Billboard recently revealed a top 50 list containing names of the greatest Rappers to have lived. While names like Jayz, Nas, Tupac, and Eminem, appear in the first 5, Nicki Minaj earned herself a ‘Queen status’ as she was the only female rapper, ranked in the top 10.
The editorial team determined the rankings based on the following criteria: Work Collection/Achievement (singles/albums, gold/platinum certifications), Cultural Influence/Impact (how an artist’s work pushed the genre forward), Longevity (years on the mic), lyrics (storytelling skills) and flow (singing skills).
While the list includes rappers like Lil’ Kim (#31), Lauryn Hill (#30), and Missy Elliott (#19), Nicki Minaj is the only woman ranked 10th for the Next Generation of Female rappers.
At 36, Drake is the youngest rapper on the Top 50 Rappers list at number 8. Considered one of the “most gifted artists to ever delve into music,” and remains a certified hitmaker, his “Touch of Midas” earned him nearly 300 entries on the Billboard Hot 100.
The man behind Drake and Nicki, Lil Wayne takes his rightful throne at number seven, followed by two deceased legends, The Notorious B.I.G. (No. 6) and Tupac Shakur (No. 4).
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With 15 Grammys and 10 #1 albums, “Rap God” Eminem, ranks in the top 5. His “unparalleled commercial success” and “unparalleled technical ability” place him in the “upper league of Goat rappers”.
Nas completes the top 3, followed by Kendrick Lamar in second place. Kendrick’s “lyrical skill, classic albums, and slick covers” earned him the reputation as “the finest rapper of his generation.”
With a career spanning three decades, no one can deny JAY-Z’s ‘King status’. When it comes to his “longevity, the breadth of his accomplishments, and his relevance to hip-hop,” Jay remains at the top of the list.
Billboard’s Top 10 Greatest Rappers of All Time
1. JAY-Z
2. Kendrick Lamar
3. Nas
4. Tupac Shakur
5. Eminem
6. The Notorious B.I.G.
7. Lil Wayne
8. Drake
9. Snoop Dogg
10. Nicki Minaj
