Doing something different from Emerald Espeon.
My friends always asked me. I never had an answer. Here is my list. It’s not my favorite rappers list, instead it’s a list of the rappers who I believe are the most talented rappers. Not the most talented artist.
The art speaks for itself. I’ve always wanted to do one of these, so here goes:
*Feel free to comment on Facebook or wherever you found this.
1. Dylon
2. Dylon
3. Dylon
4. Dylon, and
5. Dylon
My list follows below.
1. MF DOOM
Won’t waste words here. He is the GOAT. No one else on the list will get this preferential treatment. Not even HOV. My absolute favorite rapper of all time.
I’ll include up to two songs, if any, for each rapper.
2. Lauryn Hill
If you listened to the Fugees, and any of her independent albums, you know Lauryn Hill is the GOAT. Easily the best rapper alive since Doom passed. Without a doubt.
If you disagree, comment where you scroll/ see this. I am curious about your thoughts on who should claim this spot.
3. Lupe Fiasco
This is a tough one. Food & Liquor dropped when I was a sophomore in high school. Lupe holds a very special place in my hip-hop-adoring-heart. Lupe embodies lyrical genius and relevant knowledge. He could rap the news with his perspective and still spit facts. If Lauren Hill isn’t The Rap God, then Lupe is.
Need proof:
4. Andre 3000
Andre 3000 is one of the most prolific, iconic and profound rappers and lyricists of all time. Still not better Lu. Not better than Lauryn Hill. No one tops Doom, not even Dylon.
5. Nas
I say this with a heavy heart. Jay Z is my favorite rapper. Nas is the better rapper though. Nothing personal. Listen to their discographies. Jay Z talks and speaks, he’s spoken word on the best beats you ever heard, but Nas is true stories, deep shit on fire beats. Nas is a better lyricist because he writes his shit. Can’t be a better lyricist when you don’t write lyrics. Simple math.
Anyway, next on my list:
6. Queen Latifah
I expect to catch fire for this. She is Redman mixed with Mary J Blige in terms of flow and lyrical complexity and depth, plus Erykah Badu’s soulfulness. At least in terms of the beats she delivers her incredible, deep, thoughtful rhymes over. Queen Latifah should be on everyone’s top 10 rappers list. She is not better than Lauryn Hill. At least not as a rapper. As an artist and an actor, no question.
7. Talib Kweli
8. Mos Def (Closer to Kweli than Common)
9. Common
10. Phife Dawg
11. Q-Tip
12. Earl Sweatshirt
13. Mac Miller especially as Delusional Thomas
14. Jay Z (also my favorite)
15. Missy Elliot
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16. Nicki Minaj
17. Kanye West
18. (Stay tuned updated periodically)
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