Whose the greatest rapper of all time

[BlueJ]

There are no right or wrong answers, just want to hear what you think.

Judge according by...
lyrics
beats
Message (did he or she impact a vast of people positively and how)
Personality
Hit songs
Did he or she have an impact on music historically

Personally I dont listen to rap or hip hop anymore because the rappers and their lyrics are foolish and meaningless. However, I still listen to old-school rap and hip hop like LL Cool J and Lauyn Hill (christian rapper/singer).

 

[Truffle]

i like kanye west

 

[Johnnysquee]

"Weird" Al Yankovic, mos def yo.

 

[Blackguard_]

"Weird" Al Yankovic,

...is not a rapper. He's a Polka player if anything.

He is awesome though.

Anyway, I'd say Coolio.

 

[Johnnysquee]

This is good enough for me. The only other rap I really get into is The Roots, Jedi Mind Tricks, and Resident Anti-Hero.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wtAXJKwMGwc

 

[LoveForWisdom]

the best rapper...is whoever keeps their mouth shut......hate rap, lol. If you held a gun to my head and I had to choose, Eminem, because he sings what he feels, and is up front and honest.

 

[Xian4lyfe]

I think Rap gets too much hate. Some things are inappropriate and some rappers aren't great people but they are usually good artists. Kanye West is definitely the best now, I think Nelly was pretty good too.

 

[Trashionista]

I can't pick a best, as I'm not that well versed in it...

But as for who I enjoy...

Tupac.
Kanye West.
K-Os.
MC Solaar.
Run DMC.

 

[Dralan]

Im not a huge rap fan, and I dont listen to it on a regular basis; but I still think Tupac is probably one of the best and I like some of Eminem's earlier stuff.

 

[Tallerthanatree]

Mayb not the best, but Brother Ali.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO18F4aKGzQ

 

[steveo536]

no way its immortal technique

 

[sevendaughters]

Rakim.

 

[MadeYouLook]

Nas

 

[032MendicantBias]

It's spelled who's.
As in who is
"Whose" is inquiring about ownership

And MC Hammer. The one rapper I can stand for longer than 5 minutes.

 

[TheNewAge]

Whose the greatest rapper of all time?

Isn't this like asking which piece of garbage smells the best?

 

[NavyGuy7]

If what you mean by "greatest" is "lamest", then I'd have to say they're all pretty much tied for the win. Sorry, but my heart lies with the guitar, and teh shredders of it.

 

[Tallerthanatree]

If you two had even bothered to look beyond mainstream rap, you'd see your folly.

 

[white dove]

There are no right or wrong answers, just want to hear what you think.

Judge according by...
lyrics

I like 2pac... always have, always will. He got a little inspirational at the end there.

...beats

Digable Planets - I love them. I would also include them with ^ great lyrical content.

I also like Timbaland (and Magoo!).

...Message (did he or she impact a vast of people positively and how)

I wouldn't say "positively," but... Eazy-E.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - Will Smith has gone on record saying he didn't gain in popularity by using vulgarity and cursing in his lyrics.

...Personality

Biggie... even people who hate rap love him.

...Hit songs

Oh man... everyone in this list?

...have an impact on music historically

Sugarhill Gang, Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Eve, N.W.A., Bone Thugz, Method Man... so many others. Also, Twista's abilities are crazy.

Personally I dont listen to rap or hip hop anymore because the rappers and their lyrics are foolish and meaningless.

I would totally agree with that; that's why I think it's a great idea to go back and see what true rap and hip-hop looks and sounds like. People only see negativity and trash and judge based on that.

See: DMX, Little Jonathan & the Placenta Pals, pretty much any reggaeton knock-off, et al.

However, I still listen to old-school rap and hip hop like LL Cool J and Lauyn Hill (christian rapper/singer).

That's cool. That woman's got some guts.

 

[DougOurs]

i dont listen to rap but i do like the chipmunks version of crank that

 

[NavyGuy7]

If you two had even bothered to look beyond mainstream rap, you'd see your folly.

Actually, that's what I'm talking about. They all are kinda... bad, not unique, untalented, etc.

I like Beastie Boys. But they aren't exactly "mainstream" now, are they?