Another random collection of my opinions about rap music (part 2 of several)
What with the return of the “rap nerd survey meme”, April through September 2022.
Several of my homies (Eli The Prophet, Taiyamo Denku, Corey King, Adam Walsh, G Holy, my man Thought Provokah, and my beloved homie 1 Stop Hip Hop, to name a few of several) have inspired me to fill out this rap nerd survey meme thingy again. It comes around every few months, but I can never resist filling it out anew, because I’m such a big rap nerd that I never get tired of thinking about these questions and seeing whether my answers will change slightly or whether I will find myself capable of wording the same old ones in a more sophisticated way.
I got very loquacious, so please pardon the verbal logorrhoea of this. At least some considerable portion of the people reading this document will be people who already know my tastes fairly well, and in fact, some of you might be familiar with the content of this document already, because I’m pretty sure I’m repeating myself verbatim in at least a few cases, although there’s also definitely some stuff original to this go-round that has never been in previous instalments.
CONTENT NOTE that I don’t ever forbid myself to engage with art I love, no matter the sins committed by the people who have made that art, so there’s quite a bit of effusive praise in the document that follows for people who have done terrible things. If that bothers you, I’d encourage you not to read this document – you certainly don’t owe it to me to care about my thoughts on anything, least of all my thoughts on rap music, which I know only some of you give a damn about in the first place!
My vote for the greatest rapper of all time: Rakim Allah, and I don’t really think there’s a close second. That’s all I’ll say about this for now.
Favourite rapper of all time: Ghostface Killah, although Scarface gets exceptionally close. I consider Ghostface to be the rapper who has written the widest variety of truly incredible songs expressing interesting ideas, exploring deep and profound emotions, and/or dabbling in hilarious surreal humour, and Scarface to be his only rival as the rapper whose take on the human condition is equally moving.
Some others who matter to me a lot include Bun B, Method Man, AZ, Chali 2Na, Black Sheep Dres, Mystikal, E-40, Raekwon, Suga Free, Z-Ro, WC, Young Bleed, Devin The Dude, Bubba Sparxxx, Rakim, Tragedy Khadafi, The Legend Adam Bomb, Ultra Magnus, Nas, Queen Latifah, Playboy Tre, Son Doobie, Sauce Money, Jaz-O, Freddie Gibbs, Monie Love, Shad, Brother Ali, Young Dro, Thirstin Howl III, Donny Yonder, Divine Styler, Tree, Lyrics Born, Big Boi, Breeze Brewin, Posdnuos, Gunplay, Saafir, and Juvenile. There are very many more, but I need to end the list somewhere so I can eventually finish and publish the piece!
I’m moved to single out Brother Ali and Shad as the two rappers who have emerged since the end of the Golden Era who strike me as truly incredible writers on a level that can nearly match Pretty Toney and Uncle Brad. It probably ain’t a coincidence that they are two of the rappers who most directly influence the music I myself make.
Favourite rapper who, as of April 2022, began their career recently enough that it makes sense to call them “current”: Probably Freddie Gibbs, although I also think highly of Big K.R.I.T., Benny The Butcher, 3D Na’Tee, Polo G, Kendrick Lamar, and Shad. I’m also a longtime supporter of Joell Ortiz, Jean Grae, and Brother Ali, who have all been around since at least the year 2000 or so but have all stayed vital enough that they still feel current to me. There’s also Roc Marciano and Ka, whose careers have developed in such a fashion that I suspect they both count despite technically having been around since the ‘90s.
Favourite rapper of the ‘80s: I mean, it would have to be Rakim, even though ‘90s Rakim is better than ‘80s Rakim and even though I very much admire the ‘80s-era accomplishments and contributions of Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Slick Rick, Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel, Silver Fox, T La Rock, and (going back to the late ‘70s) Grandmaster Caz and Coke La Rock.
There are quite a few others who accomplished a lot in the 1980s, though, and because I haven’t focused on their achievements enough when I’ve written about rap in the past (whether in this format or others), here’s a relatively long list of rappers whose achievements in the 1980s I respect:
Ice-T, Chuck D, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Schoolly D, Ice Cube, Dana Dane, Chubb Rock, King Tee, EST of Three Times Dope, Overlord Ice Dog of Tuff Crew, Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers, MC Lyte, Charlie Rock, Just Ice, Queen Latifah, King Sun, Sir Ibu of Divine Force, Monie Love, Freshco, Superlover Cee & Casanova Rud, Doctor Ice of UTFO, Easy AD of the Cold Crush Brothers, Reverend Run and DMC, all three members of De La Soul, the late Biz Markie, and the late Heavy D! Chill Rob G’s album came out in 1990, but he feels like a creature of the 1980s in many ways, so I’m listing him here. The same is true of Brother J of X Clan, who deserves props for still being a great rapper in 2022. And the OG Style album, I Know How To Play ‘Em, is from 1991 but feels very ‘80s – it’s a rare Texas boom bap record. There are many more!
Favourite rapper of the ‘90s: I’m used to thinking of what Bun B of UGK accomplished in the ‘90s and early 2000s as basically my favourite rapping anyone’s ever done, although obviously Rakim, Nas, Posdnuos of De La Soul, Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, André 3000 of OutKast, Pharoahe Monch of Organized Konfusion, Mos Def, Lauryn Hill, CL Smooth, Cee-Lo of Goodie Mob, and various others put in work that made what I do still roughly think of as the “Golden Era” special.
Favourite rapper of the 2000s: My favourite who began their career around this time is probably Brother Ali, but Shad is important to me too, and I also need to give dap to ‘90s vets like Ghostface Killah, Black Thought, WC, Busta Rhymes, Suga Free, Tragedy Khadafi, Devin The Dude, A.G., E-40, Young Bleed, AZ, Diamond D, and DJ Quik for making some of their best music during this era.
I find it hard to keep the dates straight, but there are various rappers I think of as having entered the game relatively recently who have made important music in the last decade and change (starting roughly around the year 2000) and who deserve to be acknowledged in contexts like this. I don’t necessarily listen to them all regularly, but they all demand acknowledgement for their meaningful contributions to the culture. There are many, but here’s an incomplete list of names:
Black Milk, Ab-Soul, Blu, Yelawolf, Vince Staples, Earl Sweatshirt, Wax, Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Chance The Rapper, Rittz, Jay Electronica, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5’9”, Phonte, Schoolboy Q, Noname, Crooked I, Lupe Fiasco, Currensy, Pill, Homeboy Sandman, Elzhi, Denzel Curry, J. Cole, Playboy Tre, Skyzoo, Kingpen Slim, Hell Rell, Vado, Young Dro, Kevin Gates, Denmark Vessey, Whitefolkz, Boosie Badazz, Gunplay, Diverse, One Be Lo, the sadly late Nipsey Hussle, the sadly late King Kahali, the sadly late Mac Miller.
Favourite rapper of the 2010s or 2020s: Almost certainly Freddie Gibbs, who made an album called Midwest Gangsta Boxframe Cadillac Muzik that I really love sometime around 2009 and then kept gunnin’ for the entire 2010s. The runner-up is Big K.R.I.T., who released four stunning projects starting in 2010. Roc Marciano and Ka get honourable mention if they can be said to count! And 3D Na’Tee has been on a serious tear for what must be roughly ten years now. The Legend Adam Bomb has also done a lot of impactful work in this era.
I also feel the need to acknowledge how good Big Boi’s recent music has been. E-40, AZ, Raekwon, Black Thought, Ghostface Killah, A.G., Black Sheep Dres, WC, Tragedy Khadafi, Thirstin Howl III, Young Bleed, and many other vets have also stayed great, or even kept improving. Thirstin Howl III, Young Bleed, and Tragedy Khadafi have all sold me verses that appear on my own most recent solo album, To Relieve The Sorrow-Laden Heart, which has been released as of August 2022; those verses are as good as anything they’ve ever done!
And my favourite rapper whom I didn’t even so much as know existed in, let’s say, the year 2015 is almost certainly the Chicago sing-rapper Polo G. Kur (a very emotionally raw rapper from Philly) and DaBoii (the “rappin’ an’ rappin’ an’ rappin’ forever” maniac from the West Coast crew SOB x RBE) are the only other contenders for that title.
Favourite female rapper: Monie Love or Queen Latifah – I can never choose between them; I love them both equally. My other favourite women rappers, in rough order, are Bahamadia, Heather B, 3D Na’Tee, Mia X, Rah Digga, Foxy Brown, Shorty No Mas, MC Lyte, Sonja Blade, Ladybug Mecca, The Lady of Rage, and Roxanne Shanté.
Some other women rappers I fuck with hard include Sammus, Prowess The Testament, Lex The Lexicon Artist, Tiye Phoenix, Medusa The Gangsta Goddess, Apani, Phoenix Pagliacci, Keysha Freshh, Michie Mee, Trina, Sha-Rock of the Funky Four Plus One, Dessa, Psalm One, Yo-Yo, Tara Chase, Alyssa Marie, T-Love, Stina Bomb, Nilla, and Haviah Mighty.
I have also enjoyed at least some music by (and otherwise respect and admire) Lady B, Salt-N-Pepa, Eve, Amil, Shawnna, Kamaiyah, Lil’ Kim, Sah-B, Sasha Go Hard, Katie Got Bandz, Molly Brazy, Da Brat, Chelly The MC, Gangsta Boo, La Chat, Little Simz, Young M.A., Leikeli47, Shevy Price, Tink, Angel Davanport, Queen Pen, Lady Leshurr, Mello G Bianca, Lady Luck, Blimes & Gifted Gab, Armani Caesar, Che Noir, Tierra Whack, Sa-Roc, Flo Milli, Queen Key, Megan Thee Stallion, Mystic, Narubi Selah, Lin Que, Mula, Queen Mother Rage, Pri The Honeydark, and Queendom Come, among others. Lauryn Hill is not a personal favourite, necessarily, but she gets my vote as the best female rapper there’s ever been.
Favourite queer rapper: As of September 2022, this category now has no reasonable answer other than Jean Grae, who has come out as nonbinary and in so doing now dominates this category to an unreasonable degree, because they’ve been one of the best rappers ever to do it for at least 20 years. That they claim to have officially retired is beside the point – they are the Michael Jordan of this category. However, I’ve got four personal friends who are great rappers and who all happen to be queer – Prowess The Testament, Lex The Lexicon Artist, Phoenix Pagliacci, Jesse Dangerously, and the now-retired Samantha Duke, whom I would probably rank in that order. And there are several other good ones, including Le1f, Angel Haze, Invincible, Cakes Da Killa, Tunde Olaniran, and Mykki Blanco. There seem to be quite a few people who fuck with Kevin Abstract, but not me (at least not yet), and I feel the same way about Tyler, the Creator.
Favourite white rapper: Yes, I consider it legitimate to ask this question and answer it, pace Jesse Dangerously. My answer is that Bubba Sparxxx at his best brings me more pleasure with his rapping than any other white rapper ever has. But there are quite a few other white rappers I’m unashamed to call favourites, including Brother Ali, The Legend Adam Bomb, Donny Yonder, Aesop Rock, Andy Cooper of Ugly Duckling, Yelawolf, Roshin, Savilion, Jay Bizzy, Paul Wall, D-Sisive, Tragic, Edan, I Am Joseph, Whitefolkz, and Fraction. And I honestly like my own work enough to consider myself one of the dopest white rappers ever to do it!
I also feel the need to mention my respect for EL-P, Spenny, Wax, Knamelis, Dopey Ziegler, Skizza, Big Daddy Rap Beast, Emotionz, MisterE, Doseone, Action Bronson, Young Stitch, Blackboltt, Che Ruben, Illvibe, Notion, Height Keech, Despot, Jesse Dangerously, Frank Deluxe, Marlon Craft, Adam Walsh, Young Stitch, Chokeules, Psybo, Invincible (despite my distaste for their politics), Ginzuintriplicate, and the now-retired triumvirate of Samantha Duke, Humpasaur Jones, and Kehmak, plus the now-departed Mac Miller. As irritating as it has been to watch the press treat him as though he is some sort of anointed chosen one, I think Jack Harlow has moments of real excellence when he can be bothered to make the effort, too. I’m sure there are some I’m forgetting!
Favourite Latiné rapper: Definitely Son Doobie of Funkdoobiest, whose style I absolutely adore. Second would be Joell Ortiz, whose music I tend to find a lot of fun to listen to. I acknowledge that certain peers of his are probably better at rapping overall, but I find his music so much fun to listen to that I get more burn out of his shit than out of theirs. The late Big Pun was a titan as well, of course. Homeboy Sandman has certainly had some excellent moments over the years as well, although he’s developed some beliefs about the coronavirus pandemic that I can’t fuck with. The homies Big Lo, Premrock, and Henry Canyons are all talented! An’ oh yeah, SHOUTOUT TO KURIOUS!
Black Sunday by Cypress Hill and Brothas Doobie by Funkdoobiest are both masterpiece albums, and the former is definitely the best rap album ever made by Latiné artists. I should probably spend more time with artists like Kid Frost, Lil’ Rob, and Mellow Man Ace, and groups like Delinquent Habits, Of Mexican Descent, and A Lighter Shade of Brown.
Favourite Asian rapper: Lyrics Born is pretty clearly the greatest Asian rapper there’s ever been, but I also have a lot of respect for the Bay Area weirdo Rhythm X (who used to go by the sobriquet “the Mental Oriental”), for the very dope Japanese-Canadian OGs Nish Raawks and Kish (I’d love to work with them both), for the South Asian-Canadian battle rappers Loe Pesci and Sam Osa, for the Taiwanese-American rapper Lex The Lexicon Artist, for the Mizrahi Jewish rapper Siah (of Siah & Yeshua), for the very dope North Carolina-raised Japanese cat G Yamazawa (the original mix of “North Cack” with Joshua Gunn and Kane Smego is fire!), and for the in-on-the-joke, knowingly silly South Asian comedy rapper Haji Springer, who may be the only comedy rapper I’ve ever sincerely liked, unless you count Weird Al Yankovic’s unexpectedly good Krayzie Bone imitation on “White & Nerdy”.
I gather that there have been quite a few Hindu and Sikh artists emerging in the past couple years, especially in battle rap, but I don’t actually know any of their work well. Himanshu Suri is a Hindu rapper who has made a few jams I dig, even if his deliberately blasé style and staunchly Leftist politics are not exactly my steez.
Favourite First Nations rapper: If Yelawolf counts, it’s definitely him (despite the Confederate flag business and everything), but I do also love Oatie Kato and Swayzack of The Goats. Tricks of the Shade is a classic album. I’m always on the lookout for good new First Nations rappers, but with all due respect to War Party , my friend Loud Voice, and a friend of friends named Eekwol, I’ve yet to discover any! Except perhaps the cats in Snotty Nose Rez Kids – “Boujee Natives” is a classic rap song. But they have the Hieroglyphics problem where it’s hard to tell them apart!
Favourite Christian rapper: Almost certainly Z-Ro, although I’m tempted to put in a word for my friends Orijin, Rel McCoy, and The Egyptian Prescription, and if Scarface (whom I believe is technically no longer a Christian) counts, it has to be him – the best Christian song in rap history is almost certainly either “Someday” by Scarface and Faith Evans or “Heaven Comin’” by Witchdoctor. Or maybe “I Don’t Give A Damn” or “Happy Feelingz” by Z-Ro! He’s good at that shit!
Shad, Big Boi, Big K.R.I.T., Andy Cooper of Ugly Duckling, Big Mike, and the late DMX are a few of many more legends who have made powerful music expressing their Christian faith.
Orijin is definitely the best of the Christian rappers I know of who focus on Christianity in their music such that it can be said to be the purpose of their art, although that cottage industry has at least a few reasonably talented cats in it, such as Lecrae, Sho Baraka, Andy Mineo, and Swoope.
Favourite Muslim rapper: As of April 2022, at least twelve great rappers are known to be orthodox Sunni Muslims – Ghostface Killah, Brother Ali, Mos Def, Divine Styler, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Jakk Frost, Freddie Gibbs, Husalah, Raekwon, Busta Rhymes, and Scarface, plus the late Jacka. Just for fun, let’s pretend that’s the order in which we can rank the quality of the music they have made that is specifically about Islam, except that The Jacka has to be in the top five.
Obviously there have been many rappers over the years who have been seduced by the loathsome and horrible Nation of Islam, notably Kam and Jay Electronica, but we won’t discuss that. I do kinda dig the 5% Nation of Gods and Earths, though, and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard had that shit on lock. So does Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers, who believes some awful and fucked up things about Jews but who is definitely still a good rapper in 2022.
Favourite Jewish rapper: As an ethnic Jew myself, I created this section mostly so I could remark derisively upon the fact that most Jews who have ever attempted to rap have been embarrassing. I found out recently that Lyrics Born has some ethnic Jewishness in him on his mother’s side, and he almost certainly dominates this category. The late Mac Miller also made quite a bit of good music in the five or so years before he left us as well, so all due credit to him.
Lil’ Dicky is a talented rapper, but he’s also a racist and an asshole, so we don’t respect him around here. (I don’t care if it’s a double standard for me to fuck with Mystikal, Nas, Cee-Lo, and Z-Ro despite their real, unpardonable crimes against women but not Lil’ Dicky for being a racist on paper; I’m entitled to my idiosyncrasies.) I don’t especially fuck with MC Serch, either.
Blood of Abraham managed to make one immortal jam with Eazy-E and Will.I.Am, and that’s pretty much it. The Beastie Boys get respect for making good music, but the quality of their rapping is generally not the reason why their music worked.
Edan is pretty good in a throwback way – Andrew Nosnitsky once described him as, “He’s like Ad-Rock of The Beastie Boys doing a bad Big Daddy Kane impression”, and all I would say in response is that to me Edan sounds like Ad-Rock doing a good Big Daddy Kane impression, which makes him cool in my books.
My man Dopey Ziegler is wildly underrated and can definitely spit. I am not the biggest fan of Your Old Droog, but feel grudgingly moved to acknowledge that he can rap. I have no firm stance on Iron Solomon, but he knows how to rip someone’s guts out in a battle, that’s for sure. Shyne, Nissim Black, Rabbi Darkside, Kosha Dillz, Soul Khan, Y-Love, and L’Chaim OG don’t much move me. I’ve learned that Asher Roth doesn’t count as Jewish, thank God. The late Rucka Rucka Ali’s joke-rap was so offensive that I try not to think about him, although at least he couldn’t be credibly accused of being racist, being Black himself. I have a grudging respect for Princess Superstar for being entirely true to herself, and the same goes for MC Paul Barman, but, I mean, no.
Favourite rapper who doesn’t belong to one of the three most famous Abrahamic faiths: The obvious question is, do I count? I would make my own personal top 10 white rappers list, my own personal top 5 Jewish rappers list, and my top 10 Canadian favourites list – hell, I might even make my own top 100, full stop! I’ve never said that before, at least not in public, but it’s true!
And as a practicing Bahá’í, I think I might be the best rapper who practises a religion that is not Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or one of the offshoots which thinks of itself as Muslim, Christian, or Jewish (such as Mormonism, the Black Hebrew Israelite religion, or the Nation of Islam.) That said, it’s worth noting that Killah Priest and Khujo Goodie, both of whom I’ve been led to believe are Black Hebrew Israelites, are better rappers than I am. And I’ve never been able to figure out what my friend G-Holy believes, but he definitely isn’t a Christian, a Jew, or a Muslim, and he’s definitely a good rapper.
It’s true that there are a few other decent Bahá’í rappers, notably Peyt Spencer, Oak Ritchie, and Javad Luckey. And as I’ve said, although I generally don’t care for the Hindu rapper Himanshu Suri, “Soup Boys (Pretty Drones)” is a great song! I also definitely fuck with the very gifted Black Buddhist rapper Toki Wright.
Favourite atheist rapper: I’m adding this section because it should be noted that Tribe One, who is an atheist, and The Legend Adam Bomb, who is an agnostic leaning in an atheistic direction, are both much better rappers than me. So is Killer Mike, who is a former practitioner of Christianity (he made two very stirring songs called “God In The Building” parts 1 and 2) and who also once practiced a syncretistic blend of Christianity and Islam but who currently professes a unique nondenominational theism inspired by pre-colonial Africa. Skizza, Spoon Iodine of Project Blowed, More Or Les, I Am Joseph, Humpasaur Jones, and Jesse Dangerously are all atheists too, and all of them are good at rapping! Even Tech N9ne counts as an atheist who can spit, although his music generally does little for me.
Favourite trap rapper: I used to say it was T.I., and I still think that man’s best music is superb, but I’m slightly less fond of him than I once was for whatever reason. (I assume it’s not the various sins and crimes he’s committed in his personal life, because I have no explanation for why that’d affect my view of him but only barely affect my view of Nas, Boosie Badazz, or Cee-Lo and not dent my love of Mystikal or Z-Ro in the slightest.)
Nowadays my answer might be Polo G, who is the best of the relatively new “sing-rapper” guys by a lot, although Morray, Roddy Ricch, Rich Homie Quan, NoCap, and Rod Wave all strike me as at least somewhat talented too. Polo G’s song “Finer Things” is really, truly one of my favourite rap songs ever.
I’m also a big fan of Young Dro, Gunplay, Boosie Badazz, Trick Daddy, and Kevin Gates – they can all REALLY bring it when the mood strikes them. All five of them are excellent traditional spitters who have made music that means a lot to me. The homie Big Rube adroitly pointed out when he completed this survey that his Dungeon Family comrade Backbone deserves a mention too!
And I feel obliged to acknowledge how much better of a rapper 2 Chainz is now than he was a few years ago – when he’s on, that man can really go in. The best Plies music is good music, too. Even Jeezy has his moments, difficult though it is for me to admit it after having hated his music for 17 years.
I’m also moved to mention Gucci Mane, Young Thug, and Future, even though I don’t listen to any of them terribly often. All three of them are very talented, and more than most other rappers of their ilk, they get a lot of hate from people who are not listening carefully and haven’t paid attention to the things they do well.
Despite my belief that Lil’ Wayne is overrated, I think he too is sometimes unfairly stereotyped by people who haven’t paid attention to how good he can be, and the same is true of Meek Mill to a lesser degree as well (there are four or five Meek Mill songs I absolutely love), and of Cardi B. I am less taken with Drake or with Nicki Minaj, but both of them have their moments as well.
Not all of these people are “trap” rappers, but I feel compelled to get on my soapbox about how “mainstream” rappers frequently get traduced and misunderstood by “true-school” Golden Era heads who don’t care to comprehend the ways in which the likes of Future or Gucci Mane are making good art because it appears at a glance to have so little in common with traditional “lyrical” rap, so here you go.
Favourite rapper under the age of 30: I don’t have one specific answer, but some of the rappers I respect whom I’ve been led to believe are at least a little bit younger than I am include Polo G, DaBoii of SOB x RBE, Chippass, Morray, Xanman, Tink, G Perico, Eric Jamal of Coast Contra, Ocean Wisdom, Vince Staples, Earl Sweatshirt, Chance The Rapper, Tate Kobang, Denzel Curry, Ezale, Dapper Don of 151 Feva Gang, Leikeli47, G Herbo, Marlon Craft, 42 Dugg, Sada Baby, Mick Jenkins, Jack Harlow, Payroll Giovanni, Maxo Kream, Cambatta, Big Yavo, Bloody Jay, YG, Dave, Chris Crack, Yowda, The Koreatown Oddity, Fly Anakin, 1TakeJay, Mark Battles, Denmark Vessey, Yano, Akintoye, AD, Navy Blue, and Kur. I know there are very many I’m forgetting!
Favourite storyteller in rap history: Ghostface Killah or Scarface. Don’t make me choose. “Underwater” vs. “Who Do You Believe In”? “All That I Got Is You” vs. “The Suicide Note”? It’s an impossible choice.
Favourite rap live performer I’ve ever seen: This list is simple – Ultra Magnus, then Big Daddy Kane, then Busta Rhymes. Honourable mention to Method Man & Redman, Camp Lo, Raekwon, Big K.R.I.T., Freddie Gibbs, Aesop Rock, Black Thought, Ghostface Killah, Chali 2Na, Lords of the Underground, Yelawolf, Chip Fu, Nas, Jay Electronica, Das EFX, and Shad, among others. There are still some legends I’ve yet to see as of April 2022, such as Scarface, DJ Quik, E-40, AZ, EL-P, Kool G Rap, Z-Ro, Suga Free, Big Boi, and Jay-Z, among others.
Favourite featured guest appearance: Probably Bun B on “Tough Guy”, the song with OutKast and Sleepy Brown from the soundtrack to the Samuel L. Jackson & Jeffrey Wright Shaft flick from the year 2000. I also love him on “Bezzle” with T.I. and 8Ball & MJG, “Like Yesterday” with PSK-13, “‘Bout 2 Go Down” with Critical Condition, and “Big Pimpin’” with Jay-Z and Pimp C.
Some favourite guest shots that are NOT by Bun B include Raekwon on “Skew It On The Bar-B” with OutKast, Scarface on “This Can’t Be Life” with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel (as well as on “Sunshine To The Rain” with Miri Ben-Ari and Anthony Hamilton, “Mom Praying” with Beanie Sigel, and “Smile” with Tupac Shakur), Method Man on “N 2 Gether Now” with Fred Durst (and also on “Dart Throwing” with Cappadonna and “Buck 50” with Ghostface Killah), AZ on “Life’s A B—ch” with Nas, Jaz-O on “N—-a What, N—-a Who” with Jay-Z, Guilty Simpson on “All In Together Now” with Skyzoo & Torae, both Brother Ali and Jean Grae on “So Wrong” with Joell Ortiz, Inspectah Deck on “Above The Clouds” with Gang Starr, Mystikal on “Clown Wit It” with E-40 and “Iz They Wildin’ Wit Us An’ Gettin’ Rowdy Wit Us?!” with Busta Rhymes), Roc Marciano on both “Pouches of Tuna” with Action Bronson and “Horn Play” with Chan Hays, Tragedy Khadafi on “Astonishing” with Marco Polo (also featuring Large Professor, Inspectah Deck & O.C.), Ghostface Killah on “Tony Montana” with Cormega and “4 Minutes To Lockdown” with Raekwon/Method Man/Redman, Beanie Sigel on “Guess Who’s Back” with Scarface and Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes on “Do It Now” with Mos Def (and also on “Scenario” with A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School), and Sauce Money on “Bring It On” with Jay-Z and Jaz-O, among others.
Favourite posse cut (that is, favourite rap song with three or more rappers on it): The answer is definitely the original version of “Roll With The Flavor” with Treach, Chip Fu, Bumpy Knuckles, Queen Latifah, Heavy D, D-Nice, and Black Sheep Dres. Seven 16-bar verses, only one less than dope (D-Nice), and four of seven (Dres, Queen Latifah, Heavy D, and Treach) that are flawless all-time classic shit. Good luck finding it on the internet, although the perfectly serviceable Shandi S. Oxford mix is still floating around.
Honourable mention to The Luniz - “I Got 5 On It” [Remix], featuring Dru Down, Richie Rich, E-40, Shock G & Spice 1. I’m also really big on Jurassic 5 - “A Day At The Races” (ft. Big Daddy Kane & Percee P), 8Ball & MJG - “Look At The Grillz” (ft. T.I. & Twista), NWA - “Parental Discretion Iz Advised” (ft. The D.O.C.), Master P - “Make ‘Em Say Uhh!” (ft. Fiend, Silkk The Shocker, Mia X & Mystikal), Pete Rock & CL Smooth - “The Basement” (ft. Grap Luva, Heavy D, Rob-O & DeDa Baby Pa), 8Ball & MJG - “Throw Ya Hands Up” (ft. OutKast), The Jungle Brothers - “Doin’ Our Own Dang” (ft. De La Soul, Q-Tip & Monie Love), Cool Breeze - “Watch For The Hook” (ft. The Dungeon Family), and OutKast & UGK - “Tough Guy” (ft. Sleepy Brown), among many, many others.
I consider myself to have contributed at least four great posse cuts to this honourable tradition and legacy: “Resplendent” (ft. D-Sisive & Prince Po), “Fuckouttahere” (ft. The Legend Adam Bomb, Prince Po, More Or Les, Fraction, Roshin & Skizza), and two as-yet-unreleased bangers, “You Found Both” (ft. A.G. & Slaughter Rico) and “We Gon’ Stomp Shit” (ft. Tragedy Khadafi, Guilty Simpson, Bonshah, Thirstin Howl III, Fraction & Ultra Magnus). I can’t wait for the people to hear those! They’re truly superb!
Most overrated rapper: By definition, I would say the most overrated rappers are Biggie, Tupac, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, and André 3000, because those are the six guys you generally can’t say anything even mildly critical about without being accused by at least a sizeable cohort of rap nerds of being some kind of traitor to the culture. I also think Kanye West is overrated as a rapper to a seismic, gargantuan degree. I feel a little weird about the cult of Lauryn Hill sometimes, too.
KRS-ONE is definitely one of the rappers with the widest gap between how much we’re all supposed to revere him and how much of his music I actually like. Common is also extremely overrated, in my view – his very best shit is about as good as rap music gets, but I think a lot of his most popular music is just kinda bad. And of course Lil’ Wayne and Drake are both overrated to absolutely hallucinatory degrees. So is Kendrick Lamar, even though, as is the case with André 3000 and Nas, I am an ardent supporter of his most of the time.
A few of the many other rappers I don’t care for whose fanbases among “real hip-hop!” types are substantial include Vinnie Paz, Apathy, The Game, Evidence, Joe Budden, Talib Kweli, Big Sean, Rapsody, Wale, Joey Badass, Juicy J, Travis Scott, Reks, Chino XL, R.A. the Rugged Man, Celph Titled, Jeezy, Classified, ASAP Rocky, Logic, Chris Webby, Madchild, Joyner Lucas, the Suicide Boys, Jim Jones, Reef The Lost Cauze, Slaine, and all three members of Non Phixion. There are some other popular cats I don’t like, such as Lil Pump, Playboi Carti, Blueface, and Tekashi Sixnine, but their fanbases among “true-school” rap heads are small.
I’m used to thinking of Talib Kweli, Joe Budden, and Kanye West as my three absolute least favourites among those who are considered legendary by at least a substantial subset of rap nerds. And I feel the need, for reasons that are very unfortunate, to also list Eminem and Ludacris, even though Ludacris used to be truly amazing and Eminem used to be one of the most talented ever, because they’ve both fallen off quite precipitously.
I feel like Termanology deserves some kind of special award for previously being one of the rappers whose music I hated the most but then improving so much that, as of April 2022, I can no longer even try to hate. After 16 years, that guy is finally consistently good, and the duo album he put out with Paul Wall is, as of April 2022, my favourite rap album of the year. Credit where credit is due. And I feel like I should acknowledge Slug and Sage Francis, both talented rappers I generally prefer not to listen to.
Most underrated rapper: I could go on about this for hours upon hours upon hours, so I’ll just say that I’m almost 100% sure I think the rapper with the largest gap between how respected and beloved he should be and how many people even know his name is Z-Ro! I’m incapable of not ranting about this question, so here are the names of a few more rappers I think deserve more credit than they generally get: AZ, Tragedy Khadafi, Black Sheep Dres, Chali 2Na, Suga Free, Divine Styler, Playboy Tre, Son Doobie, Kingpen Slim, Self Jupiter, Saafir, E-40, Mystikal, Andy Cooper, Monie Love, Lyrics Born, Percee P, Tribe One, CL Smooth, AMG, Chubb Rock, Husalah, Kokane, Young Zee, Jay Bizzy, Bonshah, Bubba Sparxxx, Capone of C-N-N, Young Dro, Bigg Dawg C-Loc, Queen Latifah, Peedi Crakk, ESG, Killa Kyleon, Young Bleed, P.E.A.C.E., 6 Shot, Sandman of the Re-Up Gang, Jean Grae, A.G., Hell Rell, Savilion, Busdriver, Whitefolkz, Thirstin Howl III, Skizza, Lil Fame of M.O.P., Spin 4th of Yaggfu Front, Slaughter Rico, Witchdoctor, Heather B, Big Mike, WC, Ali Vegas, Big Pokey, Wax, Overlord Ice Dog of Tuff Crew, Po of Section 8 Mob, Roscoe P. Coldchain, Backbone, Vast Aire, Big Sant, Height Keech, Freeway, Keak Da Sneak, MJG, Turf Talk, Brother J of X Clan, 3D Na’Tee, Twista, Shady Blaze, EST of Three Times Dope, San Quinn, Young Chris, Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers, Gunplay, Bahamadia, DJ Quik, Donny Yonder, Big Daddy Rap Beast, D-Sisive, Medusa, Ultra Magnus, Diamond D, Mega Ran, Tiye Phoenix, Young Dro, Edan, Big Rube, Beretta 9, Mr. Funke of Lords of the Underground, Breeze Brewin, Ka, the late King Kahali, the late Big Moe, the late Tame One, the late Heavy D, and many more. I even think Aesop Rock is still under rated by certain heads; I think he deserves widespread respect.
Favourite producer: It’s DJ Premier, and with all due respect to everyone from DJ Quik to Diamond D to Clams Casino to RJD2 to Organized Noize to Buckwild to Fresh Kils to DJ Burn One to DJ Muggs to Harry Fraud to Timbaland to Notion to Rockwilder to Large Professor to Rick Rock to KLC The Drum Major to The Stereotypez to The Beatnuts to Prince Paul to Big K.R.I.T. to The RZA to AVEREXXX to Statik Selektah to Bink! to Marco Polo to Mouse On The Track to Myer Clarity to Earthtone III to The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League to Klopfenpop to The Legendary Traxster to Digs to (perhaps especially!) Pimp C, only Pete Rock comes even remotely close.
Favourite rap beat: It’s either A-Plus’ beat for “‘93 ‘Til Infinity” by Souls of Mischief, or Pete Rock’s beat for “They Reminisce Over You” by himself & CL Smooth. Honourable mention to Mr. DJ’s beat for “Black Ice” by Goodie Mob featuring OutKast.
Most of the rest of my top 50 would be beats by DJ Premier (“Work”, “So Ghetto”, “New York State of Mind”, “Represent”, “Nas Is Like”, “The Format”, “That White”, “Watch How It Go Down”, “Rock Stars”, “Doobie Ashtray”, “Invincible”, “Mathematics”, “Come Clean”, “Dat Gangsta Shit”, “All 4 The Cash”, “Who Got Gunz”, “Above The Clouds”, “In Memory of…”, “Rite Where U Stand”, and so forth) or beats by Pete Rock (“For Pete’s Sake”, “The World Is Yours”, The Basement”, “I Keep On”, “Recognize My Car”, “Be Easy”, “Gimme One”, “All The Places”, “I Got A Love”, “Ghettos of the Mind”, “I Get Physical”, “Return of the Mecca”, and more.)
Some other essentials: Organized Noize’s beat for “Like It Or Not” by Bubba Sparxxx! Jel’s best for “Dark Sky Demo” by Themselves! Bink’s beat for “One Shot Deal” by Beanie Sigel & Redman! Pimp C’s beat for “Havin’ Thangs” by himself and Big Mike! Just Blaze’s beats for “Church For Thugs” by The Game and “C’Mon Baby” by Saigon! Several of The Block Beattaz’s beats on the album Cohesive by G-Side! Buckwild’s beat for “Time’s Up” by O.C.! Rick Rock’s beat for “It’s A Slumper” by Turf Talk featuring E-40! Several of the beats on the Black Milk album Tronic! Mouse On The Track’s beat for “Get High, Get Loaded” by himself and Fiend! KLC The Drum Major’s beats for “Hit Me!” By Mystikal and “Itz Ya Dog” by 6 Shot! Raytona’s beat for “Lightseight Jammin’ “ by E-40 featuring Clyde Carson and Husalah! Chyna Black’s beat for “Safe” by Scarface!
Favourite rapper from the region I’m from: If we’re talking the city of Toronto, it’s The Legend Adam Bomb. If we’re talking the entire province of Ontario, Shad and Donny Yonder both enter the discussion. I’m also a huge fan of D-Sisive, Roshin, Fraction, Savilion, Spenny, LeZeppo, and Knamelis. The only Canadian rappers from outside Ontario that I truly love (among those I know of as yet) are Ultra Magnus, Jay Bizzy, Bonshah, Emotionz, Skizza, I Am Joseph, and Ginzuintriplicate.
There are a variety of other Canadian rappers I respect (everyone from Spek of Dream Warriors to Maestro Fresh Wes to Kish to Phoenix Pagliacci to Choclair to Nish Raawks to J. Morris to Keysha Freshh to Michie Mee to Kehmak to Rel McCoy to Ghettosocks to Young Stitch to Thrust to Che Ruben to Es to Haviah Mighty to Blackboltt to Skitsofrenic to Mark Jordan to Monsoon The Groovulator to the late King Reign), but my five personal favourite Canadians ever to do it are The Legend Adam Bomb, Shad, Ultra Magnus, Donny Yonder, and D-Sisive, in that order.
Favourite rapper from the American East Coast: This question is almost redundant, since about half my top 50 is from New York City and the surrounding areas, but Rakim is the GOAT, Ghostface is #2, and I also listen to Method Man and AZ every single day of my life. If you were to insist that I need a fifth man, I’d narrowly pick Raekwon.
Honourable mention to everyone from Redman and Mos Def to Queen Latifah and Black Thought to Nas and Wise Intelligent to Pharoahe Monch and Big Daddy Kane to Lil Fame and Inspectah Deck to Beanie Sigel and Roc Marciano to Black Sheep Dres and Joell Ortiz to CL Smooth and Busta Rhymes to Killah Priest and Breeze Brewin to Chubb Rock and Sean Price to Freeway and MF DOOM to Grand Puba and Sauce Money to Bahamadia and Ka to Aesop Rock and Jadakiss to Monie Love and Young Zee to Big L and King Sun to O.C. and Slaughter Rico to Grandmaster Caz and Freshco to Tragedy Khadafi and Vado to Capone of C-N-N and Percee P to Kool G Rap and Jean Grae to Lord Finesse and EST of Three Times Dope to Cam’ron and A.G. to Treach and Jaz-O to Big Pun and Peedi Crakk to Slick Rick and Black Rob to Mr. Funke of Lords of the Underground and Cormega to Chill Rob G and Young Chris to Meyhem Lauren, Kev Roc of Darc Mind, and Kwest Tha Madd Lad to Godfather Don and Nature to Thirstin Howl III and Divine Styler to the late likes of Heavy D, Black Rob, and Tame One. And on and on forever!
There are a variety of East Coast legends whom I respect and revere but don’t listen to regularly for whatever reason. These include The GZA, Jeru The Damaja, Large Professor, Masta Ace, Edo G, Chuck D, J-Live, and the late likes of Biggie, Guru, Phife Dawg, and Prodigy, among others. I’m mentioning them because writing an exhaustive document about rap music without saying their names feels like a mistake, but they are not necessarily in my personal canon of “listen to ‘em day in and day out” favourites.
Favourite rapper from the American West Coast: This is easy – the top three is Suga Free, E-40, and Chali 2Na of Jurassic 5. I could write an essay in praise of each of them, and I probably will at some point.
Some other West Coast favourites of mine include WC, Lyrics Born, Saafir, DJ Quik, Casual, AMG, Xzibit, Kokane, Black C of RBL Posse, Andy Cooper of Ugly Duckling, Husalah, Turf Talk, San Quinn, Keak Da Sneak, MC Eiht, Busdriver, Andre Nickatina, Medusa, Longevity, Zaakir of Jurassic 5, Threat, King Tee, Richie Rich, Dru Down, Paris, AD, the late Gift of Gab, the late and extraordinary King Kahali, Self Jupiter and P.E.A.C.E. (both of Freestyle Fellowship), the homie Myka 9 (also of Freestyle Fellowship), and more.
Some of the West Coast legends I respect and revere but don’t necessarily listen to regularly are Ras Kass, Ice Cube, Kurupt, Ice-T, Spice 1, Snoop Dogg, and the late Tupac Shakur. I go back and forth on Aceyalone, because I believe his music varies so widely in quality.
Favourite rapper from the American South: Bun B at his best is my favourite rapper of all time, full stop, and Scarface at his makes the best rap music that’s ever been made. But I am also incapable of shutting up about how much I love Big Boi (André 3000 makes my top 10 greats but is not a favourite), Mystikal (despite everything), Z-Ro, Devin The Dude, Playboy Tre (aiyyo, this guy was AMAZING!), Juvenile, Young Bleed, Bigg Dawg C-Loc, my man 6 Shot, Bubba Sparxxx, MJG, Big Mike, Tribe One, Fabo of D4L, or the late Big Moe.
Honourable mention to Yelawolf, Gunplay, Big K.R.I.T., Killa Kyleon, ESG, Kevin Gates, Boosie Badazz, Killer Mike, Paul Wall, T.I., Big Sant, Mia X, Trick Daddy, Alpoko Don, Trae Tha Truth, Phonte, Pastor Troy, Big Pokey, Kingpin Skinny Pimp, Tela, Fiend, Backbone, Starlito, Rittz, Sean Falyon, Homebwoi, Young Dro, Max Minelli, Kristmas, Pill, Mac, Tobe Nwigwe, Sauce Walka, Blyne Rob Quest of Odd Squad, Spin 4th of Yaggfu Front, Playa Fly, Snapp, Spodee, both members of Crooked Lettaz (Kamikaze more than David Banner), both members of Dem Dirty Boyz, all four members of Goodie Mob, and the late Lord 3-2, among others.
I never know whether to count the DMV area (Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia) as part of the South or not, but either way, I feel the need to mention Kingpen Slim, Whitefolkz, Uptown XO, Bossman, Comp, Height Keech, Prowess The Testament, and Po. All of these rappers have each made at least one astounding song I can’t praise highly enough. I hear tell that Po used to be part of a group called Section 8 Mob. Pusha T and No Malice of the group Clipse are excellent too, of course. And where the hell does Mega Ran go? He’s from Philly and lives in Arizona, so fuck it, let me just acknowledge him here. He can spit!
Favourite rapper from the American Midwest: Choosing between Freddie Gibbs and Brother Ali is impossible. I also really like Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone, Buk of Psychodrama, Mikkey Halsted, Sada Baby, Black Milk, Bruiser Wolf, Guilty Simpson, Tree, Vakill, Elzhi, Muja Messiah, Montana of 300, One Be Lo, Twista, Diverse, Toki Wright, and Finale.
I run hot and cold on Eminem, Lupe Fiasco, Saba, Smino, Invincible, Vic Mensa, Royce Da 5’9”, Chance The Rapper, Psalm One, Dessa, Esham, and Noname, but they’ve all made at least a small amount of music that blows my wig back, so I feel obliged to at least acknowledge them.
Favourite rapper from outside North America: Probably MC Solaar, who is from France and who is a goddamn beast – I hear he ain’t especially respected back home, but I’ve read some of his lyrics in translation, and I think he’s a genius.
I also like Shurik’n and Akhénaton, who are also from France, and I definitely dig Buggsy, Ocean Wisdom, Big Daddy Rap Beast, Akala, Lotek, Rodney P, Blak Twang, MC Det, Stormzy, and Skepta, who are all British. Tommy Gunnz, from Australia, is super-dope, but he’s retired, alas.
Oh, and Faada Freddy – I hope I’m getting his name right, whoever the guy is from the Senegalese group Daara J who chops faster than Twista on their song “Boomerang”? That guy is a LEGEND!
Favourite abstract rapper: Does Fabo of D4L count? It’s probably either Saafir or Divine Styler either way, but all due credit to Kool Keith, Rammellzee, Lil B The Based God, Noah23, Aesop Rock, NGA FSH, Riddlore, Rheteric, Mindbender Supreme, Doseone, R. Prophet, Labtekwon, and all four members of Freestyle Fellowship, especially P.E.A.C.E. and Self Jupiter.
Favourite rapper who’s passed on: Big Moe! But I also love and respect King Kahali, Big L, Heavy D, Sean Price, Freaky Tah, Lord 3-2, Big Pun, Malik B., Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Pimp C, Black Rob, Tame One, DMX, Gift of Gab, Blacastan, Mac Miller, Soulja Slim, Jimmy Wopo,,Charizma, Proof, Killa Sha, Young Pappy, Nipsey Hussle, and MF DOOM, among others.
And there are so many more who are either outside my personal canon, or else maybe I just don’t have a firm opinion about them: Biggie! Tupac! Phife Dawg! Guru! Prodigy! Camu Tao! Lil’ Snupe! Alias! Party Arty! The Last Mr. Bigg! Eyedea! Lil’ Phat! Mo3! The Educated Rapper and Kangol Kid! Seagram! Too Poetic of the Gravediggaz! Grip Plyaz! Hurricane G! Takeoff of the Migos! Lil’ Keed! Lord Infamous and Koopsta Knicca! Professor X of X Clan! Jimmy Spicer! Rap music is not even 50 years old yet, and we’ve already lost so many dons!
Favourite rap group: It goes Wu-Tang Clan, then OutKast, then De La Soul, then A Tribe Called Quest, then UGK, then Goodie Mob, then the ranking becomes less important – but I do also love The Juice Crew, DITC, Camp Lo, 8Ball & MJG, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, M.O.P., and Digable Planets.
Favourite singer who routinely sings or sang hooks on rap songs: As much as I love Mary J. Blige, Anthony Hamilton, Amerie, and Faith Evans, there’s no way this particular crown belongs to anyone other than Sleepy Brown. I know a lot of people love Nate Dogg, but there’s no contest in my opinion. I also very much respect and love Ronnie Spencer, Vinia Mojica, Mike Marshall, Teedra Moses, Twyla Henry, Tammy Lucas, Tre Williams, Mr. Maygreen, Talent, Frankie J, the late TJ Swan, and the late Johnny P., among others.
The rapper with the coolest voice: There are two ways to do this category – listing the rappers whose voices have stayed consistently dope for their entire careers, and listing rappers whose voices have changed over time but who have sounded incredible at least some of the time.
In the first category, I would put Method Man, Mystikal, Bahamadia, Young Zee, CL Smooth, Busta Rhymes, AZ, Freeway, Scarface, Queen Latifah, Suga Free, Rakim, Black Sheep Dres, Husalah, Juvenile, Devin The Dude, Ghostface Killah, Redman, Keak Da Sneak, Big Mike, Jadakiss, Foxy Brown, Young Bleed, San Quinn, Gunplay, Pharoahe Monch, Queen Latifah, Boosie Badazz, Lord Have Mercy, Lil’ Fame of M.O.P., Monie Love, Vast Aire, the late Biggie, and the late Black Rob, among others.
In the second category, I would list the way Bun B sounded in the ‘90s and early 2000s, the way Q-Tip sounded for the first four Tribe albums, the way Raekwon sounded around the time of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 and the mixtapes from the same era, the way Saafir sounded on Boxcar Sessions, the way Turf Talk sounded on his first two albums, the way E-40 has sounded since the mid-2000s, the way Big Daddy Kane has sounded since about 2003, the way Black Thought sounded in his 2017 Funk Flex Freeverse, the way Kool G Rap sounded in the mid-‘90s (think “Fall Back”), the way Young Dro sounded around 2009, and the way Mos Def sounded on the Black Star album and Black On Both Sides and still sounds occasionally. There are others! The way Beanie Sigel sounded before he got shot is definitely also one of my favourite rap voices – I miss him. I know there are more, but I have to move on at some point or I’ll never finish filling this damn thing out.
The rapper who makes the best musical decisions: As I’ve said before, I don’t see how it could be possible possibly be anyone except Kanye West, but I’d like to put in good words for Big Boi, Big K.R.I.T., Ghostface Killah, E-40, and DJ Quik.
My favourite lyricist: This list could go on for even longer than the list of underrated rappers did, so let me just throw out 20 key names. Rakim! Nas! Ghostface Killah! Pharoahe Monch! Aesop Rock! MF DOOM! Tonedeff! Busdriver! Cam’ron! The Legend Adam Bomb! Jean Grae! Elzhi! Phonte! Brother Ali! Rakim! Raekwon! Black Thought! Mos Def! D-Sisive! Shad! And five more who usually get overlooked in this category but deserve their flowers: E-40! Mystikal! Young Dro! Yelawolf! Gucci Mane!
The rapper with the best catalogue of great albums: Ghostface Killah! There are four classic Ghostface albums and no bad Ghostface albums. No one else really comes close, in my view. Well, OutKast do, I suppose, considering how good their first four albums are. The Roots also hit more often than they miss, as do Big K.R.I.T. and De La Soul. And it’s worth noting that both Pete Rock & CL Smooth albums would be reasonable “top 10 of all time” calls.
The rapper who, in their prime, was the very best ever to do it: I’ve spent a long time arguing that the 15 or 20 best Bun B verses constitute the best rapping I know of, but it feels inarguable to me that Nas, Mos Def, Black Thought, Pharoahe Monch, Rakim, Scarface, Kool G Rap, Posdnuos, André 3000, Ghostface Killah, Big Daddy Kane, Big L, Big Pun, AZ, Aesop Rock, Inspectah Deck, MF DOOM, Brother Ali, Kendrick Lamar, Shad, The Legend Adam Bomb, and even Common and Eminem deserve acknowledgement as members of the class of rappers who have put it the fuck down hard enough to belong in this conversation.
The “best rapper alive“ as of April 2022: It’s hard for me to conceive that anyone but Kendrick Lamar could merit this title, but it feels right to acknowledge just how hard both Benny The Butcher and Freddie Gibbs are gunnin’ right now.
The rapper who has had the biggest impact on the culture: I think it’s a four-way tie between Eminem, Drake, Kanye West, and Tupac Shakur, although of course it also makes sense to acknowledge Biggie, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar.
Favourite rap album of all time: Nas - Illmatic is the eternal answer, and my #2 is either Scarface - The Fix, OutKast - Aquemini, Goodie Mob - Soul Food, Diverse - One A.M., or Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Mecca and the Soul Brother.
A few of the many other rap albums I’ve enjoyed over the years, one per artist, are Wu-Tang Clan - 36 Chambers, Common Sense - Resurrection, Big K.R.I.T. - K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele, UGK - Ridin’ Dirty, De La Soul - Buhloone Mindstate, Freddie Gibbs - Midwest Gangsta Boxframe Cadillac Muzik, Bubba Sparxxx - Deliverance, DJ Quik - Trauma, Camp Lo - Uptown Saturday Night, Cypress Hill - Black Sunday, Mos Def - Black On Both Sides, Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt, Funkdoobiest - Brothas Doobie, The Goats - Tricks of the Shade, Malibu Shark Attack - Malibu Shark Attack, A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders, Eric B. & Rakim - Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em, Organized Konfusion - Stress: The Extinction Agenda, and Digable Planets - Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space). There are so many more!
Favourite rap song of all time: It’s been De La Soul - “I Am I Be” for more than 20 years, but just for the hell of it, here are no fewer than 59 more (for a total of 60) that mean a whole hell of a lot to me, chosen at random, one song per artist.
Playboy Tre - “Earline’s Son” (ft. Asia Bryant)
Black Sheep Dres - “Whodat”
X Clan - “Weapon X”
WC - “Keep Hustlin’” (ft. E-40 & Too Short)
AZ - “The Format” (prod. DJ Premier)
Freddie Gibbs - “One Mo’ Time”
6 Shot - “Itz Ya Dog”
Whitefolkz - “Steal My Hair”
Devin The Dude - “Thinkin’ ‘Boutchu”
Method Man & Redman - “A-Yo!” (ft. Saukrates, prod. Pete Rock)
Nas - “Where Y’All At” (prod. Salaam Remi)
Jay-Z - “So Ghetto” (prod. DJ Premier)
Funkdoobiest - “Lost In Thought” (prod. DJ Muggs)
Suga Free - “If U Stay Ready” (ft. Playa Hamm, prod. DJ Quik)
Marco Polo - “Astonishing” (ft. Large Professor, Inspectah Deck, O.C. & Tragedy Khadafi)
Raekwon - “Staten We Go Hard”
Joell Ortiz - “Call Me (She Said)” (ft. Novel)
Busta Rhymes - “Throw Da Water On ‘Em” (clean version)
Juvenile - “Gotta Get It” [original version]
M.O.P. - “Follow Instructions” (prod. DJ Premier)
Lil Wayne - “(Lightin’ Up My) La La La”
Outsidaz - “Rush Ya Clique”
UGK - “Pinky Ring”
Lost Boyz - “The Yearn” (prod. Pete Rock)
Poor Righteous Teachers - “Easy Star”
Big Boi - “Mama Told Me” (ft. Kelly Rowland)
Tree - “Probably Nu It”
Mouse On The Track - “Get High, Get Loaded” (ft. Fiend)
Saafir - “Light Sleeper”
Mystikal - “The Return”
Goodie Mob - “God I Wanna Live” (ft. Witchdoctor)
Roach Gigz - “Stupid Dumb Knock” [Remix] (ft. Husalah & Lil B The Based God)
Young Dro - “Clean Wit It”
Gunplay - “No Lighter” (ft. Mozzy)
Bubba Sparxxx - “Like It Or Not” (ft. Sleepy Brown, prod. Organized Noize)
Xzibit - “What U See Is What U Get”
Fatlip of the Pharcyde - “Today’s Your Day (Whachagonedu)” (ft. Chali 2Na)
Kool G Rap - “Cakes” (ft. The RZA)
Cam’ron - “Suga Duga” (prod. Lil Fame of M.O.P.)
DMX - “Slippin’”
Foxy Brown - “Ill Na Na” (ft. Method Man)
Roscoe - “Head To Toe” (ft. Sleepy Brown)
Ghostface Killah - “Love” (ft. Musiq Soulchild & K. Fox)
Divine Styler - “Make It Plain” [1999 John Tejada Funky Precedent Remix]
DaBoii of SOB x RBE - “Onna Gang”
A Tribe Called Quest - “1ce Again” (ft. Tammy Lucas)
Heather B - “Steady Rockin’” (ft. Twyla Henry)
State Property - “Sun Don’t Shine”
Young Bleed - “Holla’ At Uh’ Dog”
AD - “Preheat”
Skee-Lo - “Top of the Stairs”
Ahmad - “Homeboys First”
Rittz - “Rattle Back”
Roc Marciano - “Long Time Coming” (prod. Pete Rock)
Showbiz & A.G. - “Take It Back”
The Legend Adam Bomb - “Show & Prove”
Z-Ro - “If That’s How You Feel” (ft. Lil’ Keke)
Brother Ali - “Baby Come Home”
‘90s East Coast Hip-Hop All-Stars - “Where Are They Now” (ft. Redhead Kingpin, Rob Base, The Original Spinderella, Father MC, Monie Love, Mike G of the Jungle Brothers, EST of Three Times Dope, Positive K, Krazy Drayz of Das EFX, Lord DoItAll of Lords of the Underground, Chip Fu & Black Sheep Dres)
WHEW!