Update: Dive into the best new hip hop with our list of 2020's top rap songs.
A list of the best rap lyricists of all time. Since hip hop and rap music became popular at the beginning of the 1980s, many fans of the genre have focused on the message described in each rapper's lyrics. A form of street poetry, rap lyrics focus on many different things, dependent on who is speaking of the harsh realities of the streets. Others, contrarily, rap about the glamorous life and what it's like to live large. Sometimes, lyrical rappers fluctuate between both of these extremes.
The best lyrical rappers are universally respected by both their peers and fans for the honesty and the way they use their words in a creative fashion. Some of the most respected wordsmiths came from the golden age of hip hop. Here, you had groups like Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, N.W.A. and Black Star and individual rappers like KRS-One and Nas who are universally known as the best lyricists of all time. On the other side of the coin, you have two of the greatest rappers of all time, Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., who connected with millions of hip hop fans due to their strong lyrics that touch on the harsh realities of urban culture. A rapper who has switched from rapping about his rough upbringing to glitz and glamour is Jay Z. His debut album was universally praised for talking about life in Brooklyn during his youth, and his recent album was panned for praising brands like Tom Ford and excess.
This list includes many of greatest rappers of all time, who are also among the genre's most popular as well. The one thing these rappers have in common is their lyrics are considered some of the best in the history of hip hop music. These top lyricists are the greatest of all time, and it's up to you to decide who is the best lyricist in rap music. Cast your votes below.
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14,5445,680Nas
Illmatic, Life Is GoodGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, East Coast hip hop
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, better known as Nas, is an American rapper, songwriter, record... more
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19,8797,805Eminem
The Marshall Mathers LP, The Slim Shady LPGenres (Music): Hip hop
Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem (; often... more3
8,1773,158Rakim
The 18th Letter, The Archive: LiveGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop
William Michael Griffin Jr. (born January 28, 1968), better known by his stage name Rakim, is... more4
12,5004,932Kendrick Lamar
good kid, m.A.A.d cityGenres (Music): Hip hop
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper, songwriter, and record... more5
7,9053,052André 3000
Royal Flush, Class of 3000: Music Volume OneGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, Rock music, Electronic music, Rhythm and blues
André Lauren Benjamin (born May 27, 1975), better known by his stage name André 3000 (formerly... more6
11,7804,600The Notorious B.I.G.
Ready to Die, Life After DeathGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap, Mafioso rap
Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), known professionally as The... more7
5,5431,462Wu-Tang Clan
Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, Wu-Tang ForeverGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap, Mafioso rap
Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in the New York City borough of Staten Island... more8
14,1865,569Tupac Shakur
All Eyez on Me, Me Against the WorldGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Political hip hop, Gangsta rap, West Coast hip hop
Tupac Amaru Shakur ( TOO-pahk shə-KOOR; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September... more9
2,939966MF Doom
Vaudeville Villain, Operation: DoomsdayGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Avanthop, Underground hip hop
Daniel Dumile (born 1971), better known by his stage name MF Doom (stylized in all caps), is a... more10
3,018779Outkast
Stankonia, AqueminiGenres (Music): Alternative hip hop, Dance-pop, Jazz, Electronica, Southern hip hop
Outkast (stylized as OutKast) is an American hip hop duo formed in 1992 in East Point,... more11
8,0363,147J. Cole
Born Sinner, The Warm UpGenres (Music): Hip hop
Jermaine Lamarr Cole (born January 28, 1985) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and... more12
3,2011,314Ghostface Killah
Ironman, Supreme ClienteleGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap, Contemporary R&B
Dennis Coles (born May 9, 1970), better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an... more13
4,3261,862Method Man
Tical, 4:21... The Day AfterGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop
Clifford M. Smith Jr. (born March 2, 1971), better known by his stage name Method Man, is an... more14
2,5781,011N.W.A
Straight Outta Compton, Niggaz4LifeGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Political hip hop, Gangsta rap, G-funk, West Coast hip hop
N.W.A (an abbreviation for Niggaz Wit Attitudes) was an American hip hop group from Compton,... more15
2,234974Black Thought
Book of JudgesGenres (Music): Hip hop music
Tariq Luqmaan Trotter (born October 3, 1971), better known as Black Thought, is an American... more![Busta Rhymes]()
163,3081,470Busta Rhymes
When Disaster Strikes…, The Big BangGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Ragga, Dancehall, Hardcore hip hop, Pop music
Trevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), known professionally as Busta Rhymes, is an... more17
2,7641,106A Tribe Called Quest
The Low End Theory, Midnight MaraudersGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Jazz rap, Alternative hip hop, Rhythm and blues, Alternative rock
A Tribe Called Quest was an American hip hop collective formed in 1985 and originally composed... more18
4,8302,355Big L
The Big Picture, Lifestylez ov da Poor & DangerousGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Horrorcore, Hardcore hip hop, Gangsta rap, Underground hip hop
Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), known professionally as Big L, was an... more19
2,4041,078Raekwon
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Instrumentals, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. IIGenres (Music): Hip hop music, East Coast hip hop, Mafioso rap
Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), better known by his stage name Raekwon () , is an... more20
3,3971,628Royce Da 5'9
Rock City, Street HopGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, Midwest hip hop, Detroit hip hop
Ryan Daniel Montgomery (born July 5, 1977), better known by his stage name Royce da 5'9", is... more21
2,2011,018GZA
Liquid Swords, GrandmastersGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop
Gary E. Grice (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage names GZA ( JIZ-ə) and The... more22
2,6381,285Redman
Muddy Waters, Whut? Thee AlbumGenres (Music): Hip hop music
Reginald Noble (born April 17, 1970), better known by his stage name Redman, is an American... more23
6,7193,306Ice Cube
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, The PredatorGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, Political hip hop, Hardcore hip hop, Gangsta rap
O'Shea Jackson (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper,... more24
4,7292,331Mos Def
Black on Both Sides, True MagicGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, Rock music, East Coast hip hop, Conscious hip hop
Yasiin Bey (; born Dante Terrell Smith; December 11, 1973), better known by his stage name Mos... more25
1,899877Big Daddy Kane
Long Live the Kane, It's a Big Daddy ThingGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop
Antonio Hardy (born September 10, 1968), better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is a... more
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