In These Cases, "MC" Stands for "Mastered the Craft" - The 10 Best Rappers Alive
Sep 24 '01 (Updated Jan 22 '02)
The Bottom Line The rappers listed here are unquestionably some of the best in in rap currently. We may quibble on some, but most of these will top any rap fan's list.
Hip-hop music today is a swirling sea of wannabe’s, up-and-comers, and veteran rappers all claiming that they are the best rap act ever. Most can “talk the talk”, but very few can actually “walk the walk”. Mediocre and relatively unknown rappers Major Figgas even had the nerve to allow themselves to be quoted as saying that their album would be the “most anticipated album since Doggystyle" (Snoop Doggy Dogg’s debut LP).
So who really are the best rappers in the industry today? Again, you can count on madtheory to retreat into his secret laboratory to determine which MCs are the most fit and which soon will be extinct. Before some of you get upset, I disqualified Biggie and Tupac because they are not alive today (a technicality). So without further ado, here is my list for the Ten Best Rappers Alive. Selections are based on rap-derived mathematical equations far too complex for someone other than myself to comprehend. Don’t worry, my calculations are always sound.
10) Sticky Fingaz - Sticky Fingaz is probably one of the most underrated artists in hip-hop today. With his grimy voice, fiery delivery and a twisted sense of humor, the NY rapper has been a powerful force since his group Onyx first appeared on the scene in 1993 with the smash hit, “Slam”. Unfortunately, his existence as a member of a rap group deeply buried in the underground kept him from being recognized as on of hip-hop’s finest. Hopefully his latest solo effort, the concept album Black Trash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones, will help to propel Sticky to his rightful place among the other upper-echelon MCs.
Discography:
- Onyx: Bacdafucup
- Onyx: All We Got Iz Us
- Onyx: Shut ‘Em Down
- Black Trash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones
9) Nas – Otherwise known as Nasir Jones, this rapper from the Queesnbridge Projects in NYC was a major factor in the East Coast’s reclamation of hip-hop supremacy in 1996. His sharp, focused flows contrasted with his calm demeanor, immediately drawing parallels to hip-hop legend Rakim. Nowadays, even though Nas’ lyrics are missing a lot of the anger, introspection, and roughness that was spotlighted on his debut album Illmatic, his lyrics are still as precise and flawless as ever. Recently, Nas announced his latest album Stillmatic will be a return to the gritty, “Nasty Nas” persona that fans fell in love with on Illmatic, and proved it by lyrically attacking Cormega, Jay-Z, and essentially the entire Rocafella family on the single, “H to the H*mo”.
Discography:
- Illmatic
- It Was Written
- I Am…The Autobiography
- Nastradamus
8) GZA - Ask any rap fan to name some of the best hip-hop albums in history, and GZA’s Liquid Swords will be mentioned repeatedly. The GZA, also known as the Genius, is known for using intense, intricate flows and a variety of styles when rapping. To be generally considered one of the best MCs of the Wu-Tang Clan, arguably the best hip-hop group of all time, is definitely a high honor. His current status of being the first Wu member with three solo albums released is a testament to his skill, experience, and dedication.
Discography:
- Words from the Genius
- Liquid Swords
- Beneath the Surface
7) Jay-Z - Say whatever you want to about Jay-Z selling out, but one thing’s for sure, he definitely knows how to “roc” a mic. Since first emerging from the underground scene with his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z has firmly established himself in mainstream pop. His commercial recognition is primarily due to the success of songs like, "Hard Knock Life", "Can I Get a.." and "Give it to Me", as well as his numerous guest appearances with established pop icons like Mariah Carey. As of late, Jigga’s attention has turned to recruiting rappers in order to create a "Dynasty" of sorts. Unfortunately, his tremendous ability only serves to highlight how completely average his protégés Beanie Siegel, Memphis Bleek, and the vanishing Amil truly are. His latest album, The Blueprint is supposed to be a return to Jay-Z’s less pop and “ice” influenced roots. Rap fans can only hope that this is the case.
Discography:
- Reasonable Doubt
- Vol. 1: In My Lifetime
- Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
- Vol. 3: The Life and Times of S. Carter
- The Dynasty – Roc La Familia 2000
- The Blueprint
6) Eminem – I can almost hear the moans of disgust from the mere mention of his name. Regardless of what you think of Eminem's lyrical content, his lyrics are unquestionably clever and inventive. The Detroit rapper shows poetic skills and artistic ability in almost everything rhyme he writes. Eminem is definitely a wordsmith, and easily on of the best rappers in the game today. With Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Rakim backing him up on the Aftermath label, we will surely hear a great deal more from Marshall Mathers.
Discography:
- The Slim Shady LP
- The Marshall Mathers LP
5) Method Man - Meth is easily the most popular member of the Wu-Tang Clan, most likely because he appeals to such a wide audience. His versatile persona allows him to blend seamlessly into mainstream pop, rock, R&B, and underground hip-hop. However, all the personality in the world is irrelevant without talent, and the “Ticallion Stallion” is overflowing with that. The ability to effortlessly switch his gravelly-voiced rhymes from gritty street lyrics to light-hearted freestyles is what helped to make Method Man one of the best in the game today.
Discography
- Tical
- Tical 2000: Judgement Day
4) Mos Def - Listening to the music of the "Mighty" Mos Def, it’s obvious that the his purpose as a musician is to “shine a light for the world to see.” Lacing his lyrics with spirituality and social consciousness, Brooklynite Mos Def is one of the few MCs leading the charge to return to positivity in hip-hop. After making admirable showings in collaborations with other artists, Mos Def stumbled upon like-minded rapper Talib Kweli. Two combined to form Black Star and release a very influential album in Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. Since his 1999 solo album received accolades and critical acclaim, Mos is looking to release his sophomore solo effort, as well as perform with his new rock band Jack Johnson.
Discography:
- Black Star: Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
- Black on Both Sides
3) Canibus - This New Jersey-based rapper has always had something to prove. Even when his immense talent kicked down doors for him, he still had to earn his respect due to the relatively short time he spent in the underground. In spite of handily destroying rap veteran LL Cool J in their now famous battle, Canibus still has yet to prove himself, mostly due to his two undistinguished albums. Regardless of the circumstances, when it comes down to raw skills, few MCs can hold spit lyrics with the "ballistic characteristics of a hollow tip from point-blank distance" the way Canibus can.
Discography:
- Can-I-Bus
- 2000 B. C.
2) KRS-ONE - His name is an acronym meaning "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone". The founding member of the legendary rap group Boogie Down Productions is renown for his political and socially conscious lyrics, as well as his ability to rock live shows without special effects, dancers, props, or whatever. Even after 15-plus years in hip-hop, he’s still one of the most skilled lyricists today. Check out for his latest album The Sneak Attack released earlier this year.
Discography:
- BDP- Criminal Minded
- BDP- By Any Means Necessary
- BDP- Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip-Hop
- BDP- Edutainment
- BDP - Live Hardcore Worldwide
- BDP - Sex & Violence
- Return of the Boom Bap
- KRS-ONE
- I Got Next
- Retrospective
- Sneak Attack
1) Common – Recognized by his exceptional use of poetic elements in his rhymes, Chicago rapper Common is unquestionably one of the most prosaic rappers in hip-hop. Perhaps his most famous song is "I Used to Love H.E.R." in which he used a fictional relationship with a woman as a metaphor for his relationship with hip-hop music. Don’t be mistaken though; the poetic emcee does have an edgy side, as West Coast rapper Ice Cube found after Com dismantled him with “I See the B*tch in Yoo” during their feud in 1996. Common’s ability to create soulful, poetic rhymes, and still spit lyrical venomous darts, in my mind, makes him the best rapper alive today.
Discography
- Can I Borrow a Dollar
- Resurrection
- One Day It’ll All Make Sense
- Like Water for Chocolate
I can hear the complaints start to pile up now ("You missed MC-such-and-such! He’s the best ever!"), so let me include a few who I seriously considered, but for one reason or another did not make the cut.
Honorable Mention:
- Rakim
- Da Brat
- Rah Digga
- Redman
- Inspectah Deck - Wu Tang Clan
- Ghostface Killah - Wu Tang Clan
- Killah Priest
- Missy Elliot
- Talib Kweli - Reflection Eternal
- Andre 3000 - OutKast
- Big Boi - OutKast
- Cee-lo – Goodie Mob
- Pharoahe Monch
- Ice Cube
- Scarface
- Ras Kass
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