Names like Eminem, Jay-Z, and Nelly are prominent ones in the best rappers list. Read on for a general list of best rappers of all time.
It is a proven fact that rapping is a very difficult skill to learn and master. The best rappers have worked very hard to achieve a command on rapping and singing hip-hop songs. Traditionally, rappers are largely associated with musicians in the Black community. Therefore, you will find that most of the rappers are from the African-American descent. There are very few famous White rappers, of which Eminem can be taken as a good example. The following comprises few of the most popular rappers in the music industry.
Best Rappers List
Eminem
Eminem, real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is believed to be the best white rapper in the music industry. He is an American rap star who has several hits to his name such as The Real Slim Shady, Without Me, Smack That (with Akon), and Lose Yourself. He is a notable member in the list of top 10 rappers.
Jay-Z
Jay-Z is considered one of the most successful rappers in America. Owing to his popularity and success in the music scene, he has been honored with several awards which include ten Grammy Awards. His most popular hits include Heartbreaker, Never Change, and Dope Man.
Nelly
This rapper’s real name is Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr., and uses Nelly as his stage name. He is an American rap musician and a businessman. Some of his major hits include Dilemma, My Place, Country Grammar, Hot in Here 2, and Over & Over, just to name a few.
50 Cent
50 Cent, a rapper from USA, is thought of being one of the world’s highest-selling rap stars. He rose to fame by the albums Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and The Massacre. He is considered the third-best artist after Eminem and Nelly in the list of the best rappers of all time.
2Pac
The name of Tupac Shakur is included in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the best-selling artist, with a count of 75 million albums sold the world over. His top hip-hop songs include Keep Ya Head Up, Heartz Of Men, and Dear Mama.
Snoop Dogg
The talent in Snoop Dogg, real name Cordozar Calvin Broadus, was discovered by Dr. Dre. Snoop Dogg is famous for coming up with best rap songs such as What’s My Name, Gin & Juice, Still A G Thang, and The One And Only.
Lil Wayne
This music prodigy joined the industry when he was just nine years of age. He gained worldwide fame because of top rap songs like Go D.J, Lollipop, Women Lie Men Lie, Pop Bottles, and many others.
Kanye West
Kayne West is an American rapper who has played a major part in albums of various other artists. He is also a multi-instrumentalist, and uses his playing talent in many of his songs. Some of the best hip-hop songs from this artist include Jesus Walks, Can’t Tell me Nothing, and Slow Jams.
Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes started out when he was 16 years of age, in a hip-hop group known as Leaders of the New School. His worldwide hits consist of Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check, Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See, and Gimme Some More.
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith, stage name LL Cool J, has released twelve studio albums which include hit rap numbers such as I Can’t Live Without My Radio, Mama Said Knock You Out, and a love song Hey Lover. His name refers to Ladies Love Cool James.
Best Female Rappers List
- Mecca the Ladybug
- Lauryn Hill
- Queen Latifah
- Sha-Rock
- Sylk-E-Fyne
- Queen Pen
- MC Lyte
- Ebony Eyes
- Foxy Brown
- Medusa
- Mystic
- Lady of Rage
- Roxanne Shante
- Bahamadia
- Jean Grae
Following is a list of the best rap and hip-hop groups.
Best Rap Groups
- Run-DMC
- NWA
- Beastie Boys
- Outkast
- Dead Prez
- Cypress Hill
- 213
- De La Soul
- The Roots
- Digital Underground
- Junior Mafia
- Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
- Naughty By Nature
- Wu Tang Clan
- Public Enemy
Read on to know who are the best white rappers.
White Rappers List
- Eminem
- Sage Francis
- Everlast
- Slug
- Brother Ali
- Vanilla Ice
- Beastie Boys
- Milkbone
- Haystack
- RJD2
- MC Serch
- Chris Palko
- El-P
- Mighty Mi
- Aesop Rock
There are some rappers who have made their careers in acting as well. Below are some of them.
Rappers-Turned Actors
- LL Cool J
- Ice Cube
- DMX
- Eminem
- Will Smith
- Snoop Dogg
- Tupac Shakur
- 50 Cent
- Queen Latifah
- Common
- Ice-T
- Mos Def
- Ludacris
- Cam’ron
- Mark Wahlberg
There are many other famous rappers which I might have missed out on. The artists mentioned above are an inspiration to many of the best rappers of today. With their contribution to the music industry, these professionals have certainly taken rap and hip-hop to a new level.
