10.
Talib Kweli-This dude definitely would have been higher on this list if it wasn't for his
Eardrum album in 07'. However, the
Beautiful Struggle album, past underground presence, and recent work makes him relevant and a strong consideration on anybody's Top Ten list. The man not only spits fire but he does it with raw city and social images. His flow is precise and steady and when it's clickin' on all cylinders expect pause worth metaphors to follow.
9.
Pimp C- Why is Pimp C on this list? Three words for ya: Presence, Presence, Presence. Pimp C was a beast on his tracks with his voice ringing with ghetto authenticity. From
I Gotta Pocket Full of Stones to
Da Game Been Good to Me his power was in his originality. When you listen to a Pimp C track you never confuse him with other rappers. His humor, flow, and sarcasm was all his own and he never forgot that rappers were entertainers as well as hood ambassadors.
8.
Young Jeezy- Let's hope that he gets back to writing again real soon or he might disappear from this list faster than a KFC coupon in Compton. Other than that his style, his flow and yes (wait for it) ad libs makes his music worth purchasing. If imitation is flattery then Jeezy must be blushing as he has made other rappers including T.I. add ad libs to their repertoire. Don't get me wrong though, the man is a bona fide MC whose lyrics are dynamic and intense.
7.
Too Short- Too Short is the quintessential underground rapper with mass appeal. When MC Hammer was doing the running man and Run DMC was walking this way Too Short was just rappin, and he didn't stop. Too Short has more albums than some so-called hot lyricist have singles. His last hit
Blow the Whistle showcased to millions the fact that he was one of the first rappers unafraid to cuss on records. Real street life persona and rare pop-music ambivalence makes him a first class MC.
6.
Kanye West- Whatever your personal opinion about this guy, from wearing tight clothes to wearing out the autotune, one fact is clear, he changed the game. Kanye types come around once every 20 years or so. So the fact that he's a game changer makes negative opinions of him pretty much irrelevant. Drake, Lupe', and yes Common can thank him for either paving the way or revitalizing careers. He takes his profession seriously and searches for memorable metaphors like Jesse Jackson searches for lawsuits. Before it's all said and done expect him to make serious moves up this list.
5.Busta Rymes- Busta has always delivered quality music and concerts but it was his mixtape hunger in 03' and o4' that cemented his relevance in the rap game. 8 bone crushing bars on the
Never Scared remix shattered all preconcieved notions of Busta being a crossover MC of the past. Whether he's crossing over or crossing back one thing is certain, if you have a Busta Rymes CD or MP3 you have a certified banger.
4.
Ice Cube- How quickly we forget. If you ever rapped about guns or gangs you need to be sending this man some residuals right now. While Kid n' Play was kicking their heels together Cube was demostrating his trademark pyroclastic flow and bringing street issues to the forefront of the media. No gimmicks, no singing, just hot fire and truth. If for some reason you have left him off your Top Ten list then just go ahead get a razor and slit your wrist.
3.
Jay-Z- His work speaks for itself but in case you're deaf then let me explain. Jay-Z is first an MC and then an entertainer. Whether it's a
BluePrint Album or
Reasonable Doubt his style has been consistent but his delivery has evolved into a quasi-authoratarian current where every statement is bond. If Jay-Z says Cristal is dead then it's gone in terms of relevance. And if Jay says D.O.A. to auto-tune then well goodbye electronic voices. Power, money, skills, and talent make this man what every MC should strive to be.
2.
Tupac- Despite his cult like status Tupac was more than just image and personality. In some ways he was black rage personified. The man shot a cop and basically got away with it. 2 PAC was raw and unapologetic and still sold more than 36 million albums. On tracks his flow was memerizing if not hypnotic. Buying a Tupac CD basically meant you were not only getting your money's worth but a classic. Prolific and always striving for high quality Tupac delivered not good but great music.
1.
Biggie- You can listen to some rap songs today and not hear one single metaphor which basically means Biggie is rollin' in his grave. Biggie was lyrical, real, and shockingly candid. He cared about the value of the music he was making. It seems like every song he put out he was attempting to reatain his championship status. No other MC comes close to his skills as a lyricist. Biggie's songs were not only about Brooklyn but everday life that anyone could relate to. If you have a Notorious B.I.G album consider yourself blessed because you have one of the lyrical canons of Hip-Hop.
Notables- Lil' Wayne, Andre 3000, Eminem, T.I., Rakim, Snoop Dogg.
