The 5 Best Rappers of All-Time

With the recent death of Hip-Hop Legend GURU, a co-worker and I got into a debate on the best rapper ever.  So, I guess since I have a forum, I’ll choose to make my point as to who is the best rapper of all-time.  I only had 2 criteria for the list.  First, they had to have released 4 albums (as part of a group or solo).  Second, they had to have released 1 album prior to 1994.  Rap became so commercialized and mainstream around the mid 90’s, making rap a little less powerful than what it was intended to be. So be prepared to agree or dis-agree:

5. Ice Cube-  One of the founding fathers of Gangsta Rap, and part of one of the most influential rap groups of all-time.  NWA were the leaders of the Gangsta Rap movement and West Coast rap in the late 80’s.  Prior to the rise of NWA, the West Coast was never really respected in the rap game.  These guys gave real credibility to the “Left Coast.”  Ice Cube was the leader of the group.  Cube, was the lead rapper, and wrote the majority of the songs.  He even wrote the Eazy-E classic track “Boyz N Tha Hood.”  NWA never recovered after Cube departed.  Cube went on to be one of the most successful solo acts and released 9 solo records.  Everything, prior to “Lethal Injection,” Cube put out was top notch.  Once he founded the rap group “Westside Connection” and began his “Yea-Yea” scream, it was all over for him.  Commercialization & the heavy pressure from radio transformed Cube into a “Sell out” and made him weak.  Although his last 5 albums were pretty horrible, his earlier work is not to be ignored!

4. Eric Sermon-  The “Green Eyed Bandit” was the better half of the famed Hip-Hop group EPMD.  Sermon has released 13 albums (7 with EPMD and 6 solo).  “You Gots to Chill” and “You’re a Customer” were staples in rap music.  In 1990, EPMD released “Business As Usual” which is one of the greatest rap albums of all-time, and Source Magazine agrees, naming it one of the 100 Best Rap Albums of All-Time.  Sermon is not always recognized as a great rapper, but why not?  He has a smooth delivery and great production.  He is also very innovative, in 2001 he used the voice of Marvin Gaye on his single “Music.”  In 2000, Eric released his 3rd solo album “Eric Onasis” which is one of his best solo albums.  It featured artists like: Slick Rick, Biz Markie, Xzibit, DJ Quik, Too Short and Redman.  Whether Eric is teamed up with Parrish Smith, the Def Squad or solo, he is one of the most influential rapper of all-time.

3. Tupac-  Who did more for West Coast rap music than Tupac?  He is one of the most prolific writers of our generation.  What makes Tupac so great was his ability to be a “Thug,” yet write songs like “Dear Mama” and “Keep Ya Head Up.”  Was Tupac best known for his music, or for his persona?  Tupac was always surrounded by controversy, from his rape trial, to his shooting, his feud with the East Coast and his untimely death.  His music was also revolutionary.  Tupac was one of the first rappers to release a double album, releasing All Eyez On Me in 1996.  With everything surrounded in controversy, this added to the legacy of this great rapper.  Aside from his musical talent, Tupac combined the two most deadly weapons anyone can have:  Street Smarts and Academic Intelligence.  With legions of followers, Tupac had a forum to educate his fans on topics of politics, war, education, street life, economic status and empowerment.  He also educated those to the plight of the poor and gave different perspectives to crime and the “Ghetto Mentality.”  His music will be missed, but no worries, I’m sure he still has several albums left in the vault.

2. Rakim-  The last two MCs may not be household names to the common rap fan, but trust me when I say they are two of the most respected MCs in the business.  If you go to Wikipedia and look up Rakim, you’ll see a whole page devoted to songs that pay tribute to this talented MC.  Rakim was one half of the rap duo Eric B & Rakim.  Together, they released one of the greatest rap songs, “Paid in Full.”  Rakim’s smooth delivery and lyrics made him one of the founders of the Hip-Hop genre.  He was a pioneer and took MCs to another level.  Social consciousness and the ability to rock the mic make him a Legend amongst Legends.  Although he has always been more of an underground artist, rappers still site him as one of the most influential rap artists of all-time.  Kool Mo Dee, MTV and Vibe Magazine list him as the greatest Rapper of All-Time.

1. KRS-One- Upon GURU’s death, I was asked, “Who do you think is the greatest rapper of all-time?”  I quickly said KRS-One.  To my surprise, this person said, “Who’s that, I’ve never heard of him.”  I was shocked!  KRS-One was one of the first rappers to take Hip-Hop to the next level.  As part of Boogie Down Productions, KRS has always been known for his lyrics and Reggae-Rap Style.  KRS-One has always been interested in teaching.  His songs have always been about politics, social consciousness and empowerment.  He has taught at Yale University and had his own TV series.  KRS-One has also founded the Temple of Hip-Hop and broken down the genre into several categories.  No one has done more for the Rap game and represented it better than KRS-One.  50 Cent said this about KRS, ““to me, him (Rakim) and KRS-One were the best rappers.”  RESPECT!