Hip Hop's Top Ten MCs

I'm probably ranking him too high, but I was watching Dave Chappelle's Block Party for the millionth time, and Kane drops his verse in "Boom!" with such ease, style and dexterity. I know it was only one verse, but seriously: he was the best MC on the stage that night. And this is 18 years after he first hit the scene! Kane's rhymes are clever and his flow is smooth, and just think about the first time you heard the first verse of "Ain't No Half Steppin." Or even better, "Warm it Up Kane." Then he hooked up with Madonna and it all went horribly wrong.

9. Black Thought,Common,Most Def, Talib Kweli

I considered of each of them separately, but it feels right to put them in together. Must be that dayum Block Party again.... their whole vibe is like a movement, more about the collective than the individual. Rhyming skills, creativity, innovation, consciousness...it's all there.

8. DJ Run

How can the most influential hip hop group of all time not be represented in the top ten? Run, at his time, had the nicest flow probably until LL and Rakim came around. Name a better MC from 1980 to 1986. His rhymes are always creative and intelligent. Not to mention they crossed over, got a huge marketing deal with Adidas, made movies and paved the way for every other hip hop artist to follow. And who doesn't know all the words to Sucker MCs?

7. Chuck D

He was a powerful voice in Hip Hop, projecting an image of strength, defiance and consciousness that still resonates in the youth from that generation. Chuck D didn't just drop bombs. It was a barrage of knowledge that made you dizzy. PE was militant, politically aware, sold millions of records and dropped two of the greatest albums of the era. Hardcore PE fans will also remember My Uzi Weighs a Ton from the Yo! Bum Rush the Show album.

6. LL Cool J

LL created buzz right away with his cameo in Krush Groove, and "Radio" more than delivered. Since then he's sold tens of millions of records, was unmatched as a battle rapper, done movies, television, books, videos, whatever. The guy has turned hip hop into an enterprise. And best of all, he's grown up. Honoring the last wishes of his grandmother, his songs no longer contain profanity.

5. Notorious BIG

I wish he had more time.

4. Jay-Z

Are you kidding me? The guy is living the American Dream. Seriously. He came from the projects and is now a business mogul engaged in major projects all over the world. He has the hottest girl in show business. And oh yeah, he's dropped a few classics. His track record is steady

3. Nas

Nas is the John Coltrane of hip hop. You just can't imitate what he does. You don't just hear his lyrics, you feel them. Nas songs are the ones that you never get to the end to because you keep rewinding. His rhymes are mesmerizing. He's a gifted MC, and there's still a chance for him to climb this list.

2. Rakim

Rakim raised the bar in terms of what was expected of an MC. He was almost like a Nas of his era. When Paid In Full dropped, it instantly became new standard for hip hop. He effortlessly dropped polysyllabic rhymes like no one ever heard. Which brings me to my next question: What ever happened to Eric B?

1. KRS One

Listen to his rhymes. He's been doing this for over 20 years. Listen to his rhymes. He won't get any airplay, but listen to his rhymes. Great battle rapper...and did I mention his rhymes? Militant, conscious, spiritual, battle tested, commercial success, street cred, educational and timeless. Still Number One!

But What About...

I know there were some misses. My regrets to Tupac,Method Man (or the whole Wu), Snoop, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Scarface,Outkast and Slick Rick and anyone else I may have missed. Sorry! I'm sure you're on someone else's list.