Hip-Hop Heads Only: Who are your top 10 LYRICISTS right now?

[John-John Joe]

Okay, before you weigh in, understand the criteria.

- You have to be a Hip hop fan, if you don't like rap then why come here to tell us that? That's just plain ignorant.

- They have to be ALIVE, no Biggie, Pac, Pun, Big L, etc. etc.

- I'm not talking about who sells the most records, has the hottest videos, or who's the most popular. It's all about who you think is the nicest out there with the wordplay. Who would impress you if they rhymed for you in person, acapella, with no bells and whistles to lean on.

Here's mine in no particular order:

1. Nas- The epitome of what it means to be an MC, he's a straight up poet.

2. Jigga- He gets slept on sometimes because of his commercial joints, he's disgustingly nice with his.

3. Mos Def/Talib Kweli- MC's who don't need to resort to gangsta aesthetics in order to be nice, they should be running shit right now instead of dudes like 50 and Banks.

5. Styles P/Jadakiss- had to put them together, these dudes continuously raise the bar for all aspiring street-level MC's.

6. Immortal Technique- Oh, you don't know who this is? Do yourself a favor and download his joints on Kazaa. Finally, an MC that is political and cares about more than cars, guns, drugs and hoes.

7. Cassidy- he has so many punchlines and metaphors that I don't even know where to begin with him, he's the nicest thing out of Philly. YES, nicer than Beans.

8. Lauryn Hill- you're saying WHAT?!? Trust me, she can absolutely destroy 90% of the industry right now. Wait until you hear the new shit she has coming out.

9. Papoose- he's the future, I'm telling you right now! Remember where you heard it first....

10. Andre 3000- he's in that Lauryn Hill category, just because he dresses weird and made the "Hey Yaa" joint do NOT get it twisted. He's an absolute wordsmith...

[.]

Flesh N Bone - It has been a long while since he recorded a album (almost 5 years). But his flow is just simply amazing

[Tuomas]

I like what I've heard out of Abstract Rude

and Kweli of course

[Ruff Ryder]

What's your take on Kanye West, Dre?

[Filip]

I ain't really a big hiphop fan so maybe I shouldn't post here. But there are many things I shouldn't do but do anyway

Back on topic: I barely listen to hiphop anymore, but if I listen, I really enjoy listen to Kanye West.
He is really above everyone else IMO, he managed to make an album without any bling bling, or gangsta stories. Instead he rapped about
more relevant things in life, and still it kicks without being anything near cheesy.

"I'm talkin' 'bout three by the head and three by the leg
But you ain't have to tell my girl I used to pee in the bed"
Love that rhyme

[trubucksfan]

i can vouch for Cassidy,ive heard some of his mixtape stuff and you wouldnt think it by his commercial shit but dudes got some crazy bars!

mighty mos and talib,so smooth,they should be runnin shit.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

hmm, right now i like twista, jayz (he really hasnt even retired ), kanye, jadakiss, and lil wyte from three 6 mafia (out of memphis)

[Donatello]

i don't listen to much- but what i've heard from twista is amazing. jurassic five, also (they're more "old school" style)

[SkipToMy_Lou]

I'm a huge hip hop fan always will be, heres my little list:

1. Nas
2. Immortal Technique
3. MF Doom
4. Talib Kweli
5. Royce Da 5'9"
6. J Dilla
7. Jadakiss
8. AZ
9. Lauryn Hill
10. Kanye West

[BMG]

Flesh N Bone - It has been a long while since he recorded a album (almost 5 years). But his flow is just simply amazing

isnt he in jail?

[John-John Joe]

What's your take on Kanye West, Dre?

Kanye is nasty too, I love College Dropput. Though I wish he didn't have so many skits on there.....

Regardless, he's very original and his lyrics are definitely on point. I love that joint where he talks about working in the Gap with that dude John Legend singing the hook.

[Dogg]

Immortal Technique
some drag on's lyrics are pretty good(like in where the hood at remix: killed 87 cops, sitt back at wait for s.w.a.t's)
and ofcourse Guru my man

[Dogg]

Immortal Technique
some drag on's lyrics are pretty good(like in where the hood at remix: killed 87 cops, sitt back at wait for s.w.a.t's)
and ofcourse Guru my man

also:
ali vegas
common
akrobatik etc.

[John-John Joe]

hmm, right now i like twista, jayz (he really hasnt even retired ), kanye, jadakiss, and lil wyte from three 6 mafia (out of memphis)

Oh man, you too? I LOVE Lil' Wyte and the whole Hypnotized Minds Camp. Three Six is one of my favorite groups out there right now. I would never call those cats lyrical per say but there music definitely hits me on an emotional level I can't even begin to explain!

Know who else I love out of Memphis? Eightball & MJG!

[[Q]]

I don't know how you can mention the top lyricists and not even mention Eminem... his lyrics are crazy, how he gets some words to rhyme... I don't know, but he's at the top of my list with Nas.

[Username123]

For me its gotta be LIL" JON............nah i am jus joking that guy cant sing for shit!! Anyone heard the song "lovers and firends"? Its a slow song with Usher, and Luda and Jon cant sing for shit!!!! i was lMAO at that song...

Anyways my top ppl got to be:
1. T.I.
2. Eminem
3. Usher
4. Lloyd Banks
5. Kanye West
6. Twista
and cant think of anyomre................btw is this thread about ur fav hippdi hop aritsts or something else

[SkipToMy_Lou]

btw is this thread about ur fav hippdi hop aritsts or something else

And heres your answer

It's all about who you think is the nicest out there with the wordplay

[Colin]

Not a lot of good rappers getting pub right now.

1. Nas - Street's Disciple was...WOW!!!
2. Rakim - He's alive, just in hibernation.
3. AZ - Love those Queens cats
4. Cormega - Legal Hustle was delicious, his rhyme schemes work off his beats and flow well
5. Lauryn Hill - She's the shit. Everyone underestimates the lady, even the ladies I know. Is that song with Bob Marley new?
6. Wu-Tang in general - If I seperated them I wouldn't have room for much else.
7. Andre3000 - If he can put out an actual rap album next time he may jump a few places up.
8. Talib Kweli - Just cut back on the simlies and you're good to go.
9. Mos Def - Too bad he went Rock&Roll with that last album.
10. Canibus - Anyone heard him on Black is Black? That solidifies him.

I didn't even mention Mobb Deep, Scarface, or Pharoahe.

[Old School Fool]

I like what I've heard out of Abstract Rude

and Kweli of course

Abstract Rude! OMG! I hear those dudes everytime I play ESPN NBA 2K5.

Those guys are slick.

Nas making that joint with his Dad is COOL. Father Son Combo.

[SkipToMy_Lou]

9. Mos Def - Too bad he went Rock&Roll with that last album.

I wasn't really feeling The New Danger either definetely too much rock for my liking.

[BMG]

3. Usher

Usher is a R&B singer

[SkipToMy_Lou]

4. Lloyd Banks

[John-John Joe]

4. Lloyd Banks

My feeling exactly! Can't front Banks had so much promise the summer of 2002 when Fifty dropped the "50 Cent is the Future" mixtape. I mean, I was already considering putting this cat top 5, dead ass. Lines like: "You can catch me with the biscuit, and the only way I'll catch blueballs is if the bitch had blue lipstick.." and "Now I know to keep low when the heat blow, I'll have niggas posted on the block like I'm shooting a freethrow.."

He had so much promise back then, hell, so did G-Unit. Now? I don't fuck with them dudes even though I think 50 is still capable of pumping out some serious hits. They just don't stimulate me on a lyrical level whatsoever and Banks has been a major disappointment in that regard.

[.]

Flesh N Bone - It has been a long while since he recorded a album (almost 5 years). But his flow is just simply amazing

isnt he in jail?

Yeah, he will be released in 2008

[Ataraxia]

Im not Rap Musics biggest fan because mostly of all these rappers coming out and doing the same thing.
Their videos = Money, BMW or Merc's, Hot Women and some other guys just waving their hands while sitting with huge ass women.

I mean theirs no meaning in that.....

But its the other side of Rap Music I love......Im talkin abt the ones that sing something meaningful.

My list would be

1. Eminem, is it a bit shady indeed but at least he sings about LIFE.

2. Kanye West, ah love his videos, love his songs....good attitude, he deserved Best New Artist at the AMA's straight up.

3. Tupac, hes a mixed bag...he sang about emotional stuff at one time then comes up with a pimpin party track. Do For Love is prolly one of my fav rap songs of all time....just love that chorus.

4. Wardaft, a local rap act....Im tellin u these 3 can kick most of these Commercial Rappers. Their lyrics are just so awesome,
ex of lyrics
"If I had a sister and a brother would I fit in society, or would I just end up being the forgotten one in a drink and drive majority" (its about how his real sister and brother are so popular because all they do is party 24/7 and how he gets singled out because he doesnt jack it up)
Theirs some awesome awesome lyrics on their songs.

5. Nas, love the stuff Ive heard from him....his attitude is definitely great

6. Dr.Dre,Yeah hes more on the bang bang bling bling side, but still hes the Father of most of these Rappers out there.

7. Jadakiss, Very nice stuff....heard a few songs from him lately that sink inside u...

8. Muttzilla, another local act....their lyrics are on the inspirational side, sometimes a bit preachy but they got very smooth and shake your head beats.

9. P Diddy ....j/k......hmm prolly put The Fugees here....all of them got rap skills. Ready Or Not, frikkin awesome

10. Wu-Tang Clan....mostly Method Man....loved his stuff on Limp Bizkit's track....very funny and amusing.