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2 years, 6 months ago

Who is the best rapper of all time?

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lon's Avatar
lon | 2 years, 6 months ago
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Tough call, but I'm going to have to go with Jay-Z. He's arguably the most influential rapper of all time, and probably the most consistent MC over the last decade or so. All the other possibilities I considered had made a lot more mediocre albums (like Ice Cube), or had just produced a lot less music overall (like Talib Kweli or MF Doom). Not to mention Jigga's massive crossover appeal - his music gets namechecked by Miley Cyrus, after all - and his versatility.

I'm a particularly big fan of Jay-Z and The Roots' edition of "MTV Unplugged."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdDRqud6W_A

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michaelpaul | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

lon, I'm happy for you, and I'mma let you finish, but Kanye West was one of the best rappers of all time. One of the best rappers of all time!

/sarcasm

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pbtran | 2 years, 6 months ago
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Notorious B.I.G (aka Biggy Smalls) changed the game back in the 1990's and brought back Hip Hop to the east coast. Even Jay-Z claimed that he "knew" Biggy and did some mixed tapes with him before peeps even knew who he was. And Biggy and 2Pac definitely had the west vs. east coast feud that triggered their tragic and senseless deaths.

Just watch the movie "Notorious" as a biopic of the life and death of Biggy.

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martymankins | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

I'm with you. Biggie was the best rapper ever. He is one of the first rappers I really liked. And I don't like much in rap music. But his words and the samples he used seem to mix so well together.

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psedillo | 2 years, 6 months ago
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To me it comes down to writing and flow, with that being the case I would have to go with Tupac. A close second would be old school Dr. Dre who was a trendsetter blazing down the trails created by Run DMC.

Much like any musical genre it's such a subjective question because it's all about what matters to you. Which is really what music is about, personal choice and satisfaction.
source(s):
Source = gray matter between my ears

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jmacattack's Avatar
jmacattack | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

Talib, HOVA, and Eminem's flow > Tupacs, and you know thisss man!

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keepontryin | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

I agree with Tupac

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vladis | 2 years, 6 months ago
15
Tupac is the best rapper of all times. Not because he is dead, just because his songs are real lessons to all of us. I'm from Europe, where Trance has a big domination over masses, but Tupac it's the example of a good musician.

"He has sold 75 million albums to date and is one of the best-selling music artists in the world". Shakur's work is known for advocating egalitarianism."

For rap, Tupac was a genius, like Michael for pop, and Beatles for rock. It's hard to reach this achievement.

I think his songs deliver a message to all of us. No matter what colour, nationality, or what language you speak...
This is my opinion.

Tupac is the best rapper of all time.
Vlad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Y9-JlSRXw

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fallen_angel21 | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

Yes. He is indeed the greatest rapper for all time. The truth is, there's no such thing as hip-hop nowadays... Tupac, Bonethugs, Notorious BIG... those are the real hip-hoppers.

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aaeeiioouu13 | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

Tupac is the "greatest rapper of all time" for the reasons stated above, plus a few more. He wouldn't be the answer for "best lyricist," but as far as greatness (influence and ability to reach people,) Tupac is clearly the greatest.

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martymankins's Avatar
martymankins | 2 years, 6 months ago
4
I'm with pbtran. Notorious B.I.G. (a/k/a Biggie Smalls - birth name Christopher Wallace) is the best rapper of all time. His rap changed the face of rap music for generations. He was able to mix it well, he could make a rap sound like it was a natural form of speaking.

All other rappers of today pay homage to Biggie and his style.

A month doesn't go by that I don't play "Ready To Die" and "Life After Death" from start to finish. As someone who doesn't like most rap music, I cannot give enough praise for Biggie and how his rapped word, mixed with a back beat and a energy join my list of my favorite rock, alternative and pop albums.
source(s):
My own personal taste in rap music, other rappers giving praise and acknowledge Notorious B.I.G. as an inspiration when creating new music.

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vladis's Avatar
vladis | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

can you please post a mix from Notorious B.I.G? I would like to hear it...a mix...

"Audio mixing is the process by which a multitude of recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo"

martymankins's Avatar
martymankins | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

This is one that is pretty decent from a mixtape artist, NickT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc7CpM1roIs

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tealmyster | 2 years, 6 months ago
11
I'm going to have to go with Biggie as well...

Yes Tupac was great but I feel he went mainstream cause of his death not necessarily talent.

Biggies songs always worked well together, sounded great and were smooth you could say.

I still listen to him all the time and I'm not that into rap anymore....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-6-q_lVExA

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xds's Avatar
xds | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

I could never get sick of that video.

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fallen_angel21 | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

Aww... Tupac's songs are great too. :) I like B.I.G. too.

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maxbeatty | 2 years, 6 months ago
3
Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan because he spits hot fire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9lg6HqJeY0
source(s):
Dylan

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jmacattack's Avatar
jmacattack | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

I see what you did there. Props.

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isamurai | 2 years, 6 months ago
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I'm going with Nas on this one

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erictimmer | 2 years, 6 months ago
3
Rakim, is the best rapper of all time!!

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gotspeed | 2 years, 6 months ago
4
jay-z he keeps to a old school sound but is able to do it about modern lyrics, gives back to the community, doesn't start beefs with other rappers, and in the industry gives him respect.

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labelsout | 2 years, 6 months ago
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This is a tough question because "best" is difficult to define... I think "best" covers too much ground. My votes are for Jay-Z as most influential, but as for the best lyricist, I still have to give the nod to Talib Kweli.

Pac and Biggie were, and are, amazing rappers but they're careers were both cut too short to see how they would end up. As for Dre, he's the man, but it's been waaaaay too long since he dropped a record. He's had massive influence (Em, Game, Snoop, 50, and all that came from them), but he doesn't have the #1 albums that Jigga does...

Also, for those of you who have yet to check out B.o.B, you're missing out!!! Freshest rap out right now, and he still hasn't dropped an EP!
source(s):
My ear bones connected to my, brain bone!

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bobtwist | 2 years, 6 months ago
10
Rudy Ray Moore (Dolemite) is the greatest because he is the "Godfather of Rap" and has infulenced just about every other rapper in these answers.(clip contains explicit language)
videos:

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jmacattack | 2 years, 6 months ago
4
Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, and Dylan. Because he spits hot fire!
source(s):
You're too close, man!
videos:

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angelrodriquez | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

this deserves to be the best answer

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florinsavulescu | 2 years, 6 months ago
3
in my opinion the best rapper was 2pac but nowadays i vote for eminem as numer 1 rapper
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christine101 | 2 years, 6 months ago
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After winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Lose Yourself from the film 8 Mile thus becoming the first film with a rap/hip-hop song to win at the Oscars should certainly add Eminem to the top of the list of best rapper of all time.

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fantasyoosh | 2 years, 6 months ago
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I'll go kinda out of the mainstream, and say KRS-One. Of his most recent work I'd recommend his collab with Buckshot "Survival Skillz"

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davewarner | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

I'm with fantasyoosh on this. For pure rhyming skills, it's hard to top KRS-1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTea5duGTbs

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johnnycox | 2 years, 6 months ago
3
Jay Z is the answer the young generation gives because they just don't know how mediocre he is.

If you pick Tupac, you are too easily influenced by the record industry and it's need to sell records.

Eminem is incredible, but he hasn't really made a body of music that will live forever, though it is impressive in it's own time.

Other's trying to show how informed they are will pick a name off of this list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_underground_hip_hop_musicians

Old school rappers would and should give props to Melle Mel.

But overall, pound for pound, for being popular, hard, funny, smooth, technical, and innovative the right Answer is L.L. Cool J.

He may not be the best in all categories, but he is near the top in all categories, so he is the G.O.A.T.
source(s):
Wikipedia
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johnnycox | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

Honorable Mention: Notorious B.I.G., DJ Run, Mos Def, Souper C, T-Bone, KRS-ONE

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vladis | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

"If you pick Tupac, you are too easily influenced by the record industry and it's need to sell records."

it's need to sell records.??? I don't think Tupac needs anything right now...him or the industry...
just a thought...:)
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cosmopinkice | 2 years, 6 months ago
20
Debby Harry with Blondie did the first song with rap to reach the billboards with Rapture

I like Missy Elliot but I am not a big fan of rap.
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keepontryin | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

Now there's and answer nobody would have anticipated. Not being critical, it's one of the things I like about Mahalo answers. Everybody has their own perspective.

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sammoore | 2 years, 6 months ago
3
The Notorious B.I.G. would be my selection. He made more of an impact with one album than any other rapper out there. He was purely talented and his life was sadly cut short before he even had a chance to bloom. He also had several incredibly successful albums release posthumously, which is pretty amazing in its own right.

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lisak52 | 2 years, 6 months ago
4
I am kinda diggin Biz Markie
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aui | 2 years, 6 months ago
3
1. Das Efx
2. EPMD
3. Public Enemy
4. Rakim
5. Wu-Tang Clan

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dillona | 2 years, 6 months ago
4
I'd have to go with Dr. Dre as the most influential. I'm not sure if he's necessarily "best" thought.

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aaeeiioouu13 | 2 years, 6 months ago Report

Rapper? Hahaha. Producer? Probably.

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stevenhull | 2 years, 6 months ago
3
VH1 did a top 100 a while back for something like this - see below. It was top songs of all time for Hip Hop.

100 Biz Markie - "Just A Friend"
99 Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft/ Ying Yang Twins - "Get Low"
98 Warren G ft. Nate Dogg - "Regulate"
97 Eve - "Who's that Girl"
96 DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - "Parents Just Don't Understand"
95 L'Trimm - "Cars With The Boom"
94 Master P ft. Sikk, Fiend, Mia-x and Mystical - "Make 'Em Say Ugh"
93 N.E.R.D. ft. Lee Harvey and Vida - "Lapdance"
92 Yo-Yo - "Can't Play with my Yo-Yo"
91 Chamillionaire ft. Krayzie Bone - "Ridin'"
90 Pete Rock & CL Smooth - "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)"
89 Cam'ron - "Oh Boy"
88 Jungle Brothers - "What U Waitin' 4"
87 Wyclef Jean ft. Refugee All Stars - "We Tryin' to Stay Alive"
86 Heavy D. and the Boyz - "Now That We Found Love"
85 Black Star - "Definition"
84 UTFO - "Roxanne Roxanne"
83 2 Live Crew - "Me So Horny"
82 Chubb Rock - "Treat 'Em Right"
81 PM Dawn - "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss"
80 Three 6 Mafia ft. Paula Campbell- "Hard Out Here For A Pimp"
79 DMX - "Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Stop Drop)"
78 Arrested Development - "Tennessee"
77 Cold Crush Brothers - "Cold Crush Bros. at the Dixie"
76 Big Punisher ft. Joe- "Still Not A Player"
75 Lil' Kim ft. Lil' Cease- "Crush on You"
74 EPMD - "You Gots To Chill"
73 Black Sheep - "The Choice Is Yours"
72 J.J. Fad - "Supersonic"
71 Whodini - "Freaks Come Out at Night"
70 3(rd) Bass - "Pop Goes the Weasel"
69 Common - "I Used to Love H.E.R."
68 T.I. - "What You Know"
67 Mase - "Feel So Good"
66 House Of Pain - "Jump Around"
65 Spoonie Gee and The Treacherous Three - "Love Rap"
64 The Roots - "What they Do"
63 Kid 'n Play - "Rollin' With Kid N Play"
62 Digable Planets - "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)"
61 Slick Rick - "Children's Story"
60 L.L. Cool J - "I Need Love"
59 Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"
58 Ludacris ft. Shawna- "What's Your Fantasy"
57 Big Daddy Kane - "I Get the Job Done"
56 Busta Rhymes - "Woo-Ha! Got You All In Check"
55 Terror Squad ft/ Fat Joe and Remy - "Lean Back"
54 MC Lyte - "Cha Cha Cha"
53 Lox ft. DMX and Lil' Kim - "Money, Power, Respect"
52 Foxy Brown ft. Jay-Z - "I'll Be"
51 Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew - "The Show"
50 Lil' Wayne - "Tha Block Is Hot"
49 Boogie Down Productions - "My Philosophy"
48 Nas - "One Love"
47 Young MC - "Bust A Move"
46 De La Soul - "Me, Myself, And I"
45 Geto Boys - "Mind Playing Tricks On Me"
44 Method Man ft/ Mary J. Blige - "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need to Get By"
43 Game, The ft. 50 Cent - "Hate It or Love It"
42 Roxanne Shante - "Roxanne's Revenge"
41 Funky 4 + 1 - "That's the Joint"
40 Run-DMC - "It's Like That"
39 Tone-Loc - "Wild Thing"
38 Coolio - "Gangsta's Paradise"
37 Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - "It Takes Two"
36 Nelly - "Hot In Herre"
35 Queen Latifah ft. Monie Love - "Ladies First"
34 Cypress Hill - "Insane In The Brain"
33 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - "Tha Crossroads"
32 Puff Daddy & The Family ft/ Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim and The Lox - "It's All About The Benjamins"
31 Kool Moe Dee - "How Ya Like Me Now"
30 Tribe Called Quest - "Check the Rhime"
29 Digital Underground - "The Humpty Dance"
28 Ice Cube - "It Was A Good Day"
27 Beastie Boys - "Hold it Now, Hit it"
26 MC Hammer - "U Can't Touch This"
25 Fugees - "Killing Me Softly"
24 Eric B and Rakim - "Paid in Full"
23 Outkast - "B.O.B."
22 Naughty By Nature - "OPP"
21 Afrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force- "Planet Rock"
20 Kanye West ft/ Jamie Foxx - "Gold Digger"
19 Ice T - "Colors"
18 50 Cent - "In Da Club"
17 Sir Mix-A-Lot - "Baby Got Back"
16 Missy Elliott - "Get Ur Freak On"
15 Eminem - "Stan"
14 Tupac - "I Get Around"
13 Wu-Tang Clan - "C.R.E.A.M."
12 L.L. Cool J - "I Can't Live Without My Radio"
11 Jay-Z - "Hard Knock Life"
10 Kurtis Blow - "The Breaks"
09 Salt-N-Pepa - "Push It"
08 Snoop Doggy Dogg - "Gin and Juice"
07 Notorious B.I.G. - "Juicy"
06 N.W.A. - "Straight Outta Compton"
05 Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five - "The Message"
04 Run-DMC ft/ Aerosmith - "Walk This Way"
03 Dr. Dre - "Nuthin But A 'G' Thang"
02 Sugarhill Gang - "Rapper's Delight"
01 Public Enemy - "Fight The Power"

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kerryk | 2 years, 6 months ago
17
As far as I'm concerned there is no best rapper. I can't stand any of it. Just personal preference of course.

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