Best Rappers of All Time
Find Out The Best Rappers Of All Time
What distinguishes the best rappers of all time? There are several excellent definitions and philosophies. Popular rapper J. Cole (one of rappers on our list of best rappers of all time) sees consistency as the most crucial quality, and believes it’s vital to look for both the rapper’s huge comedic “punch” lines and the underlying message of his songs underneath the beats.
This article will rank the best rappers of all time. Based on their technical abilities, consistency, and industry track record.
Let’s take a look at the best rappers of all time.
Top 14 Best Rappers Of All Time
1. Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is without a doubt one of the most celebrated rap musicians of his time. His main skill is the seamless integration of his poetic material, flow, and voice.
Kendrick Lamar lands first on the list of best rappers of all time.
Kendrick grew up in Compton, California. He began his music career as a rap artist under the alias K-Dot in 2004 when he was 17 years old. In 2012, he released his major-label first studio album. The album focused on Kendrick’s inner life and adolescent struggles, demonstrating how lyrically profound he is.
Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping singles include The Blacker The Berry, Alright, Humble, King Kunta, A.D.H.D, Swimming Pools, Bitch, and Don’t Kill My Vibe. In addition, he has four studio albums to his credit.
2. 50 Cent
50 Cent climbed from obscurity as a young musician living in a rough area plagued by gang violence to become one of the greatest rappers of all time. The 46-year-old artist has firmly established himself as a rap heavyweight. He has five studio albums, 76 singles, and several collaborations with famous musicians to his credit which makes him number 2 on our list of best rappers of all time.
In 2002, 50 Cent released his first official mixtape, “Guess Who’s Back.” This is when he started to get a following in the music business. This mixtape piqued Eminem’s interest, and he signed 50 Cent to Shady Records. 50 Cent has collaborated with well-known rappers such as Dr. Dre and Eminem. He was able to transform a horrible occurrence, such as being shot nine times, into a poetic masterpiece.
In the first few days after its release, his major-label album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ sold approximately one million copies. This is one of the albums that helped him get recognition in the music business.
50 Cent has sold over 30 million records globally and has won several music accolades. He has received a Grammy Award, four BET Awards, six World Music Awards, and thirteen Billboard Music Awards.
3. Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996) is widely regarded as one of the best rappers of all time. When he was alive, he recorded four albums and sold 75 million copies worldwide. Six of his albums were issued posthumously by his label.
Undoubtedly, many people revere Tupac as one of the best rappers of all time even after decades of his demise.
Many people appreciate Tupac for leveraging his literary talent to confront present social concerns and advocate for equality. Racism, brutality, suffering, hip hop competition, and social justice are common topics in his songs.
Dear Mama, So Many Tears, and many more are among his most popular rap tracks.
To date, his album All Eyez On Me has sold over 10 million copies.
Tupac is notable for layering his vocals, which brought another depth of realism to his voice. During his day, his delivery and fluidity were unsurpassed.
He was shot by an unknown shooter in Las Vegas and died six days later on September 14, 1996.
4. Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne began rapping when he was eight years old, when he created his first song. At the age of 12, he signed with Cash Money Records. For more than two decades, Lil Wayne was Cash Money Records’ main performer. Due to his numerous awards, it’s safe to say Lil Wayne is one of the best rappers of all time.
Tha Carter (2004), Lil Wayne’s fourth album, increased his prominence in the music business. Tha Carter II (2005) and Tha Carter III (2008), his succeeding albums, sold millions of copies globally.
Lil Wayne is a talented songwriter, and his strongest suit should be his cleverness. He has created a name for himself in the music business for decades. Simply by performing what he does best – rap music – on a continuous basis. He has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling rappers in the world. Throughout his long career, he has received five Grammy Awards, 11 BET Awards, and several other honors.
5. Jay-Z
Jay-Z is without a doubt one of the world’s most successful rappers, having sold over 125 million albums worldwide. He progressed from using rap as an escape to becoming one of his generation’s most recognized rappers. His music career began in 1993, when he published his debut album, “In My Lifetime.” The record was a huge success, earning the RIAA Platinum certification.
The legendary rapper is also a talented composer, record producer, and entrepreneur. His net worth is believed to be $1.3 billion.
Jay-Z has a total of 22 Grammy nominations. He also holds the record for the most Billboard 200 number-one albums by a solo artist.
6. Eminem
Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972, is one of the most popular musical artists of his time. He began his career as an underground battle rapper in Detroit. His big break came in 1997, when we went to Los Angeles to participate in the Rap Olympics. Despite finishing second, his performance pleased Interscope Records executives, who sent his name to Dr. Dre. He would go on to sell millions of albums a year later.
Eminem is one of the greatest rappers of all time, racking up hit after hit. His long-lasting career in entertainment has been made possible by two factors: his mind-blowing lyrics and his freestyle rap technique. Eminem is one of the best-selling music artists in the world, having sold over 20 million albums worldwide.
7. Snoop Dogg
Since his debut in the music business in 1992, Snoop Dogg has ruled the charts. His rise to fame began when he appeared on Dr. Dre’s solo song “Deep Cover.” Following that, he released incredible albums, some of which were declared double platinum.
Snopp Dogg is most recognized for his laconic rapping and as the embodiment of West Coast hip-hop culture. He has sold over 12.5 million records in the United States and million albums internationally, and he has received several honors.
8. Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes is one of America’s most accomplished rappers. He has 10 studio albums, three compilation albums, and eleven Grammy Award nominations. His achievements have won him a place among the greatest rappers of all time.
Leaders of the New School was a hip hop group that Busta Rhymes was a part of. In the summer of 1995, he went solo and began working on his solo debut album. In 1996, he released his debut studio album, “The Coming.” The album was a big success, as was his lead song “Woo Hah! “I’ve got you all under control.” His elaborate rhyming skill, complex and imaginative rhymes, and fast rapping style set him apart.
With his raga-inspired approach, Busta Rhymes became one of the most renowned rappers of his time. His inventive music videos catapulted him to the top of the hip hop business. Busta Rhymes is one of the quickest rappers to ever take the stage. His second single off his fifth studio album, Genesis, has 758 words in 231 seconds (3.28 per second). His rapid and complex rhyming style has set him apart from other rap singers.
His album E.L.E (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front, Genesis and The Big Bang Theory, and Anarchy are among his finest albums. It Ain’t Safe No More and Year of the Dragon are two of his other critically acclaimed albums.
Dangerous, Victory (with Puff Daddy and The Notorious B.I.G. ), and Touch It are among his most popular tracks. Busta Rhymes has also collaborated with a lot of prominent performers. What’s It Gonna Be?! is one of his greatest performing partnerships (ft. Janet Jackson).
9. DMX
DMX (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021) is without a doubt one of the most influential rappers of all time.
In 1984, DMX debuted in the music business. He made a name for himself in 1998, when he published his first album, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot.” Despite his share of issues, his legacy is unsurpassed. His musical approach won him a place among the best rappers of all time. DMX distinguished himself from other rappers by creating music on his own terms rather than following fads. His unfiltered musical approach was highly forceful and gritty, and it portrayed a tale of his sorrow. DMX’s tunes are among the most authentic rap songs you’ll ever hear.
DMX has played at a variety of places all around the globe. Mission Ballroom, Jewel, House of Blues, Roseland, HQ2 Nightclub, Hakkasan, Suite, and many more are among them. By the time he died, he had sold over 74 million albums worldwide.
DMX’s albums include It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, Flesh of My Flesh, and Blood of My Blood. His other successful albums include The Great Depression, And Then There Was X, and Grand Champ.
10. The Game
The Game has established himself as one of the greatest rappers of all time. The 42-year-old rapper first appeared on the scene in 2004. He was born and reared in Compton, LA, where he began developing his abilities through freestyling. Before becoming famous, The Game produced a series of mixtapes under the alias JT the Bigga Figga. He rose to prominence in 2005, with the release of his first album The Documentary and his second studio album Doctors Advocate. His first album was a global success, selling over five million copies. The Recording Industry Association of America certified it double platinum (RIAA).
The Game has nine studio albums, two compilation albums, five independent albums, 14 mixtapes, and 31 singles as of March 2022.
In 2006, The Game was nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Jesus Piece, Born 2 Rap, LAX, The R.E.D Album, Untold Story, and others are among his finest studio albums.
In 2019, The Game released his ninth studio album, which had 25 songs.
11. Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa is one of the most successful rappers of all time, having won several honors. He has regularly launched song after hit, amassing millions of followers worldwide. He released his first album, Show and Prove, in 2006, and then signed with Warner Bros. Records in 2007.
Wiz Khalifa rose to prominence during the hip hop renaissance of the 2010s.
His first album, “Rolling Papers,” sold over 2 million copies worldwide. “See You Again” and “Black and Yellow” are two of his finest tracks. He has two platinum albums, one gold album, and multiple platinum singles to his credit.
12. J. Cole
Fans around the world regard Jermaine Lamarr Cole as one of the best rappers of all time. Cole has six platinum albums to his credit, including Under The Sun, The Off Season, 4 Your Eyez Only, and others. He’s also a talented composer and record producer. J. Cole was born in Frankfurt, Germany on January 28, 1985. When he was eight months old, his family moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina. He started rapping when he was 12 years old. His initial rap moniker was Blaza, followed by Therapist. J. Cole is most recognized for rising from poor beginnings to become one of the greatest rappers of all time. His life narrative and musical career can only motivate the next generation to always bring their A-game.
Cole rose to prominence as a rapper after releasing his first mixtape, The Come Up, in 2007. The mixtape debuted at number one on the Billboard charts in the United States, selling around 218,000 copies in its first week. In 2009, he was signed to Jay-Roc Z’s Nation label. J. Cole was the first musician to sign with the record company’s newly founded label.
His 2015 song “The Pessimist” with Wale is one of his greatest duets. “Nobody’s Perfect,” his duet with Missy Elliott, performed well as well.
Cole has three Soul Train Music Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song (2020). He’s also the recipient of eight BET Hip Hop Awards and a Billboard Music Award for Best Rap Album. If his achievements in the music business are any indication, his brilliance is undeniable. J. Cole’s music continues to appeal to both new and elderly hip-hop listeners.
13. Drake
Drake Graham is unquestionably one of the greatest rappers of all time. In recent years, the Canadian rapper has risen as one of the most successful and consistent rappers.
He began his career as an actor in the entertainment sector. He rose to notoriety after releasing three mixtapes between 2006 and 2009. In 2009, Drake signed with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment. In 2010, he released his first studio album, Thank Me Later. The album was declared platinum due to its success.
As of March 2022, Drake has sold 170 million albums globally, making him one of the best-selling rappers of all time.
Know Yourself, Worst Behavior, Controlla, and Too Much are some of Drake’s finest tracks.
14. Ludacris
Ludacris was one of the most well-known rappers to hit the airwaves in the early 2000s.
He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, after being born in Champaign, Illinois. Ludacris created his first rap song when he was nine years old and released his first studio album in 1998. His first album aided him in landing a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings. In 2000, Def Jam Recordings published his second album, “Back for the First Time.” His second album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 list in the United States. Timbaland, Pastor Troy, Foxy Brown, I-20, Shawna, and other noteworthy musicians appeared on the album. Before he began rapping, Ludacris worked as a DJ for Atlanta’s hot 97.5.
WORD OF MOUF, his best-selling album, has 17 songs, including Coming to America, Go to Sleep, Saturday, Area Codes, and others.
In summary, Ludacris has eight studio albums, two compilation albums, nine promotional singles, and about 89 singles. He has garnered 12 awards from 41 nominations, for a total of 12 trophies.
Conclusion
Hip Hop has come a long way in the last few years. Hip hop has produced some of the finest MCs via hard work and dedication.
They’ve shown their ability to move audiences, generate flows, and provide lyrics with cultural significance. Their mastery of the microphone has enabled them to produce a body of work that is both inventive and unique.
Some are famed for their combat prowess, while others are known for their literary content, and yet others are known for their influence via fascinating and savory songs.
That’s all there is to it. These are the best rappers of all time.
