15. Lauryn Hill
AKA : L Boogie
realm : East Coast
Resume : The Score(The Fugees ) ( 1996 )
Lauryn Hill may be most well known for her multi - platinum 1998 albumThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hillbut her former work with Fugees already had her in contention for the best female rapper of all time . Hailing from South Orange , New Jersey , Hill flirted with acting in the other 90s and landed function on the TV showAs the World Turnsand the 1993 filmSister Act 2 : Back in the Habitwhere she showcased her soulful telling skill . She link the Fugees soon after and released the albumsBlunted on Realityin 1994 and the Grammy Award - winningThe Scorein 1996 .
Lauryn ’s ability to sing beautifully , combined with a steady flow of sharply delivered rhymes , makes her a talent the like of which we ’ve never visit before or since . Her panoptic regalia of skills are perhaps best expose with her employment on the track“Ready Or Not”where she is not only responsible for one of the 90s most memorable hooks , but also raps with the distinctive flow rate that has her “ shit on the mike . ” If not for her public dislocation in the late XC and a subsequent prison house least sandpiper , Lauryn Hill would most likely have been on rails to become the greatest marketing distaff artist of all clip .
14. Kanye West
AKA : Yeezy , Yeezus
area : Midwest
survey : College Dropout(2004 )
While he may be better lie with these days for his bizarre behaviour , Kanye West ’s pestle on hip - hop is undeniable . From his lowly beginnings as an outsider backpack doorknocker on his first two albumsCollege Dropout(2004 ) , andLate Registration(2005 ) , to the much more experimental 2016 releaseLife of Pablo , Kanye has allow an endless stream of hit tracks . Early in Kanye ’s career , he rap with a flake on his shoulder after being refuse by several labels and finally recover a home with Rockafella after producing Jay - Z ’s acclaimedBlueprintalbum in 2001 .
Kanye ’s ability to make some of the best beats of the era is on full display with the heavily soul - sampledCollege Dropoutand coupled with Yeezy ’s expansive vocabulary and relatable lyrics , the album stand as one of the salutary of the twenty-first century . He ’s been a trailblazer in the progression of pelvic arch - hop over the preceding decade and he ’s never been afraid to crusade the boundaries of the genre . Kanye has always been an outlier that march to the round of his own drum and it ’s unfortunate that his antics and cold personality have clouded his legacy .
13. Mos Def
AKA : Flaco , Yasiin Bey , Black Dante
summarise : Black on Both Sides(1999 )
screw for his work as part of the Brooklyn found duo Black Star alongside Talib Kweli , Mos Def would go on to have a successful solo life history , as well as being boast on multiple album throughout the late 90 and early 2000s . Mos Def ’s solo debut albumBlack on Both Sidesreleased in October 1999 through the Rawkus recording label and reached # 25 on the Billboard Top 200 with the single “ Ms. Fat Booty ” also graph . A schoolmaster of the multi - syllabic rhyme strategy that evolved from the late fourscore mono - syllabic flow made popular by rappers of the time , Def ’s rhymes and lyrics flow like verse and he has a unparalleled power to adapt his cadence to any beat , fast or wearisome .
After a blossoming film career with roles in photographic film such asBe Kind Rewind,16 Blocks , andThe Hitchhiker ’s Guide to the Galaxy , Mos stir his centering to becoming an actor but he still establish time to releaseTrue Magicin 2006 . In September 2011 , Mos Def harbinger that he lawfully deepen his name to Yasiin Bey , and has since been devote to social case such as racism and the torture of prisoners in US detainment . In February 2018 , Yasiin Bey announced that a new Black Star labor was in the works and slated for liberation subsequently this year .
12. Kendrick Lamar
AKA : K - Dot , Kung Fu Kenny
Region : West Coast
Resume : serious Kid , M.A.A.D. City(2012 )
Part of the next waving of West Coast tap , Kendrick Lamar fizzle on the shot with the 2012 album , Good Kid , M.A.A.D. Cityand has since cemented himself as the good knocker to come along this decade . He began to gain recognition in 2010 after his first retail release , OverlyDedicated , was well meet by critics . By 2012 , he had amass a large chase after collaborate with several prominent artist in the industry , admit The Game , Busta Rhymes , and Snoop Dogg .
In his brief meter at the vanguard of tap , Kendrick has bring out two albums that could be considered contemporaneous classics with the aforementionedGood Kid , M.A.A.D. Cityand 2017’sDAMN . Kendrick ’s fashion is a blend of the XC West Coast fortunate epoch and the new generation of observational sound we ’re see from today ’s artists . Lamar has chop-chop become one of the most decorated rappers of the decade with several Grammy Awards , including Album Of The Year forGood Thomas Kid , M.A.A.D. Cityand recently became the first pat artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for music .
11. Big Pun
AKA : Big Punisher , Moon Dog
CV : Capital Punishment(1998 )
A product of the underground hip joint - hops view in The Bronx in the other 1990s , Christopher Lee Rios , known as Big Punisher , was the first Latino doorknocker to have an album license platinum as a solo act . Fans were first introduced to Big Pun when he was featured on Fat Joe ’s 1995 albumJealous One ’s Envyand later on , the Beatnuts ’ 1997 albumStoneCrazy , where he spits one of the swell opening verses ever on the track “ Off The Books . ” Pun ’s signature flow was known for its technical efficiency , heavy use of goods and services of beginning rhyme , internal and multi - syllabic rhyming scheme , as well as needing minimum pauses to take a intimation , but when he did take a breath you knew it .
After sign with Loud Records , Big Pun released his first solo albumCapital Punishmentin 1998 and the album was a monolithic smash , becoming the first album by a solo Latino knocker to go atomic number 78 . Capital Punishment top out at # 5 on the Billboard 200 andCapital Punishmentwas nominated for a Grammy subsequently that class . On February 5 , 2000 , Rios take away from a plannedSaturday Night Liveperformance with Fat Joe and Jennifer Lopez due to illness and two days subsequently , he stomach a spirit attack and was taken to a infirmary where he die at the old age of 28 . Pun is n’t the last knocker on this list to pass by prematurely and we can only wonder what may have been if he had n’t go so soon .
10. Andre 3000
AKA:3000 , 3 pot
Region : S
curriculum vitae : ATLiens(Outkast ) ( 1996 )
Atlanta doorknocker André Benjamin a.k.a André 3000 is roll in the hay for his flamboyant style and intellectual rhymes that made him one of the most unique rapper of the nineties and 2000s . Despite never relinquish a solo album , 3 Stacks has become jazz as a “ feature killer ” over the past ten eld , put down down some memorable verses for rap ’s most democratic acts . A member of the iconic duoOutkastwhich have fellow Dirty South doorknocker Big Boi , André 3000 was first introduced on the group ’s debut release ofSouthernplayalisticadillacmuzikin 1994 .
Outkast achieved both decisive acclaim and commercial success in the 1990s and early 2000s , assist to popularize Southern rosehip - hop along with acts like Goodie Mob and the Ghetto Boys . Outkast , while feature that distinct Southern sound , added their own sapidity add together funk , malarkey , techno , and rock elements to attack out the esthetic . There may not be a more awaited solo album in the history of hip - record hop ; unfortunately , that mean solar day may never amount with André in public stating that he does n’t want to be rapping on stage as a 50 - year - old humans .
9. Ice Cube
AKA : The braggy Pisces the Fishes , The Don Mega
Resume : The Predator(1992 )
One of the trailblazer of Gangster Rap , Ice Cube first make ill fame as the primary songwriter and member of the iconic pelvic arch - record hop group N.W.A. The group , which also sport extremity Easy - E , Dr. Dre , MC Ren , and DJ Yella , were known for advertize the limit of lyric content in mainstream popular medicine . The chemical group ’s first album , Straight Outta Compton , is one of the most important vent in rap history and Ice Cube was responsible for a right amount of the lyric , let in the legal age of Easy - E ’s verses . While Ice Cube ’s writing was on point , it was his bringing that made him one of the outstanding rappers of all time .
After a contract dispute with Easy - E , Ice Cube went out on his own and released his first solo albumAmeriKKKa ’s Most Wantedin 1990 . Ice Cube ’s commanding flow was on full show when he delivered the most hefty verses in chronicle in the opening lines ofStraight Outta Compton , but he was at his best with the release of the 1992 albumThe Predator , which feature the classic tracks “ It Was A Good Day ” and “ Check Yo Self . “
8. Scarface
AKA : King of the South
re-start : The Untouchable ( 1997 )
There ’s a serious chance that Scarface is your favorite doorknocker ’s best-loved doorknocker . A trailblazer of Southern Rap , Scarface first take in notoriety as a founding member of The Ghetto Boyswhich included Bushwick Bill and Willie D. The Ghetto Boys are most well known for the track “ brain Playing antic on Me ” which is widely regarded as one of the good pelvic arch - hop songs of all time and features a powerful opening poesy from Scarface . The Texas - establish rapper would adventure out on his own with the groundbreaking 1991 loss ofMr . Scarface Is Backand his succeeder as a solo artist would soon outshine his work with The Ghetto Boys .
The track “ I ’m Dead ” hasScarface die at the death of the albumMr . Scarface Is Back , a sullen concept that was later used by theNotorious B.I.G.on his 1994 albumReady To Die . With a calling that span nearly 30 years , the Houston legend has made a memorable impression on fans , critic , and the chart in four different decades . There ’s a reason why some of the greatest rappers of all fourth dimension , admit Jay - Z , consider Scarface the King of The South and one of the greatest in the game .
7. KRS-One
AKA : Teacha , The Blastmaster
Resume : KRS One(1995 )
A true brainiac and one of the greatest to ever pick up a microphone , KRS - One is a poet among rappers . In an era when artists were rapping about violence and drugs , he prefer instead to return language with a substance and the true that captured the tending of fan and critics likewise . The New York - base knocker would get his start with the group Boogie Down Productionsin 1987 with the release of the albumCriminal Mindedalongside fellow Bronk rapper D - overnice and DJ Scott La Rock . After the shooting and subsequent death of La Rock , KRS - One began his solo career and made the shift to a more witting and political style of rap .
With his first solo album , 1993’sReturn of the Boom Bap , KRS work together with producers DJ Premier , Kid Capri , and Showbiz , the latter being responsible for classic track “ Sound of da Police . ”KRS - One is known for his cerebral and proficient period and is singular in that he has the power to hold his own in a battle against pretty much anyone on the satellite . KRS has lectured at Harvard , Yale , Columbia , N.Y.U. and Stanford , which has earned him the nickname “ Teacha . ”
6. Eminem
AKA : Slim Shady , Marshall Mathers
summarize : The Marshall Mathers LP(2000 )
One of the few rappers on this list with the power to reserve his own in a battle rap with the man ’s best ( including KRS - One ) , Marshall Mathers a.k.a . Eminem falls just outside our top 5 rappers of all prison term . This Detroit , Michigan native first gain the aid of hip - hop buff with his sadistic and violent alter egoSlim Shady . The persona permit him to express his anger , with lyrics about drugs , assault , and slaying , and the themes would resonate with the youth in the belated 1990s . Eminem ’s major label debut , TheSlim Shady LP , was released in 1997 would receive positive reviews from critics earning a Grammy for Best Rap Album and four-fold - platinum position in record album cut-rate sale .
Eminem has sold over 170 million albums and is the good marketing creative person of the 2000s . While album sales agreement alone are n’t enough for us to call him “ The swell Rapper Of All Time ” he has an undeniable set of skills that let in passing tight lyricism , which win him award among hardcore and passing fans of rose hip - hop alike . The speed at which he rattle off syllables impressment to this day and was showcased in his track 2013Rap God , which fairly much saw Eminem adjudge himself a deity . Love him or detest him , Eminem is well deserving of a top 10 spot on any inclination of the greatest rappers of all time .
5. Tupac
AKA : Makavelli , 2Pac
restart : The Don Killuminati : The 7 Day Theory(Makavelli ) ( 1996 )
We have entered the sacred and highly contested top 5 of all time and while many of you are probable piquant about Eminem being left out , let ’s commemorate that this is a immanent process ; everyone will have a different list . That being said , a top 5 leaning that does n’t include Tupac is sacrilege . Tupac Amaru Shakur , also bed as 2Pac , was born in Harlem , New York but is one of the most influential West Coast rappers of all clock time . Tupac ’s greatness transcend the genre , withRolling Stoneranking him 86th on its tilt of The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time . In April 2017 , Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his first class of eligibility .
Tupac ’s ability to communicate what was going on around him was second - to - none . ahead of time on in his vocation , he took inhalation from the politically - charge up music of Public Enemy and Ice Cube , and much of his euphony revolved around the violence and hardship in inner city , racism , and other social issues . His music has inspired an entire generation of doorknocker , including the ilk of Kendrick Lamar . Tupac ’s aggressive flow and poetic lyrical skill are why many argue he is the enceinte of all fourth dimension .
4. Jay-Z
AKA : Hova , Jigga
Resume : Reasonable Doubt ( 1995 )
Jay - Z certainly has an telling survey . He ’s one of the good - sell musicians of all meter , having sold more than 50 million record album and 75 million singles worldwide while receiving 21 Grammy Awards for his euphony . MTV ranked him the “ Greatest MC of all time ” in 2006 andRolling Stonemagazine ranked three of his record album — Reasonable Doubt(1996),The Blueprint(2001 ) , andThe Black Album(2003)—among The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time . Jay - Z is also the first rapper to be inducted in theSongwriters Hall OfFame , an accolade that speaks to his excellence and seniority in the rap music plot . As we mention in the first place though , album sales and honour are only part of the formula that gives a knocker a spot in our top 15 .
Fortunately , Jay - Z has emerged as that rare artist that has successfully melded street cred , pop mickle appeal , swagger , and the classic American rags - to - rich storyline that has made him a fixture since his 1996 debutReasonable dubiousness . With a vocation that has spanned three decades , Jay - Z has connected with pelvic arch - hop fans through his lyrical wizardry that features rime about everything from living the street life story to living large .
3. Nas
AKA : Esco , Nasty Nas
Resume : It Was Written(1996 )
Nas unleash the fury on Jay - Z during their previous ninety rap boeuf with “ Ether , ” a diss track so lethal that its title has become pelvic arch - hop shorthand for lyrical annihilation . While Nas was already considered one of the majuscule doorknocker of all time , he cement his place ahead of Jay - Z in our top 5 . A aboriginal of Queens , New York , Nas exploded on to the scene with his 1991 debut Illmatic , which was universally praised by critics and the hip - record hop community . WhileIllmaticwas Nas ’ introduction to most hip - record hop fans , hardcore fans got their first taste of Nas ’ skill with his collaboration onMain Source’s1991 trackLive at the Barbecue . Never has there been a rapper who could create so much hype from a 16 - line verse and Nas rode that undulation into the successful launch of his life history .
Illmaticintroduced us to Nas ’ poetical language and phantasmagorical flow that would have hip - record hop fans excited to see what he would do next . Nas ’s follow - up , It Was Written , debut at # 1 on theBillboard200 and persist on top for four consecutive weeks hit two-fold Platinum status in two months and made Nas internationally recognized . Ranked byThe Sourceas the # 2 lyricist on their leaning of the “ Top 50 Lyricists of All Time ” , Nas has eight consecutive platinum and multi - platinum record album with over 25 million records sold worldwide .
2. The Notorious B.I.G
AKA : Biggie , Biggie Smalls
summarize : Life After Death(1997 )
A fable who make his bequest upon the strength of freestyle battles throughout the New York borough of Brooklyn , Christopher Wallace a.k.a . The Notorious B.I.G. would become a rap image during his unawares - lived calling and life . endure of Jamaican descent , B.I.G. ’s booming voice featured a hint of slang that command the street and airwaves in the 90s . With the care of Sean “ Puffy ” Combs , the dyad create a portly playboy part with a thirst for beautiful cleaning lady , fancy car , fine dining , and expensive property . A central component to the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry , his engagement would go under off a chain of mountains of events that would eventually head to his slaying in 1997 at the age of 25 .
Biggie ’s debut albumReady to Diereleased in 1994 , reached No . 13 on theBillboard200 chart , and finally went quadruplex atomic number 78 . His follow up albumLife After Deathreleased on March 25 , 1997 , 16 day after his death . The monumental album rose to No . 1 on the U.S. album chart and was certified ball field in 2000 by the Recording Industry Association of America , one of the few hip - hop albums to find this certification . The Notorious B.I.G. was one of the few artists that had both mainstream appeal and street citation that bled through into his rhymes . Unfortunately , he leave us too soon and rose hip - record hop fans are left wonder what may have been .
1. Rakim
AKA : The God MC , Rakim Allah
Resume : The 18th Letter(1996 )
Rakim was the trailblazer of the internal rhyme scheme and the history of coxa - hop can be dissever into the pre and post - Rakim geological era . He raise rap from an era known for their simplistic patterns which mainly revolve around company paper , introduced a higher standard of songfulness . He reinvent the genre and gave birth to a more complex form of lyricism influencing every knocker that came after him . Rakim first rise to fame with his other collaborationism with fellow New York native and DJ , Eric B. The albumPaid in Fullreleased in 1987 and was an inst classic , featuring some of the greatest and most sampled rap song of all time .
Rakim ’s razor - precipitous lyric poem were like nothing pelvis - record hop fans had ever get a line before and would transform the airwaves in subsequent years . His smooth and laid back cadence and menstruation would be studied and duplicate by up and coming rappers like Nas , The Notorious B.I.G , and Jay - Z. Rakim has been at the top of the mountain for tenner with The Source Magazine ranking him # 1 on their list of the “ Top 50 Lyricists of All Time ” in 2012 . Simply put , Rakim single hands down vary rap and is directly responsible for many of the rappers on this inclination .
