Top 10 Rappers Who are Most Respected by Metalheads

This is a list of rappers I've noticed who are respected by people who love metal music.

Make sure to check out these rappers. If you disagree with the list, be sure to make suggestions.

The Top Ten

  1. Tech N9ne

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

    After mistakenly being confused as a rock band, dubstep producer, or something else, Tech N9ne is definitely respected in the metal realm. After collaborating with Five Finger Death Punch and covering LL Cool J's song Mama Said Knock You Out, people really started getting into Tech. He has his own record label, Strange Music, and has also collaborated with System of a Down's lead vocalist, Serj Tankian. Not to mention his upcoming rap rock band, K.A.B.O.S.H. He will most definitely be considered a legend in the Rap Rock music genre.

    I mean, he did a collab with Corey Taylor. Besides that, his songs usually tend to be aggressive and heavy, which is something many heavy metal acts also have in common.

  2. 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

    As the rap vocalist of Linkin Park, there is absolutely no doubt that he is respected by people who listen to metal. He is an amazing rapper and has made a huge number of hits with Linkin Park.

    As the rapper of Linkin Park, he gets a lot of respect. However, I don't think he is that talented.

  3. Zack de la Rocha

    Zacharias Manuel "Zack" de la Rocha, born January 12, 1970, is an American musician, poet, rapper, and activist. He is best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, which he fronted from 1991 to 2000, from 2007 to 2011, and from 2019 to 2024.... read more

    Zachary de la Rocha is a legend and definitely one of the best to ever do it. As the vocalist of the Nu Metal band Rage Against the Machine, he has created some of the best rap rock songs I've ever heard.

    Zack should definitely bring back RATM. They really inspired me as a child.

    The best rapper in the rap-metal genre. He does a good job delivering messages in his songs.

  4. Tupac Shakur

    Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was an American rapper and actor born on June 16, 1971, in East Harlem, New York. Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide and has been referred to in multiple major publications such as Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music artists of all time. 2Pac was... read more

    He is talented. I usually don't listen to rap, but the oldies are AWESOME.

    Haha, that picture with Tupac and Kiss back in 1996 at The Grammys...classic.

    I also have a lot of respect for Tupac. He can rap in a way that is really good.

  5. Ice-T

    Tracy Lauren Marrow, known professionally as Ice-T, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and record producer. He rose to prominence in the 1980s with his pioneering work in hip-hop and later transitioned into acting. Ice-T is well known for his long-running role as Odafin Tutuola on the television... read more

    I am genuinely surprised he ranked so low, considering he is the frontman of a really good crossover thrash band. Moreover, I know there's barely anyone in my metal community who likes Nu Metal, but everyone knows and listens to Body Count.

    I never knew much about him until I discovered one of the best bands I've ever heard: Body Count. He actually was part of the reason I started looking into hip hop and rap a bit more.

  6. The Notorious B.I.G.

    Christopher George Latore Wallace, born May 21, 1972, better known by his stage name The Notorious B.I.G. (sometimes Biggie Smalls or simply Biggie), was an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York. On March 9, 1997, he was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California, at the age of only... read more

    I definitely have respect for Biggie. Great rapper.

  7. Fred Durst

    William Frederick "Fred" Durst, born as Frederick Allen Mayne III on August 20, 1970, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and film director. He is best known as the frontman and lyricist of the nu metal band Limp Bizkit. The band was formed in 1994 and became a major force in the late 1990s... read more

    Fred Durst is hands down one of the best to have ever made it possible. As the lead vocalist of the Nu Metal band Limp Bizkit, which is now signed to Cash Money Records, Fred Durst has definitely made history. He has created a handful of anthems for metalheads to enjoy.

    His lyrics are powerful and aggressive, and he knows how to pump you up and make you want to punch someone in the face. Limp Bizkit is amazing!

  8. Deuce

    Once a part of the rapcore band Hollywood Undead, Deuce has really made an impact as one of the most respected rappers by people who enjoy metal. He used to sing the hooks in Hollywood Undead but was later replaced by Danny.

    I personally think Danny is better off with Hollywood Undead, but I also wish Deuce had never been kicked out.

  9. 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 remained relevant for decades by releasing acclaimed albums and pursuing... read more

    This one seems genuinely plausible.

  10. Eminem

    Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an American rapper, actor, and music producer born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Eminem has sold over 220 million records, making him the best-selling hip-hop artist of all time. In addition to his solo career, he was a member of D12 and (with... read more

    Probably because of the fact he doesn't use the N-word every ten seconds.

    Needs to be #1 because sometimes he's the only rapper that people like.

    Marilyn Manson and Eminem are dope.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Ol' Dirty Bastard

    Evil, angry beats - and he even does some straight-up growling at times on songs like Dirt Dog.

  12. ?

    Kid Bookie

    13. The Contenders

  13. 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. He began recording the project Emurge early in his career, while his first officially released studio album was Gazing... read more

    Yes, the Eminem-inspired underground rapper Hopsin is respected by many people who love different types of music genres. Hopsin is definitely one of the best rappers to ever do it and is also one of my favorite rappers.

    Having a successful record label, Funk Volume, he has managed to create many anthems for metalheads to enjoy. He has also signed rappers such as Dizzy Wright and Jarren Benton, helping them reach XXL status.

  14. DMX

    Earl Simmons, known professionally as DMX and Dark Man X, was an American rapper and actor. He was born on December 18, 1970, and passed away on April 9, 2021, after suffering a heart attack. DMX gained fame in the late 1990s with hits like Ruff Ryders' Anthem and Party Up (Up in Here), and also appeared... read more

  15. Dr. Dre

    Andre Romelle Young (born February 18, 1965), known professionally as Dr. Dre, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Aftermath Entertainment and co-founded Beats Electronics with Jimmy Iovine. He previously co-founded, co-owned, and served as president of Death... read more

    I think that Dr. Dre's pretty cool.

  16. 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,... read more

  17. Kendrick Lamar

    Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter from Compton, California. He began his career under the stage name K.Dot, releasing mixtapes that gained local recognition and led to his signing with Top Dawg Entertainment. Lamar has become one of the most critically... read more

    To Pimp A Butterfly was practically flawless.

  18. Fronzilla

    Fronz is amazing, Attila rules, and I just love his music. The profanity may be disturbing, but I love the music anyway.

    As the lead singer of the rapcore band Attila, Fronz is definitely respected by people who listen to metal music. Attila is amazing. Fronz is love, Fronz is life.

  19. Eazy-E

    Eric Lynn Wright, better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and as a member of the hip hop group N.W.A. Often referred to as "The Godfather of Gangsta Rap," he played a crucial role in popularizing West Coast rap. He was born in Compton, California, to Richard and... read more

    Watch an interview of him on YouTube where he talks about his musical preferences. Heavy metal is his first answer.

  20. $uicideboy$

    Definitely a metal vibe - one of them used to be part of a punk band.

    They're at the top, but they're followed by people like Pouya, Ghostemane, Unaverage Gang, Zillakami, and more great rappers.

  21. Ghostemane

    He's a pretty big black metal fan, and that influence shines through his music. But he's into metal and rock overall too, considering he has sampled bands like Pantera, Black Sabbath, Nirvana, and Linkin Park.

    He's the best. He grew up on Guns N' Roses and Blink-182.

    He is a rapper but a metalhead too.

  22. Benji Webbe

    He's more reggae-sounding than rap, but he is metal also. Skindred rules.

  23. 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

  24. Scarlxrd

    His violent tone is amazing. Great for heavy music fans.

  25. tobyMac

    Kevin McKeehan, better known by his stage name TobyMac, is a Christian hip-hop recording artist, music producer, songwriter, and author. He first gained fame as a member of the Christian vocal trio DC Talk. Following the group's hiatus, he launched a successful solo career with the release of his album... read more

    Songwriter, author, producer, and, most definitely, an amazing Christian rapper. Toby has a Nu Metal sound in some of his songs, and he is definitely an amazing artist.

    Many metalheads love him, and I wouldn't dare ask why.

    TobyMac has collaborated with Nu Metal artist Trevor McNevan and also with Skillet's John Cooper.

  26. Tyler, the Creator

    Tyler Gregory Okonma (born March 6, 1991), better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, and music video director. He has frequently addressed his strained and distant relationship with his father in multiple songs, including Answer from Wolf (2013), where... read more

  27. Ice Cube

    O'Shea Jackson, known by his stage name Ice Cube, was born on June 15, 1969, in Los Angeles and is an American rapper, actor, filmmaker, and producer. He started his career with the group C.I.A. and achieved fame as a member of N.W.A before launching a successful solo rap career. Cube has also built... read more

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