NBA / Dec 9, 2009 / 4:07 pm
Random Question of the Day
Who is the greatest rap group of all-time?
Last week we asked for your Top 5 list of solo MC’s and, more specifically, where Jay-Z fit into the picture.
But we can’t ignore the group dynamic. From the very beginning with the Sugarhill Gang and Run-DMC to current “super-groups” like Child Rebel Soldiers (Kanye, Lupe, Pharrell) and Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Royce Da 5’9″, Crook I, Joell Ortiz), the rap collective has been responsible for some of the art form’s best and most diverse music and trends: Geto Boys in the South, Wu-Tang Clan in New York, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in the Midwest and N.W.A. on the West Coast all helped define their region’s hip-hop scene. Give us your Top 5…
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December 9th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Mr. 101 says:
1. Bone Thugs
2. NWA
3. Wu Tang
4. Diplomats
5. Outkast
December 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Mighty Souls of Mischief!!
December 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
brado says:
NWA – based off the fact that they brought gangster rap main stream. they opened up the doors for everybody.
WuTang – based off the fact that they have the dopest lyrics and sickest beats. my personal fave.
Run DMC – based off the fact i can bump it w/my mama in the car.
December 9th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Ducky The Truth says:
OutKast
NWA
WuTang
Run-DMC
Fugees
Strong 6th: Public Enemy
December 9th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
jeremy says:
1. the roots
2. black star
3. a tribe called quest
4. outkast
5. wu-tang/bone thugs
December 9th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
JoeCozi says:
The LOX
OutKast
the Click (E-40 & B Legit)
December 9th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Chicagorilla says:
Fugees and Run DMC
December 9th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Bizz says:
Diplomats over OutKast?! SMH.
December 9th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
trini says:
1. Wu-Tang
2. Boot Camp
3. Tribe Called Quest
4. The Fugees
5. The Roots
December 9th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
dueceduece says:
Outkast is the best ever and its not even close.
December 9th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Drink the Haterade says:
What about Goodie Mob? I think they have some hot lyrics and I like thier beats. They arent the greatest, but I like em.
But really I like the fugees and thier short run, Run DMC and NWA has to be the greatest of all time.
“Let my mind fly free into the wilderness so I can get this shit off my mind That’s why I be smokin’ that dank sometimes, it keeps me from snappin’Keeps me calm, keeps my mind open, keeps me fond of what I gots to do” Goodie Mob
“yo, I play my enemies like a game of chess
where I rest no stress if you don’t smoke cess”
December 9th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Name (required) says:
The Wu Tang Clan are the best and its not even close. you could argue that including the solo albums they have 5 or 6 of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. There aren’t many emcees in the world that are as good as the likes of Ghostface, Method Man, Raekwon, GZA, Deck or Dirty an those guys were competing for verses on tracks. Rza is one of the best producers of all time and UGod only sucks cos hes next to them guys.
There have been some sick groups like Outkast, Black Star, The Roots, NWA, Bone Thugs, De La, The Pharcyde, Dead Prez and Mobb Deep, but Wu Tang are just better.
December 9th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
srb says:
Barenaked Ladies
December 9th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
‘NSYNC baby!!!! lol
Fuck that, but there was a lot of crazy groups, from EPMD to Cypress Hill, Wu, Bone Thugs, NWA, SlaughterHouse, OutKast, LOX, its just crazy… all legends.
December 9th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Guitar Hero says:
Vanilla Ice
Ron Artest
The Diesel
December 9th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
BigRedFred says:
A Tribe called Quest …DONE!……have to put Wu Tang Up there too….oh oh oh and De La ….but Tribe takes it hands down
December 9th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
phongalong says:
1. NWA…pioneers. Brought the hardcore/gansta rap to the masses. Plus gave the world it’s first glimps into the urban gang zones many live in.
2. Public Enemy…made people think when they listened to these guys.
3. The Roots..personal favorite, being from Philly. Most muscially talented rappers ever. Best live shows.
4. Tribe Called Quest…didn’t need to curse too much or talk about killing and drugs.
5. Wu-Tang…crazy beats. off the wall characters..crazy lyrics
Worth a mention.
Run DMC…basically started rap where the words actually made sense lyrically.
EPMD…might be one of the best back and forth rapping combo of all time.
December 9th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Diego says:
My top 2: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and the Sugarhill Gang, as they got it all really rolling with “The Message” and “Rappers Delight.”
December 9th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Colton says:
Top 5
(no particular order)
Outkast
The Fugees
Slaughterhouse
The Roots
Bone Thugs
December 9th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Luke says:
1. The Roots
2. Blackstar
3. Dungeon Family
4. BDP
5. Leaders of the New School
December 9th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
j says:
You guys should probably stop making posts like this.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
the cynic says:
Outkast or Bone Thugs
December 9th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Chaos says:
No particular Order
OutKast
NWA
The Roots
Wu Tang
Tribe Called Quest
December 9th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
kabir says:
Tribe
Pharcyde
Wu Tang
Black Knights
Outkast
December 9th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
kabir says:
Sorry, I misspoke.
Tribe
Pharcyde
Wu Tang
NWA
Outkast
December 9th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
sans says:
1. Wu Tang: really can’t fuck with Wu, they are the only rap group that can drop zen koans and immediately afterward offer you a bullet.
2. Outkast
3. Bone Thugs: coming from Cleveland I can’t think of a rap group I heard more of from my youth on…
4. Hieroglyphics/Living Legends: I couldn’t decide because both bands have the same inherent problem, where they are great when all of their members are there, but not worth seeing if the solo stars don’t show up…and Casual is the world’s most underrated rapper…
5. Black Star: needs to come out with another album…and it’s not like Mos Def is a bad actor, but he is so much infinitely better as a rapper it’s not even humorous
December 9th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
sans says:
I should have put “enough said” next to Outkast.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
POPPI GEE says:
No order but my top 5 would go:
SLAUGHTERHOUSE: Viscious with the words.
OUTKAST: Great material from so many different aspects of music.
BONE THUGS: Dudes that just had their own way and just had catchy hits.
UGK: A group acknowledge by all sides for just spittin the real and reppin the south for a while hard.
THE LOX: Dudes dropped anthems.
I wanted to say Public Enemy, but can they really be considered a group when Chuck D was really the only rapper? No dis to Flav, Terminator X and all the dudes marching around but really wasn’t spittin nothing. To me a group is where all dudes have to be able to come with it on the mic.
Other groups I liked at one time or another Tribe, De La, PRT, Camp Lo, Naughty, Fat Boyz, RUN DMC, Def Squad, EPMD, Wrecks N Effect, Lords of the Underground, Digital Underground, Young Gunz, West Side Connec, E40 & The Click, Kid N Play, Leaders of Da New School (Who’s that Brooooowwwwnnn!), Hieroglyphics, House of Pain, Cypress Hill, N.W.A., Wu, Outlawz, Junior Mafia, Little Brother, Brand Nubian, 2 Live Crew, Black Moon, Beastie Boyz, Sugar Hill gang, Pharcyde, DaBackWudz, Playaz Circle and The Clipse. I am sure there are more but those were some at one point or another I liked.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
JJ says:
Outkast: Even though it isn’t a debate I’ll play devil’s advocate. Andre 3000 is a top 10 mc of all time. Aquemini is a certified 5 mic. ATLiens is as good. Stankonia is as good album. Then they’ve had major crossover success with Speakerboxx/ The Love Below. Subjectively, objectively it isn’t even a competition.
Wu Tang: Brought us 36 Chambers certified 5 mics. Hella bad ass solo albums. Build 4 Cuban Linx, All three Tical’s. But do we count all the solo success towards the group. If so then Wu is number 1 if not it’s Outkast.
3-5 doesn’t even matter.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
JJ says:
Also for people saying Slaughterhouse. They’ve had ONE fucking album. Just one. Uno. Just because Joe Budden says Slaughterhouse is the greatest group ever made doesn’t make it true.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Mack Brownee says:
everybody that’s posting their comments have no f#!#$ sense at all: UGK and Eightball & MJG are right next to Outkast as the greatest rap groups of all time. Yall are fuckin dumb and don’t know shit about rap/hip-hop; must be a bunch of white boys
December 9th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Celts Fan says:
My top 5 in no order: Roots, Outkast, CunningLynguists, Wu-Tang, Fugees
NWA was slightly before my time (I was maybe 10 when The Chronic came out so I mustve been like 7 when they’re last tape came out) so I can’t really comment, but historically, they’re up there w/ Sugarhill Gang and P.E. as most influential ever.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Mike says:
Arguments can be made, but it’s hard for me to put anyone above Wu.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
That's what's up says:
Beastie Boys should get a mention just for longevity, hit makin’ and serious cash rakin’
Gotta have some crackers crackin’ the top 10
But I’ve always liked Tribe – NWA – earlier Outkast
…and 3rd Bass.
Pop goes the weasel and the weasel goes Pop!! HAHAHAHA
December 9th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
vcn says:
.wow…joe budden is a joke…i would say gang starr and epmd…prove me wrong
December 9th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
POPPI GEE says:
JJ they have more than just the album lol with mixtapes and just random stuff they will put out or stuff that gets leaked.
I don’t think people who like Slaughterhouse are saying they think they are the greatest cause of Joey, I think they just enjoy their music more than other groups.
Plus they are still fairly young with being a “group”, so they have time.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Austin Burton says:
I have to second whoever mentioned Goodie Mob. Again, not saying they’re the best group, but definitely one of my favorites. Their first two albums (Soul Food and Still Standing) were classic material, the 3rd was OK (World Party), and then Cee-Lo went and got all weird and they fell off after that. I also really liked Nappy Roots when they came out; they were like a poor man’s Goodie Mob.
I grew up a little past NWA and Run-DMC’s prime, so the groups that shaped me were The Click, Dogg Pound, Bone, Digital Underground, Naughty By Nature, Westside Connection, The LOX, Outkast, Goodie, TRU and Wu-Tang.
December 9th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
life-p says:
PUBLIC ENEMY #1
Gangstarr
Salt n Pepa
Fat Boys
Digital Undergound
Leaders of the New School
Lords of the Underground
Kid n Play
December 9th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
anenome says:
tribe called quest
de la soul
outkast
wu tang
black star
December 9th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
G says:
I feel like people are forgetting the period in the 90′s where the Wu-Tang was dropping classic album after classic album (count the solos, they were basically group albums anyways). Their output was completely unrivaled, and their style was one-of-a-kind.
Wu-tang, by a long shot.
December 9th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
SJ says:
rap sucks, listen to some real music.
December 9th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
C Stalls says:
1. Outkast
2. Goodie MOB
3. Wu-Tang Clan
4. Bone Thugs-In-Harmony
5. Little Brother
December 9th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Pet Society Help says:
Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
December 9th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
two times says:
Can’t believe no mention of the Nuts…
OutKast, NWA, Wu, Beatnuts, Tribe, Triple-Six
And the super-groups too, like Dungeon Family and Leaders of the New School.
December 9th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Joe-joe says:
1.N.W.A.
2.Wu-tang
3.A tribe called quest
4.outkast
5.public enemy
maybe das efx no?
December 9th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
DJ Leon Smith says:
1. 2 Live Crew
2. Geto Boys
December 9th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
fallinup says:
No particular order.
Public Enemy, Outkast, NWA, Wu Tang, Beastie Boys, Run DMC, The Roots, Sugarhill Gang. We’re talking all time here, so it had to be groundbreaking, and have longevity.
Bonethugs is weak. And whoever said Kid N Play should be shot.
December 9th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
larrythelooter says:
1. Wu – Tang
2. L.O.X
3. Outkast
4. Mobb Deep
5. Blackstarr
December 9th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
MJAX says:
The Roots
P.E.
Wu Tang Clan
EPMD
NWA
December 9th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
therealest says:
wu-tang
g-unit
clipse
black star
slaughterhouse
but it keeps going, too many….mobb deep, fugees, nwa, ugk, lox…
December 9th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Big Sia says:
THE WU TANG CLAN…. END THREAD
What up to EPMD and the 4 Horsemen
December 9th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
King says:
Bone thugs
the lox
Wu tang
mobb
outlast
December 9th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
dagwaller says:
Wu Tang, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest
December 9th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
CCB says:
Last week I stayed silent, but I have to say everyone swears they love Hip-Hop but left MF Doom off of the top ten emcees list and now the favorite groups and no one throws the Juice Crew in? Best posse cut of all time is the Symphony. Craig G, Kool G. Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Masta Ace?
Rookies
Oh and peep my my new shoes…That’s Hip-Hop, the entrepreneurial spirit and striving to be different: http://www.arch-usa.com
December 10th, 2009 at 3:07 am
s.e. says:
Outkast
UGK
Wu-Tang
8Ball & MJG
Eric B. & Rakim
Honorable mention: Goodie Mob, Ultramagnetic MCs
December 10th, 2009 at 3:41 am
rick773 says:
WuTang
Outkast
Mobb deep
Fugees
UGK
December 10th, 2009 at 3:41 am
dave says:
wu tang
mobb deep
little brother
slum village
gangstarr
December 10th, 2009 at 4:15 am
alf (from melmak) says:
I am a bit old school, so I will go with:
1. Run DMC
2. Beastie Boys
3. Public Enemy
4. 2 Live Crew
5. Fugees
Can Bill Biv Devoe be considered here too?
Dang. I think I have the last post on the topic. Better late than never.
December 10th, 2009 at 5:44 am
J says:
1. Wu-Tang
2. Wu-Tang
3. Wu-Tang
4. Wu-Tang
5. Wu-Tang
December 10th, 2009 at 7:27 am
the_don_mega says:
- Beastie Boys
- Public Enemy
- Wu-Tang
- N.W.A.
- Goodie Mobb
- UGK
- Boogie Down Productions
December 10th, 2009 at 8:51 am
boogey banger says:
roots
atcq
ditc
de la
epmd
December 10th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Knicksfan84 says:
Wu-Tang
N.W.A.
RUN-DMC
M.O.P
Outkast
Mobb Deep
December 10th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Jdub says:
Why the Fugees? What did they do? No enough in my book to even be discussed with Run DMC, Wu, NWA or even really call them Rap.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Jdub says:
Why the Fugees? What did they do? No enough in my book to even be discussed with Run DMC, Wu, NWA or even really call them Rap.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Detroit Dave says:
My Top 5 Fav Groups:
Outkast
UGK
Slum Village
Mobb Deep
Wu-Tang
Back in 97 I had huge expectations for “THE FIRM” but they flopped just like when the Rockets had Pippen, Dream and Barkley
December 10th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Prof. TX says:
I may be a metal/ndh fan, but I have to give some credit to Digital Underground.
December 10th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Jayo says:
1. Outkast
2. Wu-Tang
3. Run DMC
4. N.W.A.
5. Hot Boys
Honorable Mention: Geto Boys, UGK, Bone Thugs, Goodie Mob, Mobb Deep, Pharcyde, EPMD, 8Ball & MJG, 2 Live Crew, & D-12
December 10th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Fraz says:
1. Run DMC – Kings of Rock, there is none higher. If you dont know go listen. Rock Box and Runs House.
2. NWA – Changed hip hop forever. Look at the legacy. KRS and Q-Tip both acknowledge NWA was their fiercest comp.
3. Wu Tang – Again, nobody rapped the same after Wu dropped, just ask Nas and Jay about the competition. And they’re still goin.
4. Outkast – All respect to Ghetto Boys and UGK, but Kast put the south on the map and made being from the south “cooler than a polar bears toenails” -(Big Boi). Now everybody from the A gets instant respect in LA and NY.
5. Tribe Called Quest – Again, look at the legacy and the catalog. So many ppl out today still wanna sound like Tribe.
5.5 Public Enemy – They were a group. After Griff left they weren’t the same. Unless you saw them live, you can’t appreciate how powerful Chuck D rapping, Flav goin nuts, Term X cuttin, and the S1Ws marching in military formations was… and all to the beat lol. Trust me, when PE said Fight The Power at their shows, you felt that shit and were ready to ride out.
Honorable mentions to EPMD, Goodie, UGK, and Bone Thugs. For all the Hiero, E-40 and Slaughterhouse fans, I mean, techinically those are crews, not really groups. Otherwise every posse album/song ever made has to be included. And Death Row wins that handsdown. At the end of the day, if you sound like anyone else before you then you can’t be on this list. This is for the originators.
December 10th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Brown says:
The Best:
1) Wu-Tang
2) NWA
3) Run DMC
4) EPMD
5) Outkast
My favourites:
1) Wu-Tang
2) Little Brother
3) Heltah Skeltah
4) EPMD
5) Mobb Deep
I think some people are getting group confused with crews/clicks (DITC, Boot Camp, Juice Crew, Dungeon Family, etc.).
I can’t consider one MC and one DJ (Gang Starr, Erik B & Rakim) a group.
December 10th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
UncheckedAggression says:
NWA
Bone Thugs
Dogg Pound
The Click
Wu Tang (but boy did they fall off quick)
I guess it’s easy to see I’m from the west
December 10th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
karizmatic says:
Wu Tang
NWA
The Roots
Tribe
De La Soul
December 10th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
what??? says:
@Fraz….
dude….hit the nail on the head…
how can some of you not include NWA in your top 5??? are you f-ing nuts??? actually..before i say that…we should ask how old they are…obviously I cant and shouldnt comment on groups before I was around either…but…at the time..NO ONE was larger…NO ONE made more of an influence on the music scene than NWA did…that alone speaks volumes…plus they all made crazy solo careers after
December 10th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
b says:
guerrilla maab
half dead org
ugk
geto boys
December 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Luke says:
No Hot Boys and no 504 Boys. Not that they deserve to be on here but people loved them kind of a shocker with some of the other groups that got love.
December 10th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
MSkittle says:
Mobb Deep- number 1!
December 10th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
crossphaded says:
Top in my book(in no particular order):
Tribe Called Quest – too many classics to name
The Roots – they still rockin it for Jimmy Fallon
Wu-Tang – Rza, Gza, ODB, Meth, Ghostface, Inspecta Deck owned shiet back in the mid-90s!
Jurassic 5 – you guys don’t know hip-hop if you dont know J5! Most of you guys didn’t even mention them!
Public Enemy – the most political, influential, and sometimes controversial hip-hop group of all-time. If you look past Flava Flav, the big clocks, and their wack DJ(Terminator X), their music had major substance. Credit all that to Chuck D.
Yo Dime: you guys need to go back and do your homework as far as hip-hop. Slaughterhouse? Child Rebel Soldiers? Come on now…present-day hip-hop is garbage except for maybe 5%.
December 10th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
flipisatrip says:
Outkast
UGK
Triple-Six
Souls of Mischief
Wu
December 10th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
CK Jess says:
SLAUGHTERHOUSE! REALLY THOUGH JOE BUDDEN AND CROOKED I !? THEY SPIT HARD SHIT!
December 12th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Urban says:
Do duos like outkast and MJG 8ball count, just curious. I thought a group was more than 2 people. Anyways, don’t sleep on the Hot Boyz, and Bad Boys (pre biggie death). And the Fugees probly released the best group album ever from song 1-15. And I know I’m gonna get hated on for this, but Black Eyed Peas brought the group dynamic back to hip hop. I’m not saying they’re these are the best, but just some that where slept on. Although the post asks for Rap groups, not hip hop.