Reflecting back on 2013, it made 40 years on hip hop music. Not bad, since like Rock-N-Roll Hip-Hop was going to end. But instead, it is everywhere. It’s in movies, it’s in commercials, and comedians even use it as part of their act.
It has been intertwined in R&B music. It is nearly impossible to find an R&B song without a rap in it. However, in 2013 we watched how other magazines decided to celebrate it with top 100 lists and top 50 lists. Today, The Daily Brew is launching our 4 part issue of the top 40 greatest of all time rappers.
There were a lot of other worthy contenders that just didn't make the list. Some rappers made the list in a group because we felt like you couldn't put one before the other, except in one case. I felt a few made it big off the coattails of someone else and I put him one step above his former crew (40 and 39, also 26 and 11).
But the ones that did we felt had much more of an impact on the industry through longevity, record sales, trend setting, and setting and breaking records. I, Terrill "T$" Davis, am the main one behind these picks. If any wants to blast the Daily Brew about these picks, take it out on me. If you feel I wronged anyone or just plain left someone deserving out, let me know, leave a comment. Now sit back and view in part one 40-31.
It has been intertwined in R&B music. It is nearly impossible to find an R&B song without a rap in it. However, in 2013 we watched how other magazines decided to celebrate it with top 100 lists and top 50 lists. Today, The Daily Brew is launching our 4 part issue of the top 40 greatest of all time rappers.
There were a lot of other worthy contenders that just didn't make the list. Some rappers made the list in a group because we felt like you couldn't put one before the other, except in one case. I felt a few made it big off the coattails of someone else and I put him one step above his former crew (40 and 39, also 26 and 11).
But the ones that did we felt had much more of an impact on the industry through longevity, record sales, trend setting, and setting and breaking records. I, Terrill "T$" Davis, am the main one behind these picks. If any wants to blast the Daily Brew about these picks, take it out on me. If you feel I wronged anyone or just plain left someone deserving out, let me know, leave a comment. Now sit back and view in part one 40-31.
40 Cash Money Boyz- These Boyz tore up the rap game when they bust in the industry in the late 90’s and some of them are still holding it down. Birdman, Lil Wayne, Mannie Fresh, BG, and Young Turk. They set the game on fire when they launched the Cash Money label along with Juvenile.
39 Juvenile- He was burning up at 400 Degrees when the Cash Money Crew rode in on the hit Back That Thang Up. Although many of the songs on this LP seemed to be a Cash Money calibration, all the chips was placed on Juvi’s shoulders the moment they decided to release him out the gates. He was a big part of what Cash Money is today.
38 Kool Moe Dee- If you never knew how the Cali vs. New York rap battles began, well it could have begun right here with this battle rapper going after LL. This Beat Street rapper was sending folks to the doctor when he set his sights on downing the self-proclaimed baddest rapper…so how you like him now?
37 Dj. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince- Not much of a hard rapper, but definitely one who had an impact on hip hop and the cross over markets. They came out when cutting and scratching was still a big part of the game. And Dj Jazzy Jeff was the best on the coast when he invented the transformer scratch. A long with Will’s storytelling and clean rap style, it opened the door to other endeavors.
36 Nikki Minaj- She happens to be the hottest artist in the business today next to Drake, Lil Wayne, and Jay Z. From mix tapes to signing with Young Money, to TV personality, to voice overs on the big screen, Onika has made a name for herself.
35 Eminem- This has nothing to do with affirmative action. Most white rappers who enter the industry live short careers no matter how big a hit they get. Ice, Ice, Baby was big hit but not big enough to give Vanilla Ice any longevity.
The 8 Mile star has honed his skills in the arena as a battle rapper and sold his first cd from the trunk of his car and it made its way to Dr. Dre. And the rest is history.
The 8 Mile star has honed his skills in the arena as a battle rapper and sold his first cd from the trunk of his car and it made its way to Dr. Dre. And the rest is history.
34 50 Cents- Once thought of as the East Coast Tupac (because he was shot I guess. Which should make me the literary Tupac since I took four bullets last year.) 50 has made a name for himself landing video games, sponsorships, and movie deals.
33 Drake- He came a long way from Degrassi, now one of the hottest rappers in the game. He and his label mate Nicki Minaj are eating up guest appearances left and right. He like Nicki, can take a good foothold on the game and be here to enjoy long careers.
32 Ice T- Before NWA, there was Ice-T. I can’t say this is where Gangsta Rap begun, but Rhyme Pays, drew a lot of attention and with a follow up with a motion picture and soundtrack Colors. Yea, Ice was hard.
31 Biz Markie- Say what you want about Biz Mark, but he is the reason rappers want to sing today. Just a friend was not only just a hit for Biz, it started a trend. Although some may use auto-tune, but without Biz and his song, there probably wouldn’t be a T-Pain, Drake, or a Future.
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