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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The world of hip-hop has produced countless legends. Not only have these artists mastered the craft of lyricism, but they also shaped the culture and sound of the revered genre, creating a series of remarkable music pieces.
This article will reveal the names of the best rappers of all time as highlighted in Billboard, with additional information provided from Forbes, Britannica, Grammy, and more. Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic figures in the hip-hop industry.
1. Jay-Z
It’s not a list of the best rappers of all time without mentioning Jay-Z. The husband of Beyoncé Knowles has been in the industry since the late 20th century with his debut album, Reason Doubt, selling millions of copies, says Britannica.
The artist behind “Where I’m From” has collected an array of achievements, including a series of Grammys and topping Billboard charts multiple times.
Jay-Z also extends his career as a musician to become an entrepreneur. His liquor businesses are instrumental in doubling his fortune, which stands at US$2.5 billion as of 2024, making him the first billionaire rapper.
2. Kendrick Lamar
Although Kendrick Lamar oftentimes takes a different approach to creating music, with thought-provoking and even fearless lyrics, he’s indeed an influential figure in hip-hop. His albums like good kid, m.A.A.d city instantly redefined rap.
With the jazz-influenced To Pimp a Butterfly, Lamar hit his first Billboard 200 No. 1. On the other hand, his fourth studio album, DAMN, which was released in 2017, earned him the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music.
3. Nas
Nas is renowned for his substantially poetic lyrics and for highlighting social issues in his artworks. The Brooklyn-born rapper debuted with Illmatic in 1994, which was so remarkable that Rolling Stone regarded it as “the GOAT (greatest of all time)” of hip-hop albums.
Throughout his career, Nas has been nominated 17 times at the Grammy Awards. He finally nabbed one in 2021 for the Best Rap Album, thanks to his King’s Disease III.
4. Tupac Shakur (2Pac)
When it comes to the best rappers of all time, Tupac Shakur, more commonly referred to as 2Pac, is definitely one of them. The 1991’s 2Pacalypse marked his debut in the music industry, quickly gaining most people’s attention for being so vocal in addressing poverty, racial injustice, and police brutality.
It is unfortunate that people can’t witness the young artist attaining his highest level of fame. Shortly seven months following the release of All Eyez on Me in 1996, 2Pac died at the age of 25 after being shot, beaten, and robbed.
5. Eminem
Eminem’s “Rap God," released in November 2013, remains iconic, with the lyrics coming at a “supersonic speed.” However, the Missouri-born musician has more songs in which he shows off his wordplay skill and unparalleled speed.
In "Godzilla," Eminem spitted 225 words in a 30-second segment, setting him breaking a record in the Guinness World Record for the fastest rap. In addition to that, he has received 15 Grammy awards, 10 No. 1 Billboard 200 albums, and three RIAA-certified Diamond singles, further cementing his legacy as one of the best rappers of all time.
6. The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Small, was introduced to the public with his solo debut, “Party and Bullshit,” in 1993. Signing with P Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, Biggie released several hit songs, including “Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems” and "Hypnotize." Sadly, Biggie died after being murdered six months after the death of 2Pac.
7. Lil Wayne
With his distinct voice and unmatched versatility, Lil Wayne continues to dominate in the rap industry. He started his career as one of the Hot Boys members but soon found his own fame after going solo. His Tha Carter III earned him the 2009 Grammy Award for best rap album.
8. Drake
Compared to other rap legends, Aubrey Drake Graham, popularly referred to as Drake, is relatively new in the music industry. The year 2007 marked his singing debut, and “Replacement Girl” is his first song.
Some of his songs garnered massive popularity, such as “In My Feelings,” from which the viral Kiki dance challenge originated. His “Hotline Bling," too, won the Best Rap Song at the Grammy Awards in 2017.
Aside from his music career, Drake’s talent in acting should not be overlooked. The Canadian rapper was once a cast member in Degrassi: The Next Generation. Not to mention, he surprisingly performed well in funny skits when he hosted SNL in 2014 and 2016.
9. Snoop Dogg
Coming from Long Beach, Snoop Dogg has been impactful since his debut, surprising many with his album Doggystyle, which instantly topped the Billboard 200. His love for pot somehow brought him to cofound one of the first cannabis-focused investment funds, Casa Verde Capital.
10. Nicki Minaj
We conclude our list with Onika Tanya Maraj, more commonly known as Nicki Minaj. The undisputed queen of rap has been releasing hit-after-hit songs; her “Starships” and “Super Bass” are straight iconic and such earworms. She was featured in other fellow musicians' songs; Ariana Grande’s “Side to Side” is one of them.
The rapper further solidifies her prominence in the industry with multiple accomplishments. Nicki is among the artists to have entered the Billboard Hot 100 over 100 times.
Do you agree with our list? Alongside the best rappers of all time, we have previously covered the world’s richest rappers in 2024. Click the link to learn more.
Editor’s Choice: Top 10 Richest Singers in the World 2024, Who Holds the Most Fortune?
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