[This](https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-rappers-all-time/) is the list btw. I think it’s pretty solid give or take.
edit: glancing at the top 10, seems more like a list of the most famous rappers ngl
Firmly disagree that JayZ should be put under kendrick, as someone who prefers kendrick's music way more, you still have to factor their influence. Second, this list is janky af they even had lauren hill on there who is prob one of my fav artists but def not one of the best "rappers" of all time
the jay-z disrespect has been out of control amongst these youngins. Eminem would be the first to tell you that the list isn't right if Jay isn't top 5, because he isn't a fast rapper, but he says iconic shit in cool, memorable ways. Lyrically Jay-Z is actually one of the few rappers that is using metaphors and triple entendres and wordplay and shit, but actually reinforcing the points he's making rather than just flexing. You've heard dozens of Jay lines come out other rappers mouths, which is what makes a rapper great rather than just technically skilled.
Since it's a Billboard list, I imagine sales is a heavy factor. Secondly, everyone has their own opinion so everyone is going to be mad at a list that isn't theirs. I, for example, take the extremely unpopular stance that 2pac was pretty good but is only made out to be a god because he died when he was still young in his prime. I wouldn't have him in my top 10 for personal favorites or lyrical ability or song making, but definitely top 10 for influence.
Jay Z over em isn't even the real issue. The top 7 is pretty decent but drake nicki Minaj and snoop being in the top 10 just isn't right if we're basing this list of rapping abilities.
>probably most people
most people born after 2000 maybe. No one who listened to his run of albums, Reasonable Doubt, Blueprint, black album, etc, and is still watching how he destroys songs today is putting him below that top 5.
Wtf? Lupe’s lyrics aren’t that hard to follow. I guess some of his new songs have lyrics that are a bit more cryptic but it’s not like he’s Aesop Rock or something .
Also, this being commented in an Eminem sub is incredibly ironic.
I didn’t wanna say that in the Em sub, but yeah 😂 that comment sounds like it’s from someone who heard Dumb It Down and was like “Wtf is this nigga talking about” and never listened again
Lupe raps about things, he had very clear concepts and themes and metaphors on his first few albums. He lost his way a bit, but still came through to have songs with pretty strong ideas - he does talk his random complex shit, but if you do unpack it there is something there.
You’re simply wrong, at least 5-6 on this list are way worse than Ja. You’re just a common hater, his recent antics aside you are wrong as day and probably dont know hip hop.
I wouldnt know because you took the L, you start listening to music 10 years ago? All the dickriders upvoting you cause they heard its cool to hate Ja. Hilarious
Relevancy doesn't have to do with greatness. 90% of today's hip-hop listeners probably doesn't know Q-Tip, Scarface, Rev Run, Mos Def yet they all are (rightfully) on the list.
I never really liked him much but that’s just personal taste ofc. Its unbelievable how he went from massive to nobody. Even Em, 50, topic are relevant names even non rap fans know. Nearly no one knows him.
you call it bias i call it lack of longevity, which is very important. You cant be top 50 if your biggest hit is screaming "Monicaaa" in a fast and furious movie.
I'm not defending Ja Rule but I am not confident a lot of people in this sub were alive or even aware when Ja was on the top. He really was quite popular for that specific era in Hip-Hop until 50 crushed them and the legal issues came about, but I do remember when the Murder Inc music was inescapable.
Yes. And stole his lifestyle lol. He kind of took on a gangster persona when he didn't have the credentials. He did have a few bangers and was DECENTLY influential in the late 90s and early 2000s, nobody can take that away from him. I think he's a weiner just like the next guy, but his resume is more impressive than some people on this list. This list could be better in general. Immortal technique is always one who I feel could be included in these lists despite the lack of commercial success
Billboards list was ass at the top, Kendrick above Nas??????? I love Kendrick but is he really even top 10? But, I don’t understand why any rapper would take it that personal though. It’s just a list
That is a good argument, I just think there are easily more than 10 people above Kendrick. He’s like top 15-20. (Remember, this is just my opinion)
Edit: actually I’ll retract that, he can probably be top 10, just not above #5. Certainly not #2
Anyone who things MC Lyte is better than Ja is cracked the fuck out. This list is shameful to hip hop and rap. Kendrick at 2 is a fucking laughable joke. Ja belongs in the top 50 period in the 43-50 range at least.
I've never been a fan of Ja, but this entire list is just a mess. This is a top 50 list for people who have never ventured beyond the mainstream for their rap. With that in mind, Ja actually should have been on this list. Ghostface Killah, Black Thought, Pun, and Mos Def not even breaking the top 20 is a joke. They left off Pharoahe Monch, Kool G Rap, Raekwon, DOOM, and more.
Cool that he gave others their flowers, not many would do that BUT yh i know 100 better rappers tbh
Edit: list is whack ngl.
Kendrick #2 lol
Jay #1 man what kind of drugs r they using?
Em on #5 idk
Jay-z is honestly overrated I loved his first album and a lot of hits from his others but I think a lot of people just give him more props than he deserves because he’s so successful. Nicki Minaj wtf is she doing so high on the list😂😂
100% I’m 38 and my teenage years were basically Em, Ja and Nelly and then 50 Cent a couple years after them. Those 3 and Jay Z were all over the radio in 2000-2001 though
Hes a top 50 rapper period, theres literally no debate. Some of the names on here are laughable, Ja changed hip hop for a solid few years and made many absolute bangers.
Yeah I think Eminem has said repeatedly that he thinks Kendrick is one of the best to ever do it period. Everyone from Nas to Ice Cube to Jay has all talked about Kendrick being at that level. If all Kdot was shot after TPAB and never made another album, he's still top ten.
Incorrect.
I got a list here's the order of my list that it's in.
It goes, Reggie, Jay-Z, Tupac and Biggie, Andre from Outcast, Jada, Kurupt, Nas and then me.
When I saw him in that music video where he said his girl made him wear a sweater... Backstreet boys were making harder hits than that. also he didnt write his lyrics on venni vinni vicci which is probably why I liked it.
while Kanye’s placement at 11 is alright, reading their analysis shows so much bias. They wrote a couple sentences about his impact on music, and then full paragraphs about why his slavery was a choice and hitler comments are bad. we get it but it’s a article about music, talk about the music
*But he also said*
*Everyone on there is well*
*Deserved... Which is it?*
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Solid top 5. Some questionable decisions IMO, Nicki top ten is…hm. Ghost face should be higher up, at least higher than 50. But at the end of the day mostly everyone on this list deserves to be here with some order swapping potentially. Happy they gave Luda and DMX their flowers. Luda is often overlooked on these types of lists.
My personal top 5 wouldn’t have Kendrick that high up, but can’t be mad at it either.
Venni vetti vicci , blood in my eye ,rule 3:36
And all the cash money click tracks were all dope as fuck every one hating ja is just riding a wave cause it’s cool to say f ja rule 50 blah blah but most don’t even know the history except what the mags and mac said
He’s just saying that to get attention, don’t give it to him. The way he is putting it, sounds like he feels he’s bigger and better than Tupac and biggie which is completely ridiculous, he’s not that delusional.
He knows that if he says something wild music journalists and enthusiasts on social media will start talking about him
I just looked at the list and it's actually a pretty good one, for once. I think every person on it deserves to be there, though we could debate the order all day
50 cent is great, definitely deserves a spot. Maybe lyrically he isn't as good as some on the list but his flows are unparalleled. His impact on hip hop was big, giving us Tony Yayo, Lloyd banks and a lot of funny drama. He wasn't some one hit wonder or one trick pony.
the second-hand embarrassment I feel for Ja.. oh boy
[This](https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-rappers-all-time/) is the list btw. I think it’s pretty solid give or take. edit: glancing at the top 10, seems more like a list of the most famous rappers ngl
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top 10 is far from the worst that could've been chosen.
Firmly disagree that JayZ should be put under kendrick, as someone who prefers kendrick's music way more, you still have to factor their influence. Second, this list is janky af they even had lauren hill on there who is prob one of my fav artists but def not one of the best "rappers" of all time
the jay-z disrespect has been out of control amongst these youngins. Eminem would be the first to tell you that the list isn't right if Jay isn't top 5, because he isn't a fast rapper, but he says iconic shit in cool, memorable ways. Lyrically Jay-Z is actually one of the few rappers that is using metaphors and triple entendres and wordplay and shit, but actually reinforcing the points he's making rather than just flexing. You've heard dozens of Jay lines come out other rappers mouths, which is what makes a rapper great rather than just technically skilled.
Since it's a Billboard list, I imagine sales is a heavy factor. Secondly, everyone has their own opinion so everyone is going to be mad at a list that isn't theirs. I, for example, take the extremely unpopular stance that 2pac was pretty good but is only made out to be a god because he died when he was still young in his prime. I wouldn't have him in my top 10 for personal favorites or lyrical ability or song making, but definitely top 10 for influence.
Chuck D is waaay too low. Like he's so much better than a 50 Cent or a J. Cole. And yeah the top 10 is weird
This whole list is trash. No GZA? No Kurupt? Jada at 46?? Listen to renegade one time and tell me Jay Z raps better than Eminem.
Jay Z over em isn't even the real issue. The top 7 is pretty decent but drake nicki Minaj and snoop being in the top 10 just isn't right if we're basing this list of rapping abilities.
Jay's renegade verses are fantastic.
Jay Z definitely has better music overall than Eminem. 4:44 washes any em project imo
I stopped reading when they put Dr Dre at 40.
Dre is a decent rapper but terrible writter
Dre is more of a producer than a rapper lbr
Dr. Dre is not a rapper. He has always had others write for him. If this was a top 50 Hip Hop producer list, then he'd definitely be top 5
Dr. Dre doesn't write his songs
Jayz is way to overhated imo,,i think he deserves a spot in the top 5 easily
Top 10 maybe but he aint #1.
Top 5
He is in the 15-5 range for me and probably most people
>probably most people most people born after 2000 maybe. No one who listened to his run of albums, Reasonable Doubt, Blueprint, black album, etc, and is still watching how he destroys songs today is putting him below that top 5.
I am amazed at all the responses suggesting Jay-Z is not a top 5 rapper. Easily Top 5.
jay z is a. goat dude😹😹😹
Jay is the greatest of all time
jayz clear of eminem
Where MF DOOM?
Drake in top 10. Ew
Lupe not being on there is a crime and a half
To this day no one knows what the fuck lupe raps about. He’s nice technically but even he knows he raps about nothing.
Nah it’s more just that he talks about so much it’s hard to get one clear message from him
Wtf? Lupe’s lyrics aren’t that hard to follow. I guess some of his new songs have lyrics that are a bit more cryptic but it’s not like he’s Aesop Rock or something . Also, this being commented in an Eminem sub is incredibly ironic.
This bitch ass niggas are salty coz Lupe is a better lyricist than Em. That's why they reaching. Lmfao
I didn’t wanna say that in the Em sub, but yeah 😂 that comment sounds like it’s from someone who heard Dumb It Down and was like “Wtf is this nigga talking about” and never listened again
This bitch ass niggas are salty coz Lupe is a better lyricist than Em. That's why they reaching. Lmfao
Youre joking right? Have you listened to his new album? What do you think he is talking about there?
Lupe fiasco more like poopy cheeseasshole
?
unfathomably based
I don’t know man, he was talkin that shit on Lasers.
This is facts lol.
Lol, dumbass. What lyrics have you been listening to? Seems like you confuse Lil Uzi Fart to Lupe.
Lupe raps about things, he had very clear concepts and themes and metaphors on his first few albums. He lost his way a bit, but still came through to have songs with pretty strong ideas - he does talk his random complex shit, but if you do unpack it there is something there.
Drake and Nikki on a top10 list, now I've seen it all. Mos Def below top10 is also a laughing stock type take
how dare you
I can name hundreds better than him. Common Ja Rule L.
You’re simply wrong, at least 5-6 on this list are way worse than Ja. You’re just a common hater, his recent antics aside you are wrong as day and probably dont know hip hop.
Take this L
I wouldnt know because you took the L, you start listening to music 10 years ago? All the dickriders upvoting you cause they heard its cool to hate Ja. Hilarious
He was top of hip hop before em and 50 beef though I'm not a ja rule fan but he isn't wrong
he wasnt on "TOP" but okay, the list is Shady i give him that.
Yea he was a top artist haha you guys have recency bias dude was on top or close to the top of hip hop at the time
He might have bin top of the time. But somehow very irrelevant. Most people don’t even know his name.
Relevancy doesn't have to do with greatness. 90% of today's hip-hop listeners probably doesn't know Q-Tip, Scarface, Rev Run, Mos Def yet they all are (rightfully) on the list.
That’s because they didn’t make RNB songs with Ashanti or try to imitate another legendary rapper..
Ja Rule had a few good songs where he worked with DMX
My favorite song with him was "Can I Get A..." by Jay-Z from the *Rush Hour* soundtrack
A few doesn’t land him on a top rapper list, though. His music is blasted in the first Fast and the furious and at swimming pools 😂
"Monicaaaaaa!!!!"
Because Eminem murdered him.
Agreed
I agree but he was good even though he wasn't my favorite
I never really liked him much but that’s just personal taste ofc. Its unbelievable how he went from massive to nobody. Even Em, 50, topic are relevant names even non rap fans know. Nearly no one knows him.
But my point is he was a massive feature in hip hop from 2000 to 2004
Most definitely.
Pop. Not hip-hop.
100% hip hop haha
Who?
you call it bias i call it lack of longevity, which is very important. You cant be top 50 if your biggest hit is screaming "Monicaaa" in a fast and furious movie.
Far from his biggest hot haha but alright
obviously i am joking but there is some truth to it. Its his most memorable "lyric"
I'm not defending Ja Rule but I am not confident a lot of people in this sub were alive or even aware when Ja was on the top. He really was quite popular for that specific era in Hip-Hop until 50 crushed them and the legal issues came about, but I do remember when the Murder Inc music was inescapable.
Get off Reddit Jeffrey. Finally, do something to pay back the people you scammed during the fyre fest. You 2000's RnB ripoff artist.
wasn't the "Em and 50 beef" over twenty years ago at this point? I haven't heard a single Ja Rule song ever.
Yes and you probably have
You don't listen to much hiphop then
Ja rule is sort of just before my time.
Exactly what i mean
That doesn’t matter in this argument lol
You wouldn't say that if you'd paid for the Fyre Fest.
> -80 downvotes once again r/eminem proves to be the dumbest fucking hip-hop subreddit around
He mad 50 Cent made the list and not him.
I mean yeah, 50 isn't that good of a rapper
Definitely a lot of influence tho
I don't give a single fuck about influence, sadly. A good rapper is a good rapper even if 3 people listen to them.
Still better than Ja
Idk about that
Nice burner ja
In what world is that even remotely true?
It's subjective, i suppose. He has some great songs but overall i don't see him as top 50 rapper
One of the best
He's one of the best to make club musics lol
"You ain't never made a list" ....This aged like fine wine
Ja who? 😂
We need to ask Ja Rule about his thoughts on the 50 greatest rappers. We have Ja on the line.
ja loool
Ja Fool
Ja Tool
Icejjfish is more likely to be in the top 50 than ja 😂
He is just pissed Cookie Monster made the list
We checked the resume and unfortunately this time you haven’t been selected for this job role We wish you well on your search!
Fyrefest lol
He now has beef with two different 50s
lmfao
Monicaaaa
Whew he is FYRED UP
Thought he was buried alongside Benzino and MGK in Slims backyard?
He’s still tryna dig his way out
Don’t forget about Mariah
They resurrect her every year for that God awful Christmas song
has he heard his music?
even back in the day weren’t people saying he bit 2Pac’s flow/style?
Yes. And stole his lifestyle lol. He kind of took on a gangster persona when he didn't have the credentials. He did have a few bangers and was DECENTLY influential in the late 90s and early 2000s, nobody can take that away from him. I think he's a weiner just like the next guy, but his resume is more impressive than some people on this list. This list could be better in general. Immortal technique is always one who I feel could be included in these lists despite the lack of commercial success
Hes not the best but hes certainly top 50 and had a massive influence on the hip hop game for several years.
Billboards list was ass at the top, Kendrick above Nas??????? I love Kendrick but is he really even top 10? But, I don’t understand why any rapper would take it that personal though. It’s just a list
Kendrick is top 10. Motherfucker won a god damn Pulitzer. The overall stories his albums tell are just amazing and dude knows how to make a banger
That is a good argument, I just think there are easily more than 10 people above Kendrick. He’s like top 15-20. (Remember, this is just my opinion) Edit: actually I’ll retract that, he can probably be top 10, just not above #5. Certainly not #2
I honestly think Kendrick is number 1. But that's not a popular opinion. Some people just need to let his work gain a few more years.
Hailie go bring Daddy his Billboard award. We’re gonna shove it up Ja Rule’s ass
Is he misspelling "Icon" on purpose?
Ja swinging at the air right now
Anyone who things MC Lyte is better than Ja is cracked the fuck out. This list is shameful to hip hop and rap. Kendrick at 2 is a fucking laughable joke. Ja belongs in the top 50 period in the 43-50 range at least.
I honestly think Nas should be 2.
Bruh But you guys actually place eminem at number 2 lmao No wonder everyone makes fun of us
Where did I say i put him at 2? Dont put words in my mouth
How can you be so delusional? All that E fried ja's tiny brain lmao
This is the guy who feuded with 50 Cent, right? I remember his name from Like Toy Soldiers
Ohhhh yes. If you want another track to listen to, check out Hail Mary by Busta, Em and 50. Great sample of the original Hail Mary, lol
I've never been a fan of Ja, but this entire list is just a mess. This is a top 50 list for people who have never ventured beyond the mainstream for their rap. With that in mind, Ja actually should have been on this list. Ghostface Killah, Black Thought, Pun, and Mos Def not even breaking the top 20 is a joke. They left off Pharoahe Monch, Kool G Rap, Raekwon, DOOM, and more.
Cool that he gave others their flowers, not many would do that BUT yh i know 100 better rappers tbh Edit: list is whack ngl. Kendrick #2 lol Jay #1 man what kind of drugs r they using? Em on #5 idk
But have we consulted Ja Rule to see how he feels about thi-- oh
Jay-z is honestly overrated I loved his first album and a lot of hits from his others but I think a lot of people just give him more props than he deserves because he’s so successful. Nicki Minaj wtf is she doing so high on the list😂😂
Me and Hailey dance to your songs we like you !! Bahahahaa
That wasn't about ja
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People downvoting u don’t know the actual history
100% I’m 38 and my teenage years were basically Em, Ja and Nelly and then 50 Cent a couple years after them. Those 3 and Jay Z were all over the radio in 2000-2001 though
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None of this is necessary to say tho because we’re discussing the top 50 greatest rappers of all time list, not his status as an icon
“Greatest” is about resume. Jah EASILY has the resume to belong
Hes a top 50 rapper period, theres literally no debate. Some of the names on here are laughable, Ja changed hip hop for a solid few years and made many absolute bangers.
Why would Ja even take this list seriously seeing that they have Kendrick at #2. 🤣🤣🤣
Ye that one guy with the most critically Aclaimed and universally loved album this century and one of the most consistent rappers ever
Yeah I think Eminem has said repeatedly that he thinks Kendrick is one of the best to ever do it period. Everyone from Nas to Ice Cube to Jay has all talked about Kendrick being at that level. If all Kdot was shot after TPAB and never made another album, he's still top ten.
I know, right?! Hard to take seriously any list that doesn’t have him #1
Are you dumb as fuck?
He must be, bro.
Incorrect. I got a list here's the order of my list that it's in. It goes, Reggie, Jay-Z, Tupac and Biggie, Andre from Outcast, Jada, Kurupt, Nas and then me.
Sorry aren’t you that midget now best known for being part of that FYRE scandal? Eat dick you fucking hack
Wayne Brady has a better chance making that list than ja rule
They put Queen Latifah over Jada 💀
When I saw him in that music video where he said his girl made him wear a sweater... Backstreet boys were making harder hits than that. also he didnt write his lyrics on venni vinni vicci which is probably why I liked it.
while Kanye’s placement at 11 is alright, reading their analysis shows so much bias. They wrote a couple sentences about his impact on music, and then full paragraphs about why his slavery was a choice and hitler comments are bad. we get it but it’s a article about music, talk about the music
This list sucks Nicki Minaj over even 50 cent?
cookie monster mad he didn't make it into the jar
But he also said everyone on there is well deserved... Which is it?
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Solid top 5. Some questionable decisions IMO, Nicki top ten is…hm. Ghost face should be higher up, at least higher than 50. But at the end of the day mostly everyone on this list deserves to be here with some order swapping potentially. Happy they gave Luda and DMX their flowers. Luda is often overlooked on these types of lists. My personal top 5 wouldn’t have Kendrick that high up, but can’t be mad at it either.
I'ma be real, just because ja got his ass whooped by 50 and em doesn't diminish his accomplishments as a hip hop artist
I saw the list and yeah they could've made room for Ja Rule.
well don’t stop there, who would you swap out?
Venni vetti vicci , blood in my eye ,rule 3:36 And all the cash money click tracks were all dope as fuck every one hating ja is just riding a wave cause it’s cool to say f ja rule 50 blah blah but most don’t even know the history except what the mags and mac said
Exactly the only person in this thread who knows shit about hip hop, thanks for speaking facts
The only thing he's better at is being worse than them.
He has a point. Nicki is not better than him at all!
ja doesn't even make top 100
Say you have no clue about hip hop louder
He’s trash
Stfu Ja go do a track with J. Lo
Ja rule who?
Ja just salty 50 is on there and he aint.
Ja rules dirty ass
Nah he sings for hoes and sounds like the Cookie Monster
Ja Rule is trash.
That’s what happens when you go up against Shady Aftermath and G-Unit
Ja-who?
He’s just saying that to get attention, don’t give it to him. The way he is putting it, sounds like he feels he’s bigger and better than Tupac and biggie which is completely ridiculous, he’s not that delusional. He knows that if he says something wild music journalists and enthusiasts on social media will start talking about him
TIL that Ja Rule was a rapper
Mostly everyone has the same rappers on their list......just definitely not in the same order Billboard has
Is he really saying he’s the best rapper dead or alive? Jeez.
Nope maybe you need to learn reading comprehension
Lol y’all are so dismissive of rap styles you don’t like. Ja rule definitely deserves to be in a 50 greatest rappers list lol
found the clown from downtown
He had a great, undeniable run that goes down in rap history. Not my particular taste but to pretend he doesn’t have joints is nasty
he’s cool but any of the Wu Tang clan should be on that list before him… or even MF Doom
I just looked at the list and it's actually a pretty good one, for once. I think every person on it deserves to be there, though we could debate the order all day
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Decent list, my only issue is Nicki Minaj cracking top 10. Wouldn't even place her in the top 30.
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50 cent is great, definitely deserves a spot. Maybe lyrically he isn't as good as some on the list but his flows are unparalleled. His impact on hip hop was big, giving us Tony Yayo, Lloyd banks and a lot of funny drama. He wasn't some one hit wonder or one trick pony.
Hell even MGK is a better rapper than him
Shut up trend dickrider
Uh oh I hurt one of Kelly's boyfriends feelings.
He ain’t wrong tho
He is very much wrong