plus the great lyrical ability he has which is heavily influenced by Eminem and N.W.A

He's very good I liked many songs in his album Love Story. He's my 2nd favorite white rapper after Eminem.
Black Thought

Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, better known as Black Thought, is an American artist best known as the lead MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots. He is also an occasional actor and has been widely praised for his lyrical skills. The Roots serve as the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy... read more

This guy knows how to may you think and is so articulate. His voice goes so well with all of the sounds the roots create. Black thought is overlooked because he is the rapper from the roots, but he could go solo easily and still be great.

Overshadowed by the great skills of? uestlove and by the speed of which he raps (not fast per se but rather at a pace that can go by you when your not paying attention). If you listen closely you realize Black Thought might belong in your top ten rappers list.

This guy's been a top 5 MC since the mid-90's, but I think he's been overshadowed by The Roots. After his 10 min freestyle on Funk Flex I don't think anyone can deny that he one of the best to do it.

The Newcomers

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Supastition

One of the best spitters from the south that most "hip hop" fans probably haven't even heard. Seriously, what is this list anyway? Nas? Eminem? Busta? The Game? Logic? Wiz? How are any of these people underrated? Kool G Rap? KRS-One? Big L? How are they underrated? Sure they're not as mainstream or well known to people who don't follow hip hop, but they are consistently ranked as some of the best in the genre, at least by people who actually really know and listen to hip hop and by the hip hop community, so I definitely wouldn't call them underrated.
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Carmen Electra

Tara Leigh Patrick, better known by her stage name Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, singer, and dancer. She gained initial fame in the 1990s through appearances in Playboy and on the television series Baywatch. Electra has also been featured in numerous reality... read more

Despite being a sex symbol most people don't even know she raps

The Contenders

KRS-One

Lawrence "Kris" Parker, better known by his stage names KRS-One and Teacha, is an American rapper and occasional producer from The Bronx, New York City. He gained prominence as a member of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions. KRS-One is also known for his work in promoting social consciousness... read more

Damn. I feel bad to see KRS so high in this top ten and to vote for him. It's sad how the Teacha himself is one of the most underrated rappers of all time (well, I voted for him: in my humble opinion the most underrated). Besides the fact that his delivery is unique and all the other technical skills he has... this guy could teach any other rapper how to improve in hip hop culture as an MC... and people don't even know one of his songs!

KRS-One is one of the greatest of all-time. He should be competing on that list rather. I don't think he's underrated, but considering that today's generation don't appreciate talent, I can see a case for him being underrated today
Busta Rhymes

Trevor George Smith Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes, is an American hip hop recording artist, actor, record producer, and record executive. He is known for his intricate rhyming style and energetic performances. Over his career, he has received multiple Grammy nominations and released... read more

Easily one of the most underrated rappers, he is so fast and has a really nice flow, should be in the top 10 along with Yelawolf and Ludacris, one of the most talented rappers in my opinion
Mc Ren

Lorenzo Jerald Patterson, known professionally as MC Ren, is an American rapper from Compton, California. He gained prominence as a member of the pioneering rap group N.W.A. He later founded his own label, Villain Entertainment, and his stage name is derived from the middle letters of his first name... read more

He never got what he deserved, and his killed every song in NWA and after NWA, this web site never makes any sense, tupac as underrated? Come on notorious as underrated? He only make 2 albums and is the number 2 most famous rapper, look at the reality

If Ice Cube and Eazy E could have successful careers then MC Ren should've too. He had some damn good verses when he was in N.W.A.

Was one of the best parts of the NWA, probably say him and Cube were the best. Demolished every track he was on.
The Game

Jayceon Terrell Taylor, better known by his stage name The Game, is an American rapper and actor. He was born on November 29, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. Game spent most of his childhood in foster care, despite being aware of his siblings. He signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment in 2003... read more

Why is he in here? His music is the best! People have no more good taste in hip hop anymore...

Everything game spits is straight fire. people sleep on him so much. Even his newer albums are BARS!

The documentary was his only good albumn some songs in LAX were good but the rest of his albumns sucked.
Kool G Rap

Nathaniel Thomas Wilson (born July 20, 1968), better known by his stage name Kool G Rap, is an American rapper from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York City. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew. Kool G Rap pioneered... read more

Invented the mafioso rap, and ultimately influenced strongly on the greatest rapper of all time, Nasir Jones.

Maybe underrated by today's generation, but in hip hop he's already seen as one of the greats.

You know you're truly underrated when you're even underrated on the underrated list.
Twisted Insane

He is one of my favorite artists. He is also very talented.

Dude is sick. He can rap fast and got that badass dark flow. amazing rapper!
Bun B

Bernard Freeman, known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern rap duo UGK. UGK, short for Underground Kingz, was formed with the late Pimp C. In addition to his music career, Bun B is also a lecturer at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Great rapper but disappointing solo career, I think that's why he's underrated.
Blu

Johnson Barnes III (born April 15, 1983), better known by his stage name Blu, is an American rapper and record producer from Los Angeles, California. He is one half of the duo Blu and Exile, which was formed in 2007 and released its debut studio album, Below the Heavens, in July of that year. He is also... read more

Below the Heavens was a classic, but he hasn't made anything even close to as good since.
Wiz Khalifa

Cameron Jibril Thomaz, better known by his stage name Wiz Khalifa, is an American rapper, songwriter, and actor. He was born on September 8, 1987. He gained widespread recognition with his single Black and Yellow in 2010.

Not underrated. 7 million subs on YouTube. But I don't really hear many stories about him.

His old stuff was good, but ever since he became mainstream he seemed to forget how to flow.

He really is underrated rapper.
Canibus

Germaine Williams, better known by his stage name Canibus, is a rapper and actor born in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to the United States at a young age and rose to prominence in the late 1990s. Canibus is widely recognized for his complex lyricism and his lyrical battles with artists like LL Cool... read more

Look at this man's discography. He's out there killing it with only 99,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. His story telling is immaculate, and his similes and lyricism as a whole is intellectual.

Should be number 1! Arguably better lyrically than Eminem is his prime and Eminem is known as the face of Rap while this guy isn't know anywhere.

I listen to his music each and every day and I go like DAMN why is he not getting the recognition. I am born and bread in Ghana.
Mac Miller

Malcolm James McCormick (January 19, 1992 - September 7, 2018), best known by his stage name Mac Miller, was an American rapper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was also a noted record producer under the pseudonym Larry Fisherman. Miller died of an accidental drug overdose on September 7, 2018, and... read more

Lyrically Mac Miller is a genius and has a flow that you can just sit back and relax to. Most of the rappers that are mentioned on this list ahead of him are not "underrated" in the slightest, in fact, a lot of them are some of the biggest commercial artists out there. Mac Miller is an amazing artist that isn't very well known but has an immense amount of talent that is still revealing itself and I think one day people will see. Thumbs up!

Are you kidding me? Eminem? Sure he WAS amazing back in the day (1999-2003), but now he's 43 and is no where near as good as he used to be. Mac Miller on the other hand is amazing right now! Go listen to the Faces mixtape, Watching Movies With The Sound Off, and GO:OD AM. So underrated.
Nas

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones (born September 14, 1973) is an American rapper and entrepreneur from Queensbridge, New York. His 1994 debut album Illmatic is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Nas has stayed relevant over decades by releasing acclaimed albums and pursuing ventures... read more

He's only underrated by dumb people who think Jay-Z and Lil Wayne are the best rappers. In the hip hop community he's seen as one of the goats. He just isn't as mainstream or well known outside of hip hop because he didn't die and become extremely overrated (Biggie Smalls) or sell out (Jay Z)

I wouldn't call Nas underrated. He is praised and known by pretty much everyone in the hip hop community. Get him off this list. Nas is not underrated at all.

Best rapper of all time in my opinion. I know he's considered top4 but I think he's underrated because if he was dead he'd be in the same conversation as Biggie/Pac.
Logic

Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, better known as Logic, is one of the most influential artists in modern rap. He was born on January 22, 1990, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and first gained major recognition after being featured in the 2013 XXL Freshman Class. Among that year's class, he has become one of the... read more

Logic is one of the best MC's out there today. Even though he looks white, HE IS'NT. He is half black. His dad is black and all his siblings are black, his mom is white. Like he said in his amazing song, City of Stars. People judge rap based on race instead of the better flow.

He's am amazing rapper with an amazing album. He's most underrated Because people don't like white rappers but his words a really moving and have meaning.

Logic Deserves to be in the top ten of this list, he is so good, yet underrated.
His flow never stutters and his lyricism is superb.
K-Rino

Eric Kaiser, born on September 9, 1970, is better known by his stage name K-Rino. He is an American rapper and record producer from Houston, Texas. K-Rino is considered a pioneer of the Southern hip hop scene and has been active since 1983.... read more

How is slim number 4? He is good but in no way underrated. K-Rino is a beast flow, lyrics, everything. Listen to any one of his songs.

K-Rino by far outshines most other H-Town rappers. He should be in top 50 for sure.
Mike Shinoda

Michael Kenji "Mike" Shinoda (born February 11, 1977) is an American musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, graphic designer, manager, and film composer. He co-founded Linkin Park in 1996 and serves as the band's rhythm guitarist, primary songwriter, keyboardist, producer, and co-lead... read more

Mike Shinoda is one of my favorite rappers. I felt like he don't get a lot of credit because he did more work with Linkin Park than he did some solo work. Also, he's one of my favorite rappers who hasn't made 3 albums. The Rising Tied was one of the slept on albums, but Post Traumatic the album got more attention than The Rising Tied.

Mike and Eminem are my favorites and got me to go from hating rap to actually enjoying it quite a bit. But as far as underrated goes, Mike should be top 10 at least. Royce and Tech also deserve their spots in this list, and I'd even put them in my top 10 rappers.