this is by no means a comprehensive or universal list! bear that in mind..i know there's alot of debate within hip-hop circles - which is a shame because i love most of it to be really honest..
so i'll try and compile my ten favourite MC's, for you to debate..
here goes anyway!
#1:
MF DOOM
(Also known as, Zev Love X (in
KMD), Metal Fingers,
Viktor Vaughn,
King Geedorah, and associated with
DANGERDOOM,
Madvillain. As shown by the impressive amount of artist connections to the one man alone, DOOM, or Daniel Dumile, as is his real name, is truly one of the busiest figures in modern underground hip hop. His rhymes are almost always unusual and the beats he lays down are often noted for being retro, as is imaginable by his fixation on superhero comics, and 1950's culture. Releasing 2 landmark albums under the name MF DOOM,
Operation: Doomsday, and
MM..Food, DOOM has recently risen the ranks in hip-hop circles, he tirelessly works on instrumental hip-hop projects under the name Metal Fingers,
Metalfingers Presents: Special Herbs, The Box Set Vol. 0-9. Definitely my favourite.
Me ... sci-fly, whole style stuck up
Used to talk to myself, I told him, "Shut the fuck up!"
Buckle up, 'cause it's about to be rough
He said, "Keep talking that shit, you 'bout to be snuffed"
Then we squashed it, I let em know: "Watch it --
We only met a time to join these rhymers in the mosh pit"
Gosh, it feels great just to increase the chance
For a pussy nigga face to hit the dance floor
#2:
Phife Dawg
From the landmark group
A Tribe Called Quest, Phife was often overlooked for
Q-Tip, the obvious leader of ATCQ..I personally much prefer Phife, I find his rhymes more interesting and I think his flow is pretty much superior to Tips..Phife had so few lines on the first album,
People's Instinctive Travels & The Paths of Rhythm, but the lines he does perform (
Mr. Muhammad, are markedly better than Tip's..What a shame!
Back in 89, I simply slid into place
Buddy, buddy, buddy all up in your face
A lot of kids was bustin rhymes but they had no
Taste
Some said quest was wack, but now is that the case?
I have a quest to have the mic in my hand
Without that, it's like kryptonite and superman
#3:
Big Daddy Kane
Known for (at times,) an insanely fast flow, and incredible freestyle ability, it took me a while to truly appreciate Kane..His style is sometimes quite difficult to hear and even understand..And for a long time I sorta thought that he was blowing smoke up his own arse, as I hadn't seen any evidence that he was actually THAT good..That changed when I bought
Looks Like a Job For. I couldn't recommend that enough to be honest..Sick tunes, sick beats and sick rhymes!
Things been said, plenty rumors been spread
Many many many new jacks got it in they head
That they can raise up on this and put the kane in fright
Heheh.. yeah right!
#4:
GZA
As a member of the legendary original rap crew
Wu-Tang Clan, GZA was often an overlooked member (an easy mistake, there was about 9 of them, ahem..!). Big mistake this. GZA (as his name, the Genius) suggests, is a truly awesome rapper..With a great knowledge of production, sampling, and general MCing, his skills are in my opinion, light-years ahead of every other original Wu member. Shame!
It was the night before New Year's, and all through the fuckin projects
Not a handgun was silent, not even a Tec
#5:
Ice Cube
As is understandably cliché, I doubt any hip hop ultimate list would be complete without a west-coast rep, and while I personally DON'T really like west-coast rap, I can certainly appreciate the lyrical styles and technical ability of some of it's artists. No more so than Ice Cube, member of influential gangsta rap group
N.W.A, his influence on rap in general cannot be underestimated. I can't be arsed trundling through stories he wrote
Dr. Dre's and
Eazy E's lyrics on their first album (though he did!), I find his solo output much greater..Namely his three landmark albums,
The Predator,
Death Certificate,
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. Insanely good rapper, one of the best there ever will be in my opinion.
The bigger the cap, the bigger the peelin',
who gives a fuck about a punk-ass villain?
You're gettin' fucked real quick,
and Eazy's dick, is smellin' like MC Ren's shit.
#6:
Nas
Not alot really needs to be said about 'Nasty Nas', other than he created arguably the best debut album in hip-hop music, at the tender age of 19. At this age his rhymes where honed, his beats refined, and his street sensibilities greater than most of those twice his age. To this day, 14 years on,
Illmatic is still one of the greatest achievements in music.
I'm max like cassettes, I flex like sex
In your stereo sets, Nas will catch wreck
I used to hustle, now all I do is relax and strive
#7:
Big L
As so many tragic cases in hip-hop, Big L was murdered at an unfairly young age of 24. Before this though, he will be best remembered for blistering freestyle ability, and the classic release
Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous. An album that utilized dirty production with his almost relaxed and drawling lyrical delivery. Truly awesome shit.
And my raps is unbelievable like aliens and flying sorcers
No more iron horses cause I'm buying porches.
I'm coming straight out the NYC peace to the Kid Carpi, I'm M.V.P.
#8:
KRS-One
After spending some time in
Boogie Down Productions, KRS began to gain a cult underground following, known for his introspective lyrics and his fiery delivery of them. Now, among the guild of sadly less than great rappers (
Mobb Deep too!), KRS will always be remembered for his earlier, ground breaking days as an underground superstar.
The police department
Is like a crew
It does whatever they want to do
In society you have illegal and legal
We need both to make things equal
#9:
Busta Rhymes
Along with
Redman, Busta is often known as the loudmouth of hip-hop, and with good reason...With well established connections in the hip hop community (
Leaders of the New School), Busta has featured on many tracks of many various artists, and though (As with alot), he is nowhere near his peak these days, his bombastic delivery of often apocalyptic lyrical themes has entertained and thrilled fans for years.
Watch, as I combine all the juice from the mind
Heel up, wheel up, bring it back, come rewind
Powerful impact BOOM! from the cannon
Not braggin, try to read my mind just imagine
Vo-cab-u-lary's necessary
When diggin into my library
Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!
Eating ayea toadstool like the one Peter Tosh
#10:
Slick Rick
Known, perhaps quite humorously, as a pimp prior to his hip-hop years, Slick Rick is (along with
Biz Markie) one of the lighter faces in hip-hop. With his trademark eye patch and high pitched voice, his rhymes are still pretty formidable, however he would want you to think about them. Truly great rapper.
The cop grabbed his arm, he started acting erratic,
he said "Keep still, boy, no need for static",
Punched him in his belly and he gave him a slap,
but little did he know the lil' boy was strapped,
The kid pulled out a gun, he said "Why did ya hit me ?",
the barrel was set straight for the cop's kidney,
The cop got scared, the kid, he starts to figure,
"I'll do years if I pull this trigga",
So he cold dashed and ran around the block,
cop radios it to another lady cop,
He ran by a tree, there he saw this sista,
a shot for the head, he shot back but he missed her,
ehhhh hope that was a mildly interesting insight into my mind!
ahem..
KMD
