A publication counting down the 50 greatest rappers ever in honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary has been released.
On Wednesday (February 8), Billboard and Vibe shared an article ranking the Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time as part of this year’s golden anniversary of hip-hop–a genre which dates back to 1973, when DJ Kool Herc first set up his two turntables to rock a Bronx party. In determining these rankings and keeping the their pool of nominees more focused, the two organizations’ editorial teams opted first to limit the rap arena to North America, as well as not to include the significant contributions of reggaetón and dancehall MCs on this list.
The teams also took into account the following criteria, not in any particular order: body of work/achievements (charted singles/albums, gold/platinum certifications), cultural impact/influence (how the artist’s work fostered the genre’s evolution), longevity (years at the mic), lyrics (storytelling skills) and flow (vocal prowess).
“It took a lot of deliberation and deep discussion to reason our way to what we believe is a well-thought-out, authentic list that reflects hip-hop’s foundational pioneers, evolutionary trailblazers and contemporary mainstays. In addition, that mix also encompasses 50 years of cultural milestones for a genre initially dismissed as a passing fad — and now recognized as the industry’s market-share leader,” a statement by Billboard and Vibe reads
While the list includes female MCs like Lil’ Kim (No. 31), Lauryn Hill (No. 30), and Missy Elliott (No. 19), Nicki Minaj is the only woman in the top 10. “She’s undeniably blazed the trail for the next generation of female MCs, while at the same time, building a legacy whose impact is hardly limited to the hip-hop world,” writes Billboard.
At 36, Drake is the youngest rapper in the top 50 at No. 8. As one of the “most gifted and accomplished artists to ever touch down in music,” he remains a certified hitmaker whose “Midas touch” has earned him nearly 300 entries on the Billboard Hot 100. The man behind both Drake and Nicki, Lil Wayne, takes his rightful throne at No. 7, followed by a pair of late legends, The Notorious B.I.G. (No. 6) and Tupac Shakur (No. 4).
With 15 Grammys and 10 No. 1 albums, the “Rap God” Eminem has earned his top 5 status. His “unprecedented commercial success” and “peerless technical skills” lands him in the “upper echelon of GOAT rappers.” Nas rounds out the top 3, followed by Kendrick Lamar at No. 2. The Compton rapper’s “lyrical prowess, classic albums, and envelope-pushing evolution” have afforded him a reputation as the “best rapper of his generation.”
With a career that spans three decades, no one can knock JAY-Z’s hustle. “His longevity, the breadth of his accomplishments, and what he’s meant to hip-hop from a musical, cultural and financial standpoint” for the last three decades ranks him amongst the best. The Brooklyn born rapper’s defiant-yet-confident declaration has proven true through his legendary career. He has succeeded in every era, spitting regal-scented rhymes that speak to the struggle, and to the opulence that follows an intensely self-made greatness.
See 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time List Here.
