Top 10 Best Rappers of All Time

Best flow, best lyrics, best beats, best singing, best voice, best rapper ever - he's the best artist ever. Both of his personalities, Slim Shady and Marshall Mathers, are great to listen to. He has a song for whatever mood you're in. If you need to get pumped up, listen to Till I Collapse.

Eminem is easily number 1. His first three albums (SSLP, MMLP, and The Eminem Show) introduced rap fans to a style never heard before. His metaphors and wordplay are crazy, and his lyrics are probably the best ever.

He was the first rapper to blow up from the underground battling scene, and he always talks about real issues, unlike Wayne and all the other mainstream rappers. Hell, The Sequel is going to be insane! SHADY 4 LIFE!

Enough said! Tupac's a community dude. Rapping for the people, it doesn't get better than that. Eminem is great, agreed! But Tupac gives a whole new meaning to what rapping is supposed to be about.

I agree. Listening to Tupac's music is like a journey through his life and thoughts. By the way, I started listening to Tupac a while after he died. Actually, I started listening to Eminem first.

Tupac treats rap as what it should be: an art form, not just entertainment. Poetry, not nursery rhymes. Intellect, more so than wit. Even in his casual songs strictly for entertainment, he still displays a tremendous level of talent. He is immensely passionate about his poetry and has something real to say.

Tupac will forever be the greatest rapper ever... Period! Followed by Nas...

His raps are genius. You can actually picture what he's saying. Story to Tell and Hypnotize are his top songs.

Sorry, it's a disgrace that Lil Wayne is put above him. Long live the flow. Biggie was to the East Coast what 2Pac was to the West Coast. Biggie released the hip hop classics "Ready to Die" and "Life After Death" and became a hip hop icon.

He changed the way an MC flows and stopped everyone in their tracks when he dropped his verse on "Notorious Thugs," using the Bone Thugs style better than they did themselves. Also, one of the great storytellers in hip hop, The Notorious One had every element an MC could dream of. He would have easily been number one if not for his untimely death in 1997.

The best lyricist and storyteller of all time, coming from the biggest project complex in the United States, Nas is the epitome of the streets, and hip-hop is the word of the streets. He dropped out of middle school and was forced to educate himself, putting him on a whole other level than other rappers.

He is the best rapper because he truly has grown with his music. Listen to the music, and you cannot deny that Nas is the best rapper of all time.

Tupac has lyricism and passion. Biggie has flow and huge skill. Nas has both. He made arguably the best rap album of the 20th century (maybe even of all time). Most of his other albums are generally decent to solid. Forever the king of New York.

Jay-Z is not only one of the best rappers still in the game, but he's also one of the most successful men on this planet. Coming from the streets, he turned himself into a businessman. He's discovered most of the greatest talents in the industry today. He discovered Kanye. Nobody thought Kanye could rap until Hova supported him. Jay has been putting music out for the past 19 years. What rapper can stay relevant for that long? This dude is in his 40s. And with age, his lyrics have grown. He went from a '90s thug, making freestyles about killing cops with Big L, to being one of the most influential artists in pop culture today.

Listen to one song on Magna Carta Holy Grail, and you'll be scratching your head at the lyrics. You look up what he's talking about, and you realize that Jay-Z is a lyricist like no other. He's getting to the point where his music is almost art. Can he spit fast like Eminem? No, but he's got a style that surpasses speed. And the only reason Tupac and Biggie are above him is because they were good rappers and they died. Not taking away from them, but people treat them like martyrs because they got shot, and they think their preserved lyrics are gold. Jay-Z, in my opinion, is sitting on the rap game.

Alright, Dr. Dre has definitely contributed the most to hip-hop out of everyone on this list by far. To start off, he made two of the most classic rap albums ever: 2001 and The Chronic. Anyone who disagrees just has to listen to them. He was also part of the best rap group ever, NWA. Moreover, he made the careers of Game, Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop, and even contributed to Nas' career. He is widely known as the best producer/beatmaker ever. He is the best rapper alive.

Dre should definitely be higher up. He is the most influential rapper ever, with classics like 2001 and The Chronic. My two favorite songs of all time are Nuthin' but a G Thang and Still D.R.E. I've looked down this list and seen Will Smith, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Drake, John Cena, Soulja Boy, etc., which just makes this a joke of a list straight away! This frustrates me! DETOX!

Kendrick has made some of the biggest hits of all time, such as Not Like Us. He raps about what needs to be said out loud, his lyrics are creative and meaningful, and he can actually sing.

78? This must be a joke, right? Kendrick is one of, if not the most, talked-about artists at the moment. After releasing a brilliant album, Section.80, he signed with Dr. Dre to Aftermath and just recently put out his major label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city. That album is a future classic.

Honestly, Kendrick's style is very similar to 2Pac's. He has deep lyrics with meaning, which make him easy to relate to. The one thing Kendrick has that 2Pac didn't really have is the potential to be one of the greatest lyricists of all time. Not to mention his crazy and unique flow/delivery. Kendrick is the future and is sure to be one of the best by the time he's done. Mark my words.

Rakim's style, flow, delivery, lyrics, and versatility are not only unmatched, but they also laid the blueprint for true lyricists and changed the way everyone viewed hip hop and flowed. He is responsible for the modern-day flow of rappers and the standard by which everyone is judged today. That's why the hip hop artists themselves call him the "GOD," not just the GOAT when it comes to lyrics, and no one has ever challenged him on the mic.

Keep in mind that Biggie, Pac, Eminem, and others today are using his style, and he did it back in 1986. Truly, the GOD on the MIC.

Ice Cube is a legend. He can be considered one of the best overall, as he possesses a well-balanced flow, voice, beat, pitch, lyrics, and rhymes. He has a lot of original material. Ice Cube and Dre must excel at piano, while other rappers play different instruments, as the musical notes in many of his songs are impressive.

He continues to be one of the best, showcasing clever rhymes. For example, in Straight Outta Compton, he delivers two rhymes in each line, mostly comparing it to MC Ren and Eazy-E in a more complete word manner, whereas Ren and Eazy-E have syllable rounding in their verses. In his latest album, he maintains consistency, as he has always done. Ice Cube is also one of the masters of diss tracks, showcasing his well-rounded talent.

Great rapper who speaks nothing but facts.

Hated because he's controversial.

It can't get any better than Kanye West. He's a lyrical genius and always knows what he stands for. He's not like any other artist out there - his mind runs wild with art and creativity. He never stops, no matter what.

The media seems to label him as heartless, an ass, and garbage, but he's nothing like that. You need to look beyond the surface. Listen to Last Call on The College Dropout album. You'll definitely see him differently after checking that out, in a good way.

The College Dropout and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy are two of my favorite albums by him. Just because he never really talks about living in the hood or having a tough childhood doesn't mean he's not full of knowledge or doesn't know how to rap. He's a very talented musician - you just have to look beyond the image the media presents.

People have to admit, 50 Cent is one of the best rappers they've ever heard. His first album was unbelievably good, so much so that famous rappers like Eminem and Dr. Dre were impressed with his work.

Get Rich or Die Tryin' is his best album, which sold 15 million copies. He should be in everyone's top 10 rapper list.

Best of all time! Great lyrics, done so much for the industry, can freestyle unlike Lil Wayne, doesn't do depressing songs like Eminem all the time. G-Unit!

He should be top 10, minimum, probably top 5. Definitely, he should be above #30. His flow, lyrics, and creativity with production are all top-notch. If he had ever released a solo album (The Love Below doesn't really count), he would be near the top of this list.

He dominates every song he is on, so you listen to it just for his part. I can understand him being ranked below people like Wiz, as they just get joke votes. However, it's a disgrace that Kendrick is ranked above him.

Big Boi should be in the top 20. He outshines Andre on some of their songs and kills his verse on Roses (songs can be commercial and good). He deserves better than #298, but he doesn't get any votes because nearly everyone who listens to Outkast prefers Dre.

Eazy's voice distinguishes him from everybody else in NWA, which is definitely an advantage. He has also been a symbol of the group for ages. It should also be noted that when it comes down to it, NWA is basically the reason a lot of other rappers made it.

Snoop Dogg and Eminem both signed with Dre, and Eminem later made 50 Cent famous. Just the fact that Eazy is a part of NWA means he could destroy anybody recording today.

Eazy puts the G in OG if you ask me. No MC has ever done hardcore crime rap with as much menace and brutal honesty as E. He set the standard for rhyming detailed lyrics about committing felonies. They're scarier when they come from a high voice that sounds mad, mean, serious, anxious, excited, devious, and mechanical all at the same time, rather than a slow, mellow voice that sounds like it's exhaling blunt smoke. I'm a peaceful hippie, but E makes me feel like breaking laws.

Big L, I would say, was and is still the king of Harlem. He had punchlines so fierce and amazing that nobody ever wanted to beef with him, which was a smart idea. Even Nas didn't want to beef with him.

Big L, I would say, is the most underrated rapper ever, or maybe AZ. Sadly, Big L only had one solo album released when he was alive: "Lifestylez ov the Poor & Dangerous". If Big L was still alive, he would probably be number one on my list. But with his short discography, he still has the skills to make it to my top 10.

Best album: "The Big Picture"
Best posthumous album: "The Big Picture"
Best song: "Ebonics"
Best verse: "98' Freestyle"
Best collaboration: "Deadly Combination" ft. 2Pac

I have been following Drake's music before he got signed and just released the mixtape Comeback Season. He is my favorite rapper right now. No other singer or rapper has lyrics like Drizzy right here! His emotion and lyrics that he gives and shows us are incredible! He talks personally and is relatable to nearly everyone. He has a song for every person, for every mood! A fantastic genius!

He can also sing as well as rap. His new album, Take Care, is the most phenomenal thing I've heard in a long time. Every single song I can listen to without skipping. This shows he's wicked! His flows are also unique! Haven't heard Drake? Man, listen and vote for him. He needs to be in the top ten of this list!

It's funny how people hate on Wayne for doing things differently on his albums. He's been in the rap game more than he's been out of it. He's won every possible award there is to win for rap. He took a local recording group and made them into a worldwide phenomenon.

Lil Wayne never lost skill. He lost hunger. He's won everything there is to win. What more does he have to prove? To the idiot who said he took on "Lil" like every other rapper, I have two things to say to you: 1. You obviously know nothing about Southern music. 2. He was nine when he came up with the name.

Wayne has impacted the rap game, whether you take it in a positive or negative way. It's up to you. He is great and will go down as a great regardless of what anybody says about it.

Immortal Technique has a lot of diversity in his lyrics, unlike the mainstream. He talks about politics, wars, philosophy, religion, and so on. He is highly educated and dedicated to the community. He possesses the ability to freestyle and engage in battle rap, unlike all the commercial rappers. He speaks the truth.

I'm certain that most mainstream rappers are too unintelligent to comprehend the topics of his lyrics or even his vocabulary. He is the most underrated rapper of all time. However, as he himself stated regarding industry rappers: "If you go platinum, it has nothing to do with luck. It simply means that a million people are stupid!"

Sick flow and rhymes! Dead in the middle of Little Italy, little did we know that we riddled two middlemen who didn't do diddly! Who else do you know that can rap like that? He's no Eminem, he's no Tupac, but he's definitely something special and deserves at least top 20.

I don't know what's wrong with you people. Big Pun, #35? You guys need to reevaluate what you think is real hip-hop. It's 2013, listen to any of those guys in the top 10. Go back and put on a Big Pun album, any album (from 13 years ago), and tell me that he is not the nicest... I dare you all!

I want to cry when I see this legend placed under so many mediocre rappers (like Nicki Minaj). This guy literally possesses an unbelievable amount of talent. I guarantee you will never find a better lyricist. I still remember the first time I listened to "Hoe Cakes," and I've loved him ever since.

DOOM comes up with such innovative raps and never disappoints. His unique style, voice, and lyrics are near impossible to replicate. He influenced artists like Earl Sweatshirt and Joey Badass. MF DOOM considers himself to be a villain, but to the rap game, he's a hero.

No one strings rhymes and flows together like Tech does. The way his tracks and rhymes blend is exquisite, forming beautiful music. He's the fastest out of this list, and he's independent. If he had all the media attention that Em and Wayne have, he would probably be different.

When Em was underground, he was awesome. But when he went mainstream, it all went to his head, just like the self-proclaimed king, Lil Wayne. I'm glad Tech didn't go mainstream early in his career. If he did, he probably wouldn't be as good. Mainstream ruins people. It makes them overconfident. Moreover, people nowadays listen to bad music with no lyricism whatsoever. Just look at Wayne's lyrics... All I can say is, what?! He brings the delivery, but not the lyrics. As for Em, I think he's number two, but Tech is the king all the way. I'll solidify my point: mainstream ruins talent. Tech is the king, no doubt.

KRS-One has the quantity (unlike Biggie or L), the beats (sorry, Em), the voice (sorry, Em), and, most importantly, his lyrical content keeps it real (unlike Jay and Wayne). His lyrics are for the PEOPLE in the STREETS, not Hollywood or upscale boutiques. Other rappers try to be "conscious" but also worry about having mass appeal (Kanye, Common). KRS doesn't pull any punches and doesn't worship money. I like the other rappers I mentioned here, but KRS-One is #1!

KRS-One may be the most popular golden-age MC, deserving of the title. Boogie Down Productions was about one spot away from being in the top 5 rap duos of all time due to KRS-One's exquisite rhymes. He has one solo classic album: Return of the Boom Bap, and his BDP classics are Criminally Minded, by far considered one of the 500 best albums of all time, and By All Means Necessary.

KRS-One can transition from a serious protesting rapper to a fun rapper to a lyrical genius. During his prime (BDP and Return of the Boom Bap era), KRS-One was close to being as skilled as Rakim, maybe even as skilled.

The best album with Boogie Down Productions is Criminally Minded. The best solo album is Return of the Boom Bap. The best song is South Bronx. The best collaboration is The Anthem - Sway & Tech featuring RZA, Tech N9ne, Eminem, Xzibit, Pharoahe Monch, Kool G Rap, Jayo Felony, Chino XL, and KRS-One. The best verse is verse 1 of South Bronx.

T.I. is too underrated! He deserves to be in the top 5. He is one of the reasons that Hip Hop, Rap, and southern music are still alive. What T.I. has that most rappers don't have is intellect. Have you ever heard anyone who is this smart and from a hood, let alone Bankhead, Atlanta?

T.I. has proven again and again that nothing can stop his hustle. He has been dropped from labels, gone to jail many times, had life threats, but he still hustles like THE KING. Say no more. Just listen, admire, and witness greatness.

He is one of the best because of his storytelling, smooth voice, rap style, and ability to change up his style while still creating great music, as he did on "No Mercy." Additionally, instead of making you wait for new music while he is in jail, he simply releases albums that you can keep in your car for a year and still enjoy until he gets out, due to the high quality of his music. He should be ranked in the top 5, even above Lil Wayne. I really mean it. The King.

DMX brought his deepest emotions into rap when he decided to rap to sustain his family. He wanted to be good for others and expressed this passion with lyrics deeper than most rappers in the game. His emotions and determination are moving, and his story is sure to bring a tear to your eye. He poured all of his emotions into his songs and made music that was remarkable, launching him into fame.

When he went to meet the president, he was recovering from an accident and had wires in his mouth. People were amazed when Kanye "spoke through the wire," but DMX spat so hard that wires could be heard popping out of his mouth. His downfall was brought on by his cocaine addiction, but if the seemingly harmless blunt he smoked wasn't laced with cocaine, he could have torn down all the rappers of our time. His lyrics are profound, his voice gets an old hag hyped, and his passion is immense. DMX will always be the greatest rapper and man alive.

Being fast isn't necessarily what makes Busta so good. It's the way he delivers - with some of the most uplifting, funny, and by far, some of the most unique verses in rap right now. When he strayed from his old style, a lot of people discredited him for it. But right now, he's getting better and better - he doesn't need to stay the same.

"Look at Me Now" wasn't a hit because of Lil Wayne's verse or because of Chris Brown's - even though both have a colossal fanbase. It was a hit because of Busta Rhymes. A lot of people just hadn't gotten that kind of style before, with good reason. No one else has it - Busta taught himself how to rap like that. Hell, he only ever did a one-minute feature, and he managed to own the song with it. That was 2011. It's 2012 now, "Extinction Level Event 2" is coming, and frankly, with some of the stuff he's been dropping really recently, my faith in his new album is through the roof. Old fans are dead right, Busta isn't as good as he used to be. He's better.