Any discussion of the top rappers or lyricists of all time (Male or Female), begins in New York City. As a child, I can still remember walking through my Harlem neighborhood hearing young aspiring MCs spit bars. On the train, I’d observe Black and Latino youth flexing their lyrical prowess over tunes emanating from a boombox.
Top 10 Best Rap Lyricists of All Time According to YouTube
The rapping experience along with the break-dancing and graffiti were the elements, knitted together with vocab and even a distinct fashion, that came to be defined as the art form of Hip-Hop. Make no mistake about it, the Rapper developed as (and still is) the star of the Hip-Hop production (honorable mention to the DJ). As a DJ, in high school and throughout college, I listened to many Rappers/Lyricists from all walks of life.
The reality is that there are so many different styles of rap with so many different types of content. No better song tells the early story of Hip-Hop than “I used to Love Her” by Common. As Common correctly alludes, geography has certainly played a role in the different styles and forms of the Lyricists.
No one would argue that the gritty tunes from New York City are similar to the hardcore West Coast Gangsta Rap associated with acts like N.W.A & Ice-T. Similarly, the cool jazz-inspired tunes from a group like the Roots, Digable Planets, or Tribe Called Quest can’t possibly be compared to the Trap Music vibe from Atlanta currently dominating the scene in 2020.
This list will be sure to generate controversy, disagreement, and other undetermined emotions of all varieties. One thing is for sure, this list is sure to generate discussion. So in the words of the Joker…… “Here we go…”
10) The Game
9) Rick Ross
8) Drake
7) Nas
6) Tupac
5) Kanye West
4) J Cole
3) Rakim
2) Biggie
1) Jay-Z
I’m from the west coast – well more like the northwest coast. I was born in the early 80s and raised in Seattle, WA, the place where the word “cloudy” is an understatement, and the place where Sir Mix A Lot had one of the biggest hits in the “town.” That’s short for “Sea-town.”
Growing up in Seattle during those times, I can remember cruising down Rainier Ave with my friends listening to the tunes from rappers in California, specifically the Bay Area.
I was exposed to the sounds of R&B from my mom with Babyface and Angela Winbush and on the other hand, my homies were all about E-40, Snoop, and NWA.
Honorable mentions – Common, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem,
Lil-Wayne, Andre-3000
Who you GOT!?
