Billboard has compiled its list of “The 10 Greatest Rappers of All Time.”
The publication says that it determined its list using “MC means proving you’re the best” as its criteria. “We also have to note: we’re ranking rappers, not rap artists,” its story says. “That’s why Dr. Dre and Kanye West, for example, two legendary producer-artists who don’t match the mic skills of those listed here, were left out.”
Lil Wayne lands at #10 on Billboard’s list. “His dizzying run of mixtapes, albums and guest spots from around 2004 to 2009 is arguably the most prolific example of quality meets quantity hip-hop has ever seen,” Billboard writes. “No MC has ever rapped that well, on that many songs, for that long of a time period.”
Kendrick Lamar is #9 on the list.
“From triple and quadruple-time rhythms, his layered adlibs, and his multiple-personality voices,” Billboard says, “the Compton rapper is arguably the greatest rap craftsman to emerge this millennium, but his lyrical content never suffered.”
8. Ghostface Killah
Wu-Tang Clan established itself as one of the toughest, culture-moving crews in hip-hop in the 1990s, with each member bringing a different vibe to RZA’s dusty sonic template. Ghostface Killah stood out among them as the most lyrically dexterous.
7. Lauryn Hill
As one of the most versatile musicians in hip-hop, Lauryn Hill buoyed her group The Fugees in the ‘90s with professor-level raps and velveteen vocals. It was with her 1998 debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, though, that she became fully realized.
6. Andre 3000
As the better half — no offense to the also awesome Big Boi — of Outkast, Andre 3000 was the limber anchor behind the group’s impeccable five-album run, one unmatched by any other hip-hop act in terms of quality, success and innovation.
5. Nas
Before Nas’ debut album, 1994’s seminal Illmatic, early hype had critics and fans calling him the second coming -- of Rakim, not Jesus, but still. 20 years later,
Illmatic is widely seen as the best hip-hop album ever, a flawless blend of vivid street poetry and dream-
4. Rakim
The dividing line between old-school and new-school isn’t a year, it’s a person: Rakim. His 1987 debut with Eric B, Paid in Full, was a quantum leap in terms of mic techniques, from its complex internal rhyme schemes to his soft-spoken delivery.
3. Eminem
Shock rap usually stays relegated to the underground, where rappers like Ill Bill and Necro have flourished. But Eminem is one of the few who broke through to the mainstream, thanks to censor-stoking rhymes about rape, murder and drug abuse delivered.
2. Jay Z
Jay Z’s nimble flow used to be a lot less relaxed, as evidenced by the rapid delivery on his 1996 debut
Reasonable Doubt. But nearly every year since, the Brooklyn rapper developed his craft, improving with each album by tightening his flows and developing his Empire.
1. Notorious B.I.G.
Death at a young age can often elevate a rapper from modern-day star to bona fide legend. But Notorious B.I.G. already attained the latter status early on his career. His storytelling rhymes mined straight from his experiences in the Brooklyn streets materialized.
Billboard says that The Notorious B.I.G. is the #1 rapper of all time.
“Unlike everyone else on this list,” Billboard writes, “Biggie never dropped a single bad song, or a single errant bar.”
Source: Billboard.com
