I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but after having listened to the hip hop/rap genre for so long, I would consider myself savvy. That being said, if you disagree with this list, go make your own, I'd be glad to compare. In order, these are my favorite rappers based off of their past work and present work.
11. Futuristic
Never heard of him? Makes sense. He has burst onto the scene as of late and is one of the fastest lyricists I have heard in a while. His stuff is impressive, expect him to make moves soon.
10. Kanye West
Even though he is quite egotistical, he also just put out one of the best songs of the year so far in "Ultralight Beam." His newest Album, "The Life Of Pablo," features artists like Chance the Rapper, Mary J Blige, and The Weekend. Yes, he's crazy, but still one of the best.
9. Lil Wayne
He may still sound a bit like an alien, but lyrically, Wayne will always be one of the best. Dropping "Street Chains" and "No Ceilings 2" recently certainly helped him get onto the list, and the old Lil Wayne would most likely be even further up.
8. Drake
I'm not a huge fan of singing Drake, but rapping Drake I can deal with just fine. Like Kanye and Lil Wayne, a few years ago Drake would be very high up on my favorites list, but his competition is tough.
7. Mac Miller
I'm ready for the heat, but I simply don't like Drake enough to put him over this guy or anyone else to come. Mac's flow is incredibly smooth, and if you've ever listened to "Blue Slide Park", then you know. For me, his voice has always been the catch.
6. Frank Ocean
Unbelievable voice, great lyrics, and even better beats/samples. Only problem is, people have been waiting around two years for a new album. Hurry it up Frank.
5. Childish Gambino
"Because The Internet" was the first album I listened to fill through and learned all the lyrics to. Childish has an interesting way of fitting his voice into the chorus and then changing it while he raps. It's enjoyable, and so are all the albums he has put out. Trust me, "Camp" and "Kauai" are also worth a listen.
4. Jay-Z
Nothing new, but the king of rap has deserved that title. He has worked with virtually every popular hip hop artist in the world but had already made a name beforehand. I sincerely believe that if I make this list again 10 years from now, Jay-Z will still be on it.
3. Chance the Rapper
"10 Day" and "Acid Rap" , Chance's mixtapes, were on the same level. Chance incorporates catchy and bouncy tunes that can easily get stuck in your head (listen to "Favorite Song" or "Juice"). His voice rounds out his persona, and the more you hear his stuff, the more fitting his voice becomes.
2. J-cole
It's hard to nail down a solid top two, but I think I've done it. J-cole has gained popularity ever since "Born Sinner" came out, but not many know that he was signed by Roc Nation back in 2009. His talent was recognizable from the start. "2014 forest Hills Drive" was amazing, and there isn't a single song on the album I don't like. Make your own decisions, but J-cole should be towards the top of everyone's list.
1. Kendrick Lamar
Very rarely does an artists ever put out three albums that are equally as meaningful, more or less equally as good. Long down the road, we will take a look back and compare Kendrick to Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z, Tupac, and other greats. I promise. His highly politicized lyrics should ring in the ears of anyone who sincerely listens to them. What other artists can call out social injustices, lobby for minority rights, and fight for children's lives in the ghetto, all in the lyrics of one album? K-Dot can. He is unmatched. Right now, he is the king, and we should expect it to stay that way for a very, very long time.
