Greatest MC Of All Time?
May 08, 2004 115 | Comments (Closed)
I just got done watching “22 Greatest MC’s” on MTV2. It’s a great show that lists (oddly enough) the 22 best rappers ever as voted on by fans. The list itself is less interesting than the commentary about each of the artist. Hip-hop history is very interesting and I love these kinds of shows.
In any case, they voted Tupac number one and Biggie number two. Big surprise. While I agree that both Pac and Biggie were great, I don’t think I’d have put them up there at one and two. Then again this list was made up almost exclusively of mainstream artists.
I think if I were to stick to those on the list I’d have put Rakim, Eminem and maybe KRS-ONE up at the top. But if we’re talking the Greatest Of All Time I’d have to look to the underground.
Where is Chali 2na or Aesop Rock? What about Atmosphere? Aceyalone? One of the greatest rhymes I’ve ever heard was Aceyalone and The Freestyle Fellowship on “When the Sun Took a Day Off and the Moon Stood Still”.
Then there is Del, Kool Keith, Mos Def, Roots Manuva or Gift of Gab. None of these even made the list.
So, here are my votes for the top 10 MC’s of all time:
- Aesop Rock
- Rakim
- Del
- Eminem
- Kool Keith
- Chali 2na
- Mos Def
- Jay Z
- Dre
- KRS-ONE
With that out of the way, if I were to kick of a party I’d go with:
- Jay-Z
- Dre
- Snoop
- Beastie Boys
- Ludacris
I’ve got Aesop Rock at the top. I realize many of you may not have heard him, and if you haven’t you should check him out. This Saul Williams with crazy flow, that’s kind of what he’s like.
Who do you think is the greatest mc of all time?
Filed under: Life and Such
Comments
1. mike said:
Eminem is definitely one of the most skilled and imaginative wordsmiths of modern times…My top 5 though, in no particular order:
1. Beastie Boys (I know, but I love them. even if their rhymes are simple and cheesy)
2. Eminem. Woah.
3. Ludacris for comedic value
4. Twista for complexity and speed
5. Me, because I am the greatest MC ever.
I will have to check out some of your recommendations…thanks to the internet, it’s so easy :)
Posted on May 8, 2004 04:13 PM | #
2. mayb said:
I would go for Eyedea, Aesop Rock, Aceyalone, Brother Ali, Common, Supernatural, Murs, Roots Manuva and sure for Slug of Atmosphere who’s rhymes really touch my soul.
Posted on May 8, 2004 04:57 PM | #
3. Keith said:
You know I forgot Eyedea. He’s awesome, he put on probably one of the best lyrical exibitions I’ve ever seen in person. Supernatural is also a great freestyle MC.
Posted on May 8, 2004 05:01 PM | #
4. Keith H. said:
I would have to say KRS-One, Rakim, Mos Def and Common would definitely be in my top five.
Posted on May 8, 2004 05:30 PM | #
5. Keith H. said:
Oh, and I forgot about talib kwali. He has mad skillz. Oh and the whole damn Wu Tang Clan. ODB, Rza, Ghost Face Killa, my man Mef….c’mon son.
Posted on May 8, 2004 05:34 PM | #
6. Mark said:
I found out about Aesop Rock a few months ago, and even though I’m not to big into MCs (I am a fan of Grandmaster Flash), Aesop Rock’s “Float” album is one of my favorite of all time now.
Posted on May 8, 2004 05:44 PM | #
7. mike said:
I don’t know any of these other people you speak of. Underground always evades me. Thus the definition, I suppose.
Posted on May 8, 2004 05:52 PM | #
8. Alex said:
The greatest MC of all time is Q-Tip, from A Tribe Called Quest. You probably don’t know of him, but if you heard his music, I suspect you would agree with me.
Posted on May 8, 2004 06:02 PM | #
9. huphtur said:
1. Nas
2. Nasty Nas
3. Nas Escobar
4. Nastradamus
5. God’s Son
Posted on May 8, 2004 06:16 PM | #
10. Seth said:
I feel so strongly about my boy, I was about to start arguing about it. I calmed myself down and realized that each of us have our own reasons for liking different MCs. There can’t be an actual “greatest” because it is immeasurable. That being said…
I have heard at least something from each MC mentioned here, and I agree they are all great. I can easily see why you all have chosen them. For me, there is some untouchable combination of words and style, a sort of “lyrical swagger” that make me LOVE the Notorious B.I.G. He will always be at the top of my list.
Posted on May 8, 2004 06:33 PM | #
11. Aaron said:
Although both have had their highs and lows, and are more than a litle bit insane: Kool Keith & ODB
Posted on May 8, 2004 06:53 PM | #
12. Keith said:
Don’t shoot me, but I’ve never really been much into either Biggie or Nas. I like them alright and have a few CD and 12 incles of theirs, but for watever reason they just aren’t my style.
Now, Aaron mentioned ODB who’s great (although he was horrible live) and Keith H. talks about the Wu – Gotta love the Wu! Funny thing is I aways like Rza the best. “The Rza, the razor…” and he seemed to get the least mc time.
Anyone ever listen to Gravediggaz? The Pick, The Sickle and The Shovel is a great one.
Posted on May 8, 2004 07:03 PM | #
13. Sian said:
That’s a tough one (it was a really good program by the way). Aside from the lyrical content I go for tonal qualities and how well they can spit it on out and still be able to understand what they say on first listening (Biggie mumbled too much for my liking). I’m edging between Queen Latifah and Tupac at the moment.
Posted on May 9, 2004 03:59 AM | #
14. Keith H. said:
I have to agree with Seth. We will never really know who the greatest is, but my thing is lyrics and flow. I mean I hate most of the crap that gets play these days. Its all about bling bling and no substance. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think songs cant just be fun (I said I like the Wu didnt I). But I like lyrics that are profound…that make you say, “Damn. That was deep.” Combine that with some flow. Man! I know I must be getting old though. I find myself reminiscing about the old school :P
Posted on May 9, 2004 05:57 AM | #
15. Olli said:
You forgot about El Da Sensei and Q-Tip and. My top five would be 1. Roots Manuva, 2. Q-Tip, 3. Grand Agent, 4. Kool Keith, 5. Chali 2na.
Posted on May 9, 2004 08:02 AM | #
16. Jan said:
My personal favorites would be:
1.Saul Williams
2.Aceyalone - Accepted eclectic
3.Del the funky one
4.Those strange white boys at Anticon
5.KRS-One
(I just checked the grand agent site www.grandagent.net, its pretty)
But another question: what would be the greatest songs in hiphop? the best of the best.
Posted on May 9, 2004 09:31 AM | #
17. Keith said:
Jan – While I absolutely love Saul Williams, I’m not sure I’d consider him an MC – but maybe it’s just semantics. From your top 5 though I think you’d really like Aesop Rock.
As far as songs go, on that jumps to my mind, speaking of Aesop Rock is “No Regrets” – it’s got crazy flow, great production and the lyrics really paint a picture of a story of a woman’s life.
Also, as I mentioned before “When The Sun Took The Day Off And The Moon Stood Still” by Freestyle Fellowship is a great song. “Jayou” by Jurassic is one of my favs, but mostly for the beats. Oh and Saul’s “Penny For a Thought”.
Oh shit, you know who’s been left out of this completely who might be my favorite hip-hop artist of all? I can’t believe they slipped my mind – OUTKAST. Talk about great songs. They might not be the best MCs but song-wise they have to be up there with the best of the best.
“Skew It On The Bar-B”, “Hey Ya”, “Bombs Over Bagdad”, “Spodieodiedoapalicious”…
Maybe I should do a post about producers as they (in my mind, being into beats so much) are just a big a part of the equation as the MC.
Posted on May 9, 2004 01:27 PM | #
18. Tyson Tune said:
Aesop Rock all the way. I’ve been listening to the Daylight EP all week.
Posted on May 9, 2004 03:25 PM | #
19. mayb said:
I forgot to mention these in my first post: Vinnie Paz from Jedi mind tricks, Promoe from Looptroop and J-Live. Did somebody say Chuck D? There is just too many to remember, heh.
Naturally there is no absolute best, because it’s about what someone thinks. Great mc can give you something to think, get you over some big thing and drop you off from chair.
As for the song i choose “Like today” from Atmosphere. I’m so cynical sometimes and this particular song makes me laugh when im feeling “down under”. It’s pretty damn cold and dark here in northern Finland most of the year.
Posted on May 9, 2004 03:56 PM | #
20. HATUR said:
The 10 best MC’s? …
1. Rakim (1987-94 or so)
2. Kool Keith (Circa-1988)
3. Kool G. Rap (Wanted Dead or Alive)
4. Pharoahe Monch (first and second OK Cd’s; I find it funny that many of the underground MC’s listed by fellow posters are so heavily influenced by Pharoahe - Aesop Rock? Slug? even M&M? Choose the original.
5. The D.O.C. (no one can do it better - it’s a shame he never recovered from the accident; his first tape should be requiured listening)
6. Parrish Smith (go listen to Business as Usual)
7. Slick Rick
8. KRS-ONE
9. Redman
0. Grag Nice (ok, it’s personal fetish)
Posted on May 9, 2004 04:38 PM | #
21. Joseph Lindsay said:
LL Cool J - Bigger and Deffer (mid 80’s) is one of the best ever
Posted on May 10, 2004 12:12 AM | #
22. Mike Stenhouse said:
Ah, good question!
1. Slug, no question. Heard The Woman with the Tattoed Hands? Nuf said.
2. Braintax. Bit contraversial but if you’re into storytelling hip hop, this guy is it. UK, on Low Life.
3. J-Live. Hush the Crowd? Yep.
4. Mos Def. Concious storytelling. Also check Blackstar, whic he did with Talib Kwali.
5. Roots Manuva. Check Where My Mind is At from about 5 years ago…
Not sure what order the rest should come in but:
Ty. Concious and storytelling lyrics.
Task Force. Best of the UK crop, on Braintax’s label.
Aesop Rock. Awesome!
Skinnyman. Best freestyler I’ve ever seen, allegedly signed to Giles Peterson’s label, which is a bit of a weird one.
Mikee Streets. Not everyone’s cup of tea but the Streets are doing something a bit different.
Eminem. The boy got skills, love him or hate him.
Anyone remember The Goats? Political hip hop crew from the early 90s…
Posted on May 10, 2004 03:11 AM | #
23. Patrick Griffiths said:
What is Jay Z doing on there? You might as well have Puff Daddy or Ma$e. Maybe Vanilla Ice…
Jeru The Damaja. He’s up there.
Q-Tip used to be alright but his solo efforts aren’t up to much. I agree with Ludacris (and Redman) for comedic value, although only in small doses.
Black Thought? Lauryn Hill? And why has no one mentioned Outkast?
Posted on May 10, 2004 04:08 AM | #
24. Jason said:
Check out visualgui’s 10 greatest hip hop albums. It’s quite interesting.
Posted on May 10, 2004 05:18 AM | #
25. Seth said:
Critizing other peoples choices will only serve to turn this into a huge argument, rather than openly sharing each other’s interests.
I will never be able to fathom why some poeple listen to country music, but I can’t possibly critize them. I’m sure they are just as confused about my love for hip-hop.
Also, Keith did mention Outkast.
Posted on May 10, 2004 06:37 AM | #
26. Adrian said:
Nobody mentioned Shock G from Digital Underground who brought some much needed humor to the mix with his alter-ego ‘Humpty-Hump.’
Posted on May 10, 2004 07:02 AM | #
27. KJC said:
I watched that show and was pretty disappointed by it…of course, what did I expect with the top MC’s being chosen by VH1 viewers? Chuck D at #22? That’s bullsh*t! And putting someone like Foxy Brown WAY above him just voids their whole list.
Your list is a huge improvement over the VH1 list. That said, I’d have to put Rakim (who should be in everyone’s top 10) at #1. He could/can flow fast or slow, had crazy lyrics, not to mention one of the best and most recognizable voices in rap.
Posted on May 10, 2004 07:43 AM | #
28. Mr Wrong said:
Rakim is undeniably the best MC.
But I’d like to point out that Dr Dre doesn’t even write his own lyrics alot of time. I don’t think he belongs on any MC list at all.
I’m with HATUR his chart is more or less dead on. Apart from Greg Nice. His echo thing he always has annoys the crap out of me. Oh, and I’d swap The DOC for Jeru.
Posted on May 10, 2004 08:06 AM | #
29. ben said:
Its the N - O - T - 0 - R - I - O….. U - S - YOU JUST - LAY DOWN - SLOW
Posted on May 10, 2004 08:28 AM | #
30. Gabe said:
I’m glad you mentioned him in the post, but how come no one has voted for Gift of Gab? While you may not like all his songs, his range of styles, technical ability, and vocabulary is amazing. If you don’t believe me check out ‘Clockwork’ from the A2G EP.
My top 10 list would look something like:
Black Thought
Gift of Gab
Aesop Rock
Del
Andre 3000
Mos Def
Kool Keith
Chuck D
Eminem
J-live
It’s hard to do a list like this though. You can pick so many people for so many different reasons.
Posted on May 10, 2004 09:09 AM | #
31. Bender said:
1. KRS-ONE
2. Chuck D
3. Rakim
4. Big Daddy Kane
5. Melle Mel
6. Tupac
7. LL Cool J
8. Snoop
9. Talib Kweli
10. Q-Tip
11. Eminem
Don’t sleep on Big Daddy Kane and Melle Mel!
My criteria were: influence, longevity, charisma, live performance, flow, rhymes–in that order.
Complex rhymes do not necessarily make a GREAT MC. It’s about being a great entertainer, and having an influential career in the long-term sense.
Posted on May 10, 2004 09:26 AM | #
32. Dread said:
Hmmm quite interesting.
I just wonder why no one mentioned Cee Lo or Big L.
I must admit though that Rakim, Common, Talib Kweli, Outkast and Pharoah have to be in my top 10 plus 2Pac, Ludacris, Eminem, Genius and Qtip.
respect.
Posted on May 10, 2004 07:21 PM | #
33. Mr Wrong said:
YES. Big Daddy Kane. He is great. Also Percee P is really underated but really very good and he’s been making amazing tunes for years and years.
Check A Day At The Races where he guests with Jurassic 5.
I agree with Bender though, Aesop Rock, Gift of the Gab and that lot are all very clever but using the biggest words is not what its about. Think of all the Hip Hop people know…they aren’t necessarily clever but you remember it…
Rakim’s lyrics are probably the best example of this.
Posted on May 11, 2004 02:01 AM | #
34. Bender said:
A few more that we almost forgot:
1) Ice Cube - definitely in the Top 10
2) Guru (from Gang Starr) - widely respected by other MCs.
3) Huge props to Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers. This dude wrote the lyrics to “Rappers Delight”, the song that introduced the world to hip hop. You can’t get any more influential than that.
Posted on May 11, 2004 07:51 PM | #
35. Andy Mac said:
I’m surprised Guru from Gang Starr hadn’t been mentioned earlier.
I’d also add Doug E Fresh to the list for old times sake, and I may be stretching the term MC a little bit, but what about Gary Byrd and the G.B Experience?
Posted on May 12, 2004 06:58 AM | #
36. kingfrank said:
I am glad that you cats are true hip-hop fans. If someone said Nelly or 50, then I would not even look at the rest of the posts. I am of the 30+ crowd so my favs are from the times when lyrics counted hear are my favorites:
1. KNOWLEDGE REIGNS SUPREME OVER NEARLY EVERYONE
2. Rakim
3. Big Daddy Kane
4. Slick Rick
5. Andre from OutKast
6. Common
7. Talib Kwali
8. Wise Intelligent from Poor Righteous Teachers. Check out the “New World Order” CD, it is a hidden classic.
9. Chuck D
10.Lauryn Hill
I love Pac but he wasn’t that great of a lyricist, he just made you feel his spirit when he spit. That is what made him so great.
I love Saul Williams also. Slam is one of my favorite movies.
Honorable Mention: Mos Def, Guru, The Wu Tang Clan, Redman, Biggie, Black Thought, Jurassic 5, Blackalicious, Dead Prez, and Q-Tip
Posted on May 12, 2004 10:53 AM | #
37. Tommy said:
Yo ya’ll got some lists, but how da f*** u gonna put Andre 3000 or Aesop Rock NAHHHHH.
I Got MY 22 Greatest MC’s:
22.Guru
21.Redman
20.Busta Rhymes
19.AZ
18.Scarface
17.GZA
16.Chuck D
15.Ice Cube
14.Big Daddy Kane
13.DMX
12.Lauren Hill
11.Erick Sermon
10.Big L
9.Eminem
8.KRS-One
7.Kool G Rap
6.Jay-Z
5.Mobb Deep (Prodigy & Havoc)
4.Rakim
3.Method Man
2.Nas
1.Notorious BIG
Posted on May 20, 2004 07:36 AM | #
38. Tommy said:
And yo wuz^ wit LUDA he ain’t no MC
Posted on May 20, 2004 07:40 AM | #
39. Stryda said:
Yo, if you talking MC’s. How can you forget my man Canibus? Must be crazing to sleep on him.
Big L defo!!!
Prodigy of Mobb Deep.
Nasty Nas the innovater.
Keith Murray has SICK flow!
Tupac had the delivery, if not the lyrix. Biggie was just plain BIG.(Had the flow and lyrix)
LL got the longevity.
KRS has da voice.
Rakim pioneered flow man.
Entire Wu Clan had skill enuf 2 kill on the mic!
Big Pun was bad too.
Don’t know where you all hailing from, but check out a dude called Dizee Rascal from da UK. We got a hip hop scene over here 2.
Posted on May 26, 2004 01:37 AM | #
40. Mike said:
U guys are retarded. 2pac is the best there was not krs-one, not rakim, not biggie, not nas, not ice cube, not slug, not saul williams. Who the hell are slug and saul williams anyway. Not the beastie boys. Its tupac. Get it straight. DAMN!!!
Posted on May 26, 2004 12:09 PM | #
41. damani said:
I would vote as the 22 greatest
1. Jay-z
2. Nas
3.Tupac
4.Biggie
5.Method Man
6.Ice Cube
7.Snoop Dogg
8.Eminem
9.Big Pun
10.Missy Elliot
11.DMX
12.LL Cool J
13.Redman
14.Talib Kweli
15.Common
16.KRS-One
17.Too Short
18.Mobb Deep
19.Ghostface Killah
20.Ludacris
21.Chuck D
22.Nelly
Posted on May 26, 2004 05:11 PM | #
42. Kamran said:
Best rappers ever
no particular order
Tupac
Biggie
Nas
Jay z
Big L
Eric B. and Rakim
Bone Thugs
Wu Tang Clan (Raekwon)
A Tribe Called Quest
Mobb Deep
Pharoahe Monch
Masta Ace
Immortal Technique
Special Ed
Mos Def
Kanye West
Twista
Eminem
Run DMC
Public Enemy
Whodini
Slick Rick
Big Daddy Kane
Doug E. Fresh
KRS One
Posted on May 26, 2004 09:13 PM | #
43. DAMON said:
WHERE THE HELL IS DMX DMX DMX DMX DMX DMX DMX DMX DMX DMX
Posted on May 27, 2004 10:12 AM | #
44. I am always right said:
1. Rakim
2. Big Daddy Kane
3. Kool G Rap
4. KRS-1
5. Jay Z
6. Nas
7. Kool Keith
8. Melle Mel
9. Kool Moe Dee
12.Notorious BIG
13.Tupac
14.EST from 3x Dope (A dope MC; don’t sleep)
15.LL Cool J
16.Chuck D
17.Slick Rick
18.Eminem
19.Lord Finesse
20.Grandmaster Caz
21. Keith Cowboy
22. Jungle Brothers
23.Tribe called Quest
24.
Posted on May 28, 2004 09:28 AM | #
45. Get da' f*ck outta here: said:
freestyle fellowship
supernatural
mos def
talib kweli
krs one
chuck d
cold crush
aceyalone
Posted on May 28, 2004 02:26 PM | #
46. SoBeIT said:
This is an endless discussion, because this is a subjective concept…………
Posted on May 30, 2004 08:54 AM | #
47. DJ said:
1 Notorious B.I.G.
2 2Pac
3 Eminem
4 Jay-z
5 Nas
6 RAKIM
7 A Tribe Called Quest
8 Method Man
9 Westside Connection
10Dre
Posted on May 30, 2004 12:17 PM | #
48. Da ShitNesZZ said:
1. Last Emperor
2. Aesop Rock
3. Black Moon
4. Cannibal Ox
5. Gravediggaz
6. Jadakiss
7. RZA
8. Lords of the Underground
9. Ol’Dirty Bastard
10. Method Man
Posted on May 31, 2004 06:50 AM | #
49. Marco said:
I have seen the show. and i was surprised to see eminem at place 3 while Dr.dre was at 8.
i mean dr.dre created eminem
Posted on June 2, 2004 06:03 AM | #
50. liquid said:
Eminem should be taken off the list…period
Posted on June 3, 2004 08:55 PM | #
51. antonia said:
1.snoop dogg
2.eminem
3.dr dre
4.mos def
5.KRS-1
6.pharell
7.LL cool J
8.ludacris
Posted on June 5, 2004 11:26 AM | #
52. Bully said:
1. Vanilla Ice
2. Young M.C.
3. M.C. Hammer
4. Debra Harry (Rapture)
5. Kid
6. Play
7. JJ Fad
8. Fresh Prince
9. Ice-T
10. Notorious B.I.G.
Psyche…except for B.I.G. He was tight.
Posted on June 9, 2004 01:47 PM | #
53. ian said:
my top 10 mcs are
10 gza
9 sticky fingaz
8 ice cube
7 jay z
6 b-real of cypress hill
5 krayzie bone
4 nas
3 eminem
2 notorious b.i.g
1 2pac
Posted on June 10, 2004 05:47 AM | #
54. Jerry said:
No order:
Atmosphere (Slug)
GZA (on liquid swords)
Tupac
DMX
Roots Manuva
are the ones which after all these years still get regular airtime in my player….
Posted on June 11, 2004 02:59 PM | #
55. Maarten said:
It’s all about the man with the most skills and this is tupac. So here’s my list:
1 2pac
2 Eminem will never get up with pac
3 Biggy Eminem just past him
4 Rakim (The god of rap)
5 Nas
6 Jay Z
7 KRS one
etc.
The list looks pretty much like the list of mtv but i woulden’t placy these guys in the list
Dr.dre (isn’t a mc but a producer)
Lil kim
Foxy Brown these two its al about being horny
Posted on June 12, 2004 07:46 AM | #
56. Truth Speaks said:
okay im sorry but 2pac is a great artist…but he isn’t even on pharoahe monch’s level as far as lyrics goes. phroahe is a genius with words and puts words together like no other. my list goes like this.
1.pharoahe monch
2.talib kweli
3.mos def
4.krs one
5.common
6.royce da 5’9”
7.b.i.g
8.nas
9.jay z
10.black thought
11.2pac
Posted on June 13, 2004 05:22 AM | #
57. the greatest mc ever, himself said:
My greatest mc-list would be something like this:
1. Eminem
2. Brainpower
3. Dr. Dre
4. Snoop Dogg
5. Rakim
6. KRS-One
7. Chunk D
8. Tupac
9. Ice Cube
10. Run DMC
Or something like that, of course, I would be nr. zero, cause I’m much better than anybody else
Posted on June 15, 2004 09:14 AM | #
58. tony said:
greatest mc of all time………BIG PUN
Posted on June 15, 2004 12:24 PM | #
59. makaveli said:
The Greatest of all time is Tupac Shakur,BadBoy killa screw Biggie
Posted on June 16, 2004 10:58 PM | #
60. sam said:
me!
Posted on June 16, 2004 11:05 PM | #
61. sam said:
me!
Posted on June 16, 2004 11:06 PM | #
62. MACCUS said:
RAKIM(THE SMOOTHEST)
KRS ONE(GETS THE CROWD CRAZY..THE TEACHER)
CHUCK D(STYLE NEVER DUPLICATED)
BIGGIE(GREATEST FLOW)
KOOL G RAP(NUFF SAID)
JAY- Z..(ILL)
ERICK SERMON(DESERVES MORE RESPECT)
TUPAC(AHEAD OF HIS TIME)
BIG DADDY KANE(PUT A QUARTER IN YA ASS CUZ YOU PLAYED YASELF…OH MAN)
MOS DEF(WHERE BROOKLYN AT?)
BONUS*THE WU(GREATEST HIP HOP ENSEMBLE)
Posted on June 17, 2004 10:06 PM | #
63. Randy said:
Why are so many of the greats not on here. Heres what the list should look like, in somewhat order of the best
Del
Company Flow
Aesop Rock
Juggaknots
Cannibal Ox
Mr. Lif
Hieroglyphics
Esoteric
El-P
Binary Star
Dr. Octagon\Kool Kieth(same person)
Slug
Jeru Tha Damaga
Planet Asia
Shapeshifters
Anticon
Atmosphere
Jedi Mind Tricks
Living Legends
Virtuoso
Aceyalone
Abstract Rude
Jurassic 5
Ill Bill
Sunspot Jonz
Louis Logic
Souls of Mischief
All these MCs are really good and I only listen to the best
Posted on June 20, 2004 07:40 AM | #
64. Zero said:
5.Shoestring from Dayton Family
4.TWISTA
3.Bus Driver
2.KRS 1
1.Tech n9ne
Posted on June 20, 2004 04:35 PM | #
65. benzino said:
mos DEFFEST
Posted on June 20, 2004 08:42 PM | #
66. Jack said:
My top 22 MC’s (not necessarily favorite artists)
:
1. Mos Def
2. Aesop Rock (listen to him if you don’t know him)
3. Talib Kweli
4. Q-tip
5. Nas
6. Jay-Z
7. Eminem
6. Biggie
9. Tupac
10. LL cool J
11. Andre 3000
12. Rakim (probably too young to fully appreciate)
13. Beastie Boys
14. Method Man and the rest of the Wu
15. Erik Sermon
16. Bone Thugs
17. Busta
18. Ludacris
19. Missy
20. Nelly
21. lil kim
22. Snoop
Now i’ll have to go listen to Pharoahe, and some of the guys mentioned.
Posted on June 21, 2004 04:41 AM | #
67. tommy said:
idk much but here it goes…
Rakim
2Pac
Notorious B.I.G
Big Pun
Dre
Jay Z
Eminem
Run DMC
Beastie Boys
Mos Def
Posted on June 29, 2004 10:15 PM | #
68. joe said:
with no disrespect to anyone here (in order) is the list of greatest rappers ever…
2pac
big
nas
jayz
rakim
ll cool j
eminem
krs one
run dmc
dr dre
bone thugs
big l
wu tang
snoop
jadakiss
mos def
kweli
pharoahe
outkast
slick rick
a tribe called quest
ice cube
cannibus
easy e
big dady kane
mobb deep
busta rhymes
big pun
chuck d
kool g rap
eric sermon
warren g
dmx
Posted on July 5, 2004 10:34 AM | #
69. bill E said:
2pac for life…no one else can top him!….rakim and krs are good as well but pac is the king of rappers and no one will ever be as good as him…. -RIP pac-
Posted on July 5, 2004 05:48 PM | #
70. Dynamite said:
1. Kool Keith
2. Dr Octagon
3. Reverend Tom
4. Rhythm X
5. Mr Gerbik
6. Poppa Large
7. Big Willie Smith
8. Spankmaster
9. Dr Dooom
10. Platinum Rich
11. Keith Turbo
12. Dr Sperm
13. Keith Korg
14. Robbie Analog
15. Exxon
16. Captain Kool
17. Dr Ultra
18. Mr Green
19. Blonde Man
20. Fly Ricky The Wine Taster
Posted on July 6, 2004 04:24 AM | #
71. El Jefe said:
I’d have to go with KRS. Arguably the most impressive carreer in the history of hiphop.
Eminems skills can not be ignored, opposing this is asinine (not by that by that necessarily implied that I consider him “one of the absolute top”, I’m just sick and tired of people whining´when the guy obviously has skills).
A dark horse on this list could be Sage Francis, his “Personal Journals” is one of my all-time favs.
Anyway, I’d wish I understood Flamish, I’ve heard some of Brainpower’s material and he really seems amazing. Sounds like he has opened a huge can of whoopass for his beef with Extince..
Posted on July 7, 2004 12:38 PM | #
72. ->K.O. <- said:
MY Personal Opinion of Top 11 Mc’s in Rap History
1.Biggie (Ain’t no1 can mess wit The B.I.G.)
2.Big L
3.Nas
4.Talib Kweli
5.Eminem (not for his sick freestylin ability)
6.Royce Da 5’9”
7.Jay-Z
8.Mos Def
9.Black Thought (The Roots)
10.Prodigy (Mobb Deep)
11.Guru (Gangstarr)
P.S. Would have put Tupac Sumwhere in there cuz he is one of the best Mc’s of all time (have to admit it)….but i just hate everythin bout tupac
Posted on July 14, 2004 12:52 PM | #
73. Damani said:
22. Chuck D
21. 8Ball& MJG
20. Method Man
20. Redman
19. Too Short
18. Ice Cube
17. KRS-One
16.Run DMC
15. DMX
14. Mobb Deep
13. Missy Elliot
12. Big Pun
11. Ludacris
10. Snoop Dogg
9. Easy E
8. Dr.Dre
7. Rakim
6. Big Daddy Cane
5.Eminem
4. Jay-Z
3. Biggie Smalls
2. Tupac or Makaveli (What ever you want to call him)
1. Nas ( DOPE mc I mean god dam he’s dope)
Posted on July 14, 2004 10:38 PM | #
74. terell said:
The Greatest MC’s are:
Biggie(The Greatest)
Nas(Aint No one touchin Nas)
2pac
Eminem
Jay-Z(Lost to Nas on Ether)
Rakim
Posted on July 22, 2004 08:19 PM | #
75. Terrance said:
1. Nas( the best and always will be, creative, the realest, wouldn’t be a king of new york without him)
2. Notorious B.I.G
3. Eminem
4. Jay-z( was good with the first couple of albums but fell off as the years went pass)
5. 2pac( good rapper but lyrics are too simple, I always know what hes talking about after the first time I hear his song and he really wouldn’t be payed attention to if he did’t get shot)
I have many others but the top five are the only real ones everybody needs to pay attention to.
Posted on July 23, 2004 04:45 PM | #
76. hoats said:
top 10:
1. Rakim (the best,period.)
2. Nas (some of the most unbeliveble lines.)
3. Big pun (ridiculous riddle style)
4. Biggie (lyrical master)
5. KRS-One (‘nasty’)
6. Big L (didn’t have enought time)
7. Mos Def (smooth)
8. Raekwon (Shaolin’s finest)
9. Black Thought (great lyrics)
10. Eminem (genius)
Posted on July 24, 2004 01:10 PM | #
77. jon said:
The 10 Greatest MC’s are:
1. Nas(The Greatest ever, not just the king of new york, but the whole world when it comes to hip hop, he has created some of the dopest ryhmes ever, no one will ever take his place, ever)
2. Biggie Smalls(Also very dope.Lyrical master.)
3. Tupac(T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E.)
4. Eminem(the boy is Nice)
5. Rakim(The God)
6. Jay- Z( Started out strong, could have finished better, but still nice.)
7. KRS-One(the teacher)
8.Dr. Dre(Ahead of the game, STILL)
9. Chuck D
10. LL cool J
Posted on August 26, 2004 07:48 PM | #
78. joey said:
The Greatest MC’s are
1.Nas
2.God’s Son
3.Nasty Nas
4.Nastrodamus
5.Escobar
6.N.A.S.I.R.
7.Queensbridge General
8. N
9. A
10. S
(The Man is Just dope, none of these other MC’s cant compete. And I mean 2pac, biggie,rakim,krs,eminem 50 cent or any other MC on this webpage!)
Posted on August 26, 2004 07:55 PM | #
79. david said:
All of these MC’s are great, but NAS is and will always be Number 1
Posted on September 14, 2004 07:20 PM | #
80. Tonino said:
Hey what about :
BIG L???????????
“YOU CAN ASK BEAVIS I GET NOTHING BUTTHEAD” KNOW WHAT I’M SAYIN . Why always everybody forgets him. Freddie Foxxx/Bumpy Knuckles?????????damn mf’s yall ain’t talkin about hip hop if they are not in your list
and all them who where in “the Sympony” the marley marl track if you know it you know what i’m talkin about(and who)
Greetings Tonino ,Veghell,The Netherlands
Posted on September 17, 2004 05:27 AM | #
81. ibby said:
1> Pac!! (just looking at record sales in the short time he was here he made that much of an impact that he has sold 26 million + albums which is about 8 million more than any other rapper. so terrance i aint sure what you were talkin about cause if you need to be shot to sell then what happened to biggie?)
2> Biggie (lyrically unbeatable just ashame he didnt have the production to go with it)
3> Rakim
4> Eminem
5> Jay Z (starting to forget about him already)
6> Nas (I suppose 1 great album has to put here)
Posted on September 27, 2004 08:41 AM | #
82. young hov said:
The most illest mc ever is Hov!!!
Posted on September 29, 2004 05:20 PM | #
83. NEW YORK's FINEST said:
2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC 2PAC
THE REALEST. WHEN HE WAS ALIVE,
WHY DIDNT THAT PIG BIGGIE FAT BUSTARD
SHOWED HIM HE WASTHE KING OF RAP, NOT AFTER
2PAC DIED.
Posted on October 4, 2004 04:25 AM | #
84. West Coast G said:
I have to say first and foremost that i respect every MC on this list. i think Tupac deffinatly deserves number one because he was so many things to so many people. when he rymed he had other thoughts on his mind then to just get radio play, he wanted to reach the masses get his word out and inform the youth of america. Tupac will always be influential. i had the privelege of knowing pac and to him speak for five minutes was like the bible being recited infront of you, because he was so biblical. i know that tupac will live on forever in my heart and in the hearts of many others.
Posted on October 7, 2004 05:59 PM | #
85. LSF said:
Only ONE person has mentioned Canibus. Mabye his music sucks, but has anyone realized what an amazing rapper he is?
Posted on October 11, 2004 05:59 PM | #
86. Hank said:
this list is bogus
1) Pac
2) Common (most underrated of all time)
3- talib kweli
4- Mos Def
5- Nas
6- Eminem
7- KRS One
8- Rakim
9- Dr Dre
10- Snoop DOgg
11- The Fugees
12- Biggie
13- Jay-z
14- Scarface
15- Kanye west
16- Atmosphere
17- Aesop Rock
18- Big Pun
19- DMX
20- Run Dmc
21- The roots
22- Ice Cube
Posted on October 18, 2004 10:47 PM | #
87. Kidar Hussein said:
First of all you guys got it all wrong it goes
1.shakur
2.biggie
3.nas
4.rakim
5.emenium
6.snoop dogg
7.dre
8.lil troy
9.p diddy
10.nelly
11.eazy e
Posted on November 5, 2004 01:29 PM | #
88. ryan said:
my fav r
1. eminem
2. tupac
3. notorious big the best!!!!!!!
4. dr dre
5. jay z
why did tupac have to go it is not fair at all. but he is more famous gone than if he was alive.
Posted on November 8, 2004 02:00 PM | #
89. NyXpun said:
o my god u guys are wow
one of the lists even had Kayne West as a top 20
holy shet thats not even funny.
Eminem is good he is not a top 5
overrated cuz hes white.
no one has Big L Gangstarr Chino XL and so many others that i cant even com up wit them right now
Kidar Hussein has to be messin around cuz that list is jus damn
Well whenever someone asked for the Top MCs of all time, i always i hate that. too debatable. its not like Top rock groups or pop stars of all time, Hip Hop is different.
putting pac biggie or eminem at a top 5 is shows that the person doesnt know much about rap
Posted on November 11, 2004 11:36 AM | #
90. Obstar B Deluxe said:
Peeps,
I’ll never understand how people can listen to and enjoy techno music, but appreciate the need for a varied and colourful platter from which to choose our musical poisons. In that respect alone, the greatest MC of all time is somewhat of a conundrum.
That said, we all have our favourites, and after a lifetime of bopping my head to the underground, being bombarded by the mainstream and now dancing with bboys, I’d have to say:
1. Q-Tip
2. Chali 2Na
3. Abdominal
Peace
Posted on November 12, 2004 10:28 AM | #
91. Nonsense said:
First in formost (R.I.P)
1.2pac(The greatest ever)
2.Big L(D@mn dis cat is ill and is next in line to Pac)
3.B.I.G
But My list for the rappers still living
1.DMX DMX DMX (Man i love to listen 2 this guy)
2.Jay Z
3.Nas
4.Emeniem
5.Cassidy
6.Jadakiss
7.Lloyd Banks
8.Juelz Santana
9.Camron
10.Mobb Deep
Makaveli Rest In Peace-2pac
Posted on November 12, 2004 10:26 PM | #
92. JOHN D said:
I DONT KNOW WHAT ALL U GUYS ARE TALKING BOUT BUT I BELIEVE 2PAC WAS, IS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE GREATEST MC OF ALL TIME. LOOK HOW MANY RECORDS HE SOLD. THIS NIGGA WROTE ONLY GOD KNOWS HOW MANY SONGS IN JAIL ALONE. MAN HES THE GREATEST. CANT SAY MUCH GO CHECK THE RECORDS. BUT MY LIST GOES
1 2PAC
2 BIGGIE (FLOWS)
3 EMINEM
4 JAY Z
5 NAS
6 SNOOP
7 REDMAN
8 METHODMAN
9 RAKIM
10 DR DRE
DONT HATE .ITS JUST ME
Posted on November 15, 2004 12:14 PM | #
93. Romel Martin said:
Proper Order because of the mistakes that people
made. The Top Ordered Greatest M.C’s
1. Notorious B.I.G
2. Tu Pac
3. Jay-Z
4. KRS-One
5. Emimen
6. Canibus
7. Nas
8. Rakim
9. Black Moon
10. Redman
11. Method Man
12. LL Cool J
13. Big Pun
14. Kool G Rap
15. Dr. Dre
16. Sticky Fingaz
17. Jadakiss
18. Cassidy
19. Lloyd Banks
20. Snoop Dogg
21. Styles P
21. 50 Cent
Posted on November 16, 2004 03:21 PM | #
94. Ed said:
Top 10 MC’s…
1. RUN
2. DMC
3. RAKIM
4. Big Daddy Kan
5. Chuck D
6. Heavy D
7. NAS
8. MC Lyte
9. Slick Rick
10. Chubb Rock
I may be OLD SCHOOL, but C’mon, can anybody TOUCH these RAPPERS????? Sorry WEST COAST, but the EAST COAST originated it, and the THRONE stays there!!!!!!! (don’t hate, I’m from the South, & I’m just keepin’ in REAL!!!!!!)
Posted on November 16, 2004 10:13 PM | #
95. D said:
This is the list of best rappers of all time to dispel all other lists.
Made by CJ and Big D of South Shore in Chicago
15. Missy Elliot
14. Rakim
13. Busta Rhymes
12. Jadakiss
11.50 Cent
10. Ludacris
9. Ice Cube
8. Jay-Z
7. Common
6. Nas
5. Snoop Dogg
4. Dr. Dre
3. Eminem
2. Biggie
1. TUPAC
Posted on November 17, 2004 07:35 PM | #
96. Saddam hussein said:
There were only 2 great MC’s in the game’s history, they are:
Nas and Notorious B.I.G. No doubt about. no one can step to these 2 mc’s
Posted on November 17, 2004 07:44 PM | #
97. Lil Deezie said:
Yo I am a different type of kat so dog here is mine if you like it or not:
1.Rakim (the illest rhymes here or now)
2.Krs-One(his skills and his contributions)
3.Nas(Ilmatic)
4.Emeniem(freeing and crazy lyricst)
5.Jay Z(Resonable Doubt)
6.Canibus(Lyrics are the most advanced)
7.Talib(clever)
8.Mos Def(this nigga is on point)
9.Big Daddy(Jay Z’s daddy)
10.Common(Can I borrow a dollar? One day it will make sense, Like Water for Choclate shall i say more)
Posted on November 18, 2004 08:07 PM | #
98. robert said:
The greatest MC of all time is Nas, Nasty Nas, Escobar, whatever you want to call him, he is the best ever. Queensbridge! holla bac!!!
Posted on November 22, 2004 07:56 PM | #
99. rahim said:
check it, its
1 Pac
2 Big
3 Nas
4 Rakim
5 Snoop dog
6 Jay z
7 Common
8 Krs one
9 Talib
10 Mc Lyte
Posted on December 14, 2004 01:18 PM | #
100. Corleone said:
Few of these lists i agree with but some of yall are borderline retarded i mean nas better than hova just because of that sneak attack against hova on ether doesn’t make him better. let them battle face to face i bet you jay-z would smash his ass. This is my list
1.Tupac
2.Eminem( don’t hate you know he’s ill as shit did you hear his rap battles at the rap olmypics)
3.Jay-z(ether my ass)
4.Biggie
5.Jadakiss
6.Chuck d
7.LL Cool J
8.Rakim
9.Dmx
Posted on December 30, 2004 06:08 PM | #
101. Ren said:
Maybe someone could explain to me how Aesop Rock made number one on several of your lists. I’ve listened to a lot of his rhymes and many of his lyrics are thrown in randomly when they shouldnt be there. His incoherent and overwhelming wordplay might be the reason some think he has an ill flow but Rakim is definately number one on my list. Rakim has a sort of coolness on the mic that a lot of mcs like Aesop don’t seem to have. He always sounds in control and like he isn’t even trying.
Posted on January 1, 2005 06:24 PM | #
102. sati said:
the top 22 got it right by putting 2pac first, so if something ain’t broke don’t fix it.
here’s my list
1. 2pac/Makaveli
2. pick a name
3. pick a name
4 pick a name
and so on…
Its too hard to pick 22 rappers in order of greatness but its SOOOOOOOOOO easy to pick the first greatest rapper and he died on september 13.
This man was like 500 years ahead of his time, thats how good he was. I feel sorry for anyone who disagrees. sigh ignorant people
Posted on January 13, 2005 11:36 PM | #
103. m-per-v-s said:
Ras Kass is the most underrated of all time. Maybe potentially the greatest with “Soul On Ice” in 1996.
Posted on January 15, 2005 11:23 PM | #
104. Adam said:
How you gonna put dre or Krs One in front of Pac? Crazy man. Pac was the best, Period.
Posted on January 18, 2005 02:24 PM | #
105. CT said:
1. Tupac Amaru Shakur
2. 2pac
3. Tha Realist
4. Makaveli the Don
5. The LATE GREAT
6. Lesane Parish Crooks
well hope this clarifies it for all yall pac haters………..laterz
corytran@hotmail.com
Posted on January 20, 2005 06:45 PM | #
106. Karl said:
2pac is by far the greatest ever. He’s the only one that could reach the masses.My dad a 52 year old white male listens to him everyday before work in his car. Underground is tight but theres a reason it stays underground. You gotta be able to be versatile, to be the greatest and thats what Pac was.
Best MC’s
1. 2pac(on another level)
2. Biggie
3. Eminem
4. Rakim
5. Nas
6. KRS-One
7. Q-Tip
8. Andre 3000
9. Common
10. Treach
Posted on January 25, 2005 05:08 PM | #
107. chris said:
Nas is better than Jay-Z on his death bed!! Nasty Nas is the greatest MC that ever lived!!!!
Posted on January 26, 2005 08:00 PM | #
108. yousef said:
yow people tupac amaru shakur was and is still the best mc rapper gangsta rapper of all time tupac wasn’t like the other rappers he was special he wasn’t on the samen level the other artist where he was a lot higher then all of them the biggest hiphopper of all time rest in peace all you copy cat’s go to hell
pac spoak the truth he stands of like a warior a true soldier representing the streets tupac still number one
1.tupac
2.biggie
3.snoop dogg
4.outlawz
5.ludacris
6.nate dogg
7.dogg pound
8.dazz dillinger
9.yuk mouth
10makavelli the don lives on
for all u pac haterz hope u burn in hell u jelous ass mothafucker
Posted on January 30, 2005 04:46 AM | #
109. Conway Street said:
1. Rakim
2. Notorious BIG
3. Jay Z
4. Nas
5. 2Pac
6. Big L
7. Big Pun
8. Jadakiss
9. Styles P
10. Scarface
11. Eminem
12. Talib Kweli
13. Beanie Sigel
14. Snoop Dogg
15. Twista
16. T.I.
17. Lloyd Banks
18. Cassidy
19. Jae Millz
20. Game
Dre 3000 used to be nice to
Posted on February 1, 2005 04:41 PM | #
110. Joe said:
Tupac is the greatest of all-time, period. Anyone who disagrees is either ignorant or too stubborn to put the greatest in front of their personal favorites. I can feel it when people say guys like Rakim and KRS-1 are the greatest, but other than that you cannot be poppin shit like Nas, Eminem, and all those other commercial rappers. A guy like Nas is so much on Pac’s dick that you couldn’t remove him with the jaws-of-life. Pac hated Nas and Nas sits here today bitin Pac’s style, praisin Pac, using him to diss other rappers (Ether). Same thing with Eminem. The guy is on Pac’s nuts. Eminem said that Pac was the greatest song writer of all time and that Pac is his favorite rapper ever. The guy just got done producing Pac’s new album (and Em ruined it with those wack as remixes and idiots like 50 cent being put in the songs). And for those who say Pac wouldn’t be nothing if he didn’t get shot, Pac was number one at the time of his death. No one could touch Pac or Death Row. Biggie and Bad Boy were gettin shit on so bad it was pathetic. And for all those Biggie fans, go read some literature. Pac started Biggie’s fat ass. Pac let him come on stage with him and do his show before he opened up wit ‘keep ya head up’ and ‘i get around’. How come Biggie NEVER dissed Pac when Pac shit all over him in interviews, and songs like ‘Hit em up’?? Because Biggie knew what Pac was saying was true and that he could not battle Pac. He knew what time it was. And Pac did all that shit by the age of 25. All these other rappers are in their 30s and still don’t have half the songs or talent that Pac had 10 years ago. Pac be puttin out new albums every year and he been dead for 8 1/2 years now. He has sold over 40 million albums; no rapper comes even close to that. Show some fuckin respect to the king of hip hop.
Posted on February 14, 2005 11:27 PM | #
111. DDiesel said:
Joe you are so right and I couldn’t put it any better but by just agreeing with you when you say that Tupacs the greatest ever. No other rapper out there moved people as well or as good as Tupac did. I miss him.
Posted on February 27, 2005 07:04 PM | #
112. Archie Orao said:
Tupac is by far the greatest rapper ever. No one compares to him. He is in class of his own. So here goes my list of top ten mcs.
1 Tupac
2 Shakur
3 Amaru
4 Makaveli
5 Badboy killa
6 The realist
7 Hollywood’s finest
8 MC New York
9 Lesane Parish Crooks
10 Thugangel
Posted on March 1, 2005 10:48 PM | #
113. Archie Orao said:
Tupac is by far the greatest rapper ever. No one compares to him. He is in a class of his own. So here goes my list of top ten mcs.
1 Tupac
2 Shakur
3 Amaru
4 Makaveli
5 Badboy killa
6 The realist
7 Hollywood’s finest
8 MC New York
9 Lesane Parish Crooks
10 Thugangel
Posted on March 1, 2005 10:53 PM | #
114. Mamadou said:
i ‘m from senegal West Africa, where i come from we dont feel piggie we dont feel all the niggaz some of u talk about the only one who came accros the Atlantic is TUPAC we do love TUPAC if i speak english its because i listen to tupac.
Tupac is on walls all over the world in deep African villages kids know Tupac. Nobody can do nothing to god’s choice.
Posted on March 3, 2005 08:10 AM | #
115. Archie Orao said:
I come from Kenya. Here, it is all about Tupac Shakur. Biggie was good but nobody touches pac. We love him to death. TUPAC SHAKUR, WE GOT NOTHING BUT LOVE 4 YA.
Posted on March 4, 2005 08:46 AM | #
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