Including influential rappers and best-selling artists, this list features successful MCs who are still considered some of the hottest names in the game today. He has been married to Tamika Smith since March 3, 2001. Finally, a definitive list of the best rappers of all time, ranked by fans all over the world. They have four children. Cool J was born James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, the son of Ondrea Griffith and James Louis Smith, Jr. Todd, as he was called, did not have a very happy childhood. Apart from the double-murder charges, he is a suspect in the 2017 murder of a sheriff's deputy. His track In My Feelings went viral with the global Kiki Challenge. This is a list of The Greatest Rappers Of All Time according to their success and their impact on Rap Culture. Tupac Amaru Shakur ( TOO-pahk sh-KOOR; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. List of Deceased Rappers Edit Edit source History Talk (2) Name Date of Death Age of Death Location of Death Cause of Death Scott La Rock 8/27/1987 25 The Bronx, New York, NY, U.S. Tyler, the Creator: Yonkers. Imagine what the music world would have been like had it not been for rappers like 50 Cent, Kanye West, Slick Rick and Snoop Dogg who pep up the In his personal life, he faced multiple legal issues from the beginning. 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time (First 10 Revealed) Billboard and Vibe are counting down the best MCs ever in honor of hip-hop's 50th anniversary. His original stage name, T.I.P., it stems from Melvin Glover better known by his stage name Grandmaster Melle Mel (or simply Melle Mel) is an American hip hop recording artist who was the lead vocalist and songwriter of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Kendrick's major label debut album, 'good kid m.A.A.d city' Doc is known for Horn Dog (2009), Hot Dog (2008) and Guide Dog (2006). They have three children. He dropped his first mix tape there, 'The Warm Up' and it had received great reviews Gary Earl Grice (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage names GZA and The Genius, is an American rapper and songwriter. He's signed with Dr. Dre's label, Aftermath. Kendrick Lamar is a hip-hop artist from Compton, California. WebPerhaps the most famous group of rappers to come from Memphis, Tennessee, rap group Three Six Mafia was formed in 1991. He rose to prominence as part of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, which he Kanye Omari West (born June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and fashion designer. Only individual rappers, not rap groups or collectives. Jay Wayne Jenkins, better known by his stage name Jeezy (formerly Young Jeezy), is an American rapper.In 1998, he launched the label imprint CTE World (then known as Corporate Thugz Entertainment). Male Rappers Female Rappers Black Rappers Right Icon This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. Jay-Z was born Shawn Corey Carter on December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. She was the only female solo artist to win the Grammy for the Best Rap Album. He began a musical career and in 2000 he produced Power of the Dollar for Columbia Records, but days before the planned release he was shot and the album was never released. Peep achieved tremendous success in less than three years' time. There are a number of differing good definitions and philosophies. Christopher Noel Dorsey (born September 3, 1980),[2] better known by his stage name B.G. His very early albums were violent but cautionary tales of the criminal mind, but Dre's records with NWA celebrated the Born to Jamaican parents in London, on January 14, 1965, Slick Rick, born Ricky Martin Lloyd Walters, is the most successful British-American rapper in music history. Eric Lynn Wright, better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and as a member of the group NWA Wright is affectionately called "The Godfather Of Gangsta Rap. The Kang gained credibility via the cosign of fellow kings such as Scarface and Bun B, but he still had to make good on the title. He moved to Long Beach, California, where he met and befriended such rappers as Snoop Dogg and Daz Dillinger. Her talent was appreciated by both fans and record labels and she eventually became the first female rapper to be signed by the American record label 300 Entertainment. At nine years old, he started rapping. He has been married to Tamika Smith since March 3, 2001. Aside from his solo career, Jeezy is the de facto leader of the southern hip hop group United Streets Actor | He is well known for his collaborations with his close friend Method Man, as one-half of the rap duo Method Man & Redman Eric Lynn Wright, better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and as a member of the group NWA Wright is affectionately called "The Godfather Of Gangsta Rap. He is considered to be one of the best rappers of all time. The actor, rapper, writer and director, Donald Glover Jr became famous after playing the role of a college student In the sitcom, Community,from 2009 to 2013. Kendrick Lamar isregarded as one of the greatest lyricists and rappers of all time. He was born in Chicago, and is the son of educator Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines and Lonnie Lynn, an ABA basketball player turned youth counselor.On October 6, One of the numerous thoughtful gangsta rappers to emerge from New York during the mid-'90s, AZ enjoyed critical success early in his career, particularly with his debut album, Doe or Die (1995), but commercial success largely eluded him over the years. The Kang gained credibility via the cosign of fellow kings such as Scarface and Bun B, but he still had to make good on the title. He first started releasing records in the late 1980s. Lil Uzi Vert has often courted controversy by saying phrases associated with Satanism and adding satanic imagery to his Instagram account. Nipsey Hussle was an American rapper who left behind quite a legacy when he was fatally shot at the age of 33. He was shot dead at the young age of 20. WebMichael Wayne Atha (born December 30, 1979), better known as Yelawolf, is an American rapper from Gadsden, Alabama. The Man with the Iron Fists. Lauryn Hill, a native of South Orange, New Jersey, first came to attention with the multi-talented Fugees. Lil' Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Eminem, Andre 3000, I know alot of people will disagree with my list but i broke it down into 20 catergories to come up with the rankings Born in New York City, Tupac grew up primarily in Harlem. He began a musical career and in 2000 he produced Power of the Dollar for Columbia Records, but days before the planned release he was shot and the album was never released. Big Boi was born on February 1, 1975 in Savannah, Georgia, USA. As a young man, Drake appeared in several commercials, for such retailers as Sears and GMC. He is commonly regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and often cited as one of the greatest rappers of all 21. Rapper ASAP Rocky gained fame with his debut mixtape, (Rapper Known for His Albums: 'Until Death Call My Name' and 'Top'), (Co-Founder of The Alternative Hip Hop Group 'Odd Future'), (Rapper Known for His Mixtapes "Acid Rap," "10 Day" and "Coloring Book"), (Rapper And Member Of Hip Hop Collective 'Wu-Tang Clan'), (Lead Vocalist of the of the Hip Hop Band N.E.R.D), Rapper-singer Pharrell Williams began his career with. Regarded as one of hip-hop's most introspective and insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends music genres and artistic medium. He is best known for his albums Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and The Black Album. At age nine he was a member of the Devastatin' Seven in the mid-1980s, the fruits of which can be heard on his 1994 debut, "Illmatic," which was released on Columbia/SME later that Kendrick Lamar is a hip-hop artist from Compton, California. He died on February 7, 2000 in White Plains, New York, USA. List of Deceased Rappers Edit Edit source History Talk (2) Name Date of Death Age of Death Location of Death Cause of Death Scott La Rock 8/27/1987 25 The Bronx, New York, NY, U.S. His debut album Reasonable Doubt was hugely successful in 1996 and since then he has gone on to release many more acclaimed and successful albums. He may have been the first rapper to call American rapper from Manhattan, New York City. The Most Famous Rapper in the World Right Now. However, once he released his debut album, there was no looking back. He is best known for his albums Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and The Black Album. He is an actor and composer, known for Blade II (2002), Exit Wounds (2001) and Are We There Yet? He is best known for being a part of southern hip hop duo Outkast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi.Benjamin has also acted in films and television series such Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 - April 9, 2021), known by his stage name DMX ("Dark Man X"), was an American rapper and actor. Adding to their wealth, these lyricists are also entrepreneurs, producers, and actors. He's signed with Dr. Dre's label, Aftermath. A successful transition into films and television soon followed and made Smith a phenomenal success. 50 Cent (Curtis James Jackson) is an American rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur. "He was born in Compton, California. After they Lamont Coleman was born on May 30, 1974 in Harlem, New York City, New York, USA. Creative from a very young age, Kanye West dreamed of becoming a rapper since very early in his life. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he embarked on his music career as a battle rapper, and later formed a short-lived rap group, The Bloodhoundz. One 6. Imagine what the music world would have been like had it not been for rappers like 50 Cent, Kanye West, Slick Rick and Snoop Dogg who pep up the One 6. In his early years, Yelawolf released his first independent album Creek Water, which was released in 2005. He died on February 15, 1999 in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. Biggie Smalls, was born on May 21, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York. Austin Richard Post, known professionally as Post Malone, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer.Post was born in Syracuse, New York, the son of Nicole Frazier Lake, from Walton, NY, and Rich Post. In 2009, his second studio album" The State vs. Radric Davis" was released, and The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted was released in 2010, and A musical prodigy who is proficient in fifteen instruments, Flavor Flav first burst onto the scene in the late '80s, where he emerged as a rapper, hype man, and co-founder of the legendary hip-hop group Public Enemy. He is an actor and composer, known for Blast from the Past (1999), Training Day (2001) and Bulworth (1998). 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time (First 10 Revealed) Billboard and Vibe are counting down the best MCs ever in honor of hip-hop's 50th anniversary. He is commonly regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and often cited as one of the greatest rappers of all 21. Kendrick also has his own label, known as 'Top Dawg Entertainment', with includes artists such as Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q and Ab Soul. Only individual rappers, not rap groups or collectives. NBA YoungBoy is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. He was known for his hit 1989 song "Just a Friend". WebMichael Wayne Atha (born December 30, 1979), better known as Yelawolf, is an American rapper from Gadsden, Alabama. In 2016, he was named in Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world list. Glover began performing in the late 1970s. Tupac Amaru Shakur, popularly known as 2Pac or Makaveli, is considered as one of the greatest American rappers of all time. WebDwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. Kanye Omari West (born June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and fashion designer. WebRun-DMC (also spelled Run-D.M.C.) Only individual rappers, not rap groups or collectives. 50 Cent. He is regarded as one of the most skillful and successful hip hop artists of his, Andre Romelle Young (born February 18, 1965), known professionally as Dr. Dre, is an American rapper, record producer and entrepreneur. What makes a rapper great? Lil' Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Eminem, Andre 3000, Though his playing earned him scholarship offers from top colleges, Cam'ron was unable to take advantage of them Ludacris was born Christopher Brian Bridges in Champaign, Illinois, where he was raised, the son of Roberta Shields and Wayne Brian Bridges. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and one of the most famous hip hop top 3 no doubt. From selling drugs and getting arrested in his teens to becoming one of the worlds best-selling rappers, Curtis James Jackson IIIs journey has been an interesting one. Do you agree with the top 50 biggest rappers ever? Public Enemy's albums remain among the most critically Soundtrack | At a young age Aaron would use raps to learn to spell his name and practice math. Styles P was born in 1974 in Corona Queens, New York USA, when his father was from Bed Styu and his mother originally came from South Africa. But his origins are from North Carolina/Charlotte and he never hides it. [4] The components of rap include "content" (what is being said), "flow" ( rhythm, rhyme ), and Project Pat Soundtrack | F9 With its unprecedented lyricism and complex rhyme patterns, the release, alongside a carefully T.I. In 1988, Aaron adopted the name Tech N9ne. WebThere have been some notable rappers that have performed under their birth names like Tupac Shakur, Kanye West and Missy Elliott but they are much more the exception than the rule. Soundtrack | He released his debut album, Show and Prove, in 2006, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007. 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