50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987 - 2007)
20. Black Thought
Widely lauded for his raw and uncut rhymes--which have taken a political bent lately--Black Thought is, to paraphrase his bandmate ?uestlove, in a league by himself. Bonus kudos for his enthralling live performances.
Best Album: Illadelph Halflife (w/ The Roots)
19. Eminem
With his dark and dystopic recitals, Eminem is always as willing to lacerate others as himself. His intricate rhyme structure, experimental wordplay, and meticulous phrasing make him one of the landmark MCs of the 21st century.
Best Album: The Marshall Mathers LP
18. Lauryn Hill
People always say that the hip-hop of today is devoid of talented female MCs. Maybe it's because the standards established by Lyte, Latifah, and Lauryn, are almost unattainable.
Best Album: The Score(w/ Fugees)
17. GZA / Genius
Metaphor-heavy vignettes, Shaolin Sword-sharp lyrics, smooth flow...GZA is undeniably the most cerebral MC in the Wu family.
Best Album: Liquid Swords
16. Big Pun
Despite his large frame, Big Pun's fun, fast and feisty rhymes kept him light years ahead of his peers. He was also the first solo Latino rapper to go platinum. How's that for industry impact?
Best Album: Capital Punishment
15. LL Cool J
LL's longevity has never been disputed--he hasn't been able to "Live Without His Radio" since 1985--and, unlike some of his peers, Cool J has managed to reinvent his style over the years to reflect the current cultural landscape.
Best Album: Mama Said Knock You Out
14. Slick Rick
Despite myriad run-ins with the INS and jail stints, Ricky Walters managed to hold down the storytelling department like no other.
Best Album: The Great Adventures of Slick Rick
13. Redman
Sometimes satirical, sometimes silly, Redman is one of the liveliest MCs of his era.
Best Album: Muddy Waters
12. Chuck D
Lyrical, with a militant message, and a take no prisoners persona, Chuck D remains an influential figure in the rap game.
Best Album: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
11. Common
An ingenuous street-corner poet, Common keeps hip-hop's flag flying high with his socially-aware lyrics.
Best Album: Resurrection
10. Scarface
Only a handful MCs have managed to sustain their alignment with the streets regardless of success. 'Face is at the top of that list. His wistful ghetto tales and poetic raps are constant reminders that Brad Jordan is the voice of the hood.
Best Album: The Diary
9. Ice Cube
Politically salient with an in-your-face delivery, Ice Cube developed a cult-like following with or without N.W.A.
Best Album: Death Certificate
8. 2Pac
Undoubtedly the most influential of all time, 'Pac remains a transcendental MC that's often imitated but rarely duplicated.
Best Album: Me Against the World
7. Kool G Rap
The next time your favorite emcee commits a double-homicide on wax, blame it on the notorious Kool G Rap. Why? He's the grandfather of hardcore hip-hop, of course. Some of the grittiest street tales in hip-hop have emerged from G Rap's rhyme book.
Best Album: wanted: Dead or Alive (w/ DJ Polo)
6. Jay-Z
You wouldn't know it from the plethora of hustler-turned-trappers he's inspired, but Jay-Z is paradigm of rags-to-riches rap dream. Forget his flawless flow and nerve-wracking humor, that marketing plan was him.
Best Album: Reasonable Doubt
5. The Notorious B.I.G.
Lacking any real social message, Biggie possessed enough pizzazz to sway audiences young and old.
Best Album: Ready to Die
4. Nas
Some call him a street prophet for his poetic, conversational-style lyrics. An absolute master of lyrical extravaganza, Nas often paints a picture of urban life in his rhymes.
Best Album: Illmatic
3. Big Daddy Kane
The King of Swagger, Kane dazzled the rap world with his peculiar flair and flamboyant wardrobe. Countless others (including Jay-Z, Biggie, and Snoop) would later adopt his player persona.
Best Album: Long Live the Kane
2. KRS-One
The Teacha transformed the violent brusque of ghetto life into a story of uplift and self-awareness, starting with BDP's incendiary debut, Criminal Minded.
Best Album: By All Means Necessary (w/ Boogie Down Productions)
1. Rakim
While others bragged about their guns, Rakim celebrated his swagger. A smooth, laid-back flow, intense lyricism, and positivity were his stately hallmarks.
Best Album: Paid in Full (Eric B. & Rakim)
lista completa:
http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees.htm