Billboard’s 50 greatest rappers of all time
The GOAT, or Greatest of All Time. When ranking who or what is the absolute best—whether you're talking about movies, TV shows, restaurants, or anything else—a that's prestigious—and also contentious—honor.
As part of our celebration of this year's golden anniversary of hip-hop, Billboard/Vibe will rank the Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time in the beginning of 2023. When DJ Kool Herc initially set up his two turntables to rock a Bronx party in 1973, the genre was born.
Rappers rated 50–41 were revealed on Jan. 11, which marked the start of the rollout. Since then, we've disclosed 10 additional rappers each week, and the ultimate top 10 are now shown below.
In determining these rankings, the Billboard and Vibe editorial teams opted first to limit the rap arena to North America. So for example, as estimable as his career is, British rapper Slick Rick isn’t on this list. We also opted not to include the significant contributions of reggaetón and dancehall MCs on this list, just to keep our pool of nominees a little more focused.
From there, the teams 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).
As is well known, GOAT and similar best-of lists always draw their share of criticism and praise from industry pundits and the public alike.
So 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.
So now, let’s reveal the top 10 of Billboard/Vibe’s Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time … and let the debate continue.
50. Rick Ross
Rozay’s “Hustlin’” dreams turned to gold when he rattled the cages of rap’s mainstream with his 2006 summer anthem and pledged his allegiance to Def Jam and its ex-president Jay-Z. Ross demanded attention through his deep gruff-and-grunting ad-libs, colourful street tales and inside looks at Miami’s lavish lifestyle, plus his incredible ear for production — more appetizing than a lemon-pepper Wingstop order.
His catalogue reigns supreme, especially in the late 2000s and 2010s, as he doled out gems such as Trilla, Deeper Than Rap and God Forgives, I Don’t. Ross has notched 58 Billboard Hot 100 entries spanning three decades, but his legacy doesn’t end there: His Maybach Music Group laid the tarmac for Meek Mill and Wale to take off and become titans in the 2010s.
49. Rev. Run (Run-DMC)
“I’m drivin’ Caddy, you fixin’ a Ford,” Joseph Simmons boasted on Run-DMC’s 1984 breakthrough “Rock Box.” While DMC was the majestic voice and the late DJ Jam Master Jay the heartbeat of the epochal ’80s rap trio, Run was the undisputed star.
He led Run-DMC to historic heights, as they became the first hip-hop group to flex B-Boy minimalism to the masses (“Sucker MC’s”), go gold (1984’s King of Rock), appear on MTV, reach multiplatinum status (with 1986’s landmark Raising Hell, punctuated by the boundary-breaking Aerosmith collab “Walk This Way”), headline arena tours and ink a major endorsement deal (Adidas). After finding God, Rev. Run reinvented himself as a reality star in the 2005 MTV series Run’s House.
48. Melle Mel
Before Melle Mel’s game-changing run with Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, rap was still constrained by its “yes, yes y’all!” park jam origins. Then came “The Message” (1982), hip-hop’s seismic GOAT recording, elevated by the rapper born Melvin Glover and his vivid ghetto portrait.
A year later, the first universally hailed God MC demystified the allure of the Big Apple (“New York, New York”) and distilled the crisis of the cocaine epidemic (“White Lines [Don’t Don’t Do It]”) before crashing pop radio with his 1984 appearance on Chaka Khan’s Grammy-winning, No. 3-peaking Hot 100 hit “I Feel for You” — a pivotal early crossover moment between the hip-hop and R&B worlds.
47. MC Lyte
In 1987, MC Lyte bumrushed her way into hip-hop’s boys club with a throat-grabbing voice and dynamic lyricism that seemed well beyond her 16 years. The Brooklyn teen’s opening salvo was “I Cram to Understand U (Sam),” a song that spoke about the perils of falling in love with a crack addict.
Even the title of the original queen of rap’s 1988 seminal debut album, Lyte as a Rock, was metaphorically heavy. From battle rhyming (“Shut the Eff Up-Hoe”) to heartfelt storytelling (“Poor Georgie”), Lyte roared into the ‘90s racking up three gold singles — most notably the Puffy Combs-produced “Cold Rock a Party” (1996), featuring a then-up-and-coming Missy Elliott.
46. Jadakiss
Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic
Jadakiss’ signature laugh and “ah-ha” squeal have signalled for decades that a lyrical masterclass was on the way. The LOX frontman fostered his hip-hop breakout with a co-sign from The Notorious B.I.G., then stomped his way to prominence with his Timberlands and hard-nosed raps.
His lyrical intensity and fearless aggression are battle-tested, as he sparred with the likes of 50 Cent and Beanie Sigel in the 2000s before single-handedly dismantling Dipset in a 2021 Verzuz battle. Jada checks off just about every box as a member of hip-hop’s hall of fame — though a bona fide classic solo album from the Yonkers legend could have vaulted him inside this list’s top 20.
45. Ice-T
Ice-T’s harrowing “6 N the Mornin’” (1986) forever stamped the West Coast on the hip-hop map. To the Moral Majority, the Godfather of gangsta rap — who set the table for West Coast MCs ranging from N.W.A and Snoop Dogg to The Game and the late Nipsey Hussle — was a walking Parental Advisory sticker.
Yet like “Colors,” Ice’s masterful 1988 first-person account of the Crips and Bloods gang violence that gripped Los Angeles, street manifestos like Rhyme Pays (1987), Power (1988) and The Iceberg /Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say! (1989) were eloquent hood testimonies. When his metal band Body Count’s incendiary “Cop Killer” (1992) nearly derailed his career, Ice also helped open a new lane for hip-hop: acting (New Jack City, Law & Order: SVU).
44. Queen Latifah
“Who you calling a b–ch?!” And with those iconic words from the powerful 1993 anti-domestic violence statement “U.N.I.T.Y.,” Queen Latifah cut through all the misogynistic noise. This was nothing new for New Jersey’s own Dana Owens: With her essential 1989 debut album All Hail the Queen, she not only delivered the classic Monie Love-featured Black feminist anthem “Ladies First,” she also got the party started (“Come Into My House”) and took out wack MCs (“Wrath of My Madness’).
Latifah’s subsequent jump into Hollywood proved to be just as impressive, earning accolades for her television work (Living Single) and an Oscar nod (the 2002 musical Chicago), and making her one of the first MCs with the star power to prove how deeply a rapper could become embedded in American pop culture, even outside of the world of hip-hop.
43. Bun B
Photo : Gregory Bojorquez/GI
As the legendary rap duo UGK, Bun B and the late Pimp C kept the spotlight on Texas while taking the baton from the Scarface-led triad Geto Boys. However, the Port Arthur native born Bernard James Freeman twangy flow ended up being far more influential than his initial underground career aspirations. A random call from Jay-Z in 1999 ended up shattering regional exposure barriers when Jay’s braggadocious “Big Pimpin’” earned UGK its first top 40 Hot 100 hit.
After Bun proved his chops as a solo artist with Pimp C behind bars, UGK reunited to craft its magnum opus with 2007’s Billboard 200-topping Underground Kingz, released just months before Pimp C’s death at 33 in 2007. The set was powered by the majestic “Int’l Players Anthem” featuring OutKast. Now a rap elder statesman, Bun keeps a keen eye on next-gen talent, offering key co-signs to such contemporary stars as Drake and Kodak Black.
42. Redman
Redman’s rugged yet humorous rhymes and infectious personality make him one of hip-hop’s most beloved MCs. In fact, Reggie Noble led off Eminem’s list of the greatest MCs within the latter’s pump-up perennial “Till I Collapse.” With EPMD’s Erick Sermon as a mentor, Redman (aka Funk Doc) exceeded expectations in 1992 when his debut studio project Whut? Thee Album became an instant hip-hop classic with its early use of funk samples and hilarious punchlines.
Redman’s popularity skyrocketed when he joined forces with Method Man in the late ‘90s and released the first of their two albums together — Blackout!, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Fans couldn’t get enough of the weed-smoking, carefree duo’s debauchery, which culminated in the 2001 cult classic feature film, How High, starring the pair and named after one of their enduring ‘90s hits.
41. E-40
San Francisco’s Bay Area has always been a key birthplace for unique hip-hop talent, from MC Hammer and Tupac Shakur to Too $hort. But few rappers, if any, have repped the Bay longer or stronger than E-40. With one of the deepest catalogues in hip-hop history — including 18 top 10s on Billboard’s Top Rap Albums chart — Forty Water personifies the hustle of forging a successful independent career.
His flamboyant rhymes helped him become one of the first West Coast rappers to sign a major deal when he signed with Jive Records in the early ‘90s. And he hasn’t gone more than four years without releasing an album since 1993. E-40’s contributions, including his 2006 top 10 rap hit and hyphy movement anthem “Tell Me When to Go,” helped bring the Bay Area into hip-hop’s mainstream.
40. Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre would be the first to tell you that he is not a traditional MC. During his 30+-year career, the global best-selling producer, often cited as hip-hop’s GOAT behind the boards, boasts a treasure trove of lyricists who have written for him, from Ice Cube, the D.O.C. and Snoop Dogg to Eminem, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar. However, Andre Young’s legacy as a lead rapper on three separate era-defining albums — 1988’s Straight Outta Compton with N.W.A. and his solo-headlined studio albums The Chronic and 2001 — can’t be denied.
On Chronic, his 1992 triple-platinum-certified gangsta rap opus, Dre also exhibits an effortless delivery on the mic, with a commanding voice that’s one of the genre’s most recognizable. And hearing him master the double-time flow on 1999’s Slim Shady-featuring “Forgot About Dre,” from the six-times-platinum-certified masterpiece 2001, is still a shock to the system.
39. Ludacris
Photo : Sal Idriss/Redfernsns
Ludacris became Atlanta’s first crossover superstar of the 2000s, dominating the airwaves and the clubs with an arsenal of Dirty South anthems at his disposal, coupled with his uniquely charismatic twang. Luda’s witty rhymes and slick pop culture references felt as gargantuan as the famously oversized arms he rocked in 2004’s “Get Back” video. Five No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 and another four on the Billboard 200 albums chart are nothing to scoff at, as Ludacris’ chart resumé can “stand up” to just about any of his rap contemporaries.
The Disturbing Tha Peace label co-founder’s industry acclaim finally caught up to his mainstream appeal when he took home the Grammys for best rap album and best rap song Grammys in 2007, thanks to the introspective Release Therapy and its Pharrell-featuring smash lead single “Money Maker.”
38. Gucci Mane
Photo : John Lamparski/GI
Gucci Mane went from teenage drug dealer to Atlanta rap deity in the 200s, with sedated raps and a Hollywood story Spike Lee couldn’t script. Guwop initially emerged alongside one-time adversary Jeezy with their 2005 collaboration “So Icy,” before things went south between them. After serving a two-year prison sentence in 2016 for firearm possession by a convicted felon, a rejuvenated Guwop subsequently went on a mainstream run like he was a new artist.
The trap pioneer’s workaholic mindset led to his flooding the streets with north of 70 mixtapes, and his hunger for greatness has yet to wane as he enters his 40s. His robust output yielded a record 20th top 10 entry on the Top Rap Albums chart in 2019, claiming the title belt from Tech N9ne. Prior to that in 2016, Mane scored his first Hot 100 No. 1 as a guest on Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles.”
37. Common
Photo : Joel Saget/AFP/GI
Lonnie Rashid Lynn was seemingly carrying the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the entire Chicago rhyme community on his back with 1992’s Can I Borrow a Dollar? It took a minute, but Common (then Common Sense) finally garnered national praise after launching one of the most celebrated three-album runs in rap history: 1994’s Resurrection, 1997’s One Day It’ll All Make Sense and 2000’s Like Water for Chocolate.
Few lyricists possess the dexterity to pull off a brilliant allegory about the history of hip-hop on “I Used to Love H.E.R.” while also firing off a savage takedown of a fearsome Ice Cube on “The B–ch In Yoo,” and then later becoming a Grammy-nominated hitmaker on “The Light.” And in 2017, Common became the first rapper to get the first 3/4 of the way to an EGOT by winning an Emmy (“Letter to the Free,” from 13th), Grammy (“Love of My Life” with Erykah Badu) and Oscar (“Glory” with John Legend, from Selma).
36. Yasin Bey (formerly Mos Def)
Photo : Gregory Bojorquez/GI
Under his now-retired moniker Mos Def, Brooklyn native Bey broke into the underground scene on Rawkus Records’ influential 1997 compilation Soundbombing with a charismatic presence that recalled the early ‘80s chief rocker days of Busy Bee Starski. Yet on the 1998 collaborative milestone Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, Bey proved to be so much more — a revelation further amplified on the unmoored race man’s gold-certified 1999 solo debut Black on Both Sides.
He could effortlessly manoeuvre from bawdy around-the-way storytelling (“Ms. Fat Booty”) to the inner-spiritual fight for Black liberation (“UMI Says”). After a return to form with 2009’s The Ecstatic, the reinvigorated MC-turned-actor (Brown Sugar, Dexter) changed his name to Bey in 2011.
On Chronic, his 1992 triple-platinum-certified gangsta rap opus, Dre also exhibits an effortless delivery on the mic, with a commanding voice that’s one of the genre’s most recognizable. And hearing him master the double-time flow on 1999’s Slim Shady-featuring “Forgot About Dre,” from the six-times-platinum-certified masterpiece 2001, is still a shock to the system.
39. Ludacris
Photo : Sal Idriss/Redfernsns
Ludacris became Atlanta’s first crossover superstar of the 2000s, dominating the airwaves and the clubs with an arsenal of Dirty South anthems at his disposal, coupled with his uniquely charismatic twang. Luda’s witty rhymes and slick pop culture references felt as gargantuan as the famously oversized arms he rocked in 2004’s “Get Back” video. Five No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 and another four on the Billboard 200 albums chart are nothing to scoff at, as Ludacris’ chart resumé can “stand up” to just about any of his rap contemporaries.
The Disturbing Tha Peace label co-founder’s industry acclaim finally caught up to his mainstream appeal when he took home the Grammys for best rap album and best rap song Grammys in 2007, thanks to the introspective Release Therapy and its Pharrell-featuring smash lead single “Money Maker.”
38. Gucci Mane
Photo : John Lamparski/GI
Gucci Mane went from teenage drug dealer to Atlanta rap deity in the 200s, with sedated raps and a Hollywood story Spike Lee couldn’t script. Guwop initially emerged alongside one-time adversary Jeezy with their 2005 collaboration “So Icy,” before things went south between them. After serving a two-year prison sentence in 2016 for firearm possession by a convicted felon, a rejuvenated Guwop subsequently went on a mainstream run like he was a new artist.
The trap pioneer’s workaholic mindset led to his flooding the streets with north of 70 mixtapes, and his hunger for greatness has yet to wane as he enters his 40s. His robust output yielded a record 20th top 10 entry on the Top Rap Albums chart in 2019, claiming the title belt from Tech N9ne. Prior to that in 2016, Mane scored his first Hot 100 No. 1 as a guest on Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles.”
37. Common
Photo : Joel Saget/AFP/GI
Lonnie Rashid Lynn was seemingly carrying the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the entire Chicago rhyme community on his back with 1992’s Can I Borrow a Dollar? It took a minute, but Common (then Common Sense) finally garnered national praise after launching one of the most celebrated three-album runs in rap history: 1994’s Resurrection, 1997’s One Day It’ll All Make Sense and 2000’s Like Water for Chocolate.
Few lyricists possess the dexterity to pull off a brilliant allegory about the history of hip-hop on “I Used to Love H.E.R.” while also firing off a savage takedown of a fearsome Ice Cube on “The B–ch In Yoo,” and then later becoming a Grammy-nominated hitmaker on “The Light.” And in 2017, Common became the first rapper to get the first 3/4 of the way to an EGOT by winning an Emmy (“Letter to the Free,” from 13th), Grammy (“Love of My Life” with Erykah Badu) and Oscar (“Glory” with John Legend, from Selma).
36. Yasin Bey (formerly Mos Def)
Photo : Gregory Bojorquez/GI
Under his now-retired moniker Mos Def, Brooklyn native Bey broke into the underground scene on Rawkus Records’ influential 1997 compilation Soundbombing with a charismatic presence that recalled the early ‘80s chief rocker days of Busy Bee Starski. Yet on the 1998 collaborative milestone Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, Bey proved to be so much more — a revelation further amplified on the unmoored race man’s gold-certified 1999 solo debut Black on Both Sides.
He could effortlessly manoeuvre from bawdy around-the-way storytelling (“Ms. Fat Booty”) to the inner-spiritual fight for Black liberation (“UMI Says”). After a return to form with 2009’s The Ecstatic, the reinvigorated MC-turned-actor (Brown Sugar, Dexter) changed his name to Bey in 2011.
35. Future
Photo : Jerritt Clark/GI for Maxim
Embracing his nickname as rap’s “toxic king,” Future and his syrupy flows were a driving force in Atlanta’s claiming of the hip-hop throne in the 2010s. Pluto’s epic mixtape three-peat of Monster, Beast Mode, and 56 Nights followed by the critically acclaimed DS2 and his What a Time to Be Alive joint project with Drake — all within the calendar year of 2015 — could be the best use of 365 days that rap has ever seen. And that was only the tip of the iceberg: After releasing 2022’s I Never Liked You, featuring current Grammy winner and No. 1 single “Wait for U” with Drake and Tems, he now boasts eight No. 1 albums and 10 top 10 Hot 100 hits to his name.
Over a decade into his prolific career, Future Hendrix is more commercially relevant than ever: the ATL trap legend became the only artist to appear on the Hot 100 every week throughout 2022.
34. Chuck D (Public Enemy)
Photo : Karjean Levine/GI
To describe Chuck D as a rapper would be as brazen an understatement as labelling Jimi Hendrix a guitarist. On Public Enemy’s 1987 “Rebel Without a Pause,” the seminal group’s mighty orator — backed by rap’s archetypal hype man in Flavor Flav — made it clear that hip-hop would never be the same. “Impeach the president, pulling out my RAY-GUN/ Zap the next one, I could be your shogun,” he exploded over the Bomb Squad’s revolutionary, deconstructed production.
Chuck held everyone’s feet to the fire: crack dealers in the Black community (“Night of the Living Baseheads”); purveyors of systemic racism (“Fight the Power”); a ravenous press (“Welcome to the Terror”) and greedy corporations (“Shut ‘Em Down”).
33. Busta Rhymes
Photo : Gregory Bojorquez/GI
Busta Rhymes’ scene-stealing feature on A Tribe Called Quest’s 1992 single “Scenario” introduced a Brooklyn MC that took over the late ‘90s and early ’00s with his animated voice and exuberant rhymes. The Coming, Rhymes’ 1996 major label debut album, couldn’t have sported a better title to describe his explosive entrance.
His imaginative vision also vaulted him into hip-hop lore, as he and director Hype Williams whipped up some of the genre’s most innovative videos, including “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” and “Dangerous.” Aside from his puckish verses, Rhymes brought his A game when paired with R&B greats such as Mariah Carey (“I Know What You Want”) and Janet Jackson (“What’s It Gonna Be?!”).
32. T.I.
Photo : Stephen Cooper/Newspix/GI
After a disappointing debut effort with 2001’s I’m Serious, T.I. regained his swagger with his 2003 breakthrough album Trap Muzik. Through vivid street tales and bombastic production, Tip became one of trap’s forefathers, alongside fellow heralded ATL stars such as Jeezy and Gucci Mane.
Even when duelling alongside rap greats like Jay-Z (“Swagger Like Us”), Eminem (“Touchdown”) and Kanye West (“Welcome to the World”), T.I. expunged any doubt about his MC credibility via his grit and lyrical precision. One of hip-hop’s pioneering polymaths, T.I. has earned three Grammys and seven top five Billboard 200 albums and forged a successful film and TV career.
31. Lil Kim
Photo : Theo Wargo/WireImage
Lil Kim’s raunchy, vicious rhymes turned hip-hop upside down. Under the tutelage of the late Notorious B.I.G., Queen Bee debuted as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., becoming an icon following her titillating 1996 solo debut album Hard Core. Certified double-platinum, the album spun off three consecutive No. 1s on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart — “No Time,” “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” and “Crush on You” — making her the first female rapper to do so.
Her unapologetic tone shattered barriers for women in hip-hop, allowing them to be more sexually expressive and liberated. While Kim’s movie idol looks and provocative fashion sense commanded eyes, her gruff delivery and punchy rhymes brought fear and respect from rival MCs, as evidenced by her searing features on Bad Boy classics like The LOX’s “Money, Power & Respect” and Diddy’s “It’s All About the Benjamins.”
30. Lauryn Hill
Photo : Anthony Barboza/GI
The timeless Ms. Lauryn Hill straddles the line between Motown soul, boom bap, R&B, jazz and rap — defying convention and introducing a new standard for genre-bending rappers. Whether it’s her work on Fugees’ blockbuster 1996 album The Score or her game-changing 1998 debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, she has influenced a host of hip-hop artists over the decades.
Her melodic rapping on “Doo Wop (That Thing)” led to the song becoming the first by a female rapper to top the Hot 100. Earning 10 Grammy nods for Miseducation, Hill won five, including best new artist and album of the year. Even if Hill never drops a proper sophomore album, she remains a peerless talent who can still out rap anyone — as proven by her memorable verse on Nas’ KD2 gem “Nobody” in 2021.
29. Pusha T
Photo : Mike Lawrie/GI
As a wellspring of talent, Virginia has had an outsized influence on popular music. And no conversation about that can be had without mentioning The Neptunes, Clipse and the latter duo’s enduring breakout star Pusha T. After reaching legendary status in the ‘00s alongside older brother Gene aka No Malice, Pusha later began grinding out a solo career, signing with G.O.O.D.
Music in 2010 and kicking off the label relationship with a guest feature on “Runaway” from Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy that same year. From there, Pusha became a fashion icon and served as president of West’s label, while continuing to release well-received solo albums full of vivid descriptions of his drug hustling and emotional struggles. 2022’s It’s Almost Dry earned the rapper his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
28. Black Thought
Photo : Busacca/WireImage
Listening to Black Thought is like enrolling in a masterclass on lyricism. Tariq Trotter, co-founder of the legendary Roots crew and the long-running Philly band’s lead MC, still amazes rap fans with electrifying stream-of-consciousness radio freestyles and brilliant live performances. When Black Thought joins forces with supreme lyricists such as Eminem (“Yah Yah”), Royce da 5’9″ (“Rap on Steroids”), Big Pun (“Super Lyrical”) or Joey Bada$$ and Russ (“Because”), the combination elevates the craft and technique of rap to another level.
Rapping since 1993, Black Thought continues to grow more polished as one of the genre’s greatest MCs. “You Got Me,” the Erykah Badi-featuring crossover duet from the Roots’ platinum-selling album Things Fall Apart, remains a shining moment thanks to his rich baritone and riveting storytelling.
27. Q-Tip
Photo : Al Pereira/GI/Michael Ochs Archive
Q-Tip, co-founder of the alternative hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, has been on point for over 30 years. He’s the artistic, esoteric and philosophical rapper who juxtaposed the streetwise and humble delivery of the group’s late Phife Dawg. Tip’s laid-back, smooth-talkin’ flow came peppered with immortal lyrics in playful songs like “Bonita Applebum.” His body of work further established the creative link between hip-hop and jazz.
He set a new benchmark for erasing musical boundaries and ignoring popular trends, influencing a host of generation-next talents like Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and Tyler, the Creator. Alongside Phife, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White, ATCQ — also part of the Native Tongues collective (Queen Latifah, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Monie Love) — claimed No. 1 twice on the Billboard 200, while all six of the group’s albums were certified either gold or platinum.
26. Big Pun
Photo : Hiroyuki Ito/GI
“I’m not a player, I just crush a lot,” Big Pun declared on the 1998 smash hit “Still Not a Player” from his debut album Capital Punishment. A remix of the album’s lead single “I’m Not a Player,” it flipped a Brenda Russell sample into a salsa-adjacent jam and cemented the Big Punisher as a commercial force. After the album went platinum, he became the first Latino solo rap act to sell over a million copies.
Capital Punishment also topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, due to Big Pun’s expert wordplay, vivid storytelling and ability to craft catchy hooks. The late rapper continues to be an inspiration to waves of rappers, particularly Bronx-bred MCs like Fat Joe, Remy Ma and Cardi B.
25. Method Man
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Method Man is hip-hop’s version of create-a-player perfection. The Wu-Tang Clan member possesses it all: unmistakable voice, impenetrable flow, witty rhymes, dark sense of humor, charm and good looks that also translated into Hollywood success.
Meth’s total package of street-savvy raps and heartthrob sex appeal made him a dominant force in the ‘90s and 2000s: he could carry his weight with his Wu brothers, spit muscular rhymes alongside Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac, show his romantic side on the smash Mary J. Blige collab “All I Need” and just have fun with Redman on the duo’s How High films and Blackout! albums all without missing a beat. More than 20 years after making his debut on the Wu’s Enter the 36 Chambers, he’s not done: a standout verse on Conway the Machine’s 2020 single “Lemon” found him just as sharp as ever.
24. KRS-One
Photo : Michael Ochs Archives/GI
KRS-One evolved from being The Blastmaster to The Teacha — a testament to his own lyrical and personal development. And if you ask him, it’s also a testament to the power of hip-hop. As a lyrical purveyor of the violence that littered his Bronx neighbourhood, KRS-One started his career in the late ‘80s on Boogie Down Productions’ classic Criminal Minded. However, after the murder of the group’s DJ Scott La Rock, he shifted to socially conscious rap aimed at empowering Black people and resolving the ills plaguing inner-city communities.
Works like BDP’s By All Means Necessary and the KRS-formed Stop the Violence Movement’s star-studded 1989 single “Self-Destruction” are some of the most powerful moments that hip-hop has ever witnessed. KRS-One is also battle-tested: 1987’s “The Bridge Is Over,” recorded in response to MC Shan’s “The Bridge,” is one of the most respected (and referenced) diss tracks of all time.
23. Kurtis Blow
Photo : Michael Ochs Archives/GI
Before rap became a cultural and commercial powerhouse, Kurtis Blow provided early proof of the genre’s future capabilities. He was the first rapper signed to a major label, created one of hip-hop’s earliest hits with “Christmas Rappin’,” earned the first gold plaque for a rap single with “The Breaks” and became the first rapper to embark on a national (and then international) tour.
Blow may not possess his descendants’ complex rhyme skills, but he was a star in his own right thanks to a magnetic voice and charismatic stage presence. Plus, his songs were both fun and relatable: “The Breaks” cleverly recounted bad days; “Christmas Rappin’” still rings true as a holiday jam; and “If I Ruled the World” showcased rap’s early aspirations. His impact is undeniable: Nas, Jay-Z, De La Soul, KRS-One and Redman are just a few of the rappers who have sampled Blow’s music.
22. Ghostface Killah
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With a collection of brilliant solo albums and one of the most unmistakable styles in hip-hop history, Ghostface Killah is arguably the most accomplished rapper within the Wu-Tang Clan, which already has its own stake on any GOAT rap group list. The Staten Island lyricist draws from a Technicolor palette of inimitable slang, colorful character profiles, luxurious wares and slippery flows to craft vibrant, imaginative stories.
He struck special chemistry with Wu compatriot Raekwon when the two adopted prominent roles on each other’s classic ‘90s debuts, Ironman and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, respectively. Ghost continued the winning streak well into the 21st century, first with his 2000 sophomore opus Supreme Clientele and on through 2006’s brilliant Fishscale and 2013’s comic book on wax, Twelve Reasons to Die.
21. DMX
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With a ravenous rhyme style and the powerful recurring use of dogs as a lyrical motif, DMX had the most commanding presence rap has ever seen. His pair of classic 1998 albums, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, along with the 1999 follow-up …And Then There Was X, topped the charts through grim, unforgiving street tales, processing the pains of a traumatic childhood and seeking spirituality for solace.
When he wasn’t baring his soul, DMX steadily proved he could hang with rap’s best: LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Nas, Busta Rhymes and others have all experienced X’s untameable aggression firsthand. Unfortunately, the same demons that bore his provocative art led to his unfortunate demise: he died of a cocaine-induced heart attack in 2021.
20. Big Daddy Kane
Photo : Michael Ochs Archive/GI
Big Daddy Kane was an early rap star archetype thanks to his show-stealing performances in the late 1980s. A pioneer in crafting the fast-flowing, double-time rap style, he attracted the ladies with his convincing, authoritative machismo and head-turning fashion sense. He also rolled deep with the Juice Crew, Marley Marl’s Queens-based squad whose members included MC Shan, Biz Markie, Kool G Rap and Roxanne Shante.
But even among those heavy-hitters, Kane more than held his weight: Tracks like “Ain’t No Half Steppin’,” “Set It Off” and “Smooth Operator” sound as spirited now as they did decades ago. And Kane’s skill set remains sharp, whether he’s tackling police brutality on his 2020 cut “Enough” or reeling off a fantastic guest cameo on mentee Busta Rhymes’ 2022 song “Slap.”
19. Missy Elliott
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One of hip-hop’s most creative visionaries, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott began honing her skills as a rapper, singer, songwriter and producer as a member of the R&B/hip-hop collective Swing Mob in the early ‘90s with childhood friend/producer Timbaland. After collaborating on projects by Aaliyah and others, the pair focused their attention on Elliott’s solo career, beginning with her arresting 1997 debut, Supa Dupa Fly.
While turning heads with hit singles (“The Rain,” “Hot Boyz,” “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It”) and acclaimed albums (Da Real World, Miss E … So Addictive, Under Construction, This Is Not a Test), she crafted a uniquely futuristic, funky and totally unique style of hip-hop that found her rhyming, singing, scatting or doing whatever else the beat might spontaneously spark.
Lyrically, she pushed hip-hop beyond its boundaries regarding female empowerment, with a fearlessness that also imbued her innovative and still-influential music videos. In 2020, Elliott ranked No. 5 on Billboard’s 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time.
18. Ice Cube
Photo : Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/GI
Before Ice Cube, born O’Shea Jackson, became a Hollywood heavyweight and basketball league owner, he wrote brilliant and incisive verses for his N.W.A groupmates (Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Arabian Prince, DJ Yella and MC Ren) and himself on Straight Outta Compton, the group’s classic 1988 debut. Doubling as one of gangsta rap’s foundational platforms, the album featured the controversial anthems “Fuck Tha Police” and “Gangsta Gangsta,” and was certified triple-platinum despite minimal radio or MTV promotion. But even after writing rhymes that triggered FBI attention and radio bans, Ice Cube launched an even more extraordinary solo run.
Albums like AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and Death Certificate still stand as some of rap’s most provocative works – and when he wasn’t sharpening his pro-Black commentary against the systemic racism crippling the community, he was equally adept at balancing tongue-in-cheek insights with feel-good storytelling, as on his timeless 1993 hit “It Was a Good Day.”
17. 50 Cent
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After an attempt on his life left him riddled with nine bullets, Curtis Jackson III revved up a meteoric resurrection. His 2002 mixtape Guess Who’s Back? prompted his signing to Eminem’s Shady Records under Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment banner, and was followed by the Billboard 200 No. 1 debut of Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in 2003. The album served up unapologetic street rhymes, dark humor and some of the stickiest choruses that year, thanks to two Hot 100 No. 1s: “In da Club” and “21 Questions” with Nate Dogg.
Reviving gangsta rap in the process, Get Rich also nabbed a stunning nine-times platinum RIAA certification. Before Power-ing up his TV empire, 50 Cent continued to top the charts with follow-ups like The Massacre and Curtis, while also making stars of his G-Unit label roster mates, including Lloyd Banks, Young Buck and The Game.
16. Scarface
Photo : Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/GI
Name a subject covered by your favorite rapper, and Scarface probably addressed it first. Rhymes about experiencing a mental health crisis? There’s “Mind Playing Tricks on Me,” his 1991 classic hit as a member of Houston’s Geto Boys, or “I’m Dead,” from his debut album that same year, Mr. Scarface Is Back. Bars about investing and saving money? There’s “Safe” from his 2002 album The Fix.
Between his Geto Boys tenure in the late ’80s and his illustrious solo career stretching through the 2010s, Scarface laid bare the pitfalls of street life by presenting a stoic, pragmatic approach to hustling that differed from the flashy images glamorized by other artists. And he did all of it as one of the South’s first real rap stars, showcasing lyrical complexity and emotional depth in a region that was once wholly dismissed — while also making classic cuts with legends from both coasts, like Jay-Z, Nas and 2Pac.
15. J. Cole
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A defining byproduct of rap’s blog era, J. Cole made a name for himself with celebrated mixtapes like 2007’s The Come Up, 2009’s The Warm Up and 2010’s Friday Night Lights. Cole’s story is well-known: Hov signed him to Roc Nation as its first artist in 2009 after he garnered attention with “Lights Please” and dropped some blistering guest verses (Wale’s “Beautiful Bliss,” Kanye West’s “Looking for Trouble”). Down to earth and humble, Cole possesses a passion that pulsates throughout his raps and beats. Raised in Fayetteville, N.C., he’s Southern to the core — but also reps Queens as a St. John’s graduate. He can turn the mundane into something sweet (“Foldin Clothes”) or act out in rebellion (“Fire Squad”). He showcased his genuine connection to fans by rapping over a YouTube producer’s “J. Cole Type Beat” on “procrastination (broke).” He also went platinum with all five of his 2010s albums – the last three (2014 Forest Hills Drive, 4 Your Eyez Only and KOD) with no features, of course.
14. LL Cool J
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LL Cool J signed with Def Jam Records as its first artist in 1984 and released “I Need a Beat” from his studio debut, Radio, produced entirely by Rick Rubin. During rap’s golden age, “I Need a Beat” opened the door to the b-boy style, with unmatched energy and aggressive lyricism that became a genre hallmark. The fledgling label’s first album to crack the top 50, Radio spent 38 weeks on the Billboard 200 and claimed platinum status in 1989.
LL spent his entire career at Def Jam, becoming their jack-of-all-trades — a hitmaker for the ladies and a multi-platform trailblazer for artists to cross over into such other fields as TV and philanthropy. LL’s list of achievements includes being the first rapper to be awarded the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor. In 2022, he relaunched the Rock the Bells Festival in Queens, which included performances from Rick Ross, The Diplomats, Ice Cube and more.
13. Rakim
Photo : Michael Ochs Archives/GI
When you consider the evolution of hip-hop, Rakim is the source material for pioneering the use of internal and multisyllabic rhymes, penning intricate lyrics and shifting the overall use of simple flows to more complex deliveries. When he partnered with fellow Long Island native Eric B., they became the mighty DJ and MC combo Eric B. & Rakim, producing classic albums like 1987’s Paid in Full and 1988’s Follow the Leader with eternal singles like “Eric B. Is President,” “Paid in Full” and “Microphone Fiend.”
Rakim’s influence is felt in all corners of hip-hop: A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, is named after him, DMX and Eminem are self-proclaimed fans, and rappers as big as 50 Cent (via The Game’s “Hate It or Love It”) and
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