Rap music is a controversial music genre thanks to the strong lyrics, memorable punch lines and the special energy it delivers. It takes some serious talent and a unique kind of self-confidence to be a great rapper. Luckily, there are those great rap musicians who made rap into what it is and who this genre owes a lot to. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest names in the rap music world since it came to existence in the early 80s.
· Eminem
Considered not just one of the best rappers, but one of the best artists of all times as well, Eminem earned his spot on this list fair and square.
He was named the best-selling artist in the USA in the 2000s, sold more than 230 million records globally, and had five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
Eminem is known for his ability to quickly pronounce complex words, memorable puns, extensive vocabulary, and relatable lyrics.
· 2Pac
Tupac Shakur, known by his stage name 2Pac, is always on the top of all lists ranking rappers.
Although the peak of his career lasted for no more than five years, form his debut album in 1991 to the time he died of gunshot wounds in 1996, his impact on the rap music industry remains noted.
He is known as a master storyteller who made people of all different races and social background listen to rap.
· JayZ
As noted by Forbes, JayZ is the first hip-hop artist to become a billionaire which makes him the most financially successful rapper of all times.
Not only has he won 22 Grammys, but he’s been named one of the 100 best musicians of all time by the Rolling Stone magazine.
In addition to his music success, he’s a successful entrepreneur as well.
· Drake
The Canadian rapper whose carrier took off in 2010, managed to break so many charts he probably lost count.
He has the most number one singles on the Hot Rap Songs chart by Billboard, he’s the man with the most top 10 singles under his own name (32) and has sold more than 20 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide.
He’s a force to be reckoned with.
· Kendrick Lamar
The American rapper who started his career off as a teenager, under the stage name K-Dot, is considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all times.
He started gaining recognition under his real name from 2010. and managed to write history by winning a Pulitzer prize in 2018 for his record “DAMN, becoming the first of its genre to earn it.
He’s also known for bringing changes to rap music, making it more complex, entertaining and using different techniques to deliver.
The list above is an attempt to rank the worlds greatest rappers but the debate about who’s the best is a never-ending one. We mustn’t forget names such as Notorious B.I.G, Kanye West, Dr.Dre, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, P. Diddy, Nas, and many others. The world of rap music has truly got some iconic names to be proud of.