10. LL COOL J
Co-Signer: Nelly
"The first time I ever heard LL was the first time I ever seen LL, watching the [1985] movie 'Krush Groove.' He kicked the door in and was like, 'Box!' He was so poised and confident with his thing, it was an instant presence. You can feel it. I think he made a lot of fans with the 1.2 seconds he was in that movie. He played his part so distinct, you knew he was gonna be the man. I love him to death. Overall, he's an inspiration. He was one of the first guys who can go from 'I'm Bad' to 'I Need Love' and still have it respected on all levels. 'Eliminate punks, cut 'em up in chunks ... heard me and your ego shrunk!' Then he'd go to 'I Need Love' and 'Doin' It'. He was one of the brothers I idolized, because he didn't let anybody stick him in one category. He kept his versatility to the max and he always sustained that. When needed, he can put the gloves on or take the gloves off."
100 Percent Proof
"What the fu--? I thought I conquered the whole world,/ Crushed Moe Dee, Hammer, and Ice-T's curl./ But still, ni--as want to instigate sh--./ I'll battle any ni--a in the rap game quick./ Name the spot, I make it hot for ya **** Female rappers too, I don't give a fu—boo!"
— from the "I Shot Ya" remix, 1996
Selected Catalog
*Radio (1985), *Bigger and Deffer (1987), Walking With a Panther (1989), *Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), 14 Shots to the Dome (1993), *Mr. Smith (1995), Phenomenon (1997), The G.O.A.T. (2000), 10 (2002), The DEFinition (2004), Todd Smith (2006)
* = undeniable classic
9. EMINEM
Co-Signer: Common
"Eminem is the essence of an MC. He can get on any subject matter and rock it, and ... he's coming from his heart. He can get onstage and have a presence. His patterns are real good: He can flow like an instrument. He rides them beats right and says clever stuff. MCing, to me, is when you hear a dude say something and you tell your homie, 'You heard what he said?' Eminem has that 'Oooh, you heard what he said?' That's somebody you gotta step up with your game before [challenging]. He's an MC by heart. You know it. He's eating it, breathing it."
100 Percent Proof
"Maybe it's hatred I spew, maybe it's food for the spirit/ Maybe it's beautiful music I made for you to just cherish/ But I'm debated, disputed, hated and viewed in America/ As a mutha----in' drug addict, like you didn't experiment?/ Now now, that's when you start to stare at who's in the mirror/ And see yourself as a kid again, and you get embarrassed/ And I got nothin' to do but make you look stupid as parents/ You f---in' do-gooders, too bad you couldn't do good at marriage/ And do you have any clue what I had to do to get here?/ I don't think you do/ So stay tuned and keep your ears glued to the stereo."
— from "Renegade" (from Jay-Z's The Blueprint, 2001)
Selected Catalog
*The Slim Shady LP (1999), *The Marshall Mathers LP (2000), *The Eminem Show (2002), Encore (2004).
* = undeniable classic
8. ICE CUBE
Co-Signer: Snoop Dogg
"Greatest MC of all time to me? I will say probably Ice Cube. Cube was hard in the paint. When he had it, he had it. He ran with that mutha----a. He was doing his thing. He was representing West Coast gangsta music on every level of the game. He went out and did a record with Public Enemy [AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted] and then came back with DJ Pooh and them and did a record [Death Certificate]. He went up against N.W.A by himself, formulated Da Lench Mob, put Mack 10 in the game, put Yo-Yo in the game. I have to say Ice Cube, 'cause he did great things."
100 Percent Proof
"They killed a homie that I went to school with (Damn!)/ I tell ya, life ain't sh-- to fool with/ I still hear the screams of his mother/ While my n---a lay dead in the gutter/ And it's getting to my temple/ Why is that the only time black folks get to ride in a limo?/ It makes me so mad I want to get my sawed-off/ And have some bodies hauled off/ But no, I pay my respects and I'm through/ Hug my crew, and maybe shed a tear or two."
— from "Dead Homiez" (from Kill at Will EP, 1990; also available on remastered edition of AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted)
Selected Catalog
*Straight Outta Compton (1989, with N.W.A), *AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990), *Death Certificate (1991), The Predator (1992), *Lethal Injection (1993), *Bow Down (1996, with Westside Connection), War & Peace, Vol. 1 (The War Disc) (199, War & Peace, Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc) (2000), Terrorist Threats (2003, with Westside Connection).
* = undeniable classic
7. BIG DADDY KANE
Co-Signer: Ice-T
"To me, Big Daddy Kane is still today one of the best rappers. I would put Big Daddy Kane against any rapper in a battle. Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, any of them. I actually met Jay-Z with Kane. Kane brought Jay-Z over to my house. But nobody wants to see Kane. I could take 'Raw' right now and put it up against any record [from today]. Kane is one of the most incredible lyricists, the most real cat if you ever get a chance to meet him. Straight out of Brooklyn, soft-spoken and he will devour you on the mic. I don't want to try to out-rap Big Daddy Kane. I may out-dress him, but I'm not gonna try to out-rap him. Big Daddy Kane can rap circles around cats."
100 Percent Proof
"Rappers today be comin' as the gangster-rhyme type/ And be so soft, they wouldn't even kill time right/ Here's the news, you lettin' the word 'hardcore' be misused/ You ain't never paid dues/ Be for real, you ain't tough yet/ The razor bumps on your throat is the only thing makin' you a roughneck/ Your whole image is a dammmmmn sham/ I'm glad in this business I didn't forget who I am/ I always remain the Kane inside a battle/ 'Never to walk in anyone's
shadow!' "
— from "Lyrical Gymnastics" (from Daddy's Home, 1994)
Selected Catalog
*Long Live the Kane (198, *It's a Big Daddy Thing (1989), *Taste of Chocolate (1990), Prince of Darkness (1991), Looks Like a Job For ... (1993), Daddy's Home (1994), Veteranz Day (199, The Man, The Icon (2002).
* = undeniable classic
6. KRS-ONE
Co-Signer: Jadakiss
"He definitely had an influence on me. Just the way he put his sh-- together, the way he was dropping knowledge and it was still hard. That's incredibly hard to do: to get accepted, to get your point across and be looked at like an incredible lyricist and stage performer. He covered everything. His stage show is crazy, freestyle is crazy. He can get deep on you. His battle raps are crazy. He was the teacher. He was dangerous. I remember when [we were] shopping our demo — we were still the Warlocks — I met KRS and we was going to do a song with him. He was like, 'This song is gonna guarantee you one spin. Then whatever the world thinks of you, it's on from there.' We never had a chance to do the record, but just to sit down and have that meeting with him was incredible."
100 Percent Proof
"People still takin' rappin' for a joke/ A passing hope or a phase with a rope/ Sometimes I choke and try to believe/ When I get challenged by a million MCs/ I try to tell them, 'We're all in this together!'/ My album was raw because no one would ever/ Think like I think and do what I do/ I steal the show and then I leave without a clue."
— from "I'm Still No. 1" (from By All Means Necessary, 198
Selected Catalog
(With Boogie Down Productions *Criminal Minded (1987), *By All Means Necessary (198, *Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip-Hop (1989), Edutainment (1990), Live Hardcore Worldwide (1991), Sex and Violence (1992); (Solo *Return of the Boom Bap (1993), KRS-One (1995), I Got Next (1997), The Sneak Attack (2001), Spiritual Minded (2002), Kristyles (2003), Keep Right (2004).
* = undeniable classic
5. NAS
Co-Signer: Slick Rick
"I think Nas is a great MC because he's like a Tupac in a way: He doesn't waste a lot of time bragging. He comes with emotions, he speaks on positivity for the growth of kids and women. He pretty much tells his life in a humble way. I think that's a great thing that shows the variety rap has. When he came out, he made a hellafied impact. It's his God-given talent that stands out in the crowd. I thought he was an excellently skillful rapper. It was only a few skillful rappers: Kane, Rakim ... he was up there with them. He had raw talent. He was a child when he came out; now he's a married man. He's showing the streets can grow. He has the ability of giving you a vivid look in a new-generation way with that rugged rap skill. There aren't too many rappers who can compete with him."
100 Percent Proof
"…Live on the run, police paying me to give in my gun./ Trick my Wisdom, with the system that imprisoned my son./ Smoke a gold leaf I hold heat, nonchalantly./ I'm raunchy, but things I do is real it never haunts me./ While, funny style ni--as roll in the pile./ Booster heads profile on a bus to Riker's Isle./ Holdin weed inside they pu--y with they minds on the pretty things in life, props is a true thug's wife."
— from "Verbal Intercourse" (from Raekwon The Chef's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, 1995)
Selected Catalog
*Illmatic (1994), *It Was Written (1996), The Firm (1997, as part of the group the Firm), I Am ... The Autobiography (1999), Nastradamus (1999), *Stillmatic (2001), God's Son (2002), Street's Disciple (2004).
* = undeniable classic
4. RAKIM
Co-Signer: 50 Cent
"I remember hearing his music way back, on Paid in Full. Rakim was way ahead of his time when he came out. To me, him and KRS-One were the best rappers. He was able to stay street-orientated while being intelligent. He seemed more intelligent than the rest of the other artists out there that were just rapping. Everything about him, his whole swagger, him as a person, is what made that work, and he made other MCs come up behind him and follow in his footsteps so hard. He gave birth to Nas, damn near. Nas is dope, though. Style-wise, Rakim influenced that."
100 Percent Proof
"Imagine me wit' the heat that's made by solar/ It gets stronger every time I hold a/ Microphone, check the tone to get started/ The line for the microphone is departed/ So leave it up to me, my DJ is mixing/ Everyone is moving or eager to listen/ Your hands in the air, your mouth shut/ 'Cause I'm on the mic and Eric B. is on the cut."
— from "Move the Crowd" (from Paid in Full, 1987)
Selected Catalog
(With Eric B. & Rakim *Paid in Full (1987), *Follow the Leader (198, *Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990), Don't Sweat the Technique (1992); (Solo The 18th Letter (1997), The Master (1999).
* = undeniable classic
3. NOTORIOUS B.I.G.
Co-Signer: The Game
"His flows and lyrics were ahead of their time. His stories about the streets was vivid — it made you feel like you was in Brooklyn seeing what he was spitting. It was almost like you could taste his lyrics. When he came on a track, his voice alone would capture you. In his short music career, he had so many classics. Biggie collaborated with everyone from Super Cat to Mary J. Blige and even Michael Jackson. Every verse — whether it was a feature or his own songs — was crazy. Rappers had to step their game up. ... Dudes had to really go hard in the studio to compete at what he did effortlessly. Life After Death had something for everyone on there. It was more universal and you could definitely hear the difference [from Ready to Die]. He was enjoying life more on this album. That album set a higher standard in the game forever."
100 Percent Proof
"I got that venom rhyme like Sprite got lemon-lime/ Donna Karan dime, keep her hair done all the time/ My rhyme, somewhat Shakespearean, blood I'm smearin' and/ Tongue-kissin' my lawyer at my hearin'/ In this day and age, my rap is like the plague/ I married this sh--, y'all n---as still engaged."
— from "Realms of Junior M.A.F.I.A." (from Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s Conspiracy, 1995)
Selected Catalog
*Ready to Die (1994), *Life After Death (1997), #Born Again (1999). #Duets: The Final Chapter (2005)
* = undeniable classic # = posthumous release
2) Tupac
Co-Signer: Scarface
"That is my favorite MC. That was my dawg. Not only as an MC, but that was my partner. That was my real true homeboy. Pac always told me you gotta get it across to the women and the homies will accept it. That was his secret. If you think about it, that's Pac's formula. I did adapt one of Pac's [other] formulas, that was to go ahead and make songs. Before we did 'Smile,' he came by the studio and played the Makaveli album for me. He was just wrapping up; I was working on the Untouchable album. He was like, 'Man, you sitting in wasting your time, let's go kick it!' I was like, 'Man, I gotta make a single.' He was like, 'Just write songs and it'll come.' "
100 Percent Proof
"Will I succeed?/ Paranoid from the weed/ And hocus pocus, try to focus but I can't see/ And in my mind, I'm a blind man doin' time/ Look to my future 'cause my past is all behind me/ Is it a crime to fight, for what is mine? ... I've been trapped since birth, cautious, 'cause I'm cursed/ And fantasies of my family in a hearse/ And they say it's the white man I should fear/ But it's my own kind doin' all the killin' here."
— from "Only God Can Judge Me" (from All Eyez on Me, 1996)
Selected Catalog
*2Pacalypse Now (1991), Strictly 4 My N---A.Z. (1993), *Me Against the World (1995), *All Eyez on Me (1996), * *The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (as Makaveli, 1996), #R U Still Down? (Remember Me) (1997), #Still I Rise (1999), #Until the End of Time (2001), #Better Dayz (2002), #Loyal to the Game (2004), #Live at the House of Blues (2005).
1. Jay-Z .
Co-Signer: Kool G Rap
"That dude is a genius with his craft. He's got all the qualities that it takes for somebody to blow up to superstardom. He's got character, he's got lyrics, he knows how to put songs together. His wittiness. I'm the type of rapper that I try to make my stuff as witty as possible. Jay-Z comes up with some real clever lines to say. From the time he came out up till now, he grew musically — not so much lyrically. He was crazy lyrical on his first album. He grew musically as far as what plays on that radio and what bumps in that club. I think he just mastered that sh--. Dude is in a class by himself. Dudes ain't even touching him as far as I'm concerned."
100 Percent Proof"Saw the devil in your eyes/ High off more than weed/ Confused, I just closed my young eyes and squeezed/ What a sound/ Opened my eyes just in time to see ya stumbling to the ground/ 'Damn? What the f--- I done now?'... Like a stranger, damn!/ I just shot my n---a/ And ran off into the night as if it was not my n---a."
— from "You Must Love Me" (from In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1997)
Selected Catalog
*Reasonable Doubt (1996), In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997), *Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (199, Streets Is Watching (soundtrack, 199, Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter (1999), *The Dynasty Roc la Familia (2000), *The Blueprint (2001), Unplugged (2001), The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse (2002), The Best of Both Worlds (2002, with R. Kelly), The Black Album (2003), Unfinished Business (2004, with R. Kelly), Collision Course (2004, with Linkin Park).
Those are the rappers that complete MTV's 10 Greatest MCs Of All Time
Co-Signer: Nelly
"The first time I ever heard LL was the first time I ever seen LL, watching the [1985] movie 'Krush Groove.' He kicked the door in and was like, 'Box!' He was so poised and confident with his thing, it was an instant presence. You can feel it. I think he made a lot of fans with the 1.2 seconds he was in that movie. He played his part so distinct, you knew he was gonna be the man. I love him to death. Overall, he's an inspiration. He was one of the first guys who can go from 'I'm Bad' to 'I Need Love' and still have it respected on all levels. 'Eliminate punks, cut 'em up in chunks ... heard me and your ego shrunk!' Then he'd go to 'I Need Love' and 'Doin' It'. He was one of the brothers I idolized, because he didn't let anybody stick him in one category. He kept his versatility to the max and he always sustained that. When needed, he can put the gloves on or take the gloves off."
100 Percent Proof
"What the fu--? I thought I conquered the whole world,/ Crushed Moe Dee, Hammer, and Ice-T's curl./ But still, ni--as want to instigate sh--./ I'll battle any ni--a in the rap game quick./ Name the spot, I make it hot for ya **** Female rappers too, I don't give a fu—boo!"
— from the "I Shot Ya" remix, 1996
Selected Catalog
*Radio (1985), *Bigger and Deffer (1987), Walking With a Panther (1989), *Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), 14 Shots to the Dome (1993), *Mr. Smith (1995), Phenomenon (1997), The G.O.A.T. (2000), 10 (2002), The DEFinition (2004), Todd Smith (2006)
* = undeniable classic
9. EMINEM
Co-Signer: Common
"Eminem is the essence of an MC. He can get on any subject matter and rock it, and ... he's coming from his heart. He can get onstage and have a presence. His patterns are real good: He can flow like an instrument. He rides them beats right and says clever stuff. MCing, to me, is when you hear a dude say something and you tell your homie, 'You heard what he said?' Eminem has that 'Oooh, you heard what he said?' That's somebody you gotta step up with your game before [challenging]. He's an MC by heart. You know it. He's eating it, breathing it."
100 Percent Proof
"Maybe it's hatred I spew, maybe it's food for the spirit/ Maybe it's beautiful music I made for you to just cherish/ But I'm debated, disputed, hated and viewed in America/ As a mutha----in' drug addict, like you didn't experiment?/ Now now, that's when you start to stare at who's in the mirror/ And see yourself as a kid again, and you get embarrassed/ And I got nothin' to do but make you look stupid as parents/ You f---in' do-gooders, too bad you couldn't do good at marriage/ And do you have any clue what I had to do to get here?/ I don't think you do/ So stay tuned and keep your ears glued to the stereo."
— from "Renegade" (from Jay-Z's The Blueprint, 2001)
Selected Catalog
*The Slim Shady LP (1999), *The Marshall Mathers LP (2000), *The Eminem Show (2002), Encore (2004).
* = undeniable classic
8. ICE CUBE
Co-Signer: Snoop Dogg
"Greatest MC of all time to me? I will say probably Ice Cube. Cube was hard in the paint. When he had it, he had it. He ran with that mutha----a. He was doing his thing. He was representing West Coast gangsta music on every level of the game. He went out and did a record with Public Enemy [AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted] and then came back with DJ Pooh and them and did a record [Death Certificate]. He went up against N.W.A by himself, formulated Da Lench Mob, put Mack 10 in the game, put Yo-Yo in the game. I have to say Ice Cube, 'cause he did great things."
100 Percent Proof
"They killed a homie that I went to school with (Damn!)/ I tell ya, life ain't sh-- to fool with/ I still hear the screams of his mother/ While my n---a lay dead in the gutter/ And it's getting to my temple/ Why is that the only time black folks get to ride in a limo?/ It makes me so mad I want to get my sawed-off/ And have some bodies hauled off/ But no, I pay my respects and I'm through/ Hug my crew, and maybe shed a tear or two."
— from "Dead Homiez" (from Kill at Will EP, 1990; also available on remastered edition of AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted)
Selected Catalog
*Straight Outta Compton (1989, with N.W.A), *AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990), *Death Certificate (1991), The Predator (1992), *Lethal Injection (1993), *Bow Down (1996, with Westside Connection), War & Peace, Vol. 1 (The War Disc) (199, War & Peace, Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc) (2000), Terrorist Threats (2003, with Westside Connection).
* = undeniable classic
7. BIG DADDY KANE
Co-Signer: Ice-T
"To me, Big Daddy Kane is still today one of the best rappers. I would put Big Daddy Kane against any rapper in a battle. Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, any of them. I actually met Jay-Z with Kane. Kane brought Jay-Z over to my house. But nobody wants to see Kane. I could take 'Raw' right now and put it up against any record [from today]. Kane is one of the most incredible lyricists, the most real cat if you ever get a chance to meet him. Straight out of Brooklyn, soft-spoken and he will devour you on the mic. I don't want to try to out-rap Big Daddy Kane. I may out-dress him, but I'm not gonna try to out-rap him. Big Daddy Kane can rap circles around cats."
100 Percent Proof
"Rappers today be comin' as the gangster-rhyme type/ And be so soft, they wouldn't even kill time right/ Here's the news, you lettin' the word 'hardcore' be misused/ You ain't never paid dues/ Be for real, you ain't tough yet/ The razor bumps on your throat is the only thing makin' you a roughneck/ Your whole image is a dammmmmn sham/ I'm glad in this business I didn't forget who I am/ I always remain the Kane inside a battle/ 'Never to walk in anyone's
shadow!' "
— from "Lyrical Gymnastics" (from Daddy's Home, 1994)
Selected Catalog
*Long Live the Kane (198, *It's a Big Daddy Thing (1989), *Taste of Chocolate (1990), Prince of Darkness (1991), Looks Like a Job For ... (1993), Daddy's Home (1994), Veteranz Day (199, The Man, The Icon (2002).
* = undeniable classic
6. KRS-ONE
Co-Signer: Jadakiss
"He definitely had an influence on me. Just the way he put his sh-- together, the way he was dropping knowledge and it was still hard. That's incredibly hard to do: to get accepted, to get your point across and be looked at like an incredible lyricist and stage performer. He covered everything. His stage show is crazy, freestyle is crazy. He can get deep on you. His battle raps are crazy. He was the teacher. He was dangerous. I remember when [we were] shopping our demo — we were still the Warlocks — I met KRS and we was going to do a song with him. He was like, 'This song is gonna guarantee you one spin. Then whatever the world thinks of you, it's on from there.' We never had a chance to do the record, but just to sit down and have that meeting with him was incredible."
100 Percent Proof
"People still takin' rappin' for a joke/ A passing hope or a phase with a rope/ Sometimes I choke and try to believe/ When I get challenged by a million MCs/ I try to tell them, 'We're all in this together!'/ My album was raw because no one would ever/ Think like I think and do what I do/ I steal the show and then I leave without a clue."
— from "I'm Still No. 1" (from By All Means Necessary, 198
Selected Catalog
(With Boogie Down Productions *Criminal Minded (1987), *By All Means Necessary (198, *Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip-Hop (1989), Edutainment (1990), Live Hardcore Worldwide (1991), Sex and Violence (1992); (Solo *Return of the Boom Bap (1993), KRS-One (1995), I Got Next (1997), The Sneak Attack (2001), Spiritual Minded (2002), Kristyles (2003), Keep Right (2004).
* = undeniable classic
5. NAS
Co-Signer: Slick Rick
"I think Nas is a great MC because he's like a Tupac in a way: He doesn't waste a lot of time bragging. He comes with emotions, he speaks on positivity for the growth of kids and women. He pretty much tells his life in a humble way. I think that's a great thing that shows the variety rap has. When he came out, he made a hellafied impact. It's his God-given talent that stands out in the crowd. I thought he was an excellently skillful rapper. It was only a few skillful rappers: Kane, Rakim ... he was up there with them. He had raw talent. He was a child when he came out; now he's a married man. He's showing the streets can grow. He has the ability of giving you a vivid look in a new-generation way with that rugged rap skill. There aren't too many rappers who can compete with him."
100 Percent Proof
"…Live on the run, police paying me to give in my gun./ Trick my Wisdom, with the system that imprisoned my son./ Smoke a gold leaf I hold heat, nonchalantly./ I'm raunchy, but things I do is real it never haunts me./ While, funny style ni--as roll in the pile./ Booster heads profile on a bus to Riker's Isle./ Holdin weed inside they pu--y with they minds on the pretty things in life, props is a true thug's wife."
— from "Verbal Intercourse" (from Raekwon The Chef's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, 1995)
Selected Catalog
*Illmatic (1994), *It Was Written (1996), The Firm (1997, as part of the group the Firm), I Am ... The Autobiography (1999), Nastradamus (1999), *Stillmatic (2001), God's Son (2002), Street's Disciple (2004).
* = undeniable classic
4. RAKIM
Co-Signer: 50 Cent
"I remember hearing his music way back, on Paid in Full. Rakim was way ahead of his time when he came out. To me, him and KRS-One were the best rappers. He was able to stay street-orientated while being intelligent. He seemed more intelligent than the rest of the other artists out there that were just rapping. Everything about him, his whole swagger, him as a person, is what made that work, and he made other MCs come up behind him and follow in his footsteps so hard. He gave birth to Nas, damn near. Nas is dope, though. Style-wise, Rakim influenced that."
100 Percent Proof
"Imagine me wit' the heat that's made by solar/ It gets stronger every time I hold a/ Microphone, check the tone to get started/ The line for the microphone is departed/ So leave it up to me, my DJ is mixing/ Everyone is moving or eager to listen/ Your hands in the air, your mouth shut/ 'Cause I'm on the mic and Eric B. is on the cut."
— from "Move the Crowd" (from Paid in Full, 1987)
Selected Catalog
(With Eric B. & Rakim *Paid in Full (1987), *Follow the Leader (198, *Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990), Don't Sweat the Technique (1992); (Solo The 18th Letter (1997), The Master (1999).
* = undeniable classic
3. NOTORIOUS B.I.G.
Co-Signer: The Game
"His flows and lyrics were ahead of their time. His stories about the streets was vivid — it made you feel like you was in Brooklyn seeing what he was spitting. It was almost like you could taste his lyrics. When he came on a track, his voice alone would capture you. In his short music career, he had so many classics. Biggie collaborated with everyone from Super Cat to Mary J. Blige and even Michael Jackson. Every verse — whether it was a feature or his own songs — was crazy. Rappers had to step their game up. ... Dudes had to really go hard in the studio to compete at what he did effortlessly. Life After Death had something for everyone on there. It was more universal and you could definitely hear the difference [from Ready to Die]. He was enjoying life more on this album. That album set a higher standard in the game forever."
100 Percent Proof
"I got that venom rhyme like Sprite got lemon-lime/ Donna Karan dime, keep her hair done all the time/ My rhyme, somewhat Shakespearean, blood I'm smearin' and/ Tongue-kissin' my lawyer at my hearin'/ In this day and age, my rap is like the plague/ I married this sh--, y'all n---as still engaged."
— from "Realms of Junior M.A.F.I.A." (from Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s Conspiracy, 1995)
Selected Catalog
*Ready to Die (1994), *Life After Death (1997), #Born Again (1999). #Duets: The Final Chapter (2005)
* = undeniable classic # = posthumous release
2) Tupac
Co-Signer: Scarface
"That is my favorite MC. That was my dawg. Not only as an MC, but that was my partner. That was my real true homeboy. Pac always told me you gotta get it across to the women and the homies will accept it. That was his secret. If you think about it, that's Pac's formula. I did adapt one of Pac's [other] formulas, that was to go ahead and make songs. Before we did 'Smile,' he came by the studio and played the Makaveli album for me. He was just wrapping up; I was working on the Untouchable album. He was like, 'Man, you sitting in wasting your time, let's go kick it!' I was like, 'Man, I gotta make a single.' He was like, 'Just write songs and it'll come.' "
100 Percent Proof
"Will I succeed?/ Paranoid from the weed/ And hocus pocus, try to focus but I can't see/ And in my mind, I'm a blind man doin' time/ Look to my future 'cause my past is all behind me/ Is it a crime to fight, for what is mine? ... I've been trapped since birth, cautious, 'cause I'm cursed/ And fantasies of my family in a hearse/ And they say it's the white man I should fear/ But it's my own kind doin' all the killin' here."
— from "Only God Can Judge Me" (from All Eyez on Me, 1996)
Selected Catalog
*2Pacalypse Now (1991), Strictly 4 My N---A.Z. (1993), *Me Against the World (1995), *All Eyez on Me (1996), * *The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (as Makaveli, 1996), #R U Still Down? (Remember Me) (1997), #Still I Rise (1999), #Until the End of Time (2001), #Better Dayz (2002), #Loyal to the Game (2004), #Live at the House of Blues (2005).
1. Jay-Z .
Co-Signer: Kool G Rap
"That dude is a genius with his craft. He's got all the qualities that it takes for somebody to blow up to superstardom. He's got character, he's got lyrics, he knows how to put songs together. His wittiness. I'm the type of rapper that I try to make my stuff as witty as possible. Jay-Z comes up with some real clever lines to say. From the time he came out up till now, he grew musically — not so much lyrically. He was crazy lyrical on his first album. He grew musically as far as what plays on that radio and what bumps in that club. I think he just mastered that sh--. Dude is in a class by himself. Dudes ain't even touching him as far as I'm concerned."
100 Percent Proof"Saw the devil in your eyes/ High off more than weed/ Confused, I just closed my young eyes and squeezed/ What a sound/ Opened my eyes just in time to see ya stumbling to the ground/ 'Damn? What the f--- I done now?'... Like a stranger, damn!/ I just shot my n---a/ And ran off into the night as if it was not my n---a."
— from "You Must Love Me" (from In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1997)
Selected Catalog
*Reasonable Doubt (1996), In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997), *Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (199, Streets Is Watching (soundtrack, 199, Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter (1999), *The Dynasty Roc la Familia (2000), *The Blueprint (2001), Unplugged (2001), The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse (2002), The Best of Both Worlds (2002, with R. Kelly), The Black Album (2003), Unfinished Business (2004, with R. Kelly), Collision Course (2004, with Linkin Park).
Those are the rappers that complete MTV's 10 Greatest MCs Of All Time
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