Top 10 Most Influential Rappers of All Time
February 27th, 2017
By Eli Solidum
The task of choosing which of hip-hop's children have done the most for the good of the game is not an easy one. I chose to take in account 3 factors, talent, popularity, and impact on the game.
By Eli Solidum
The task of choosing which of hip-hop's children have done the most for the good of the game is not an easy one. I chose to take in account 3 factors, talent, popularity, and impact on the game.
10. Chance the Rapper
Yes. Despite being a budding young name, Chano has revolutionized the game in a number of ways. For decades, the path to rap superstardom was set in stone and signing to a big label was every rapper's goal. Chance came along and was just like... "nah". Choosing to remain independent despite being arguably one of hip-hop's biggest names right now, Chance has done a lot of things differently. In 2017, Chance's album Coloring Book became the only streaming-only album to win a Grammy, solidifying his success as an independent rapper and coolest all-around dude ever. Whether you are a fan of his music or not, his popularity is undeniable. While it is still too early to tell just exactly how Chance's independent path and reliance on streaming will impact the future of music, there is no doubt that it definitely will. 9. André 3000
Andre 3stacks comes in at number 9 on our list. Why? Well, who else can kill every verse as consistently as he does? And who else can drop dozens of badass verses, take a few years off to do Gillette commercials, then come back stronger than ever? Andre is constantly proving that he still has a lot left in the tank. The face of Outkast managed to find solo success unlike his groupmate, but he was always bound for greater things anyway. However, it was with Outkast that Andre did his best work, dropping 5 platinum albums and one Diamond album. Yeah, over 10 million records sold on one album. Can't argue with that. 8. Kanye West You either hate him or you love him, which is part of why Kanye's polarizing reputation lands him on this list. Regardless of our feelings towards him, it is hard not to acknowledge that Kanye has changed the rap game in multiple ways that very few people could accomplish. He explored his talents, proving himself as a talented producer, rapper and even R&B artist. With seven albums going platinum, it's hard to deny his success, despite the mixed feelings towards the often narcissistic and reckless Yeezy. Very few people can ignite the media like the self-proclaimed "God" can do nowadays, and for that, he snags number 10 on our list. 7. Lil Wayne I'll admit this is controversial as Wayne is considered either the best rapper alive, or the most overrated rapper in history. But again, this rank also includes popularity and impact, and whether the impact was positive or negative, Wayne definitely changed the rap game. Delivering punchline after punchline, Wayne took a different approach to rap. Active since 1994, the 30 year old rapper has released 11 albums with 4 of them going platinum. Wayne is far from done, and is still pumping out music, whether for himself or his YMCMB label which is easily one of the most popular in modern hip hop. 6. N.W.A.
The N***** Wit Attitudes defined gangsta rap and was one of the earliest rap groups to find success. Boasting members such as Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy-E, it's hard to find another rap group that would top this powerhouse. Even the lesser known MC Ren and DJ Yella are rap icons. Unfortunately, NWA did not last long. Eazy-E passed away in 1991 and the group disbanded soon afterwards, with unsuccessful attempts at reunions. With only two albums and 3 million records sold, the numbers don't show how influential NWA truly was to hip-hop. A few of the members, notably Dr. Dre and Ice Cube found substantial success following N.W.A. 5. Nas Although Nas has recently struggled to find mainstream success in modern hip-hop, his legacy can easily be felt far and wide today. He has released eight consecutive platinum albums and sold 25 million worldwide. He also has had six rap albums reach number one on the Billboard Chart, tying him for 2nd all time with Eminem and Kanye West. Nas is known for his ability to create an unmatchable combination of lyrics and production as well as a unique style that incorporates storytelling and deeper meaning behind his songs. Nas' career has spanned three decades and the masterful lyricist shows no signs of stopping or slowing down anytime soon. 4. The Notorious B.I.G. "If Biggie were alive today..." is an all too common pondering among hip-hop fans these days who have a right to be disappointed with the direction rap is headed. Smalls unfortunately could not escape a shady past, and was murdered in a drive-by shooting at only 24 years of age. His album Life After Death was released two weeks after his death and sold an astounding 10 million records. B.I.G. is an idol to many rappers after him, and many cite him as their biggest influence or inspiration. 3. Jay-Z
Hov, Jigga, or Jay-Z... No matter what you know him as, you do know him. With over 50 million records sold, an incredible 17 Grammys won and a net worth of 500 million, Jay-Z is one of the most successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs. Plus he married Beyonce. In other words, the dude is a legend. His early work is consistently ranked in the top albums of all time and every single studio album has reached platinum, with a record 13 reaching number one on the Billboard charts. Jay-Z's empire knows no bounds as he owns or co-owns Tidal, the 40/40 Club, Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation and at one point, the Brooklyn Nets. 2. Tupac Had he not been murdered at age 25, who knows how much more Tupac could have impacted the world. His reach extended far beyond just rap, as he was an extremely outspoken individual who preached his beliefs through many of his raps. Though some were violent and brutally honest, they helped depict a lifestyle often ignored by higher class citizens. He brought attention to poverty and the terrible conditions that the lower class lived in. He was an activist and while he often got into legal trouble, he did not let up on who he was and what he believed in. Shakur has sold over 75 million records worldwide and is often regarded as the best rapper of all time. 1. Eminem
If you can give me one reason why Eminem should not be on top of this list, then I'll give you ten more why he should be. Eminem is the most influential rapper of all time. Even in his early years, Slim Shady was prone to controversy and was fearless in striking back. Inciting beef with anyone who dared cross him, Eminem is relentless and ruthless. His songs can range from fun, party songs to inspiring masterpieces but it's hard to find a style that Em does not excel in. He is the highest selling artist of the 2000's with over 100 million albums sold worldwide. Add the 13 Grammys to Eminem's accolades and you have a strong case for the greatest artist of all time. Period. |
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