The Best Mainstream Rappers

For the better part of the 21st century, mainstream rap music has dominated the airwaves. Wherever you'd go, it's likely that this version of radio friendly hip hop would be blaring on speakers in your supermarket, hair stylist's shop or even your doctor's office. Mainstream hip hop is almost unavoidable, and that's not the worst thing in the world. All of the best top-40 rappers have achieved some type of underground success before their ascent to the pop rap world. Many of these rappers have become entrenched in the minds of casual fans of the genre, cementing their status as pop rappers. Of course, that's what happens when your song is known in urban centers and by suburban teenagers.

So, that said, who are the best mainstream rappers? The artists on this list must have some type of success on top-40 radio, or else there's no point for them to be on this list. The best pop rappers should have at least a few hits to their name. Some of the best top-40 rappers include Nelly, the Black Eyed Peas, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. There will naturally be mainstream pop rappers who people despise. That comes with the territory, as Iggy Azaela can attest in her controversial 2014. She shot to the top of the charts, but her presence was the subject of scorn from many underground rappers and other mainstream rappers.

All things considered, it's up to you to determine who can truly be considered the best pop rappers. While pop rap has become more popular and prominent, there isn't a definitive answer to who is really the best radio rapper. This list answers the questions "who are the best pop rap bands of all time?" and "who is the greatest pop rap musician ever?" If you know enough about the genre, please vote based on the quality of the band's music instead of just voting for the most popular pop rap bands that you might've heard of.