From the first time I heard "Parents Just Don't Understand", I have been a fan of Hip-Hop music. My introduction came in the form of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, but man was I hooked. I used to be the kid who got picked on in high school because I was into rap. Sure I wore my clothes a little baggier, but I never changed the way I spoke, which to this day separates me from the average "wanna-be-black white boy." I love the slang, I love the culture. I love the battles. But today's form of Hip-Hop has been so commercialized, the spirit in which it started and blossomed has been left for dead. Street cred plays a bigger role than mic skills. Illegal downloading has all but killed off the CD, affecting sales by more than 60% in the last decade. I remember when I had a subscription to "The Source" in 1995. I read all about my favorite artists. I had posters and pictures all over my room. I worked at a music store and used to steal CDs when the shipment came just to have it first. I LOVE HIP-HOP.
When you're such a fan of something, it makes it hard to narrow down your favorites into a best-of list. I'm going to try doing so in the upcoming weeks, with many different topics in the Hip-Hop genre. And the following list is one that, surprisingly, wasn't that hard for me to assemble. Sure, there has been fluctuation with the rankings in this list over the past five years or so, but to me, as far as my favorite solo artists, the top 10 have been the same for quite some time.
How did I comprise this list? Sure, EVERY PERSON ALIVE is going to have an opinion of whom they believe is the greatest. THIS IS NOT A TOP TEN LYRICISTS LIST. So I'm not just going to list the artists, I'm going to show you the credentials. I'm going to make you understand why I always have to be right, and this list is no exception. It can be up for debate, but in the end, the arguments I make will show you have to respect my choices. So Enjoy. Debate. Agree. Disagree. It's Hip-Hop. That's what makes this genre so great. Just like the greatness of these 10 artists.
*The criteria used to make this list is based on relevance, lyrical skills, status in pop culture, album sales and other variables. Did this artist transcend the genre of Hip-Hop? Is he a household name? Is he respected by his peers? Anything that separates an artist from being the norm to being a superstar.
10. LIL WAYNE
Straight out the 'Nolia, Wayne has been in the game for more than a minute. His debut album on Cash Money, Tha Block Is Hot, went platinum, despite not having any huge commercial singles. He would release 2 more albums before 2004's Tha Carter, a breakthrough album in that it showed that this emerging emcee had learned the craft of wordplay and storytelling. His follow-up albums, Tha Carter II and the Birdman-assisted Like Father Like Son, enjoyed success on the streets and began establishing Lil Wayne as a hot commodity. But it was his reign of mixtapes and guest appearances in 1997 that spawned Weezy into the hip-hop mainstream. His show stealing spots on songs such as DJ Khaled's posse cut "We Takin' Over," Kanye West's "Barry Bonds," Jay-Zs "Hello Brooklyn," and the chorus of the year on Playaz Circle's "Duffle Bag Boy." He has formed a formidable roster on his Young Money imprint with the signings of Drake, Nicki Minaj, Cory Gunz and others. Weezy has headlined tours and topped the charts. He has marked his spot and can only move up.
Why Lil Wayne made this list: Lil Wayne continues to improve as a lyricist, and he's put together enough material to span for days on your ipod. He's had 2 number one albums, and all but one of his albums have debuted in the Billboard 200's top ten.
Why Lil Wayne is not #1: Despite all of his success, IMO, Weezy has yet to drop a classic album. While each of Tha Carter albums were solid, they don't demand a start-to-finish listening. You pick the singles, and the filler gets left out.
9. SNOOP DOGG
"Creep with me, as I crawl thru the hood..." When Snoop Doggy Dogg was introduced to the world by Dr. Dre, Death Row records put the rap game in check for the next few years. His intro on the the song "Deep Cover" was only a taste of what was to come. On Dre's classic solo debut, The Chronic, Snoop's witty punchlines and gangster persona elevated the west coast into the forefront of hip-hop. But his debut album, Doggystyle (which had the highest sales total ever in one week until Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP), landed The D-O-Double G into the American conscience, where he has stayed ever since. His solo album spawned the hit singles "Who Am I (What's My Name?)", "Gin & Juice" and "Doggy Dogg World," further elevating the "G-Funk" sound of the time, and Snoop's distinct vocals were at the forefront of the march. A murder case in 1993 only made Snoopy a bigger mainstream name, and his catchy hooks had everyone singing along. He left Death Row after his next album, Tha Doggfather, and moved onto Master P's No Limit Records. He recorded a few albums for the label, dropping other hits such as "Bitch Please." Snoop transitioned into the new millenium seamlessly, hooking up with Pharrell for some of his biggest hits, "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "Beautiful." Snoop is still going strong, and he's appeared on everything from the pop tip (Katy Perry's "California Gurls") to the new cats such as Wiz Khalifa's joints {"Black and Yellow (G-Mix)"}. Snoop has also starred on the big screen, and he was the very first guest on Jimmy Kimmel's show when it first debuted.
Why Snoop Dogg made this list: If you don't own Doggystyle, you're missing a masterpiece of hip-hop. Snoop is about to drop his 11th album, and he has stayed relevant in not only hip-hop but mainstream culture as well. Platinum albums and big singles aside, Snoop has become as Americana as football he loves and the Chevy 64s he drives.
Why Snoop Dogg is not #1: Snoop nailed the classic debut, but his work that's followed has always been average at best. Despite the hit singles, Snoop's albums have always generated buzz leading up to their release, but don't ever garner anything past the first listen.
8. ICE CUBE
After leaving N.W.A, many wondered what Ice Cube had in store. He headed to the east, hooked up with the Bomb Squad, and dropped a jewel in AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. Cube also at this time was filming a monumental film, Boyz 'N The Hood, and his character, Doughboy, received critical applause. Ice Cube returned to the left coast for production on his second album, Death Certificate, an album which showed the struggles of America thru the mind of O'Shea Jackson at the time, being a member of The Nation of Islam and being a gangster rapper. His scathing dis of N.W.A, "No Vaseline," also showed Cube was at the top of his game. Future releases in The Predator and Lethal Injection had Ice Cube garnering heavy radio play and kept him cemented in the top emcees of hip-hop. While his albums had that patent West Coast sound, Cube wanted to venture more into the mainstream, and he began penning songs that received major play in clubs with "We Be Clubbin'" and "You Can Do It." Having already conquered the charts, Cube took over Hollywood as well, not only starring in films, but directing, such as the breakout comedy and hood classic, Friday. The Don Mega has kept his name in this business for close to three decades, and whether it's music or movies, Ice Cube is still making money.
Why Ice Cube made this list: AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted and Death Certificate are two of the greatest albums in hip-hop history. His follow up work, such as The Predator, Lethal Injection and the War & Peace albums, were solid work and charted well. He has released mainstream hit songs, such as "It Was A Good Day," "Check Yo Self," "You Know How We Do It" and the above-mentioned club bangers, and has stayed relevant with songs such as "Go To Church" and "Gangster Rap Made Me Do It." His Hollywood portfolio also contains success; from his roles in Boyz 'N The Hood, Higher Learning and Friday, and later enjoying success in family movies such as Are We There Yet?
Why Ice Cube is not #1: While at one time you could have argued that Ice Cube was not only one of the best rappers but the best lyricists as well, those days have long passed. While many people do not check for his latest work, Ice Cube still puts out solid records; however, he doesn't have any new ground to cover. Despite the great early work, Cube distanced himself from these albums and tried to branch out with the same radio-friendly material he had shot down and lambasted in his previous work. He ranks higher than Snoop because of his previous work, but you can argue that Snoop is definately more relevant today than Cube is.
7. 2PAC
You could argue that no one has ever made a bigger name for himself than Tupac Shakur when it comes to Hip-Hop. The songs. The albums. The movies. The trials. The tribulations. Even his untimely demise. 2Pac WAS the epitome of the gangsta rapper. His presence was felt in anything he did, whether music or movies. He was a talented individual, and his inner conflicts were always put on wax for us to experience. After a solid but slept-on debut album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., his second studio album, produced the breakout hits "I Get Around" and "Keep Ya Head Up." His role as Bishop in Juice was oscar-worthy and well received, and he landed roles in films such as Poetic Justice and Above The Rim. He teamed up with friends to form Thug Life, even releasing an album which captured the sense 'Pac was a conflicted cat, whether he was on the screen or the street corner. A trial for rape and subsequent shooting in NY could only slow down what would become his breakout moment, when his Me Against The World album debuted on the Billboard 200 charts at #1 while Shakur was behind bars. The "I don't give a fuck" attitude and stories of 2Pac telling us he was sure he would die were captivating and drew us in closer. When he was bailed out in 1995, he teamed up with Suge Knight, signed to Death Row, and released the first double CD of original material in hip-hop history. All Eyez On Me instantly became a classic, and 2Pac was everywhere, even appearing on the same Grammy stage with Kiss! The much-publicized beef with his former friend-now-enemy Notorious B.I.G. and Bad Boy's CEO Sean "Puffy" Combs began playing out in the media, until 2Pac dropped his dagger of a dis song, "Hit 'Em Up," taking aim at Biggie, Puffy, Bad Boy, Junior Mafia and anyone whom he felt had insulted him. He finished recording another album for release in 1996; under the name Makaveli, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory would find 'Pac not only going at his adversaries, but speaking of the struggles of the black man, still while conflicting and contradicting the positive messages. 2Pac would not see the release of the album, as he was gunned down in Las Vegas and died on September 13, 1996.
Why 2Pac made this list: Tupac Shakur became the face of gangsta rap in the early '90's when he assembled a countless number of arrests and trials. But the man continually put out hit records, and only improved with each release. 2Pacalypse Now, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. and Thug Life, Volume 1 were solid work, and his movie appearances showed he could act as well. Me Against The World and All Eyez On Me were both superb, perfect albums to showcase the mind of Tupac Shakur. Depressing, haunting ghetto stories of the impoverished and malcontent, to the glossy, good times and party anthems contained in these releases showed the continued struggles and contradictions that hovered over 2Pac for his entire brief life. He recorded so much work that albums have been released featuring new material still to this day. He is often cited as inspiration for why many rappers got into the rap game, and is praised by those still in it today.
Why 2Pac is not #1: As powerful a force as an emcee could ever be, and as captivated you were by his stories, 2Pac was never a great lyricist, and despite the songs or albums being great, 'Pac wasn't considered clever with wordplay. That "it" factor that it takes to be the best was something he didn't have. He was a dominating presence, he had the hit songs, hit albums and a household name, but he wasn't going to drop a show-stealing verse if he appeared on someone's record.
6. KANYE WEST
Like 2Pac, it seems that Kanye West sometimes borders on the brink of genius or complete lunatic. When he first made a name for himself, he was a producer who dropped beautiful backgrounds for the likes of Scarface, Beanie Sigel and most importantly, his future boss, Jay-Z. His orchestral paintings of soul played out perfectly to Jay's witty wisdom and street smarts, and were part of the reason why The Blueprint was the success it was. Turn forward a few years, and Kanye prepares to drop his debut album, The College Dropout. Car accident nearly kills him. So what does he do? "Through The Wire," a song he rapped while his mouth was still wired up from the accident. Then the album drops in Feb. 2004. Kanye became a household name, with hits such as "Slow Jamz", "Jesus Walks" and "All Falls Down." Despite the commercial success, the album stayed true to Kanye's backpack rap background, including his friends Common, Talib Kweli and Mos Def on the album. His next release, Late Registration, further vaulted 'Ye into hip-hop's forefront, led by the smash banger "Gold Digger". With his lyrical skills improving, Yeezy dropped the skit-free Graduation in 2007, selling just short of one millions copies in its first week. Led by the club smash "Stronger," Kanye had moved to the top ranks of hip-hop royalty. Following the death of his mother, he dropped a somber, R&B stylized album in 808's & Heartbreak. 'Ye returned to his hip-hop roots with his last release, the critically acclaimed My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. From the car accident that nearly killed him, to the "George Bush doesn't care about black people" comment and backlash, to the death of his best friend, his mother, to the Taylor Swift/MTV moment that had fans berating him, Kanye has only improved and used the haters as fuel to propel to the top of the game.
Why Kanye West made this list: Ponit blank: 'Ye hasn't dropped a bad album. You can find five people who may each favor one of his albums his greatest (My favorite? College Dropout). He seems to find himself in the middle of controversy time and time again, and each time his response is great music that makes even his harshest critics forget why they were mad at him as they dance to his hits. Yeezy also has improved as an emcee. While it is debated whether he had ghostwriters early in his career, Kanye has evolved to the point of not only holding his own, but stealing the show from his peers and mentors (i.e. "Run This Town").
Why Kanye is not #1: While he hasn't dropped a bad album, he hasn't dropped straight classics either. Kanye has come into his own, but his first 2 albums weren't all of his lyrics. And though it seems I'm getting nit-picky on what to call him out on, it just shows the one element Kanye doesn't have that the others above him do: respect in the streets. While in time Kanye may achieve greater goals and drop more hot ish, as of now he's a solid top ten guy, but not good enough to crack the top five.
5. NOTORIOUS B.I.G.
Christopher Wallace was a drug dealer with a recording contract. That's the image you get while you listen to his debut masterpiece, the aptly titled Ready To Die. Biggie Smalls came thru the speakers pulling no punches, his lyrics as raw as the product he was moving in these stories, the songs, that helped put New York back on the hip-hop map. B.I.G.'s deep voice sounded as smooth as his Versace shades and gator shoes. His stage presence was as dominant as Shaq in the paint, as the B.I.G. man moved so gracefully that it was clear: ladies loved Big Poppa. Biggie became a grimy, bigger version of LL Cool J, dressed for success but staying hardcore on his hits such as "Juicy," "Warning" and Unbelievable," while catching the ladies on the hook with "One More Chance" and "Big Poppa." In 1995 he put his crew on, and Junior Mafia released Conspiracy. Led by the catchy "Player's Anthem," Biggie hit gold again with the Lil' Kim-assisted "Get Money." Biggie spent most of 1996 out of the major spotlight, until getting caught up by the media in the 2Pac/Death Row beef. He began recording for his next album, while jumping on guest spots ranging from 112 "Only You (Remix)" to Jay-Z "Brooklyn's Finest," and played mentor to his boss Puff Daddy for his upcoming album, Puff Daddy & The Family: No Way Out. Big released the first single from his upcoming album, the radio-friendly "Hypnotize" to the hungry masses. The hit served as the lead off to Life After Death. Notorious went out to Cali to promote the album and appear at the Soul Train Music Awards. He attended an party with friends. In the early morning of March 9, 1997, after leaving the party, he was shot sitting passenger in the truck he was in. We lost Big Poppa.
Why The Notorious B.I.G. made this list: Easily one of the best emcees, Biggie captivated you on his every breath, each of his songs a story that you listened close to as he delivered each punchline or gunshot. He crossed over with his big hits without selling out. He embodied "cool" with the way he dressed, the way he moved and the way he dominated the screen in his videos. Ready To Die or Life After Death? Both classics. His mainstream songs ("Juicy," "Big Poppa," "Hypnotize") were dope, and his street singles ("Unbelievable," "Warning," "Kick In The Door") were fire. One of the best lyricists ever.
Why The Notorious B.I.G. is not #1: Time. Biggie wasn't around long enough. He put out 2 classic albums, but to be the best ever, someone needs a frame larger than 2 albums (even though, yes, one was a double album). He never had a chance to fall off. Could he still be putting out great music today? Absolutely. But, unfortunately, we'll never know. And that may be the only reason he's not the greatest.
4. RAKIM
Yes, together the best work of Rakim came as part of the duo Eric B. & Rakim. But Eric B. was the DJ. And Rakim was the Master. If anyone is responsible for the way that rappers transitioned to the way they flow, the way the write, it's courtesy of Rakim Allah. Your favorite rapper's favorite rapper, Rakim has given us hip-hop quotables that, in some form by other artists, you still hear today. Peep the resume: "Eric B. Is President," "I Ain't No Joke," "My Melody," "Paid In Full," "Microphone Fiend" and so on. Rakim brought the conscience rap to the forefront of hip-hop with his 5% (Nation of Islam) beliefs. Despite only four albums as the duo, Rakim branched out and went solo. Enlisting producers such as Clark Kent and Pete Rock, The 18th Letter, Ra's first post-duo album, played to an audience in hip-hop that wanted to get away from the overblown mafioso raps of the time. His DJ Premier produced single, "When I B On Tha Mic," captures Ra in raw form. Rakim signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath label, but never released the highly anticipated Oh, My God. While he has seen his mainstream success all but vanish, he has made an indelible mark in the annals of hip-hop.
Why Rakim made this list: "I came in the door, said it before..." You know that line. Ask a kid now and he might finish with something else because their favorite rapper spun that lyric around. Classic songs. Just check out my favorite, "Follow The Leader." 'Nuff Said. Lyrically, maybe the best. EVER.
Why Rakim is not #1: As great as Rakim Allah is, he hasn't maintained the success of some of his peers years later. He didn't enjoy late 90's chart success like LL Cool J or Will Smith. Despite critical acclaim, he hasn't captured a new audience, and while his work is always captivating, it's just not good enough to merit a title such as the greatest ever.
3. NAS
A student of the man mentioned above, Nasir Jones has been blessing the mic on the regular since he first appeared and stole the show on Main Source's posse cut, "Live From The Barbeque." In 1994, Nas dropped his critically lauded debut album, Illmatic. From the intro to the other nine tracks, you could feel like you were sitting on a park bench in the neighborhoods of Queensbridge, watching the gun fights, drinkng a Heineken brew, as you were so engulfed by Nas's smooth, low key voice you felt the scenery around you shift for each story. While the album was not a commercial success, Nas won over the streets. He was praised as the heir apparent to Rakim, and Illmatic, along with Biggie's Ready To Die, helped bring New York back to the top of hip-hop. Wanting to breakthrough commercially, Nas enlisted the help of the production team of the TrackMasters for his next album. It Was Written, his 1996 release, saw Nas transition from the "Nasty Nas" moniker of his debut album into "Nas Escobar." Nas went from stories on the park bench to stories at the casino, big time drug dealing and high living, all set to a glossier sound than Illmatic. He would release an album with The Firm, as well as two albums I Am... and Nastradamus (bootlegging ruined the project, forcing Nas to create two discs with new material). After subliminal swiping with the Roc-A-Fella camp, Jay-Z all but left Nas for dead with his dis track "The Takeover." Nas responded by dropping Stillmatic, an album that saw nas return to being a lyrical wordsmith, as well as try new concepts in the booth, with songs such as "Rewind" and "One Mic". He shot back at Jay-Z with the equally-scathing "Ether." After God's Son and Streets Disciple, Nas dropped the album Hip Hop Is Dead and followed that with the defiant self titled release (which was to be called Nigger until record execs would not allow the title to stand. He worked on a joint project with Damian Marley, Distant Relatives. Nas has stayed at the forefront of hip-hop, continually earning his respect and experimenting outside the confines of his classic debut.
Why Nas made this list: IMO, Illmatic is the greatest hip-hop album ever. Short and to the point, the album still sounds as great as it did almost 20 years ago. Which brings us to longevity. Nas is still very relevant. He has made hit songs "Hate Me Now," "Hip Hop Is Dead," "One Mic," and he has dropped more than a couple of hot albums. Lyrically, very few are on a level with Nas. His voice may be one of the best ever, too. And his storytelling, while reminiscent of Rakim, is spun with the QB veteran's own flavor.
Why Nas is not #1: Despite the critcal acclaim and the love in the streets, Nas has not been a consistent performer. While It Was Written may truly be greater than critics perceived, I Am..., Nastradamus and Streets Disciple all fall short of a full listen each time. God's Son and Nas are solid albums, but not the classics a #1 would have. Nas also can be accused of contradictions when he empowers black women and men one song, then tears them apart the next. ("Black Girl Lost"/"You Owe Me")
2. EMINEM
There isn't another rapper in the history of hip-hop whose life has been placed on record as much as Eminem. From listening to his albums, we know all about Marshall Mathers, his daughter Hailee, his (ex) wife Kim, his mom, his aunts, his former employers, the bullies in school. EVERYTHING. From his Aftermath debut The Slim Shady LP, Em gathered the masses as he did something in hip-hop that had not been done: he told stories to the average, white suburban kid. And did they eat it up. From pill popping to booze, Em wasn't shy of speaking on anything from rape to murder to getting fucked up. But it was his sophomore release, The Marshall Mathers LP, where Eminem catapulted to the top of hip-hop. From the demented "Kill You" to the Pop-culture massacre "The Real Slim Shady" to the goosebump-inducing "Kim," Em showed the world just like his song, why that's "The Way I Am." Selling over 1 million copies in its first week, Em owned MTV and the suburbs. He became the new "it" guy for the media to target. Despite all the bad press, it only made Em bigger, and the album as well. His third album, The Eminem Show, sold over a milli in its first week of release as well. He starred in 8 Mile, and the soundtrack contained his biggest hit ever, the track "Lose Yourself," which passed Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" for the most consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts. Em continued to address the issues in his life on this album, and as well as his next release, Encore. He won Grammy and MTV awards, raked in millions of dollars, and enjoyed success with his friends in D-12. But while Eminem was a shining star, Marshall Mathers was crumbling. His battles with drugs and alcohol began showing in his work, and after the release of his greatest hits, Curtain Call, he took a break from the business. While still working with his Shady records artists, Marshall Mathers was going deeper into the perils of drug and alcohol addiction. The shooting death of his close friend Proof only further spun Marshall down the spiral. He cleaned up his act, and returned in 2009 with Relapse. In 2010, Eminem branched out for the first time in his career, enlisting the production services of Just Blaze, Alex Da Kid, DJ Khalil, Jim Jonsin and others for the masterpiece, Recovery.
Why Eminem made this list: Aside from his exceptional storytelling skills, Eminem has an equally venomous flow, full of sharp and quick-witted metaphors. His ability to capture the audience remains second to none, and his raw ability on the mic separates him from his peers. Em has earned the respect of his peers, something a white emcee before him could never have thought was possible. He has dropped classic albums, headlined arenas and topped the charts.
Why Eminem is not #1: Despite how funny they may have been, each of Em's lead singles for 5 albums straight weren't just nice hip-hop songs, they were pop star dis songs. Their relevancy in hip-hop history in question, Em never strayed from the familiar pattern and cost himself the Rap and R&B radio audience. Em also dropped 2 less than superb albums in Encore and Relapse. While he is a great emcee, these setbacks prevent Em from claiming to be the best.
1. JAY-Z
9 solo albums and 2 compilation albums debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. A debut Classic. Numerous singles. Grammy Awards. The accolades are endless. One of the greatest storytellers in history, Shawn Carter has elevated his street game from his Marcy projects upbringing to conquer the rap game. From the classic Reasonable Doubt to his last release The Blueprint 3, Jay-Z has been showing other emcees how to truly be the best. Jigga has teamed with the hottest producers in hip-hop and cultivated some of hip hop's best stories. Jigga has also adapted with the times and still sounds fresh, more than 15 years into the game. From "Ain't No Nigga," "Hard Knock Life," "Big Pimpin'," to his latest hits, "On To The Next One" and "Empire State Of Mind," Jay-Z has love from the women and kids to the respect from the streets and underground rap fans. He has worked with everyone from his mentor, B.I.G., to Coldplay's Chris Martin and U2's Bono and Edge. His Hard Knock Life tour set the bar for how arena rap concerts are held. Long live the King.
Why Jay-Z made this list: Reasonable Doubt, Hard Knock Life...Vol. 2, Vol. 3...The Life and Times of S.Carter, The Dynasty: Roc-La-Familia, The Blueprint, American Gangster, The Blueprint 3. Enough said.
Why Jay-Z IS #1: A flow that can't be duplicated. Uncanny storytelling ability. Clever and witty wordplay. And those classic songs and albums. 11 #1 albums. MORE popular and as lyrically strong today as he was when he first came on the scene.
Let the debate begin.
