Top 10 Rap Artists

LTS · 11-22-2008, 01:00 PM

Eminem
2Pac
Tech N9ne
T.I.
Ludacris
The Game
DMX
Nelly
Lil' Wayne
Ice Cube

simplephysics · 11-22-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briennemay

People are tired of hearing about hoes, cars and cash...all that stuff is shallow crap. That's just my two cents.

And everyone elses.

Molecules · 11-26-2008, 04:44 AM

I am wasting time and consequently really got into this.
I have been listening to alot more 'underground' recently (i.e. anything post-'99 that isn't bait. Or Kanye West.) so I think I am more qualified to do an all-time top 10. So, if you stripped away any sterling production work these are the MC's I think would look best naked. Lyrically. Or something. Oh yeah g.a.y is bad isn't it? Unless you're Mace.

Of course it all depends on your criteria. Sometimes you want some conscious ****, other times militant Nation rhetoric, slang poetry, abstract nonsense or just classic gangsta (see: Chris Rock's routine on white guys rapping along to NWA). But these guys are pretty consistent in my mind, in order:

1. KRS One
2. MF Doom/Zev Love X
3. Ice Cube
4. Posdnuos & Trugoy (of De La Soul, interchangeable tbh)
5. Rakim
6. Ghostface Killah
7. Q-Tip
8. Mos Def (a bit up his own arse for someone with only one and a half good albums to his name IMO, but they are really good)
9. Slick Rick
10. Chuck D
(10.5. Kool Keith)

Honourable mentions: Raekwon, ODB, GZA, Meth and the rest of the Wu (duh); Notorious B.I.G (I only have 'Ready To Die', but it's insane and I imagine that speaks for the rest of them), Eminem, old Busta Rhymes and Guru. Jay-Z and Kanye are up there, but unfortunately they are both bellends. Yes I am a professional playa-hater.

I've pretty much exhausted my old skool options by now (except for a few I never got into like Tupac), however the list is bound to change the more contemporary stuff I get round to absorbing.

Fruitonica · 11-26-2008, 04:48 AM

I'm going to have to look into KRS One if you put him above Doom and Ghostface. Very nice list

.

Have you got round to Aesop Rock yet, if not I'm sure he could weasel his way on there.

Molecules · 11-26-2008, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fruitonica

I'm going to have to look into KRS One if you put him above Doom and Ghostface. Very nice list

.

Have you got round to Aesop Rock yet, if not I'm sure he could weasel his way on there.

I have yet to actually, but I am dubious. I have a healthy skepticism of backpacker hip-hop and Aesop is the def jux figurehead... but you are right he deserves at least a download doesn't he?

Fruitonica · 11-26-2008, 05:33 AM

He does, although he isn't everyone's cup of tea. His voice can be a little annoying.

I haven't really heard the term backpacker hip hop, can you give me an outline?

Molecules · 11-26-2008, 06:18 AM

lol. erm... To me it's hip-hop admired almost exclusively by the alt-rock masses as opposed to hip-hop heads. You know. Students. *crucifix fingers*
I'm on this Aesop ting though, he can't be any worse than Sage Francis. Someone should do a top producers thread...

**Janszoon** · 11-27-2008, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molecules

lol. erm... To me it's hip-hop admired almost exclusively by the alt-rock masses as opposed to hip-hop heads. You know. Students. *crucifix fingers*

Heh. I think of it more as a derogatory term used by hip-hop purists against people bringing in any kind of different aesthetic to the music. It's analogous to heavy metal purists who put down anything in metal that draws from something outside the typical set of influences.

Molecules · 11-29-2008, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Heh. I think of it more as a derogatory term used by hip-hop purists against people bringing in any kind of different aesthetic to the music. It's analogous to heavy metal purists who put down anything in metal that draws from something outside the typical set of influences.

oh yeah i agree, it's entirely derogatory. I don't want to come off as an elitist really, but for the most part, that Def Jux sound just comes across as cold and rather detached to me. That's just my personal aesthetic standard.
However I love my shiny new Company Flow album (yes, a Compact Disc *gasp*); it's definitely a grower and I can understand what a landmark it is in hip-hop... but I really have to be in the mood for chin-scratching as opposed to head-nodding (not that the beats aren't great). Maybe the ultra-pretentious stuff will sink it's claws in for good eventually.

As for our friend Aesop, unfortunately I find his voice to be like nails on a chalkboard amplified through 30 8-foot guitar amps feeding back

Piss Me Off · 11-29-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molecules

As for our friend Aesop, unfortunately I find his voice to be like nails on a chalkboard amplified through 30 8-foot guitar amps feeding back

You say it like it's a bad thing!

On a sidenote i can't stand the term backpacker hip-hop, doesn't really seem to make sense making this whole term for 'indie' rap when most people who really like their indie most likely listen to the likes of Wu and N.W.A as well.

11-22-2008, 01:00 PM	#201 (permalink)
LTS Groupie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 32	10 Eminem 2Pac Tech N9ne T.I. Ludacris The Game DMX Nelly Lil' Wayne Ice Cube __________________ CAROLINA PANTHERS 13-3 LTS "No apologies, not even acknowledging you at all 'till I get a call that god's coming"-Eminem

11-26-2008, 04:44 AM	#203 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	I am wasting time and consequently really got into this. I have been listening to alot more 'underground' recently (i.e. anything post-'99 that isn't bait. Or Kanye West.) so I think I am more qualified to do an all-time top 10. So, if you stripped away any sterling production work these are the MC's I think would look best naked. Lyrically. Or something. Oh yeah g.a.y is bad isn't it? Unless you're Mace. Of course it all depends on your criteria. Sometimes you want some conscious ***, other times militant Nation rhetoric, slang poetry, abstract nonsense or just classic gangsta (see: Chris Rock's routine on white guys rapping along to NWA). But these guys are pretty consistent in my mind, in order: 1. KRS One 2. MF Doom/Zev Love X 3. Ice Cube 4. Posdnuos & Trugoy (of De La Soul, interchangeable tbh) 5. Rakim 6. Ghostface Killah 7. Q-Tip 8. Mos Def (a bit up his own arse for someone with only one and a half good albums to his name IMO, but they are really* good) 9. Slick Rick 10. Chuck D (10.5. Kool Keith) Honourable mentions: Raekwon, ODB, GZA, Meth and the rest of the Wu (duh); Notorious B.I.G (I only have 'Ready To Die', but it's insane and I imagine that speaks for the rest of them), Eminem, old Busta Rhymes and Guru. Jay-Z and Kanye are up there, but unfortunately they are both bellends. Yes I am a professional playa-hater. I've pretty much exhausted my old skool options by now (except for a few I never got into like Tupac), however the list is bound to change the more contemporary stuff I get round to absorbing. __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her

11-26-2008, 06:18 AM	#207 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	lol. erm... To me it's hip-hop admired almost exclusively by the alt-rock masses as opposed to hip-hop heads. You know. Students. crucifix fingers I'm on this Aesop ting though, he can't be any worse than Sage Francis. Someone should do a top producers thread... __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her

11-26-2008, 04:48 AM	#204 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	I'm going to have to look into KRS One if you put him above Doom and Ghostface. Very nice list . Have you got round to Aesop Rock yet, if not I'm sure he could weasel his way on there.

11-26-2008, 05:33 AM	#206 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	He does, although he isn't everyone's cup of tea. His voice can be a little annoying. I haven't really heard the term backpacker hip hop, can you give me an outline?