Hip hop industry is one of the most popular and biggest genres in the music industry. This is the only genre where an artist can blatantly express their truest beliefs and feelings and penetrate the hearts of the listeners. Originated in the streets of Bronx, New York, the musical form was a form of protest and free expression in the beginning. The genre has gone through various changes and adopted countless new attributes, but it still maintains its fundamentals.
Rappers are considered the mouthpiece of the generations in every ear. The top rappers in the game are well-known all over the world. They have given the world some of the most inspirational and entertaining pieces of music. Here is the list of the 10 most celebrated and talented rappers of all time in the history of hip hop:
- Lil Wayne
American rapper and songwriter Lil Wayne is considered one of the most influential rappers of his generation. Starting his professional music career at the age of only 12, the naturally gifted artist has come a long way making his place among the elites in the hip hop industry. He even left Elvis behind in 2012 obtaining the most Billboard Hot 100 hits of all time. His musical approach has brought a unique style into the hip-hop industry. He has also given the world a huge number of rap bangers in his incredible career. He has five Grammy Awards under his belt.
- Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar entered the hip-hop music industry bringing a massive change to the scene. The techniques and styles have not much changed after the golden age of hip hop. The genre hit a standstill producing a series of similar types of songs. Kendrick Lamar introduced the incredible combination of triple and quadruple-time rhythms, multiple rhyming styles, and layered adlibs forming an exclusive soundscape that was completely new to the scene. He even became the first rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize in 2018. Some of his greatest creations are ‘HUMBLE’, ‘Alright’, ‘Money Trees’, ‘Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe’, and more.
- Ghostface Killah
American rapper and songwriter Ghostface Killah is a member of the famous hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. After the members went their separate ways to pursue their solo careers, Killah started his solo career with the album, ‘Ironman’, which became an instant hit. He is well-known for coming up with the most dexterous lyrical illustrations that fitted perfectly with the message he was trying to give to the audience. Some of his finest creations are ‘Shakey Dog’, ‘The Hilton’, ‘Daytona 500, ‘I Can’t Go to Sleep’, and ‘Child’s Play’ among many.
- Lauryn Hill
Number seven on the list is popular female rapper Lauryn Noelle Hill. She is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. She had a massive influence over the young audiences of her generation. She was a member of the American hip hop group Fugees and also had a successful solo career. Her 1998 solo debut, ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ topped the Billboard 200 chart as soon as it was released. The album received 10 Grammy nominations and won 5 Grammys at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards. She won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for her hit single, ‘Killing Me Softly’.
- Andre 3000
Andre 3000 is most known for being a part of the hip-hop duo Outkast with Big Boi. He is one of the unmatchable rappers of his time. Beginning his musical career in 2001, he quickly became one of the best because of his unique approach to the music and the exceptional structure of his lyricism. His hit songs with Outkast ‘Ms. Jackson’, ‘Hey Ya’, ‘The Way You Move’, and more topped the Billboard Hot 100. The group won six Grammy Awards under its belt. Their fifth album, ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ has certified diamond and reached the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
- Nas
Nas was one of the biggest names in the New York hip-hop scene. His debut album ‘Illmatic’ received massive popularity and positive criticism across the world. It is known as one of the greatest albums of all time. His second album, ‘It Was Written’ topped the Billboard 200 for four weeks straight. He is most known for ‘One Mic’, ‘Nas I Like’, ‘It Ain’t Hard to Tell’, ‘The World Is Yours’, and more. He even defeated Jay Z in the best rap war with the diss track, ‘Ether’. He won a Grammy Award in 2020 for his album, ‘King’s Disease’.
- Rakim
Rakim was one of the greatest rappers during the golden age of hip hop with Eric B forming a successful duo. He is a pioneer in introducing multisyllabic and internal rhymes into the hip-hop scene. The group’s debut, ‘Paid in Full’ released in 1987 took the genre to the next level in terms of meaningful lyrics and unique mic techniques. He favored sitting down and taking time in creating thought-provoking lyrics rather than just improvising on the spot. He created a permanent place in the hearts of the audience with his songs, ‘I Ain’t No Joke’, ‘When I B on tha Mic’, ‘Know The Ledge’, ‘I Know You Got Soul’, and many more.
- Eminem
Eminem is one of the few hip-hop artists who have broken through to the mainstream defying all traditional norms. He is fluent in crafting rap verses catering to different themes. He can make you laugh, cry, and boil in anger with his lyrical masterpieces. He is called the God of Rap because of his fast and fluent delivery and extremely creative storytelling. He has given some of the best jewels of the global hip hop industry such as ‘Stan’, ‘Mockingbird’, ‘Without Me’, ‘Cleaning Out My Closet’, ‘Lose Yourself’, and more. He has had 15 Grammy Awards so far for his incredible musical collection.
- Jay-Z
Jay Z has been one of the biggest names in the hip-hop industry in the 1990s and early 21st century. He released his debut album, ‘Reasonable Doubt’ in 1996 under his very own label Roc-A-Fella-Records. The album sold over a million copies in the just United States. He continued to release successful albums every year since then. His 1998 album, ‘Vol 2: Hard Knock Life’ was his first release to top Billboard 200 and won bringing him his first-ever Grammy as well. He has 23 Grammy Awards in his collection. Some of his greatest songs are ‘Can’t Knock the Hustle’, ‘Dear Summer’, ‘Public Service Announcement’, and ‘Guess Who’s Back’.
- The notorious B.I.G
The greatest rapper on our list is The notorious B.I.G, also known as Biggie Smalls. His rough childhood pushed him to express his anger, frustrations, and insecurities in the form of rap verses. His songs came straight from his heart and so, they made a powerful impact on the listeners. His 1994 debut album, ‘Ready to Die’ became a huge hit and went platinum easily. The album depicted the true story of his life. It showcased his incredible talent at storytelling and rhyming prowess before the global audiences. ‘Juicy’, ‘Warning’, ‘Sky’s the Limit’, ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’, and more are some of the timeless hip hop numbers created by him.
These hip-hop artists have been shading light on the contemporary socio-cultural situations and struggles of a country in a way that is comprehensible to all.
