1. The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), popularly known as Biggie Smalls (after a fictional gangster in the 1975 film Let’s Do It Again), “The Black Frank White” (based on a fictional drug baron from the 1990 film King of New York), and by his primary stage name The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper.

Raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Wallace grew up during the peak years of the 1980s crack epidemic and starteddealing drugs at an early age. When Wallace released his debut album with the 1994 record Ready to Die, he was a central figure in the East Coast hip hop scene and increased New York’s visibility at a time when West Coast artists were more common in the mainstream. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A.. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud, dominating the scene at the time.

On March 9, 1997, Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc set Life After Death, released fifteen days later, hit #1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000. Wallace was noted for his “loose, easy flow”, dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Since his death, a further two albums have been released. MTV ranked him at #3 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time. Long live The Flow.  Biggie was to the East Coast what 2Pac was to the West Coast.  Biggie released the Hip Hop classics “Ready to Die” and “Life After Death” and became a Hip Hop icon.  He changed the way an MC flows, and stopped everyone in their tracks when he dropped his verse on “Notorious Thugs” using the Bone Thugs style better than they did themsleves.  Also one of the great storytellers in Hip Hop, The Notorious One had every element an MC could dream of.  Would have easily been No.1 if not for his untimely death in 1997.

2. 2Pac

Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), known by his stage names 2Pac (or simply Pac) and Makaveli, was an American rapper. He has sold 75 million albums to date and is one of the best-selling music artists in the world. In addition to his status as a top-selling recording artist, Shakur was a promising actor and a social activist. Most of Shakur’s songs are about growing up amid violence and hardship in ghettos, racism, problems in society and conflicts with other rappers. Shakur’s work is known for advocating egalitarianism. Shakur was initially a roadie and backup dancer for the alternative hip hop group Digital Underground.

Shakur became the target of lawsuits and experienced other legal problems. He was later shot five times and robbed in the lobby of a recording studio in New York City. Following the event, Shakur grew suspicious that other figures in the rap industry had prior knowledge of the incident and did not warn him; the controversy helped spark the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry. Shakur was later convicted of sexual assaultand sentenced to one and half to four and a half years in prison. After serving eleven months of his sentence he was released from prison on an appeal financed by Marion “Suge” Knight, the CEO of Death Row Records. In exchange for Suge’s assistance, Shakur agreed to release three albums for the Death Row label.

On the night of September 7, 1996, Shakur was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in the Las Vegas metropolitan area in Nevada. He died six days later of respiratory failure and cardiac arrest at the University Medical Center. Dubbed “The Most Influential Rapper Ever”, “All-Time Fan Favorite”, the “G.O.A.T”.  Whatever he is to his fans, 2Pac will forever be remembered for bringing emotion to Hip Hop.  With is 1992 debut “2Pacalypse” he proved he can hang with the best of them.  But 1995′s “Me Against the World” put 2Pac on a pedestal with the greatest artists in musical history.  His battles with the two rappers in front of him were well documented, and he still has the diss song of all time with “Hit Em Up”.  Although he was percieved as a public disgrace and a menace to society, he blessed us with more than Hip Hop.  He graced the big screen, wrote heart-wrenching poetry, and from time to time showed us all his emotions in his songs.  R.I.P. Tupac Amaru Shakur, G.O.A.T.

3. Rakim

Rakim (pronounced rah-KIM) (Born William Michael Griffin Jr. on January 28, 1968 in Queens, New York)v is an American rapper and pioneer of the musical genre of hip hop. He is consistently cited as one of the most influential and skilled MCs of all time due to his exceptional flow and complex lyrical craftsmanship. He changed the way an MC approached the mic….at 17!  He brought multi-syllabic lyricism to the table.  Used God and The Nation of Islam in his rhymes.  Set the standard for what an MC should sound like.  Rakim has had the biggest impact of anyone on this list.  The landmark album “Paid In Full” proved to be the standard.  When Rakim went solo, he dropped the critically acclaimed “The 18th Letter”.  He signed to Aftermath in 2000, and left after he and Dr Dre had creative differences.  When his most anticipated project “Oh My God!” drops, he will change the game once again.

4. Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper and businessman. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over USD$150 million, selling over 30 million copies of his albums in the United States alone and receiving several Grammy Awards for his musical work.

Jay-Z co-owns The 40/40 Club and the NBA’s New Jersey Nets and is also the creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He is the former CEO ofDef Jam Recordings , one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records and recently, the founder of his new venture Roc Nation. As an artist he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200. Jay-Z also has had 4 number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, one as lead artist. (“Heartbreaker” with Mariah Carey, “Crazy in Love” with Beyonce, “Umbrella” with Rihanna and “Empire State of Mind” featuring Alicia Keys.)

Along with his financial and musical success, Jay-Z is known for the feud between him and fellow New York rapper Nas, which was eventually settled in 2005. He married American R&B Superstar Beyoncé Knowles on April 4, 2008. Jay-Z, Jigga, Jay-Hovah, God MC, or just Sean Carter.  Call him whatever.  He has rhymed alongside the best and held down his own.  His style and flow has been copied by countless MC’s.  Has been the most consistent rapper in the past ten years.  After 8 multi-platinum albums, Jay-Z is and was what every rapper in the game want to be.  His presence on the mic is unmatched.  And even though he lost in battle to rival Nas, The war was won by Jay in the end.  His debut album “Reasonable Doubt” his heralded as his best work, even though albums such as “The Blueprint” and “The Black Album” are classics in their own right.  Even “Hard Knock Life” with its mainstream appeal, can be considered a classic.  All in all, Jay-Z is the true meaning of G.O.A.T.  We will miss Hova as he retired after the release of The Black Album (Or so we think).  God Bless.

5. Nas

Nasir “Nas” bin Olu Dara Jones (pronounced /n???s??r/; born September 14, 1973), who performs under the mononym Nas (/?n??z/), formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, he was born and raised in the Queensbridge housing projects in New York City. Although he dropped out of middle school, he managed to attain a high degree of literacy which is prominent in his lyrics. His debut album Illmatic, was released in 1994 on Columbia Records. Illmatic was critically acclaimed and would go on to be widely hailed a classic in the genre. Nas was part of hip-hop supergroup The Firm, which released one album.

From 2001 to 2005, Nas was involved in a widely publicized feud with rapper Jay-Z; both rappers verbally attacked each other in their songs. The two formally ended their rivalry through duet performances at concerts sponsored by New York City-area hip-hop radio stations. In 2006, he was listed number five on MTV’s 10 Greatest MCs of All Time. Also in 2006, he signed to Def Jam, releasing his albums Hip Hop Is Dead in 2006 and an untitled album in 2008. He created probably the most important LP in Hip Hop History……Illmatic.  He was dubbed the second coming of the man in front of him on this list.  He has battled through tough times, and even tougher opponents.  After succeeding in battle over Jay-Z, Nas resurrected his career with his important LP that time, Stillmatic.  Nas is one of the greatest to ever grace a mic, and his legacy will be forever etched in Hip Hop.  All he needed was One Mic.

6. KRS One

Lawrence Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage name KRS-One, is an American MC and producer. Over his career, he has been known by several pseudonyms including “Kris Parker”, “The Blastmaster”, “The Teacha”, and “The Philosopher”. At the 2008 BET Awards, KRS-One was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for all his work and effort towards the Stop the Violence Movement as well as the overall pioneering of hip-hop music and culture. He is often referred to as one of the greatest MC’s of all time and was voted so in a poll conducted by Unkut.com. Even though KRS-One has remained in the underground scene for alomst 20 years, he continues to be one of the biggest influences in the game.  After Blessing Hip Hop with his Boogie Down Productions crew, Kris went solo and gained critical acclaim as an MC.  Setting the standard for New York Hip Hop in the late 80′s, Kris battled many challengers to stepped to his throne.  KRS-One is a legend, and will always be remembered amongst Hip Hop heads.

7. LL Cool J

James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968) better known as LL Cool J, is an American rapper and actor. LL Cool J stands for “Ladies Love Cool James”. He is known for romantic ballads such as “I Need Love”, “Around the Way Girl” and “Hey Lover” as well as pioneering hip-hop such as “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”, “I’m Bad”, “The Boomin’ System”, and “Mama Said Knock You Out”. He has also appeared in several films. LL Cool J is one of a few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than two decades. He has released twelve studio albums and a greatest hits compilation so far, with his latest album being 2008′s Exit 13, the last for LL’s record deal with Def Jam Recordings. He now resides in Manhasset, New York with his wife and four children. Becoming the first artist ever signed to Def Jam, LL Cool J has held down the Hip Hop scene for 20 years now.  Releasing 11 gold and platinum albums, no other artist has been more consistent.  His landmark album “Mama Said Knock You Out” changed LL’s persona and unleashed a rage in his rhymes that would continue for the next ten years.  Becoming an elder statesman for Hip Hop, LL cut out the profanity from his lyrics, a request his grandmother made before she died.  LL has endured many battles, most commonly with Canibus and Kool Moe Dee.  As LL has proved, though he may never be beat in a battle, there is always room for the ladies.

8. Scarface

Brad Jordan better known by his stage name Scarface, (born November 9, 1970) is an American rapper from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. As the frontman for the groundbreaking southern Hip Hop group The Geto Boys, Scarface brought horrifying realism to Hip Hop with each and every group and solo album he released.  With subject matter ranging from Drugs to Life to Heaven and Hell, Scarface dropped knowledge that many lyricists were afraid to touch at the time.  Combined with a raspy delivery, Scarface will always be the King of the South.

9. Snoop Dogg

Cordazar Calvin Broadus (born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is a Grammy Award-nominated American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as an MC in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of producerDr. Dre’s most notable protégés. He popularized the catch-phrase suffix -izzle, which had been in use for decades, but not nearly to the extent that it is now, particularly in the pop and hip hop music industry.

Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school; shortly after graduation, he was arrested for cocaine possession and sentenced to three years in prison, then began his music career in 1992 after his release. He was discovered by Dr. Dre and collaborated on several tracks on Dre’s solo debut, The Chronic and on the titular theme song to the film Deep Cover. Snoop’s debut album, Doggystyle, was released in 1993 under Death Row Records. Doggystyle went quadruple platinum and spawned several hit singles, including “What’s My Name” and “Gin & Juice.”

In 1996, Snoop Dogg was cleared of charges over his bodyguard’s 1993 murder of Philip Woldemariam. His second album, 1996′s Tha Doggfather, was his last release for Death Row before he signed with No Limit Records, with which he recorded three albums from 1998 to 2001. Snoop then signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in 2002, which released his album Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss, and then he signed with Geffen Records in 2004 for his next three albums. He also joined forces with his cousin Nate Dogg and emcee Warren G as the supergroup 213 for an album in 2004.

In addition to music, Snoop Dogg has also starred in motion pictures and hosted several television shows: Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood, and Dogg After Dark. He also coaches a youth football league and high school football team. He has also run into many legal troubles, some of which caused him to be legally banned from the UK and Australia. He is the cousin of emcees Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger,RBX and Lil’ Half Dead and the cousin of R&B singers Brandy and Ray J.

Starting September 2009, Snoop was hired by EMI as the chairman of a reactivated Priority Records. His tenth studio album, Malice n Wonderland was released December 8, 2009. Coming up as Dr Dre’s Protege, Snoop dropped like a bomb on the Hip Hop world with the song “Deep Cover”.  And after gracing Dr Dre’s “The Chronic” with his confident, laid-back flow, Snoop dropped the most important west coast release in the history of Hip Hop……”DoggyStyle”.  Becoming Death Row’s Go-to-Guy, he was lyrically sharp, laid-back, and very charismatic.  Eventually becoming Hip Hop’s lead “PIMP”, he has graced many MC’s albums with incredible 16′s.  After going through downward spiral being signed to No Limit, Snoop eventually signed The Neptunes and became the Snoop was old……….well, almost.

9. Eminem

Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), better known by his stage name Eminem, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem quickly gained popularity in 1999 with his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP, which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The following album, The Marshall Mathers LP, became the fastest-selling hip hop album in history. It brought Eminem increased popularity, including his own record label, Shady Records, and brought his group project D12 to mainstream recognition.

The Marshall Mathers LP and his third album, The Eminem Show also won Grammy Awards, making Eminem the first artist to win Best Rap Album for three consecutive LP’s. In 2002, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Lose Yourself” from the film 8 Mile, in which he also played the lead. “Lose Yourself” would go on to become the longest running #1 hip-hop single. Eminem then went on hiatus after touring in 2005. He released his first album since 2004′s Encore, titled Relapse, on May 15, 2009. Eminem is the best-selling artist of the decade, and has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide to date, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Eminem is also ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time by Rolling Stone magazine. He was also named the Best Rapper Ever by Vibe magazine. Including his work with D12, Eminem has achieved eight #1 albums on the Billboard Top 200 and 12 number one singles worldwide. In December, 2009 Eminem was named the Artist of the Decade by Billboard Magazine. According to Billboard, Eminem has two of his albums among the top 5 highest selling albums of the 2000s. “I dont give a fuck, God sent me to piss the world off”……..This was Eminem’s entrance into the mainstream.  After gaining little attention outside the motor city with his underground releases, Eminem signed with Dr Dre’s upstart Aftermath Records and became a national phenomenon.  Dropped the highly controversial “Slim Shady LP”, Eminem would continue to set Hip Hop ablaze with his genius wordplay and unorthodox flow.  After two major releases, he dropped “The Eminem Show”, in my mind his best work.  Switching up his flow on this album, Eminem became the epitome of all other rappers and even created a beef he did not start.  After Disposing of Benzino and Ja Rule like barbie dolls, Em quickly started being considered as a great.  Only time will tell how great he will be.

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