NBA / Dec 4, 2009 / 1:30 pm
Random Question Of The Day
Is Jay-Z the greatest rapper of all-time?
Today, Jay-Z aka the CEO turns 40 years old. The BK-native has a record 11 number one albums and his “Empire State of Mind” is the top song in the country right now. Jay-Z is easily the greatest rapper in the game today but is he the greatest rapper of all time? If not, where does he rank among rappers like Tupac, Biggie, Snoop, L.L., Nas and Rakim? Drop us your Top 5!
-->
December 4th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Aaron says:
1.Jay
2.Biggie
3.Nas
4.Kiss
5.Big Pun/ Em
December 4th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Kaanon says:
I say yes. He’s released more albums than Biggie and Tupac. He’s sold more records. I like his songs more. People outside of HipHop know who he is. Tupac might have a few better songs, but when you place the longevity into the picture, Jay-Z wins.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Chicagorilla says:
Lyricist? Hell no not even close. Rappers who sell records? Sure.
And anyone who truely enjoys rap music for the lyrical content or creative/witty punch lines would know that Jay-Z is maybe top 10, but not even close to being the best. And before anyone says something stupid… Lil Wayne is not in this argument… as a matter of fact, anyone whos name begins/ends with “Lil” or “young” is not allowed to be included in this argument.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
jeremy says:
1.big 2.jay 3.nas 4.black thought 5.kweli
December 4th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@1,
you must be from NY. Not one rapper on your list is from anywhere other than NY. except Em, who is tied for 5th.
@2, hasn’t Will smith outsold Jay-Z… perhaps even Lil Bow wow, I know Eminem has and 50 cent may have also, so as i posted somewhere on here before… “I hate to say it to you, Numbers ALWAYS lie”- Joe Buddens
December 4th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
E-money says:
Nah he good but he ain’t betta than vanilla ice he’s da best rapper ever!!!
December 4th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Shakers says:
1. 2Pac
2. BIG
3. Em
4. Jay
5. Nas
December 4th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
joshua cassidy says:
1-nas
2-big L
3-jada
4-cassidy
5-styles p
(this isn’t the top 5 greatest just my top 5 fav)
December 4th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Jeronimo says:
I wholeheartedly agree with comment no. 3.
Now my top 5, in no particular order:
- Guru
- Akhenaton (French rapper)
- Common
- Nas
- The Gift of Gab
December 4th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
son#1 says:
Black Thought
BIG
Nas
Jigga
André Benjamin
December 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Aaron says:
@Chicagorilla- I’m actually from Indiana…lol
December 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
SagJism says:
LOL – You are all stupid, first of all he cant F with tupac, he does not have the lyrical command that nas and biggie have and the GOAT of all rap is LL cool j, who has lasted longer with more hits than LL? Thats who the best rapper is LL cool J – most hits, longest career, pioneer (no rapper other than will was on TV for a long time).
December 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
E-money says:
Haha nah here my real list of best rapper
Pac
Jay-z
Biggie
Eminem
Rakim
Snoop
The game (early years)
NWA
Anyone from wutang
Lil Wayne
Public enemy
Pac is the best tho jayz good too but ice-t said it best jay-z don’t have mobbs of people followin him when he raps he ain’t the voice of the people
December 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Gunner J. Matthews says:
I always think of Tupac as the greatest with BIG a close second. Jay, to me is in that second tier level
December 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
BRUCE says:
The best rapper had “Thug Life” across his belly!
I like Big Smalls too.
I ain’t Black so I don’t know all the rappers but the names aforementioned, I will always like. For the record, I was listening to 2Pac before his death and listened to Biggie after his death.
Prior to that, Too Short — The Ghetto!
Hahahaha
December 4th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
AdvancedMind says:
This is always a LAME question cause people tend to have lame reasons as to who they think is the greatest rapper of all time. 1st you cant EVER bring up record sales, cause i can name several rappers who suck ass that sold alot of records, “WILL SMITH”.
Jay-Z is a top ten rapper of all time but number one never. He had to make pop rap songs to cross over into other cultures, songs about clubbing and money.
2pac crossed over while talking about relevant shit, back in the early 90′s, and continued to be relevant 10 years after his death.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
E-money says:
Oh crap they said top 5 ooh well
December 4th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
SagJism says:
@3 you know I dont agree with you most time but your right o nthe money with that on.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Roko says:
@Chicagorilla
I think this whole question was inspired by our lengthy discussion the other day.
Greatest rapper is too broad, greatest lyricist is very different. Greatest rapper is like most popular, sells the most, broader appeal. Depends on the criteria I think …
December 4th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
SagJism says:
@2 longevity? there is no rapper alive that has been going at it longer than LL. so dont use that as the measurment.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Rare Air says:
No particular order:
Jay
Nas
Yeezy
Snoop
Pac
December 4th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Deacon says:
I can’t believe how many of y’all are sleepin on Tupac!
December 4th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Mike says:
Jay Z puts the O in OVERRATED
kweli and em both put him to shame
December 4th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@17, who the hell are you?
December 4th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Mike says:
. . . so do Chuck D and everyone in Wu
December 4th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@Roko, yeah you may be right. I am not going to type my long ass respones again though. So maybe i should copy and paste it here.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Deacon says:
@Shakers:
I am with you on your top 3, after that it gets a little fuzzy. (even for me)
December 4th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Aaron says:
@Sagjism- what was the last GOOD LL album? Just because you try to stay relevant by putting out garbarge music doesn’t mean he’s passing the test of longevity. If that’s the case then Too Short should be on the list as well.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
AdvancedMind says:
@11 WTF LL Cool J?
Kill yourself
December 4th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Chicagorilla says:
I see this getting out of hand real quick!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
raptor32 says:
theres no way there will be be a consensus to ‘ best rapper’..everyone has their own taste in rap and ‘best rapper’ is a purely subjective choice by nature.
that being said, if you look at it from a performance point of view ( records sold, #1 songs), then maybe H.O.V.A. is indeed the ‘best rapper’… but the short careers of biggie of tupac definately play into the numbers game
December 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
randomized says:
1) Marshall
2) Sage Francis
3) Fred Durst
4) Everlast
5) K-fed
December 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Sacto_J says:
Sleepin on the West coast ain’t right.
I give them no order but top 5 should include
Tupac
Too Short
E-40
Method Man
Eminem
with honorable mention to Snoop, Ez-E, And Big Boi
Feel free to pitch my 2 cents in the wishing well, tho cuz a list like this can never be validated EVER….
December 4th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
oww says:
“hov got flow, though he’s no big and pac, but he’s close/ how im posed’ to win they got me fightin ghosts”
December 4th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
young reezy says:
Also sleeping on the South.
No particular order:
Bun B
Scarface
Andre 3000
Big Boi
Eightball
December 4th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
ebb says:
1. V.I.C.
2. Soulja Boy
3. LMFAO
4. Yung Berg
5. Mike Shinoda
Top 5 greatest, hands down.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Derek1021 says:
Rakim
Jay-Z
KillArmy
Eminem
BIG
December 4th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
ghostface says:
1Big
2aGuru
2bRakim
3KRS
4Jay Z
5Nas
December 4th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Jeffco says:
Only if Pac and Biggie were still alive, we wouldn’t be asking this.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Soopa says:
In no particular order:
Nas – (He is my #1. Best rapper/writer ever. He doesnt make billboard hits and i think we all appreciate that.)
Jay Z – (Steady at the top. Always having good producers and feats on his tracks doesnt hurt)
Dr. Dre – (I know i know, but The Chronic and The Chronic 2001 gets him on my list no matter how stiff he sometimes sounds.)
Kool Keith (Thats right! If you havnt heard Sex Style you need to asap lol)
ODB, Ghostface and Method Man – (Gotta have the Wu represented)
Yeezy*
Common – (‘I used to love H.E.R.’ is probably my favorite track of all-time)
Cudi – (Dont sleep, this is where rap is heading. Honest and very clever lyricist. If people embrace him, rap is in good hands)
*I know im gonna be hated on for including Yeezy in my list but i really appreciate his humor and alot of his rhymes are actually pretty innovative. His flow can be rough tho (not the good rough!). Ofcourse i have to act like 808s never happend, but still!
And this is a subjective opinion of mine which also goes for the rest of my list. Its not the best rappers, its my favorit rappers and its a wide selection lol.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Chicagorilla says:
wow, no mention of weezy, jeezy or drake? I’m proud of you guys.
I personal fav 5 that I listen to daily on my MP3 player
#1) Lupe Fiasco -not just cause he’s chi-town(WESTSIDE), but I think he may actually be a genius…like a real genius
#2) Big Pun – I have just recently started to really appreciate his Capitol Punishment album. Word play is just foolish
#3) beanie sigel – not a punchline lyricist, but got a REAL flow to him and says meaningful shit from time to time.
#4) Eminem from the Marshall Mathers LP – and a few scattered songs/freestyles here and there.
#5) Preist G of Qualo – Chicago artist
other noteables that get MP3 play from me: Freeway, Outkast, Obie Trice, Mos Def, Black Thought, Joe Buddens, Twista, T.I., Corey Gunz, Jada,Big and Pac, Luda, Common, Talib Kewli,Qualo, Wu-Tang, Nas, Joel Ortiz, Bun B
December 4th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
92021SpurMD says:
You all seriously think there were better lyricists than Em, really? I mean, i know he’s white and mad silly, but let’s be real, no one touches this dude when it comes to lyrics. Why do you think it is that people are “committing career suicide” whenever they decide to battle him? Why are people so afraid to admit the obvious? And while we’re at it, Luda is underrated. But anyway, rapper = lyrics, so here’s my list; 1) Em 2) Pac 3) Big L 4) Big 5) DMX
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@42,
Love Em, but Weezy called him out and disrespected the shit outta him, which usually means Em is about to make like 37 songs about him over the next couple months. Instead, Em went and got on a weak ass track with him. Respect lost
not to mention “Smack That remix” and several other lyrically lame songs that em has been on or made himself. I was glad to see he got sick on that Freestyle Cipher on the last BET awards. He kilt that shit.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Notorious says:
1. Biggie
2. Tupac
3. HOVA
4. Rakim
5. Eminem
And Nas…really? I think Jay said it best…
And y’all buy the shit, caught up in the hype
Cause the nigga wear a coofie, it don’t mean that he bright
Cause you don’t understand him, it don’t mean that he nice
It just means you don’t understand all the bullshit that he write
Is it “Oochie Wally Wally” or is it “One Mic”?
Is it “Black Girl Lost” or shorty owe you for ice?
December 4th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
92021SpurMD says:
So what you’re basically saying is since he didn’t pour his heart into what ended up being a fake beef (check it out), you’ve lost respect? I can understand that, but what person can you name that had mad lyrics on EVERY song he’s ever done? Honestly, the only person i’ve ever heard was Luda, but like I said, he’s underrated and doesn’t get the props.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Soopa says:
Shit, i completely forgot to mention Lupé, Mos and Talib! They are absolute beasts AND they actually have stuff on their minds which isnt ‘Rimz, money and hoes’. Im so ashamed lol!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
AdvancedMind says:
Em’s Encore album was ASS and lyrically it was ASS, this Relapse album is ASS, he is a perfect example of what happens to a rapper that runs out of motovation, and shit to talk about, atleast Jay can recycle the same shit over and over. By the way Blue print 3=ASS. Striaght POP garbage.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
GABRIEL BROGDEN says:
I’m with #39
I guess that makes Jay the greatest opportunistic rapper of all time. LOL
Sike nah, I bang wit Jay tho.
on the contrilly i packed the mac millie, squeezed off on him, left the paramedics breathin’ soft on him…
You crazy, think your little bit of rhymes can play me? I’m from Marcy, I’m varsity, chump, you JV, jigga jay-z
pshhh, this bol WAS killin’ these cats back in the day.
aint really smellin all his new stuff tho
1 thru 5
big, jay, nas, jada, wayne
December 4th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
AdvancedMind says:
LUPE FIASCO has never came light lyrically during a song ever.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Aaron says:
Don’t sleep on Phonte from Little Brother, skill-wise he’s killing a lot of rappers
December 4th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Soopa says:
@ Notorious #44
Im not into their feud, I still enjoy listening to them both, but its pretty clear that Nas murdered Jay on ‘Ether’.
“Rockefeller died of AIDS, that was the end of his chapter
And that’s the guy y’all chose to name your company after?
Put it together, I rock hoes, y’all rock fellas
And now y’all try to take my spot, fellas?”
And thats just a small part lol.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
92021SpurMD says:
Encore was ass, really dude? Blueprint 3 was Pop Ass? You must think Kanye is top 5 don’t you, or even better yet, you think Plies is a dope lyricist too, right? You must have Gucci Mane at the top of your list, right? Sit down somewhere and pick up a couple Rakim albums…
December 4th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@92021SpurMD
Lupe, Black Thought, Mos Def, Big Pun
Those guys just don’t come with weak shit. Even on shitty beats or lame topics, they somehow bring it lyrically every single time. Big Pun didn’t have a fair share of verses, but never came whack.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
u kno dat says:
mobb deep – the infamous and wu tang clan – enter the wu-tang: 36 chambers are pinnacles of rap and hip hop u kno dat. jay-z sells records but he isnt better than wu tang or mobb deep
December 4th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Scott says:
Biggie
Tupac
J
Em
Guru
no doubt top 5 … Rakim is a real close 6 and if we were talking groups then NWA and the Wu would obviously slide in
December 4th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
J HUSTLE NORTH DALLAS says:
All of yall are out ya rabbit ass minds.
1) Nas
2) Pac
3) Big
4) Rakim
5) Big Pun
And the top 5 knocking on the door to that list are
1)Jay Z
2)Jada
3)Eminem
4)Styles
5)Ghostface
And the top 5 young Mc’s who are on their way
1)J Cole
2)Drake
3)Royce 5 9
4)Termanology
5)Lupe Fiasco
December 4th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
phongalong says:
1. BIG…no one had the wordplay he did, NO ONE.
2. Tupac…not a huge fan but, can’t fuck with his lyrical content. Rapped about shit that were big issues in the community, not what kinda diamond or what kinda drinks he liked. Inspired MILLIONS!!
3. Em…name 1 rapper that really wants to go at him? NONE, he is not to be played with lyrically.
4. Rakim…most of the lyrical rappers around today owe their careers to this dude. Started the smart rapper era.
5. Nas…put lyrical raps back on the map after years of just violent rap music.
Most underrated of all time…Blackthought…
December 4th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Headkicker B says:
Does KRS-1 get any votes for top five? Rakim is def top five.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
92021SpurMD says:
Lupe, verdict is still out; Black, eehhhh about the same; Mos Def, please; Pun, i’ll give you pun – just the fact that he not only finished rhymes in spanish, but also cause the translation in 90% of it was vicious.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
This is so irrelevant to basketball other than him calling himself the Mike Jordan or Recordin’.
Y’all need to leave him alone, everybody does, if he’s not the best ever than he’s up there, his credentials go toe to toe with anyone. If any one rapper was better at “y” than Jay, then Jay was better at “x” then him.
This argument can never end. Only thing I know is that LL is fag and hasnt been relevant since 97-98. If anybody needs to retire it’s that ma’fucka. LL’s liplickin tactics pratically birthed all these “strictly for bitches” kool aid rappers.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
AdvancedMind says:
@52
lol How lame you really are.
Encore wasnt ass? talking about putting gerbels in his ass and playing gay football is hot lyrics to you?
Smack that was a hot song feature to you?
Im from chicago and i personally think Kanye is garbage. I never said Em was garbage, the body of worked he had pre encore album is enough for me to to personally put him in my Top 5 rappers of all time, but your claiming that he has never came weak is completely unrealistic.
PAC is my favorite rapper of all time and he has made more then his share of shit music in my opinion. The way your defending Em, you would think you know him personally, or have some kinda sick gay fetish for him. As for Rakim, i have been a Rakim fan since like 92. Face facts, Em fell off, right along with Jay.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Scott says:
@ 55 Soupa … really? You’re using a song where Nas had to use the same word to rhyme (fellas with fellas) as proof that he murdered J … crazy weak argument
December 4th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
People wanna talk shit about age and cooning, LL is like 54 years old but still trying to take his shirt off in front of 15 year old kids, that’s just lame
December 4th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
DC says:
nas
andre 3000
black thought
dont matter to me after that
December 4th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Chicagorilla says:
Lupe has 2 full albums mostly by himself without many features, and he also has two full mix-tape albums. Never once heard him come weak on anything. Even in the songs that i don’t like.
Black Thought and Mos you must not have listened too, and especially Mos Def.
Big Pun has one great album, i don’t count the other one. But you concur on him and not the others. Pun would be the only one to question.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Dennis Castro says:
I’m assuming we’re talking about rappers who can actually rap/mc. Man, some of you guys can’t be older than 18. Tupac is not a rapper/mc, he is a poet. He doesn’t crack my top 5.
1) Rakim(ever wonder why he’s called the God MC and Nas calls himself God’s Son? Ra inspired most of the MC’s you guys idolized)
2) Kool G Rap(slept on HARD. Go listen to tracks like Talk Like Sex or Men At Work)
3) Nas(Illmatic is probably the most pure hip hop album ever. Respect just off of that)
4) BIG(no explanation needed)
5) Lord Finesse(why he doesn’t get props is beyond me. Youtube his battle with Percee P from back in like ’89. They were spittin ish like that 20 years ago).
December 4th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@G-kush,
yeah you right. LL is whack as hell. He’s got a teenage son, but still won’t let him shine, cause he gotta have all the attention. Dude was around in the mid 80′s and he still doing the same shit now as he did then. Lame
December 4th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
AdvancedMind says:
@ 65 im not 18 im 30 and i think i speak for everybody when i say YOUR A FUCKING RETARD. poetry is apart of rap.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
flegman says:
bulls hit. it’s Chuck D.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
vcn says:
.kool g rap…i dunno why everyone sleeps on him
December 4th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
SWAT says:
@ chico im gonna co-sign wit ya. ur list is pretty much on point.
though not as much anymore jay’s lyrics used to sick (reasonable doubt) but he has got a bit lazy.
as far as pac its sad, if u listen to the Stricly for my N.I.G.G.A.Z album how much more in depth his lyrics were…when he signed to death row he whole persona changed. he sold his soul to suge. but pac was a poet, not really a rapper.
COMMON-used to love her rings more true today than ever
Lupe
Kweli-he opened for Nas here in austin and dude killed it. his wordplay is serious. just listen to the blackstar album with him and mos
December 4th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
le_hotdawg says:
1. AZ
2. Cam’ron
3. Slick Rick
4. Ghostface
5. Eligh
this list could change as I haven’t heard every rapper out there
December 4th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
The Truth says:
Jay-Z relies too much on the “trend of the moment”: lately, he’s been talking non-stop about being fresh sporting some designer (i.e. Martin Margiela) clothes, riding on Kanye’s dick.
Musically speaking, a lot of his shit has been made with the Neptunes, who are great music producers, but many of their beats don’t age well (think of Timbaland and Scott Storch), unlike those of J-Dilla or DJ Premier, for instance.
But don’t get it twisted, Jay is one of the greatest but not on my top 5.
1 – Nas
2 – Common
3 – Q-Tip
4 – Biggie Smalls
5 – Lupe Fiasco
Then, in no particular order: Kanye, the Pharcyde, Andre 3000/Big Boi, LL Cool J, Rakim, Lil Wayne, Ghostface, Mos Def, Talib, Snoop.
And to end the list:
764 – K.O.B.E.
765 – Soulja Boy
December 4th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
douglas copeland says:
no question Jay is the best of all-time
December 4th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
SWAT says:
@ 67 yes poetry is a part of rap but whn Pac wrote “the rose tht grew from the concrete” or “in the event of my demise” his words carry such a deeper meaning. by the end of his career he was just making the albums to get out of the contract and he felt he had to dumb it down.
by ur definition ur saying every poet is a rapper and vice versa…thts not the case
December 4th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Michael says:
Combining skill, quality of work, sucess, Longevity, and jut overall impact heres my list.
1.Jay-Z
2.Nas
3.Rakim
4.Biggie
5.PAc
6.Eminem
7.Andre 3000
8.KRS-1
9.Ice Cube
10.Scarface
11.LL Cool J
12.Big Daddy kane
13.Kanye West
14.Slick Rick
15.Lauryn Hill
16.Kool g Rap
17.Chuck D
18.Ghostface
19.Guru
20.Snoop
December 4th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Soulja Boy Tell Em says:
@ The Truth
Man, I’m gonna smack you through the phone.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
douglas copeland says:
DC & chicogorilla your list are just ignorant..not supported by anything but your liking this artist.Your going to get laughed out the barbar shop if you bring any of your top fives to anyone outside of this blog forum.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Brown says:
The Best:
(criteria being how good they were at the top of their games and the consistentcy of their material)
Biggie
Pac
Big L
Method Man
Nas
My Favorites:
1) ODB
2) Method Man
3) Redman
4) Phonte (from Little Brother)
5) Sean Price (from Heltah Skeltah)
Honourable Mention: Buckshot
December 4th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Mike says:
douglas copeland,
if you say Jay is the best, you’d not only get laughed out of a barbershop, you’d get laughed out of a chuck e cheese. even little kids know better
December 4th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
alew says:
Anyone under the age of about 20 shouldn’t even comment, hip hop was at its peak in the 90s n early 2000s, the shit that’s out now is garbage.
Top 5:
Pac (by far best content)
Eminem (most creative)
Biggie
Jay z
Nas
December 4th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
That's what's up says:
jay is probably the best entertainer among those listed.
He’s fairly humble, massively successful and has the baddest dime in the game.
Hell, I’d vote for him
December 4th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
douglas copeland says:
i’m already getting a picture of who you are Mike based on that comment and your not somebody I would deem worthy to put a top five list together with out it getting laughed at. Are you serious? You say Jay is number one no one is looking at you crazy above the age of 20 please refer to blog#78 I get this feeling your a younging by your chuck e. cheese and if your older than 20 your just weird and breaking all kinds of laws for hanging out at chuck e cheese.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Chicagorilla says:
lmao @ copeland putting his entire name on here. I should track tyou down and step on your J’s for saying that stupid shit.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Brown says:
The best right now:
1) Elzhi (from Slum Village)
2) Phonte (from Little Brother)
3) Torae
4) Skyzoo
5) Fashawn
Top 5 Albums of 2009:
1) Marco Polo & Torae – Double Barrel
2) Fashawn – Boy Meets World
3) Skyzoo – The Salvation
4) KRS-One & Buckshot – Survival Skills
5) Method Man & Redman – Blackout 2
December 4th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
douglas copeland says:
aaah chico gorilla do you really know if that my real name???bafoon trust you don’t wanna track me down…just a cautionary tale..Rick Fox chased down Doug Christie after they were ejected from the WC finals only to get beat up by Doug Christie and his wife.It’s never wise to run towards a beat down…be easy First name Chico last name Gorilla…I’m white paging you right now.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Brown says:
Jay has never really impressed me. His whole career has been kind of so-so. I like a lot of what he’s done, but nothing I really go crazy over.
When I look back on the last 30 years of hip hop, there’s probably 100 or more albums/mixtapes that have come out that I’d rather bump than a Jay-Z album. That’s what really puts Jay’s place as one of the best in perspective to me.
“Jay-Z is a rapper, not an MC. He’s a good rapper though.” – DJ Premier
No matter how good a rapper might be, he can never hang with a real MC on the mic.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Big Island says:
Nah, “Eminem murdered him on his own shit”.
Top 5, no particular order:
Reggie Noble
Em
Mos Def
Andre 3000
Big/Pac
December 4th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Mike says:
douglas copeland,
i’m not sure what to make of your rambling response. it just doesn’t make much sense. it appears that you were distracted when you typed it.
please remove your boyfriend’s penis from your mouth before posting any further comments. thank you.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
the cynic says:
i prefer nas, but jay-z good when he’s not being lazy
December 4th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Dennis Castro says:
Hahahaha, I mention Pac not being in my top 5 and all of a sudden dudes like AdvancedMind gets all upset.
Pac is a great artist, no doubt, but if you were to put him up against the rappers I mentioned in a technical rap battle, he would not win. Sh!t, Big Pun would have ripped practically anyone. Technically he was one of the greatest.
A bunch of people blindly put BIG and Pac just because it’s the cool thing to do.
AdvancedMind, you might be 30, but your hip hop knowledge is that of an 18 year old.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
brooklynballer says:
1.Tupac(passion, poetry)
2.Biggie(clever storyteller)
3.Jay-Z(clever,flow, great one-liners)
4.Rakim(smooth clever flow)
5.Nas(poetry, flow,passion)
6.KRS-1(passion, intellect)
7.Snoop(smooth original flow)
8.Eminem(passion, clever, fearless)
9.Ice-Cube(west coast original)
10.Andre 3000(intellect, fearless)
December 4th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
That's what's up says:
Seriously, who cares…?
I like hundreds of artists and bands, literally hundreds.
But there is not one artist or band that I like 100% of their music.
Everybody’s tastes differ – people are crackin’ me up on these posts tellin’ people to take the dicks out of their mouth because Pac was better than jay-z –
child please
good weekend all – I am out!!
December 4th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
99 says:
anyone who left 2pac off their list is a dumbass…
anyone who didnt put 2pac in the top 3–youre an idiot.
jayz is the best marketing genius as far as rappers are concerned…
it’d be nice if he didnt control all the radio station heads and allowed them to play some real rap out there alongside his..
2pac and big are in the top 2..after that, it depends on you
December 4th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
POPPI GEE says:
I like this, it’s interesting.
You really have so many different likes and dislikes. Really shows the diversity of people.
Can’t really be a pure answer when there are no pure standards for there to be an answer put in place.
So it’s good to read everyone’s opinion. Some comical, some food for thought and some well, again it’s everyone’s opinion.
My random thoughts on it.
LOVE B.I.G. and Pac but honestly when your life is cut short early to me it’s hard to declare one the greatest because we don’t know what would have went down.
B.I.G. – most def doesn’t have enough material over years and years to me to really give him the 1 spot. Still he had a way with words that was really good, very witty for the time he was here help carry a coast.
Pac – Spit like C grade lyrics, his content wasn’t that deep (be honest). Couldn’t decide if he was a thug or activist (dude started off as a back-up dancer). Still impressed with his work ethic (like millions of songs) more than anything.
L.L.- Lets be honest, many ladies really have kept him more popular and relevant than not. I doubt dudes up North or bumping tracks like “Hush” or his cuts with J.Lo lol. Most impressive for a big part in bringing battle rapping mainstream.
Wayne – Can be lazy on the mic at times and not give his all on tracks. Still needs to expand more in terms of making music success be success for him in other areas. Very Witty and has an excellent feel for tracks and can be a beast when serious.
Snoop – B grade lyrics at best. Can get infatuated with to much singing or R&B. Best days seem behind him. Really took his musical success far into other areas that made him even more popular with a wide age group. Has a style all to his own and at one time seen as a main helper and catalyst if you will, for promoting the West Coast.
Em – Like Wayne has expanded his musical success into other areas enough. His hiatus can be to long from the mic at times for a talent that many desire to hear more. His weirdness in rhyme or content can repel some. Dynamic wordsmith and will outshine some on features or in cyphers.
Kanye – Gets to caught up in his own hype, can try to hard to stay and be relevant. Doesn’t appeal to many for lack of street cred. if that’s what you look for in content. Plays on words good and excellent producer. Has expanded musical success and writes well.
50 – The opposite of Kanye in terms of having street cred. but can’t seem discuss much else beyond that. B grade flow as well (dudes in his camp better than him) and to caught up in aimless beefs and best days behind him. Has expanded success, and has a feel for a good chorus or memorable one at least.
Nas – Best days behind him, not keeping himself relevant enough and another who can’t decide if he is thug or activist. His deepness can sometimes come off as him being confused or contradicting himself. Can be very creative in his delivery and flow. Lyrics can be more profound than average for his musical genre.
GEE – Very unpopular, no albums and no following. Fame is exteremely microscopic and is to caught in other aspects of his life to really ever do his art full-time. Talented writer and really goes in on every track. Will steal the show on features and has a feel for good production.
Jay-Z – To commercial for some as time has gone on and for some period. Very elderly in a younger “sport” if you will. Has many peers in his art-form who oppose him. Has possibly set the bar to high for himself to continue to hold up. Can speak on a varied amount of topics and does. Has expanded success into so many other areas. Has kept himself relevant through the test of time whether he is like or not. Has addressed issues with foes and addressed issues in the world with his fame. Has had and has( depending on your view) credibility on the street end and on the commercial end. More of a movement and force than over 90% of his peers ever will be.
The best ever and alive for me is Jay.
Shot out to the Slaughterhouse and Outkast though, talented brothas right there.
Rest of the game is either to wack (Gucci, O.J. the Juice man, V.I.C. or Baby a.k.a. Beatrice)
To old (Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Special Ed, Kool G Rap, Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul)
Not popular enough (all these underground cats nobody knows but a few ..it’s a reason it’s called …UNDERGROUND)
Need more years in the game (Luda, T.I., Dro, Jeezy, Drake, Fab, Lupe, The Game)
or have seen success come and go musically (Wu-Tang, DMX, Ice Cube, Bun B and Scarface).
Deuces.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I. Hustle says:
Top 5 Dead or Alive
1. Biggie….no reason to explain. But “Who Shot Ya” and why don’t we know? RIP
2. Rakim…the first true total package of Hip-Hop…The God Allah
3a. Jay-Z…based of pure work alone and the need to dumb down his lyrics to sale…he gotta be here.
3b. Andre 3000…dropping gems for years
4. Scarface…The King of the South!
Honorable Mention…Lauryn Hill, would be on the list if she rapped longer. Nas, he’s nice.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Luke says:
1. Black Thought
2. KRS-One
3. Rakim
4. Mos Def and Kweli
5. Immortal Technique
December 4th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Colton says:
@mike (post#23)
he said he put the O in overrated … what to you mean by that?
here would have been a better one,
he put the hov …. in hovarated!
BAM!
December 4th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
focalmatic says:
I’m 29, so I hate to say that makes me a grizzled veteran, but I would like to think that I have a bit more aperture and exposure to this rollercoaster we call hiphop.
That being said I have destroyed and rebuilt my list of top 5 emcees a million times since I first heard I Ain’t No Joke (Rakim the God for all you youngins) and over the years its included luminaries such as Big Daddy Kane, Ghostface Killah, Black Thought, Eminem, Common, and yes even Canibus. Tupac died when I was a sophomore in high school – to think he still gets rated in the top 3 of millions of peoples lists shows me that even though I wasn’t a huge fan – his impact on hiphop was undeniable.
With all that being said – I no longer follow hiphop as closely as I did when I was younger – I don’t know if I outgrew the genre and I’m just allergic to garbage (actually I think I’ve always been allergic to shitty music) to quote Common “If I don’t like it I don’t like it, it don’t mean that I’m hating”. The only cat that still gives me hope that the younger generation can still carry the integrity of the artform on their shoulders its none other than Lupe Fiasco. He embodies the essence of emcee-manship from his lyricism, storytelling, wittiness, character, and stage presence.
Without further ado – my personal top 5:
1. Jay-Z
2. Notorious B.I.G.
3. Nas
4. Big L
5. Andre 3000
Good Day Sir
December 4th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Jeff says:
“easily the best in the game”….wtf? eminem is better than jay z
December 4th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Mike says:
Colton,
That got me laughing.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
BiG ShoT BoB says:
Mac Dre
E40
San Quinn
Andre Nickatina
Equipto
December 4th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
wifey says:
jay z can make money, but I can name 20 rappers who can KILL jay z. Eminem FTW.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
egypt says:
I mean dime… rewrite this and define the qualities that one must have to be considered the greatest rapper?
Jay is probably the greatest at marketing himself
December 4th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
POPPI GEE says:
The more I think of it, I think you got to look at everything. If you look at everything then Jay really ain’t getting trumped by NO rapper out there.
If they got Jay in lyrics then he got them in sells.
If they got Jay in sells then he got them in longevity.
If they got Jay in longevity then he got them in staying at the height of the game with his longevity.
If they got him turns of being his successor or influence, then he has them in terms of passing them with his success and ability.
List goes on.
And you can make excuses for other rappers all day long about why they ain’t as hot, popular, don’t have the record sales, can’t flow as good, or whatever , but it’s almost funny cause really they still can’t beat out Jay when you look at the WHOLE scheme of things.
Jay really addressed every rapper in the game with “Already Home” and the boi spit truth.
Like I said please NAME 1 rapper on the whole scheme of things: (money,sales,hits,fans,longevity,flow,varied topics, philanthropy, expanded success (clothes, cologne, t.v. and movies), street cred. commercial success, peer respect, battles, and (feel free to add to the list)
that can see Jay.
…you can’t.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
smity far away says:
Unfortunately “No” is too short a comment to leave. But this comment’s length will do fine.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Powerslave says:
1. Shaq
2. Ice-O
3. Velvet Hoop
4. Fog Raw
5. Miley Cyrus
December 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
stephen says:
Tupac will always be the greatest.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Powerslave says:
2Crap was not a gangsta, stole Rakim’s flow, and had b!tch-ass beats.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
liukz says:
1. NAS n 2pac
2.Rakim
3. B.I.G
4. Eminem
5.Andre 3000
December 4th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
nosmelone says:
How are you all sleeping on Aesop Rock?
I would give Em the #1 spot with Jay probably in #2 overall but lyrically neither can hand with Aesop in my eyes. Sage Francis is truly up their as well. Swamburger from Solillaquists of Sound could easily hang in this group as well. I would also add Chali 2na if he ever learned to do a solo album that didn’t have 90% of his songs featuring other rappers.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
nosmelone says:
How are you all sleeping on Aesop Rock?
I would give Em the #1 spot with Jay probably in #2 overall but lyrically neither can hang with Aesop in my eyes. Sage Francis is truly up their as well. Swamburger from Solillaquists of Sound could easily hang in this group as well. I would also add Chali 2na if he ever learned to do a solo album that didn’t have 90% of his songs featuring other rappers.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
crimewave says:
Any list discussed should be for second place…2pac is above everyone
Y’all must be out your damn mind to say anyone else…
@powerslave…you should heath ledger yourself, better yet, grab the strap and bang yourself
December 4th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Urban says:
This is hard because music is all about opinion. There are so many sub catigories in rap. But I’ll break down what I think.
2-pac-Most poetic rapper
Eminem-Best story teller/point maker (best connection with white people)
Big-Most Influential (JayZ repeats half his lines)
JayZ-Most commercial (that’s a good thing when your in the game of making money)
Ludicris-Most fun/creative (suprised more people didn’t name him)
NAS-Best mix of old school/new school
Kanye-great producer/ok rapper (sorry Tim)
Lil Wayne-does most with the least (dumb and ugly yet making that money)
Will Smith-best POP Rapper. (White people wouldn’t know what rap was if it wasnt for him. Even my grandma gets jiggy wit it.)
December 4th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
nosmelone says:
powerslave, how can you honestly think 2pac is crap? Yes Rakim and him have a similar flow but Rakim’s is easily a grittier East cost flow and Tupac was just straight up gangsta. The only difference is Tupac has hits. You can ask almost anyone to name a 2pac song and they can (and usually a few more) but unless you’ve somewhat followed hip hop Rakims hits are far from world wide.
December 4th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
the scola says:
1. GZA
2. Kool G Rap
3. Big Pun
4. Ghostface Killah
5. Scarface
6. Big L
December 4th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
the scola says:
enough people on this are sleeping on Kool G Rap…cmon son.
December 4th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
dagwaller says:
No. And I’ll add this much so that WordPress can publish my comment.
December 4th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
fella says:
in no order
1. Ice Cube- early Cube busted up EVERYONE!
2. Chuck D
3. Biggie
4. MF DOOM!!!!!!
5. Tupac
December 4th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
fella says:
@ 40 Dr. Dre doesn’t even write his own raps. Everyone from Ice Cube to Jay-Z ghost wrote for him.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
PJ310 says:
Everyone has their own favorite depending on where you from and how u get down, Jay is not my #1 but is in my top 5, but no one can argue he is the MOST CONSISTENT RAPPER OF ALL TIME.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
king says:
naw
1. Pac
2. Nas
everyone else is far back in the race
December 4th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Octopus Jonny says:
My list starts and ends with Big L.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
that's what's up says:
well, your name is Octopuss Jonny, so that makes sense – puss
December 4th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
retep says:
1. Biggie- all around
2. 2pac- icon
3. Nas- best songwriter
4. Jay-Z- consistent as hell
5. Rakim- the teacher
honorable mention: eminem, chuck D,big pun, ice cube, redman, meth, raekwon, ghostface, snoop, prdigy (mobb deep), gza, slick rick, andre 3000, kanye
December 4th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
zcw says:
Five greatest rappers are
Dylon
Dylon
Dylon
Dylon and
Dylon
December 4th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
S-SiN says:
Tupac
Biggie
Jay
Snoop
Method Man
Those are my picks and I don’t feel like defending any of em now. next 5 would be
Nas
Em
Pun
Kiss
Ghostface
I like early Kanye and Wayne’s later shit too, but that’s my top 10 rite there.
December 4th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
S-SiN says:
and whoever got Puff Daddy on their top 5 should get that Lady Gaga joint from my momz house..
December 5th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Mid says:
big
pac
nas
jay
em
NEXT QUESTION
December 5th, 2009 at 12:49 am
phillip says:
TUPAC SHAKUR is the greatest rapper of all time.
dead or alive
the voice who represents not only the state of blacks but also what’s really happening in the country
doesn’t matter whoever follows
December 5th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Austin Burton says:
This is borderline blasphemous for me to say as a West Coast native, but I always preferred Biggie and Jay-Z over 2Pac. I think ‘Pac was great because of his passion for his craft and his politics, which came across in his performance. But as far as straight talent and lyrics, I can’t say he’s on-par with Biggie and Jay.
In fact, if you’re gong on just raw talent, Ice Cube and Ras Kass are better than ‘Pac, and that’s just on the West Coast.
December 5th, 2009 at 4:06 am
Frenchy says:
1. Big Daddy Kane
2. KRS One
3. Notorious B.I.G.
4. Nas
5. Jay-Z
December 5th, 2009 at 4:45 am
Lord Quas says:
1. MF Doom.
2. MF Doom.
3. MF Doom.
4. MF Doom.
5. MF Doom.
December 5th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Sweet English says:
Ras Kass is by far the most underated lyricist EVER.
After i heard ‘Oral Sex’ on the third and1 mixtape (the soundtrack to that mixtape was DOPE) i went and copped some of his stuff.
Dude is a wordsmith.
December 5th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Derik says:
where’s Vanilla Ice?
December 5th, 2009 at 7:03 am
J says:
#3 is right on the money.
My top 5:
1. Nas
2. Notorious B.I.G.
3. Big L
4. GZA
5. Tupac Shakur
December 5th, 2009 at 9:14 am
elk burg says:
j.cole… you’ll see.
December 5th, 2009 at 9:55 am
striz88 says:
1. biggie
2. big L
3. gza
4. pac
5. jay
December 5th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
KnicksFan84 says:
Jay-Z is definitely in top 10, possibly in top 5 of all-time greats. I just have a hard time putting him past the following because I discount anything he did from like 2004 to present just because of how bad the hip hop game is today:
Big Daddy Kane
Biggie
NAS
LL Cool J
Rakim
KRS One
Tupac
Ice Cube
there is no particular order as well.
December 5th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
KnicksFan84 says:
Oh and I forgot to mention DMX, 5th best selling rapper of all-time. Crazy
December 5th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Jayo says:
My Top 5
1. Jay-Z
2. Ludacris
3. Outkast
4. Eminem
5. Scarface
For a sports analogy Tupac was like Gale Sayers. He was great for a short period but his career ended prematurely. I guess Biggie would be similar to Terrell Davis. Great for an even shorter period but was the best he he was on top.
December 5th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
LakeShow84 says:
I CANT BELIEVE I MISSED THIS POST!!
Jayz could never be considered the best lyricist of all time before he committed the ultimate sin..
HE’S, WORD FOR WORD, BIT OFF OF BIGGIES LINES.. WACK.. that whole beginning to big pimpin is bit off of Biggie.. and that one of his best hits.. WACK..
Anyone who says 2pac aint the best rapper of all time is from the East Coast..
PERIOD..
December 5th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ AB
Yeah after that statement u aint from the West Coast lol
December 5th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
flipisatrip says:
OUTKAST never getting their dues!
UGK is real, but i understand this is probably a NY heavy site, im cool with that.
December 5th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Soul Brova 1 says:
All time top 5 would be
Rakim – Nuff said
KRS-One – If you don’t know u need to ask somebody
Big Daddy Kane – The blueprint. The first to dress sharp, be a ladies man and still put out smooth but hard lyrics. The one alot of rappers got they style from but the only one to have the complete package. While the MC’s of today are bragging about nailing R&B chicks and top models Kane done had Madonna and Naomi Campbell (at the same time)
Mos Def – lyrically, no other rapper/mc is trying to see this kid
Melle Mel – simply off the strength of The Message and Beat Street
December 5th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Soul Brova 1 says:
A few of the most underappreciated mc’s/rappers would be
Outloud from Blahzay Blahzay
Sean P.
Talib Kweli
Pharoahe Monche
Buckshot
December 5th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
JohnnyKILLroy says:
My favorites
Early LL – all aggression and young bravado
MF DOOM – all his shit is bananas
KRS-1 – filthy and smart
Sage Francis – makeshift patriot
The WU Tang – all of them
NAS – Illmatic lays all other albums to waste
December 5th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
JarrJohnson says:
Had to jump in…
Obligatory
Biggie
Jay-Z
Pac
Rakim
Nas
Slept on
Andre 3000
Talib
Mos
Black Thought
GZA
Youngters.
Jay Electronica (Exhibit A & C)
Elizh
Phonte
Oddisee
Royce 5’9″
Black Milk
December 5th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Rich says:
@3 Exactly. I wont list but: Mos Def, Common, De La Soul, Roots Manuva, Talib Kweli. All way better artists than Jay or any other rapper out there.
December 6th, 2009 at 2:46 am
M.L. says:
Kinda late but oh well.
1.Biggie
2.Pac
3.Nas
4.Eminem
5.Ice Cube
December 6th, 2009 at 4:54 am
emilio says:
4 me, Tupac was a 1st of all a messiah, ans 2nd a rap artist, but he was more than just a rapper. All the other guys are just rap artists.
Longevity should not be a part of this argument, because hey, Pac and Biggie are DEAD since over a decade. I mean cmon, if u consider that fact, it always baffled me how much Pac has done in that short time with all this stuff still coming out.
December 6th, 2009 at 6:09 am
chief youngblood says:
1. biggie
2. wu-tang clan
3. nas
4. lil wayne
5. public enemy
December 6th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Marian says:
most sucessful might be jiggas place,
but talkin about BEST RAPPER meaning the one who does it best, it only can be NAS and nobody else
December 6th, 2009 at 10:24 am
alberto says:
Fat Lip, from Pharcyde should be in the discussion…not alot of records made but quality was sick!
December 6th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
nate says:
seriously???? hell naww, it goes…
1. Nas
2. Eminem
3. Lupe Fiasco
4. Jay
5. Pac
December 6th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Dell says:
couldn’t help but drop in….
1. Rakim – Follow the Leader. Nuff said.
2. NaS – Illmatic
3. Slick Rick – Forgotten Mic Beast. The 1st album’s the best rap album ever.
4. B.I.G. – If he had more time he’d be higher.
5. Eminem – Came around late on this one. But a pure beast.]
To me Jay has more hits than the above. But their catalogs are more classics. And with Pac, as the same with Jay, he just couldn’t f with these guys lyrically. Pac has a hard time making it into my top 10 over cats like g rap, cube, and others.
December 6th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Droors says:
1 Jay-Z – Is really based off of just 5 of the 11 albums.
1A Andre Benjamin- Hard pressed to find someone who is BETTER. Even Jay.
3 Genius/Ghostface/Method Man
4 Eminem
5 Big L
6 Catastrophe
7 Common
8 Nas
9 BIGGIE
10 Ludacris
A lot of this is really about who you enjoyed, not necessarily who is actually BETTER per say
December 6th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
CK Jess says:
1. Eminem
2. Biggie
3. Lil Wayne
4. Joe Budden
5. Juelz Santana
6.2Pac
7.Jay Z
December 6th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Kev INC says:
1. Rakim
2. KRS ONE
3. Jay Z
4. Notorious BIG
5. LL Cool J
December 7th, 2009 at 12:23 am
dave says:
pac
biggie
jay
nas
em
top 5 dead or alive
December 7th, 2009 at 12:29 am
j says:
Easy,
Dylan Dylan Dylan Dylan and Dylan…
Thanks dave chappelle
December 7th, 2009 at 12:50 am
j says:
really though, did not expect to see so much em, but to me he is number 1. if biggie had more he could be better, but we never saw his full potential, so i leave him off
2. tupac
3. jayz
4. all of run dmc, gotta have the pioneers
5. outkast
December 7th, 2009 at 1:48 am
spirow says:
HOW COULD YOU NOT GIVE PAC HIS RESPECT!!!!
THIS LIST IN MY EYES GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS. . .
Easy E
1) 2PAC nobody stood a chance when pac attacked you. . .
2)EMINEM the man killed it on renegade and it’s not jay z you notice, it’s em!
3)Immortal technique! the mans lyrics are too grimey to be mainstream guys a beast!
4)Biggie What can I say genius
5)Nas They shoot! oh made you look, he made jayz look a couple of times!
6) Big L If he was alive you’d give him a lot of love
7) Jayz The man has built a great empire and has skill
9) Snoop Dogg Even tho he’s not all that now, still gotta give him respect for bringing gangsta rap up
10) Ice Cube. . .
And oh yeah even tho a new rapper you gotta give much love to SAIGON!!!!
RUN DMC i would put them up but their style was soo different a lot of those types of old school rappers are different rappers to be on the list. . .
December 7th, 2009 at 1:52 am
spirow says:
AND YO ENOUGH LOVE ALSO GOES OUT TO WUTANG their they kinda brought a new aspect to hiphop which was fun. . . And gotta also gotta give respect to the game (don’t like his character but the guys got skills) Kanye the mans gonna grow more, and can someone show love to MOS DEF and COMMON those guys rock! And I can’t believe some of you put JOE BUDDEN up there really? the guy sucks!
December 7th, 2009 at 1:54 am
spirow says:
I CAN’T BELIEVE I LEFT OUT BONE THUGS N HARMONY . . . ALL I GOTTA SAY IS THUG LOVE AND NOTORIOUS THUGS!!!!
December 7th, 2009 at 2:29 am
arisloco says:
Would you still hear new Jay-Z tracks when he’s dead? C’mon guys, he’s purely a mainstream guy. For some of you who sleep on Tupac, why would he still sell albums and people embrace his music even if he’s gone? That only shows how influential and great 2Pac is. Period.
December 7th, 2009 at 3:23 am
K Dizzle says:
Anybody say Luda? He MIGHT be the greatest punch line rapper in the mainstream…
December 7th, 2009 at 4:26 am
spirow says:
YEP YEP! PAC’s the greatest rapper of all time. . . I met one of his boys napoleon! he told me some cool pac stories. . . All you guys gotta here by pac is ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND. . . and you’ll know the mans a serious poet! black shakspear for real!
December 7th, 2009 at 9:14 am
gl says:
he has the career that all rappers strive for. but he’s def not the best rapper of all time.
December 7th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Chicagorilla says:
@Austin Burton,
If you’re westcoast, and you talking pure talent. What happened to you mentioning LOCKSMITH? Dude is the best thing out the west since Lew Alcindor shut shit down at UCLA. Step your game up Austin! lol
@anyone downing Pac
Pac may have been fake, he may not have always been lyrical, and a lot of his shit that has been released after his death has been terrible, but there is no denying his skills. A song like Hail Mary will tell you everything you need to know about him. He’s one of the few artist that put out a double album and actually filled it with hot tracks all the way through. Big being the other. Jay-Z’s blueprint 2 was so terrible i almost gave up on him. Worst follow up album ever to a great album.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:10 am
RobertGingerbreadman says:
1.Eminem
2.Biggie
3.Jay-Z
4.2-Pac
5.Andre 3000
The Best In Order. If You Don’t Like It Suck A Dick LMAO
And This Should Be Everybody’s Top 5.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:44 am
what??? says:
first off…this should be divided in two age groups…
1. The people that are over 25 and actually appreciate “good” rap…not just the shit they hear on the radio now…which is really only being made and played to sell…
2. The young people under 25 which really only listen to rap cuz it might get them a piece of ass in a nightclub!!
why do we not even see one person mention Cube???
How the hell does Lupe Fiasco even get on this thread??? WTF…go finish your math homework lil boy…
Ultimately….rap was different when Pac and Big were around….it wasnt all cherry coated..personally its tough to compare…
Now its an artist featuring “fhbweruibhfr”…back in the day…there was none of that crap…
December 7th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
rkirby says:
eminem’s style is influenced by big l, the darkest rapper ever…98 freestyle = classic…to not have him in the top 5 is ridiculous
December 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
BiG ShoT BoB says:
@what???…Tell me about it. All these cats listen to to too much commercial tracks = boo boo
December 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@”How the hell does Lupe Fiasco even get on this thread??? WTF…go finish your math homework lil boy…”
If you are questioning Lupe Fiasco as a great lyricist, but then claim you are in the group who likes “Good” rap, then you also bring up Ice Cube as a all-time great… you must, with out a doubt, be OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND!
Cube was cool back in the day, but lyrical he wasn’t. He just had a nice presentation, kinda like DMX. and I’m well over 25 so don’t give me that bullshit. You were doing fine until you said Lupe should not be included, then you attempted to include Cube. LMAO…you must be one of the cats from the “Lynch Mob” and just happen to be posting on DIME.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@rkirby
yeah one of my fav lines from that song
“and Mad hoes, Ask Bevis I get nothing ButHEAD”-Big L
or
“You running with boyz, I’m running with men, I’mma keep ripping the mics til i’m a hundread and ten, have ya n!ccas like ‘dammit this n!cca then done it again’”Big L
December 7th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Bando says:
I love dimemag… with that said… The Mag please try to create a filter for this ignorant/a$$/n!ggas in here… JAY Z IS The Greatest Rapper Alive. He has classics that have change the style and the form of hip hop. There’s no other rapper that has the command but Jigga… Dont Hate… congratulate. Give dude his props now or you’re going to be like this lame individuals here given props to the dead(big, pac, pun they were nice hall of famers) but b#llsh!t stop them from reaching Jay’s level
December 8th, 2009 at 4:05 am
spirow says:
IF WE’RE TALKING ABOUT ALIVE RAPPERS THEN THE CONVERSTATION CHANGES. . . EMENEM IS THE GREATEST RAPPER ALIVE. . . DID YOU HERE RENEGADE BANDO? HE KILLED JIGGA MAN ON HIS OWN TRACK. . . AND IF WE’RE TALKING LYRICALLY THEN I’D SAY NAS SLIGHTLY HAS THE UPPER EDGE ON JAYZ. . . THE BEST BUSINESSMAN WHO GREW A GREAT EMPIRE EVER IN HIPHOP HAS TO BE JAYZ NOBODY COMES CLOSE TO HIM BUSINESS WISE. . .
December 8th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Celtics10 says:
1.BIG
2.PAC
3.SCARFACE
4.BIG L
5.NAS
6.DMX/JAY/EM TIED BATTLING FOR SIXTH MAN ON THE ROSTER
December 9th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Amar says:
Biggie
Pac
Jay Z
Nas
Big Pun
Lil Wayne
Eminem
Warren G
Mos Def
Talib Kweli
Wu-Tang
The Roots
Jurasic 5
Dr.Dre
LL Cool J
KRS One
Snoop
Ice Cube
Common
Its hard for me to have a top 5. Whats listed above are my all time favourites. Pretty much, most rap from the mid 90′ to early 2000′s was the best era of rap. The stuff coming out now doesn’t even compare. Back then, flow and delivery was far superior. Also, the lyrics were far better. While some of the new stuff coming out I do like, i find its more Pop then the stuff I remember from when I was younger.
December 9th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@amar,
You put Lil Wayne in that list… so which of these songs did it for you
“Lolly Pop”<–Terrible
“Prom queen”<– not sure what to call it, but it ain’t good
“A Millie”<– Corey Gunz killed him so bad on the track, he had to delete his verse and make up a story about why he did it.
December 9th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
larrythelooter says:
1. 2Pac
2. Nas
3. Biggie
4. Rakim
5. Jada
6. Styles
7. Havoc
8. Talib Kweli
9. Eminem
10.Denyo
.
.
.
20. jigga
December 10th, 2009 at 12:46 am
what???? says:
@chicagorilla…hey man…I didnt say Cube was the best of all time…but he was definitely a major influence to others….same goes for NWA…but Lupe man??? wow…the dude has been around for what??? 2-3 yrs….has he really established himself…not sure I could agree with that…
like I said…rap was different when Pac was releasing albums..they werent made to sell…they were made to inform others of the struggles in his life…now…its all sugar coated…and yah know..maybe its not the artist to blame for that…maybe the record companies have alot of say in that…
not that im a huge 50 fan…but his 1st album was pretty hard…now…its all about the cash…pretty sad if you ask me…
December 11th, 2009 at 11:35 am
n.googs says:
it goes
1.) Tupac
2.) Eminem
3.) Biggie
4._ Jay-Z
December 12th, 2009 at 2:16 am
nawlage_x0719 says:
5 greatest rappers of all-time
1.Dylan
2.Dylan
3.Dylan
4.Dylan
5.Dylan
“i rip when i rhyme i rhyme when i rip, this is the way that dylan spits”
haha lmao dave chapelles still the sheeeeit.
December 12th, 2009 at 10:21 am
AK Stunna says:
1. Big L (RIP)
2. 2Pac Shakur (RIP)
3. Jay Z (Throw your diamonds in the sky)
4. Biggie Smalls (RIP)
5. Shaquille O’neal (Tell me how my ass tastes)
December 13th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Sarkastixxx says:
Don’t usually comment on blog but I’ll make any exception.
Number 3 Chicagorilla.
Lyrical content and witty punchline is what makes Jay-Z the best. When I think of hip-hop that’s is what I enjoy. The beat\track has to beat dope then lyrics, cleverness, creative and witty punchlines…Jay-Z has all that. I love Biggie and like Pac but that ain’t here so all that if ish is out the window. Rappers fall off all the time whose to say they would not have been victims as well.
My starting 5 five in a battle, no order just starting 5 against anyone’s starting 5:
Kool G Rap, Rakim, Jay-Z, KRS-One, RedMan 6th man Andre 300.
All have lyrical content, creativeness, clever, witty and cadence\flow or as KRS-One puts BREATHE CONTROL.
December 14th, 2009 at 10:21 am
moneyshot says:
There will be no greatest rapper of all time! Thirty years from now all these raps names yall spitting out there music is going to be played on some oldie station, and there will be some new young, lil, person out that people are debating who is the best at that time period.