A few days ago, Eminem revealed his top 17 rappers of all time, including Kendrick Lamar, Tupac Shakur, and many others. Find out the expert’s thoughts on this list in the article below!
Lil Wayne
Do I Agree: No
Lil Wayne was the hottest rapper out at one point with projects such as Tha Carter III and No Ceilings but, after a hard fall off in the 2010s with projects like Rebirth and I’m Not a Human Being II he has no place in the debate anymore.
2Pac
Do I Agree: No
Despite being one of the most influential figures in hip hop’s history, 2Pac lacked the lyrical skill his rivals had. In addition, his top tier projects such as Me Against The World and All Eyez On Me are not on the level of other rappers’ best works either.
Royce Da 5’9
Do I Agree: Yes
Yes, Royce Da 5’9 has withstood the test of time and is continuing to get better every year. He has a handful of excellent albums, including Build & Destroy, PRhyme, and The Book of Ryan, to name a few.
Jay-Z
Do I Agree: Yes
Jay-Z has been on top of the rap game since his classic 1996 debut Reasonable Doubt. Since then, he has built up an empire around him as he has discovered various artists like Kanye West and J Cole while also creating a handful of timeless projects such as The Blueprint and 4:44.
Redman
Do I Agree: Yes
Redman is one of the most unique MCs to ever picks up a microphone. With a handful of classic projects, some being Whut? The Album and Muddy Waters, there’s no wonder why Eminem put Red in such high regard.
Treach
Do I Agree: No
While Treach was definitely the best member of Naughty By Nature, the group was never super respected outside of a few bangers, so for him to be put in the goat conversation confuses me as he doesn’t have much going for him.
Kool G Rap
Do I Agree: No
Despite being one of the more skilled rappers from the 1980s, Kool G Rap has no outstanding pieces of work, so he doesn’t have a strong case for the goat conversation.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Do I Agree: Yes
Biggie had a short-lived career, but a great one at that with his two classic albums in Ready To Die and Life After Death.
KXNG Crooked
Do I Agree: No
Lyrically, KXNG Crooked is super skilled, but he lacks a fleshed out discography to have a legit case in the goat conversation.
LL Cool J
Do I Agree: No
LL Cool J is a pioneer of hip-hop, and he certainly has a lot of hits under his belt so I can see why he is placed here. With that being stated, his discography falls flat after the early 90s as he lacks consistency, so I wouldn’t put him near this conversation.
Nas
Do I Agree: Yes
Despite his fair share of flops, Nas still has a great discography with albums like Godson, It Was Written, and the legendary Illmatic. Additionally, his pen game is top tier to this day; therefore, deeming him a well-deserved spot on this list.
Kendrick Lamar
Do I Agree: Yes
Despite being one of the younger artists here, Kendrick Lamar is already one of the best on the list. With multiple classics under his belt, including DAMN, good kid m.A.A.d. city and the decade defining To Pimp A Butterfly, it is clear why he has drawn praise from Eminem.
J Cole
Do I Agree: No
J Cole has become one of the most overrated artists of the last decade. While he shows flashes of greatness, most of his material sound watered down aside, so he has no legitimate case to be on the goat list.
Andre 3000
Do I Agree: Yes
With a flawless discography, top tier lyricism, and one of the most versatile skill sets of all time, there is no question why Andre’ 3000 is on Eminem’s goat list.
Rakim
Do I Agree: Yes
On top of being one of the most influential rappers ever, Rakim is one of the most profound lyricists of all time. Matching his lyricism is his catalog of great albums, including the classics Paid In Full and Follow the Leader.
Big Daddy Kane
Do I Agree: No
While Big Daddy Kane was undoubtedly influential for future generations of MCs, most of his albums haven’t aged that well, leaving him with a lackluster discography outside of his classic LP Long Live the Kane.
Joyner Lucas
Do I Agree: No
While all of the previously listed rappers on the list are reasonable selections for the goat conversation, Joyner Lucas’s placement is terrible. He is corny, boring, unoriginal, and has a horrendously bad discography.
Verdict:
Eminem’s goat list is certainly interesting. While I don’t agree with most of it, I respect most of these rappers for everything they have done for hip hop culture. Let us know your thoughts!
