For those who grew up listening to his music as children, their eyes are probably twitching now.
We don’t see much tragedy in this, and Billboard’s list turned out to be interesting anyway. They support their choice with the following arguments: a real MC should not only be able to get the crowd going, but also constantly prove with his lyrics that there is no one cooler than him in the game. In other words, all the best rappers, according to Billboard, are united by a competitive spirit.
That's why Tupac isn't there, apparently. Neither do KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Drake and many others. The editors themselves admit that this gnaws at them greatly, but the rules are the rules. But as for Dr. Dre or Kanye West, then these two iconic rappers/producers did not make it into the top ten only because they are not rappers, but rap artists.
So, this time the places were distributed as follows (we will briefly tell you for what merit the rappers got there):
10. Lil Wayne
Here's to an incredible five-year mixtape marathon (2004-2009) where quality never gave way to quantity. Ask Young Thugg or Future, it’s unlikely that even they can boast of such productivity (without sacrificing quality).
9. Kendrick Lamar
For setting the bar for other MCs; showed that it is possible to read in triple and quadruple rhymes without compromising the semantic component; for artistry and ability to get used to the most different images. In the end, for his three albums, which will remain in history as one of the most vibrant and profound.
8. Ghostface Killah
For still being Wu-Tang's most deft lyricist; for his ability to weave the most unexpected rhymes into a single fabric, diluting them with slang and creating his own mythology.
7. Lauryn Hill
For still being one of the most versatile musicians in hip-hop; for giving us the Fugees and the album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
6. Andre 3000
For being part of the duo OutKast gave us a marathon of five albums, which were distinguished not only by quality, but also by innovation. The highlight was his solo disc, “The Love Below,” on which he showed that you can be emotional and sensual while remaining among the rap elite (hello, Drake and Kanye). Hip-hop wouldn't be the same without Andre.
5. Nas
For being the second coming of Rakim, giving the world “Illmatic” and reinventing 90s hip-hop. Other evidence includes defeating Jay Z in the most epic beef in history, as well as the presence of an incredibly rich discography, where there is even a collection of leftovers “ The Lost Tapes" may turn out to be better albums half MC.
4. Rakim
Became a conductor between the old school and the new; taught most modern rappers to read and managed to create unique style, in which skillful rhymes and a soft, clear flow were combined with the most different topics– be it crime, humanity, religion or all at once. Many rappers, like Kendrick Lamar and Nas, still follow Rakim's precepts.
3. Eminem
For being almost the only shocking rapper to make it into the mainstream; for his unique combination of provocative content with crazy twisted rhymes and caustic flow. To this day, he remains perhaps the most technical rhymer in history.
2. Jay Z
For building a real empire and constantly striving to hone his skills, which he has successfully proven since his debut album “Reasonable Doubt”. A nimble flow, wordplay, incredible charisma - all this helped Jay give listeners several classic albums at once.
1. Notorious B.I.G.
Unlike many deceased artists, the cult around Biggie is justified. He deserved it back in at a young age during life, turning his life experience from the streets of Brooklyn into famously rhymed stories. His rhymes were always on target, and according to Billboard, he never released a bad song in his short career. Plus the cult albums “Ready To Die” and “Life After Death”.
Rap, being a young musical direction, has firmly established itself in modern culture, winning hearts and generating crowds of fans. Our top 10 gangsta rappers include the best representatives from the founding of this musical direction and our contemporaries.
10 Wu-Tang Clan
This group from Staten Island was founded back in 1992. Its founders were The RZA, GZA, Ol Dirty Bastard. The RZA, being the unofficial leader of the group, produces albums of other members of the group. Wu-Tang Clan consists of 9 people, each of whom has released solo albums.
9 Ice Cube
From 1987 to 1990, Ice Cube performed as part of the group N.W.A. together with Dr. Dre and MC Ren. In 1990, amid controversy, he left the group and began a solo career. In 1994, he took a break from his work and began promoting other rap artists. Since 1998, he has continued his solo activities and over the next 13 years he has released 5 solo albums.
8 The Notorious B.I.G.
1992-1993 marks the beginning of The Notorious B.I.G.’s career: winning the competition, signing a contract, collaboration with Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J and Mary J. Blige. In September 1994, the first album was released, the first single of which became triple platinum by the end of the year. In 1997, he was killed in a road rage shooting in Los Angeles. 16 days after his death, his double studio album was released, which was subsequently awarded a diamond certificate.
7 2Pac
2Pac talks about racism, poverty, violence, hard life in the ghetto and the problems of society in most of his songs. 2Pac was a member of the African-American radical left-wing organization Black Panthers and a participant in the Two Coastal War. This confrontation between rappers from the West and East coasts of the United States is supposed to be the death of 2Pac. In the fall of 1996, he received 4 gunshot wounds, as a result of which he died.
6 Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre is a successful beatmaker in rap music and the founder of the G-funk style. He began his music career in the group World Class Wreckin’ Cru. Fame came when he became a member of the rap group N.W.A., working in the gangsta rap genre. He began his solo career after the breakup of the group.
5 Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg considered one of Dr.'s most talented protégés. Dre, thanks to whom he began his music career in 1992. The first album, recorded in 1993, received 1.5 million pre-orders even before its release. In 1996, Snoop Dogg said goodbye to Death Row Records, after which he signed a contract with No Limit Records. Between 1991 and 2006, albums sold 17.6 million copies in the United States. Snoop Dogg is known for his performance style - calm, somewhat lazy, with drawn-out words, filled with rhythmic lyrics.
4 50 Cent
He began his musical career at the age of 9. In 2002, meeting Eminem and Dr. Dre and signing a contract with Interscope Records lead him to success. He becomes one of the best-selling gangsta rap artists in the world. After his first commercial album became incredibly popular, Interscope founded a new label, G-Unit Records, specifically for 50 Cent. The second album took first position on the Billboard 200, its sales reached 1.14 million copies in the first 4 days. In 2007, according to Forbes, 50 Cent is the richest rap artist after Jay-Z.
3 Jay-Z
He began his musical career in the early 90s, performing with rap artist The Notorious B.I.G. Jay-Z is currently the founder and co-owner of Roc-A-Fella Records. His 14 albums have reached the top of the Billboard 200. Jay-Z has also won the Grammy Award multiple times.
2 Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne is the best-selling artist in hip-hop history. The beginning of his music career dates back to 1996, when the hip-hop group “Hot Boys” was formed. First solo album received platinum status, and the second and third went gold. Widespread fame came after the fourth studio album “Tha Carter”. Over the entire period of music activity, over 100 million records were sold, including album sales, and 37 million digital tracks.
1 Eminem
Eminem is a member of the group D12 and the hip-hop duo Bad Meets Evil, and also has a solo career. His 11 albums, including studio works, reached number one on the Billboard 200. Eminem is one of the best-selling rap artists in the world. Only in America for all its time musical activity 107 million of his records and 44 million copies of his albums were sold. And all over the world, Eminem, as a solo artist, has sold over 100 million albums.
For a rap artist to become a legend, popularity is not enough. He must be able to influence others and the culture as a whole with his creativity.
3. Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III, better known by his stage name Eminem and alter ego Slim Shady, is a rapper. music producer, composer and actor. Besides solo career, Marshall is also a member of the group D12 and the hip-hop duo Bad Meets Evil.
Eminem is one of the best-selling music artists in the world, as well as the best-selling artist of the 2000s. He has been named one of the greatest musicians of all time by many magazines, including Rolling Stone, which ranked Eminem number 83 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists. The same magazine proclaimed him the King of Hip-Hop.
2. Jay Z
Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay-Z, is an American rapper. equity over $500 million as of 2012. 13 of his albums have reached the top of the Billboard 200. This is a record among all solo artists and second place in history after The Beatles, who had 19 albums reach number one in the US. Multiple Grammy Award winner.
Back in 1999, Jay-Z rapped in a song in Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker" video, which topped the Billboard Hot 100. In 2003, Jay-Z returned to the top of the US pop charts with the track "Crazy in Love", recorded with him friend and now wife of Beyoncé. He is the founder and co-owner of Roc-A-Fella Records and former general director label Def Jam Recordings, co-owner of the 40/40 Club, creator of the Rocawear clothing line and co-owner of the NBA club - Brooklyn Nets.
1. Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Lator Wallace (May 21, 1972, Brooklyn, New York - March 9, 1997, Los Angeles, California) was an American rapper who performed under the aliases Biggie Smalls, Frank White and, most famously, The Notorious B.I.G. He was the leader of East Coast hip-hop.
On September 13, 1994, Biggie's debut album, Ready To Die, was released and was a stunning success. First single, " One More Chance", went platinum within weeks, and by the end of the year the album was certified triple platinum. At last count, the album sold four million copies.
The rapper's second album, Life After Death, released in 1997, won several awards, including Billboard's R'n'B Album of the Year and two ASCAP Awards. The album was released posthumously, a few weeks after tragic death Biggie. Life After Death debuted at number one in its first weeks of release, breaking all records, and remained on the charts for many months with singles such as "Mo Money, Mo Problems" and "Sky's The Limit".
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Top 10 best-selling rappers in the world.
Eminem, Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), better known by his stage names Eminem and Slim Shady, is a Grammy Award winner. A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, he spent his youth in Detroit. His albums have sold over 75 million copies worldwide, making Eminem one of the best-selling musicians of the early 2000s and one of the most popular rappers of all time.
Jay-Z (Jay Z), Jay-Z is the stage name of rapper Shawn Corey Carter, one of the most influential and wealthy figures in modern hip-hop music. As of 2007, eight of his albums have reached the top of the Billboard Top 200.
50 Cent Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper. Fame came to him with the release of the albums Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and The Massacre. 50 Cent achieved multi-platinum success with both albums, selling over 21 million copies worldwide.
Nelly (Nelly) Nelly Cornell Haynes (born November 2, 1976), better known as Nelly, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career with the rap group St.lunatics in 1996 and signed a contract with Universal Records in 2000. He has released five successful solo studio albums and several mega singles.
Outkast, OutKast is a duo of American rappers Andre Benjamin (under the pseudonyms Dr? and Andr? 3000) and Antwan Patton (under the pseudonym Big Boi), who represent the Atlanta school of hip-hop, mixed with G-funk and classic southern soul. Winners of six Grammy awards, Outkast sparked a hip-hop movement southern states USA from aggressive angry shouts to melodic arrangements, carefully thought out lyrics and a general optimistic and humorous mood.
Snoop Dogg (Snoop Dogg) Snoop Dogg (real name Calvin Broadus) is an American rapper, producer and actor. Snoop is best known as an MC in the West Coast hip-hop scene and one of Dr.'s most talented protégés. Dre.
Earl Simmons (known by his stage name DMX) is a hip-hop artist born on December 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland. His father abandoned the family when Earl was young, and he was raised in a boarding school in Yonkers, New York. He spent most of his youth in prison. DMX began his career in Yonkers, where he MCed alongside his friends Lox and DJ Clue. His nickname was taken from the name of the drum machine "Oberheim DMX", which he later deciphered as "Dark Man X".
Notorious B.I.G., The Notorious B.I.G. - (May 21, 1972, Brooklyn, New York - March 9, 1997, Los Angeles, California) the most famous pseudonym of American rapper Christopher George Latore Wallace. He also performed under the pseudonyms Biggie Smalls and Frank White.
Kanye West, Kanye Omari West is an American music producer and rapper and multiple Grammy Award winner. He released his debut album, The College Dropout, in 2004, his second album, Late Registration, in 2005, his third album, Graduation, in 2007, and his fourth, 808s & Heartbreak, in 2008.
Ludacris (Ludacris), Ludacris began his music career as a DJ at a radio station in Atlanta under the name Chris Lova Lova. Thanks to his work on the radio, the famous hip-hop producer Timbaland found out about him and offered to collaborate. The first recording featuring Ludacris was the track "Phat Rabbit" from Timbaland's 1998 album Tim's Bio: Life from da Bassment. Soon after, Ludacris released his first album, Incognegro.
10 (1,070,700 subscribers)
The duo of rappers Anar Zeynalov and Timur Odilbekov was formed in 2012. The band members are originally from Azerbaijan and are known among fans as Ves and Brutto. The choice of the group’s name is connected with the place of birth, since the city of Baku is located on the Caspian coast.
The first attempts at creativity by musicians were made in the 2000s. The rappers themselves admit that this was done in a very unprofessional manner. The first recordings were made at home, and so the opportunity to learn rap in hometown If it wasn’t, the guys learned all the basics of hit-hop on their own. The guys' talent was noticed by Russian rapper Guf after filming a joint video, with which the rappers’ music career took off.
In 2015, the group’s album “Side A Side B” took tenth place among the best-selling albums in Russia. The group members also showed themselves as successful soloists, releasing their own albums “The Ves” and “The Brutto”. Decent vocals were demonstrated in joint projects with other famous rappers such as Slim, Kravets, Khatyn, Tipsy Tip.
In March 2017, the group announced the completion musical career , and in October Brutto posted a farewell video on Vkontakte.
9 (1,144,000 subscribers)
The singer is from Belarus and has professional musical education . He began to engage in modern music and try himself as a rap artist at the age of 14, serving as a member of the short-lived musical group LunClan.
The debut video “Heaven will help us” was released in 2012 and immediately became a chart leader. In November 2013, the album “Live in High” was presented. In Minsk, the rapper's concert took place at one of the most large sites country, which was attended by about 13,000 people. The RAP.RU channel placed this album in fifth position. Max Korzh is the winner of numerous prestigious music awards.
In 2014, the musician recorded his solo work “Home,” which became the third album in the singer’s career. Korzh is married and happily married, he believes family values the most important things in life. A daughter, Emilia, was born into the rapper’s family in 2012.
8 (1,253,000 subscribers)
One of the most beloved rappers among young people was born in the Smolensk region. The musician began writing his first poems after his parents’ divorce. and, according to the rapper, he was literally “sick” with the guitar. The musician tried his hand at various musical groups, even trying to organize his own group at the age of 13.
As a student, Noize MC was engaged in solo work, and later created the musical group “Protivo Gunz”. The rapper successfully participated in various hip-hop competitions, dance and music battles, often becoming a winner.
In 2007, the rapper became the winner of the seventh Hip-Hop.Ru competition, which allowed him to make a profitable deal agreement with Universal Music Group. The first debut work was the album “The Greatest Hits vol.1". In 2013, the Protivo Gunz team celebrated its anniversary with a concert - ten years of the group’s existence. Currently Noize MC is one of the highest paid musicians in Russia.
7 (2,265,000 subscribers)
Rapper's musical talent Ukrainian origin appeared already in childhood. In the ninth grade, the rapper made his debut performance in front of his classmates with a song own composition. For a long time, the musician could not choose a direction for creativity - rock or rap. The musician's popularity was facilitated by the hip-hop parties he held.
The performer is talented not only in music, he is the champion of Ukraine and European medalist in kickboxing. The singer is known as the founder of the non-profit project ““ Sports school martial arts."
The track “Dirty Sluts” by Dzhigan, Bogdan Titomir and Timati has a huge rating on the Internet. In 2009, the singer became the leader in sales on digital platforms. The rapper’s joint videos with singers Anna Sedakova, Yulia Savicheva, Zhanna Friske, and MakSim are extremely popular. In 2015 According to Muz-TV, the singer was recognized best performer of the year. Dzhigan is the owner prestigious awards- “Song of the Year”, “Golden Gramophone”.
6 Guf (2,270,000 subscribers)
The musician’s parents moved from Moscow to China in the 90s, so he for a long time lived in this country. The singer received two higher educations - linguistic and economic.
At the age of 19, the musician recorded his first track, after which he musical creativity the singer had a significant break. According to the rapper, during this period of his life he had serious problems with drugs, and it was music that helped him get rid of his addiction, but not for long.
In 2000, Guf made his debut as a member of the Rolexx group. Since that time, the musician’s popularity has been growing, and he signs discs as Guf aka Rolexx. The turning point in the rapper’s career was 2006, when the song “Gossip” was played on almost all radios and discos.
Guf performed as a member of the group “Centr”, tried himself as a solo artist, and participated in joint projects with such rappers as Noggano, Smokey Mo, Dzhigan.
5 (2,758,000 subscribers)
Musician Jewish origin was born in Russia, and in childhood emigrated with his parents to Germany. Problems with knowledge of German and difficult relationships with classmates became the impetus to the beginning of musical creativity.
In 2008, the singer under the pseudonym Oxxxymiron began posting videos with his own participation online, which brought him numerous views and first popularity. The rapper became famous for his original metaphors and rhymes, large vocabulary, and the presence of profanity.
In 2009, he took part in the HipHop.ru competition, where his tracks were recognized as the best, which caused indignation from fans of the rapper Chest. For a long time, Oxxxymiron toured the CIS countries with rapper Shok, but due to the scandal, the relationship was severed.
In 2016, the musician conducted the Takeover tour and Back to Europe Tour, which brought him enormous popularity. The recording of three was considered successful musical compositions with rapper Porchy. Videos of battles on the Internet with the participation of Oxxxymiron are now gaining millions of views.
4L"One (3,121,000 subscribers)
As a child, L'One was actively involved in sports, playing on the basketball team. His sports career was cut short due to a knee injury. According to the artist Georgian origin, the singer showed interest in modern rap already in childhood.
By the age of 20, the rapper managed to participate in KVN, was a TV presenter, and a screenwriter. This seemed not enough to him, and he decided to move to Moscow and try his hand there. Together with friend L"One organized the musical group “Marselle” and entered into a lucrative contract with the German label “Phlatline” in 2007.
The performers gained popularity after participating in the battle “Battle for Respect”. In 2008, the album “Mars” was released, and its single “Moscow” held the leading position on the charts for several weeks.
In 2011, L "One issued a statement about the breakup of the musical group due to differences in creativity. In the same year, the rapper signed a contract with the company "BlackStar", and his single “Everyone is dancing with their elbows” became a hit of the year. Today L'One makes joint projects with Timati and Dzhigan, and in his latest clips stars such celebrities as Revva, Martirosyan, Bondarchuk.
3 (3,773,000 subscribers)
The artist developed a passion for hip-hop at the age of 15 after moving to Moscow. While dancing, according to the rapper, he had a great desire to move to the rhythm of the music and put his own recitative on top of it. The desire to develop as a rapper did not stop him graduate from school with a gold medal, receive higher education majoring in economics-manager and completing graduate school.
The first tracks were written for fun. In 2007, the rapper made his first professional recordings in the GLSS studio. The rapper became famous in 2009 after participating in the “Battle for Respect” program. 2,000 participants took part in the competition, and the singer was among the top 40. A huge number of fans were conquered with the release of the album “Remote”, the tracks of which were distinguished by harmony and calm. The released track “To the Shores” not only occupied long time first positions among the clips, you can hear it when watching documentary film « Fair game: hitchhiking".
2 (3,987,000 subscribers)
One of the most diverse personalities in show business in terms of interests. Basta successfully realized himself as a musician and performer various directions music, TV and radio presenter, actor, script writer, director, successful businessman and co-owner of the Gazgolder label.
The first hit “My Game” was written at the age of 18, which the rapper still considers to this day the most important stage of his creativity. The turning point for the artist’s career was 2007, when the second album “Basta 2” and a number of video works were released. The record circulation of 50 thousand was sold among fans in three months.
Today, the rapper has experience participating in six films, continues to work as a rap artist, and writes scripts for films. Released in April 2017 new clip rapper "Sansara", dedicated to family values (be sure to watch and listen to it at the end of this rating). Famous rock musicians took part in the video and used real childhood photographs of the rapper and his friends.
1 (11,885,000 subscribers)
Timati received recognition after fourth season“Star Factory”, where he performed as a member of the “Banda” group. Since 2006, the singer has realized himself as solo artist and became the founder of the production center “Black Star Inc”. Today the name Timati is associated with not only music, but the singer’s designer clothes, the Black Star Burger fast food chain, the Russian film “Heat”, “Odnoklassniki: Bring Your Luck” and even the cartoon “Seize the Day”.
There are many scandals and reproaches from other musicians around the name Timati. The performer is accused of borrowing music from Western colleagues, accusing the singer of plagiarism. Despite such accusations, the singer’s albums break all expected records and not only in Russia. For example, The composition “Welcome to Saint-Tropez” displaced the legendary Lady Gaga from the first position in international iTunes.
Today Timati continues his career as a rap artist and provides assistance to young talents. In March 2017, the singer made a statement about his desire to create his own football team.
