Music websites Billboard and Vibe have teamed up to name the 50 greatest rappers of all time, on the occasion of the hip-hop genre’s 50th anniversary.
The jury explains that they chose to only include rappers in the US, as a move to keep the focus during the selection.
1. JAY-Z
First place is awarded to Shawn Carter (53).
The musician is referred to as the first hip-hop billionaire. Photo: Matt Rourke/AP
The jury believes that no one can match the artist’s achievements throughout his career over the last three decades, and points out that he is “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper”.
The rapper has 14 albums that have topped the Billboard 2000 chart, which is the most ever by a solo artist. He has sold over 140 million records, won 24 Grammys, and was the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The music magazine highlights that he is also a successful businessman. according to Forbes The rapper has a net worth of $1.3 trillion.
Jay-Z co-founded the record label Roc-A-Fella, and contributed to the success of Rihanna and Ye, better known as Kanye West.
He runs the entertainment company Roc Nation, and has shares in, among other things, the champagne brand Armand de Brignac.
In 2021, he sold large parts of the streaming company Tidal. The company struggled to compete against giants like Spotify. In 2018, Dagens Næringsliv revealed manipulation of the listenership figures of co-owners Beyoncé and Kanye West.
2. KENDRICK LAMAR
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (35) gets second place in Billboard’s ranking.
Kendrick Lamar is being referred to as the best rapper of his generation. Photo: Scott Garfitt/AP
The jury writes that he has become one of the most influential artists thanks to his thought-provoking and sometimes controversial lyrics.
The 35-year-old had his breakthrough in 2012, and has since won 17 Grammys, including best rap album at this year’s award ceremony.
Like Jay-Z, the rapper has been the first to reach various milestones.
The rapper was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for music in 2018. Photo: Bebeto Matthews /AP
He is known for being theatrical during his performances, and last year his performance during the Super Bowl was awarded an Emmy. It’s the first time the halftime show winner The TV award in the live category.
The rapper won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for the album “Damn”. Previously, the music prize had only gone to jazz or classical works.
In 2020, he launched the entertainment company pgLang.
3. NAS
Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jone (49) gets third place.
Despite having his breakthrough in the early 90s, he won his first Grammy as late as 2021.
Billboard describes his 1994 debut album “Illmatic” as a perfect piece of hip-hop that transcended genre, becoming the “holy bible” for songwriters.
Nas pictured in 2022. Photo: MARIO ANZUONI / Reuters
The jury believes that it is the rapper’s adaptability that makes him unique. Since 2020, he has released four albums.
Only woman
The rest of the top ten list consists of only one woman:
4. Tupac (turned 25)
5. Eminem (50)
6. The Notorious B.I.G. (ble 24 år)
7. Lil Wayne (40)
8. Drake (36)
9. Snoop Dogg (51)
10. Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (40) is thus the only woman to reach the top ten.
The artist won last year’s best hip-hop video at the MTV Awards. Pictured here during an award ceremony in 2015. Photo: Matt Sayles /AP
The jury writes that she has deserved the crown as the modern queen of rap with her “fierce”, bragging spirit.
She had her breakthrough in 2010, and in 2019 the then 36-year-old announced her retirement. But has since come with a number of singles and albums.
Nicki is one of twelve artists to have more than 100 positions on the Billboard “Hot 100” chart.
In 2019, she visited Norway:
Other women honored in the selection are: Missy Elliot, with a 19th place, Lauryn Hill (30), Lil Kim (31). Queen Latifah (44) and MC Lyte in 47th place.
Thus it is a total of 44 men and six women who are considered the best rappers.
