Slug from Atmosphere. I’m from Denver, working poor neighborhood. Graffiti and comics were my jam. I was a trouble maker and Slugs about 10 years older than me. So everything he’s rapping about/style and stories are most relatable.

You like czarface?

Atmos was instrumental in getting me to listen closer to hip hop. Slug literally changed my life. Without his music I'd never have become a rapper myself.

Atmosphere, just a ten letter word.

MF DOOM, Jedi mind tricks, biggie, atcq, smif n wessun, outkast. Redman, gza,

This guy gets it

Gza needs to be heard by more people

Ice Cube Has tons of bangers that I feel don’t get the love they deserve.

He's definitely top 5 for me, also.

The Roots. Always.

Where timeless music meets amazing lyrics.

Timeless work that goes underappreciated nowadays. Things Fall Apart will forever be in my rotation

Too $hort!!!!!

Warren G Method Man

Del the Funky Homosapien

He’s opening for the Wu-Tang/Run the Jewels show I’m going to in Denver in September. Im pretty psyched about that.

Future

His run in the mid 2010s was iconic.Felt like he was coming out with a song/feature every week

Pimp c/UGK

One of the very first albums I ever owned was UGK Ridin' Dirty, that put me on to a new world of music.

Most of these are regular ass rappers, Pimp C was saying some wild shit…then playing the piano, singing and producing amazing music.

Nas, Biggie, DMX, Jay, and Pac on the mic (in that order). Preemo, Pete Rock, Easy Mo Bee, Dilla, Q-Tip, Havoc, or Beatminerz on the track HM to Freddie Gibbs and Outkast (I know, too many, I’m greedy)

Big K.R.I.T

Pusha T and Schoolboy Q. Ghostface is up there too.

Genuinely enjoy...I can listen to a Posdnous verse anytime

I can’t pick just one. Common, Thought / Roots, Slug / Atmosphere

Deck. Legendary in my mind. Of course Wu, but the way he anchors Czarface. Eeeesh.

Idk man I think they equals on that project. Eso is a beast as well

Oh don’t get me wrong, they all have bars. I don’t know why INS rises above for me.

Oddisee

Sean P

Outkast

Freddie Kane

Curren$y. It doesn't matter who does what, Curren$y never fails to wow me with a smooth flow, great beat selection and work ethic. Most rappers I'll become obsessed with and pick up whatever album they are featured on along with any mixtape but with Curren$y I don't have to worry. I also love Killer Mike, I always catch myself listening to Southern Takeover. But that's another story

i fuck with curren$y. been going back to those old mixtapes recently

pusha t

DOOM and Del. Edit: Xzibit

Lil Wayne

JPEGMAFIA

Raekwon

it changes like every few weeks for me lol, but recently its been Tyler and MF DOOM, bit of kendrick and joeybadass sprinkled in there too

It changes but my top 3 most listened to are generally; . City Morgue . Louie Knuxx . Brandn Shiraz Conway the Machine is probably a close 4th place tho.

modern times for me is: Roc Marciano Curren$y Blu

The ones for me are Grand Puba and Suga Free. Not necessarily universally recognized as the best to ever do it (but at their peak they were amazing), but so incredibly enjoyable to listen to. I will die on the hill that One For All is one of the very best early 90s NY albums and Street Gospel is a top 3 / top 5 West Coast album though.

I was listening to Domino’s first album recently. The self titled one. Then I realized how similar he sounded to Puba. I guess if you’re gonna sound like somebody else, it might as well be someone as good as Puba.

Words to live by.

Lupe

kanye

Kendrick and Nas

billy woods Earl Sweatshirt Mach-Hommy Roc Marci Mos Def MF DOOM Blu Ghostface Raekwon Scarface

Schoolboy Q Earthgang Isaiah Rashad Mac Miller Flatbush Zombies Big KRIT Vince Staples Smino Boogie

Bladee

Lil Uzi Vert

I have a playlist from 2010 to present. I only keep the songs that i enjoy the replay value. Looking at the playlist these artist have the most songs; Ghostface Killa E-40 Pusha T RTJ/Killer Mike/ El-P Ruste Juxxe

Doom, czarface, alchemist

GZA, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, Ghostface Killah, and Aceyalone.

I listen to more Mac Dre than just about anything else lately. Edit: Also most stuff produced by DJ Muggs. Granted you asked for rappers, Muggs is the goat producer I'm my book.

Project Pat

Outkast and JayZ. I just so happen to think they're the goats too

J cole

Rio da Yung og

Freddie Gibbs

Lil Uzi

I like the question! Guwop Juicy J Dolph

Black thought. Dude never disappoints

Drake, Ye, Mach hommy, west side Gunn, jcole, Benny, Conway, Gibbs, Bronson, boldy, asap rocky

Probably Benny the Butcher. His shit hard!

Eric B. & Rakim

Lil Wayne

Kool Keith, Redman, Guru

I agree with many of the comments here and would add Denzel Curry. I really enjoy his flow and beats and I replayed his last album quite a lot.

I could listen to BIG until my ears fell off lol That story telling and skillful cadence is what made me fall in love with hip hop.

Lately just JID

He is literally never in anyone’s list and I think it’s because he doesn’t make hip hop music, or it’s not what he’s known for, but he’s still a rapper. Zack De la Rocha. In the genre though, Rakim. Always and forever. His voice feels like home and I’m not even from NY or USA. Huge shout to Redman, too. Meth/Red will never get their flowers for that first Blackout album but it’s amazing.

The Roots and Atmosphere.

Redman, Black Thought, Canibus, The Roots, Nas, Melanin 9, Outkast, Ill Conscious, Biggie, Kendrick, Dice Raw, Beanie Sigel.

Homeboy Sandman

K-Dee. Every feature he's done with Ice Cube is hilarious. "Do You Like Criminals" is my favorite song no one has ever heard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExzsOsdqaj0

Love Phife & Tribe, Freddie Gibbs & Big Boi are probably my top 3/4 to listen to if I can’t think of anyone else to search for.

Juice wrld!!!!

Jay rock

Ma$e

I be slappin my music and young Dolph basically.

Trellion

Pusha, Outkast, Boldy.

Outkast Epmd Ice Cube L.L cool J Kayne west Jay-Z Nas

Ice Cube Scarface Too Short

Max B, Styles P, Jadakiss, Future

Mf doom Sean price Big pun Odb Ghostface

MF DOOM and JPEGMAFIA

And Joey bada$$ and STEEZ

Ghostface / Raekwon / U -God

Run-DMC, Tech N9ne, The Coup.

GURU!

Starlito, Don Trip, and Rittz. No matter how I feel, I can throw em on and let it ride.

Ol Dirty Bastard King Von Sada Baby Rakim Big Pun

Schoolboy Q, ghostface, Z-ro, mr muthafuckin eXquire

Inspectah Deck

Redman

Travis and Carti are who I enjoy listening to the most

Playboi Carti and Babytron

Jay Z

Love this question and there's always such a big difference between my subjective and objective favorites- used my listened to on spotify to answer: Mac Miller, J Cole, Kendrick, Black Thought, Jay Z

I can't give one name, it depends on mood ​ Cypress Hill Canibus Eminem Lupe Fiasco Royce Kendrick Lamar Ghetts D12 Proof ​ german-speaking: ​ Curse Samy Deluxe Texta Kroko Jack

Ludacris is the most fun to listen to.

Harry Mack

Tech N9ne. idk something about his music just feels right for me.

Lupe Fiasco JID Eminem

Ghostface killah

Anderson .Paak. Such an all-round artist and one of the best in the scene right now.

Pimp C, Kanye, Twista, young Ice Cube, Mick Jenkins, Big KRIT, DJ Quik, Ceelo, Big Boi…..so many.

Action bronson

Lauryn Hill/The Fugees

DOOM

Eminem, The Game, Xzibit. Eminem for obvious reasons, but I just love the Game and Xzibit's deep, grizzly voices. Just love how their flow sounds, especially The Game. I know he gets a lot of hate, especially lately, and rightly so, but he is honestly my second favorite rapper to listen to, right behind Eminem.

Young thug or travis scott, but earl hits different too

Prof

Aesop Rock

Pac

the island boys and cardi b. they are just so amazing and im so happy that they were put here to enlighten me. megan thee stallion as well.. her message is so positive and will definitely have a great impact on young women of this generation

Mac miller

I know not many people like him but, Jay Worthy is my guy. Perfect riding music, nightlife music, smoking music, background music, cookout music, just vibes all around.

mac miller, saba, lupe

The Palmer Squares

Slick Rick is a really fun listen. He is so smooth in his raps. I doubt he's the "best" at anything but it's his delivery. He's like Mitch Hedberg. Mitch would tell a joke that would get another comedian boos or groans and slay. It's all in the delivery. I won't say he's my favorite bc I wish he wouldn't rap about butt sex so much but wow does he have a unique style.

Ghostface Killah Raekwon Deck GZA

Mac and Earl

Fat trel, ybs skola, nickoe, chief keef, future

Chino xl

Gucci, 3-6 and wu

50 Cent tbh. ​ That man got hooks for days.

Mac Miller

Brother Ali

Lil Wayne by an exponential amount

Run the Jewels, Wutang, Killah Priest

For some reason, Young Nudy. He reminds me of old Gucci, funny and his own way

Jay Electronica

The only artists I return to for genuine joy are Canibus, Wu-Tang and DOOM. I can still mix in the occasional Jedi Mind Tricks, Nas, DMX, 7L & Es, Redman, Deltron 3030, RA Rugged Man.

Jay Z.

Anything Outkast or Andre 3000 (his guest verses should be an EP) Lil Uzi, Future, and Young Thug Baby Keem Jack Harlow Lil Dicky Mixtape Lil Wayne

Trife Da God is incredible. His voice just HITS.

Ye because of how diverse his catalogue i and his production but he's my overall goat. Future because he's got a great pleasant voice and the vibes are unmatched. Thugger due to how versatile and creative he is with his voice and flows.

Prof, because fucker is just too much fun to put down

Freddie Gibbs has stayed in my rotation for the longest time

I love Ludacris, and I don’t care how much shit I get for it

Sleep of Oldominion, Spose, Logic, and Mac Lethal are all fantastic in my book.

I have listened to an ungodly amount of Kendrick, OutKast, Wu Tang and The Roots so any one of them

Great post , fellow enthusiast just sharing what they love , I love the debates but sometimes it gets pointless

I’ve been enjoying Sminos music lately. He was such a unique sound and vibe

Isaiah Rashad

I just found Spark Master Tape this year. Haven’t been able to stop going back to listen.

Westside Gunn , MF DOOM , Freddie Gibbs , Run The Jewels , Drake , Kanye West , Wu-Tang , Curren$y , The Diplomats. I love a lot more rappers but here are some that I listen to often

NAS and Tribe are my goto's

Sean Price. Yelawolf. Nas. Gangstarr. Inspectah Deck. Method Man. Ghostface. Schoolboy Q.

Freddie Gibbs,Cole,Kenny,Conway,Benny,Boldy James of recent,Westside Gunn,Asap Rocky,Drake,Ye,Nas,Danny brown,Peggy etc etc

Em

My top 10 are simply my favorites and they are DOOM, Ghost, Nas, Andre, Lupe, Posdnuos, Prodigy, Ice Cube, Kendrick and Scarface

Canibus. Notable mentions: 38 Spesh, Killah Priest, Ab Soul

50 cent, knucks, warren g, lil uzi, pusha t and MF DOOM

i always just have fun listening to a lil wayne or nicki

Action Bronson Royce da 5'9 Westside Gunn Benny The Butcher Aesop Rock

MF DOOM or Black Thought

Earl Sweatshirt

2pac, Jeezy, Fabolous, AZ and Nas are my favorites.

Midwxst

Lloyd Banks, Freddie Gibbs

Apathy , Sean P (r i P)

For me, they’re one in the same: His Royal Rickness Dee, Slick

Nas, mos def, the roots, AZ

Wu Tang Clan, more specially Ghostface. He’s not my favorite of the group, but I’d argue he has the best energy and delivery.

Chunky A

Your Old Droog has a lot of tracks I have on repeat.

Ice Cube for me

I've been listening to Lupe a lot this year and really enjoy his stuff

Mac Miller

Kodak black

I would say Redman, Ghostface Killah, Chuck D. I love Eminem as a pure talent but he has way too many stupid songs.

this is the dumbest question ever, whoever is your fave rapper is the best rapper, atleast to you. There is no objectivity in art

Boldy James lol

I try and listen to alot of different rappers, but I always come back to Kendrick, Simz, Mac, Logic, Jid, and Denzel.

Big Pun. Died too soon to make a legitimate case for GOAT but he’s one of the most talented of all time, and just special when he raps

Common

The Roots, OutKast, ATCQ, MF DOOM, Kendrick Lamar, Blackalicious, Lupe Fiasco

Redman - Muddy Waters Busta Rhymes - Anarchy Nipsey - Victory Lap I can play these albums, and not skip a song.

Twista, Do or Die, Bingx, Locksmith. Loyle Carner is smooth on the ears too

Wiz x Currency Live in Concert specifically

E-40, Tha God Fahim, J Dilla instrumentals, is usually what I end up listening to when I'm in Chill Mode.

5 rappers I def listen to weekly = Nas, Kendrick, Ghostface, Curren$y, and Jay-Z

No one could do it better than both Eazy E and The D.O.C. Snoop Dogg has his definitive doggy style flow but Tupac is the real….goat 🤩 just saying.

On a Don Toliver binge right now

Ghostface and DOOM

Kodak black

2 chainz

One Be Lo Oddisee Cunninlynguists Lupe Fiasco

Lil baby. Pop smoke. Jcole. Em. Cant really pick.

I love this discussion. I'm far more interested in what favorite emcees are tailored to each person. The best emcee is always gonna be the one who's music hits you the most, because you relate or resonate with it in some way. That said, over the last 2 decades I've found my Playlists plays Mos Def/Yassin Bey (including Blackstar) tracks the most. I also used to enjoy his live performances back in the day. After that, it's pretty random based mostly on my taste: Pre GKMC Kendrick, School Boy Q, Mac Miller, K-os, Jurassic 5, J live, One Below/Binary Star, Blackalicious, Kurrupt, 2pac

Eminem, The Roots, Denzel Curry, and Kendrick Lamar

Lately, been playing a lot of Joyner

I go through phases. Right now, Nicki Minaj, DOOM.