I too have tried to come up with a way to OBJECTIVELY rank rappers. Of course it's still completely subjective, but I made a spreadsheet with a formula that allows you to rate rappers from 0-3 in the following categories and then comes up with an overall weighted ranking:
Technical Skills:
- Multisyllabic rhymes
- Speed rapping (120+ BPM)
- Flow - rides the beat nicely, makes your head nod
Lyrical Content:
- Intelligence / consciousness
- Emotional depth
- Breadth of topics
- Vocabulary
- Visuals - paints pictures with words
- Narrative - storytelling ability
- Humour / punchlines
Stylistic Considerations:
- Originality - broke ground
- Diversity / versatility - good at many styles
- Voice - sounds dope
- Unconventionality - nobody does it like him/her
Career:
- Consistency - few wack tracks
- Longevity - 10+ active years in the game
- Productivity - 4+ strong LPs
- Influence on other MCs
- Popular success
- Critical acclaim
Intangibles:
- Charisma - the "X" factor
- Beat selection
- MC-specific strength - something not covered by the above
Based on my rankings using this tool, my list is as follows:
Seeing my guy Tonedeff get his flowers for the outstanding emcee that he is heals my soul haha.
I too have tried to come up with a way to OBJECTIVELY rank rappers. Of course it's still completely subjective, but I made a spreadsheet with a formula that allows you to rate rappers from 0-3 in the following categories and then comes up with an overall weighted ranking:
Technical Skills:
- Multisyllabic rhymes
- Speed rapping (120+ BPM)
- Flow - rides the beat nicely, makes your head nod
Lyrical Content:
- Intelligence / consciousness
- Emotional depth
- Breadth of topics
- Vocabulary
- Visuals - paints pictures with words
- Narrative - storytelling ability
- Humour / punchlines
Stylistic Considerations:
- Originality - broke ground
- Diversity / versatility - good at many styles
- Voice - sounds dope
- Unconventionality - nobody does it like him/her
Career:
- Consistency - few wack tracks
- Longevity - 10+ active years in the game
- Productivity - 4+ strong LPs
- Influence on other MCs
- Popular success
- Critical acclaim
Intangibles:
- Charisma - the "X" factor
- Beat selection
- MC-specific strength - something not covered by the above
Based on my rankings using this tool, my list is as follows:
1 Rakim
2 Andre 3000
4 Big Daddy Kane
3 Black Thought
5 Ice Cube
6 Kool G Rap
7 Scarface
8 Redman
9 Melle Mel
10 Busta Rhymes
11 Big Boi
12 Method Man
13 2Pac
14 Q-Tip
15 Eminem
16 JAY-Z
17 KRS One
18 B-Real
19 Ice T
20 Xzibit
21 MF DOOM
22 Slick Rick
23 Snoop Dogg
24 LL Cool J
25 Nas
26 Inspectah Deck
27 Pharoahe Monch
28 Notorious B.I.G.
29 E-40
30 Raekwon
31 Ghostface Killah
32 Chali 2na (Jurassic 5)
33 Gift of Gab (Blackalicious)
34 Kool Moe Dee
35 Del the Funky Homosapien
36 Grandmaster Caz
37 Common
38 Chuck D
39 D.O.C.
40 RZA
41 Treach (Naughty by Nature)
42 Canibus
43 Bun B
54 Posdnuous (De La Soul)
44 Big Pun
45 Lauryn Hill
46 Lyrics Born
47 Big L
48 GURU
55 R.A. the Rugged Man
49 GZA
50 Kool Keith
51 CL Smooth
52 DJ Run (Run DMC)
53 Killer Mike
56 Fresh Prince
57 Maestro Fresh Wes
58 DMX
59 Too $hort
60 AZ
61 Queen Latifah
62 WC
63 Prodigy (Mobb Deep)
64 Mos Def
65 PMD
66 Everlast
67 Lord Finesse
68 Diamond D
69 Spice 1
70 Twista
71 Paris
72 Freddie Foxxx / Bumpy Knuckles
73 Jeru the Damaja
74 O.C.
75 Casual
76 MC Ren
77 MC Eiht
78 Percee P
79 Masta Ace
80 Heavy D
81 Divine Styler
82 Schoolly D
83 MC Lyte
84 Dres
85 Eazy E
86 Ol' Dirty Bastard
87 Buckshot (Black Moon)
88 Fat Joe
89 Dr.Dre
90 Evidence
91 Showbiz