Haiti, you can't be in here dissecting everyone's list without posting a top 10 of your own....
Like Hell I can..if i think its wack...its wack...we all entitled to our opinion..but unlike others ill try to defend my picks somewhat while imat work.
Rakim - Lyrically ahead of his time. Pretty set the tone for lyricism, with his alliteration,inner rhyme. Gave birth to the effortless flow, that many continueto still use to this very day. From Paid In Full with outstanding songs "I aint no joke", to the 18th letter/book of life with "Guess whosback" he managed to still rock any crowd. Very underrated, and many dont even know why they would put him in top ten.
Scarface- Managed to really bring a story to his music while still keeping it "gutta". Always had a pretty dark sound, and excelled at this. I neverexpected any happy go lucky fresh, dope, funky, type of music from Scarface.Since 91' with money and the power to my block a few years ago. He has kept hissame style for the most part. That shows you how good someone is, when their music is timeless.
Nas- Just as he described him.."street poet", Nas visual imagery with lyrics is out of this world. Its simply unmatched, he isnt gonna wow you withpunchlines after bar...but youre gonna damn sure feel like you in QB after listening. And not only that he has probably the best beat selection amongstrappers.
Big- nuthin to say...Incredible story teller. And could simulatenously wow you with punchlines. Probably one the most well rounded rappers to ever walk theearth.
Kane- if you dont know...then commit that
Pac- see Kane.
Jigga-Its rare that you see a MC develop when they are already pretty damn good. And thats what you see when you go from Reasonable Doubt on. nuf said
Common- Hometown hero...and honestly he seemed to bring a lighter side to hip hop. With his playful wordplay and undying love for Chicago, his vivid andcreative views of rap. He pretty much birthed an modern era of EMCEES, the Mos Defs, Talibs..etc and made bigger record labels go out and somewhat seek otherfacets of hip hop/rap. you cant deny that.
Big Pun- he died..blah blah blah..dude was nothing short of amazing. COMPLETE RAPPER...to the upmost. flow, delivery,energy, lyrics,punchlines..etc etc. he hadit all. and 2 albums in what 2 o 3years years..2 REALLY GOOD ALBUMS..double platinum and platinum...stop playin!
Eminem- No argument here.. Dudes impact is redic. From his sick scribble jam freestyle battles to his albums Eminem was virtually immaculate. They usually saypunchline rappers dont have the capacity to make songs. But Eminems emotion on songs and dark humor mixed in with amazing lyricism and INCREDIBLE productioneasily put him in the upper echelon. And after murking renegades
i hadno choice to believe he was LEGIT in every sense..