The Top Ten Hip Hop Artists of All Time

It was 1979 when I first heard rap music. I was hanging out with my childhood crew at the Horace Mann playground, located in Schenectady, New York. As we were tossing around a nerf football, an older teen-age young man happened upon our group with a "boom-box" in tow. I immediately recognized the music that was pulsating from his radio as the tune "Good Times" by the popular R & B artist Chic.

As we listened a little closer, I was captivated not by the sound of someone singing, but by the rhythm of someone rhyming over the soundtrack. I recall asking, "Yo man, what are you listening to?" The older fella said, "This is Rapper's Delight by the Sugarhill Gang." We were hooked. This was new, we would say "fresh", unlike anything we had heard before. It was then, 31 years ago that I began my love affair with Hip Hop music. You can say we've literally gown up together.

As a life-long fan and follower of Hip Hop, I've always thought of who would be considered the greatest Hip Hop artists or groups of all-time. Using the categories of originality, influence, street-credibility, and cultural impact, I have compiled a list. As is the case with any Top Ten List, these are all debatable. That said, it could serve as a fun conversation "starter" for those, who like me, find that Hip Hop has served as the soundtrack of our lives. Well, enough said. Here is my list of the Top Ten Hip Hop Artists of All-Time.

10. Wu Tang Clan

This group gets major points for originality and street credibility. Spawned some of Hip Hops most unique artists like Method Man, ODB, and RZA. When they arrived on the scene in 1992, there was no one like them. Some of the best production and grittiest lyrics of all-time.

9. Notorious BIG/Tupac

Sold more records after death than before their timely passing. I link these two together for many reason, with the weightiest reason being the wake-up call that their murders brought to so many. They were both skilled, and Tupac was prolific and versatile. Obviously, they died too young, bringing attention to the coastal war that existed between the East and West in Hip Hop. One can say that the subsequent success of Puff Daddy/Sean Combs can also be directly linked to BIG. May they rest in peace.

8. Eminem

While much can be said about this controversial artist, one thing that we can all agree with is that the fella can rhyme. Probably the most influential white rapper to come on the scene since the legendary group 3rd Bass in the 1980's. He wrote songs about topics that were not covered by other rap artists, like fan obsession and parental drug abuse. Sold lots of records, and helped introduce 50 Cent to America.

7. NWA

Maybe the most controversial mainstream rap group of all-time. They put the West Coast on the map and spawned the like of Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and even indirectly, Snoop Dogg. The repercussions of "gansta rap" can still be felt today, and would not have been possible without the influence of this group.

6. KRS One

The consummate MC. This guy is arguably the greatest live performer in rap music history. Starting as a member of the legendary group Boogie Down Productions, this once homeless young man lost his partner and DJ Scott Larock to a violent death in 1987. After this traumatic experience, KRS One produced some of the best consciousness-rap ever, and is still producing songs at the age of 45. His "By All Means Necessary" is still one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever.

5. Kanye West

Known to occasionally lose his composure, and even once referred to as an a__ by the President of the United States after embarrassing country star Taylor Swift at an awards ceremony, there is no denying the immense talent that Mr. West has as both an artist and a producer. It is fair to say that in the current climate of unoriginal, uninspired rap music, Kanye West has delivered some of the more original and creative hip hop music of this generation. He already has a body of work that rivals most artists who've been around longer. I love his "808's and Heartbreak" album, and still consider "Jesus Walks" as a triumph for rap music.

4. LL Cool J

Most people today would consider LL Cool J as an actor first, and then a musician second. That is not the case for those of us over 30 who remember a young LL setting the trends in hip hop through songs like "My Radio", "Rock the Bells", and "I'm Bad". He hit us again in the early 1990's with his seminal album "Momma Said Knock You Out." In his prime, LL was considered one of the hottest and groundbreaking MC's around.

3. Jay-Z

It's all about the swagger and delivery with Jay Z. Listening to any of his numerous hits, you get the sense that there is an authenticity to his lyrics, like he has lived what he is rhyming about. But what I think really displays the greatness of Jay-Z is the fact that he never writes down his lyric before recording. He essentially steps into the recording booth and lets it flow. With masterpieces like, "The Black Album", that is a pretty impressive piece of information.

2. Run DMC

Let's all take a moment and pause for the "Kings of Rock". It's fair to say that were it not for these three fellas from Hollis Queens, there may not be a Hip Hop genre today. Not only were they musically prolific, but also the cultural impact by these three musicians was so substantial that it cannot be fully appreciated. From the simple fact that they looked like the "streets", integrated rock into their music, and were the first rap group featured on MTV, it is fair to say that the legendary trio of DJ Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay (deceased), will go down in music history as rap's version of The Beatles. Enough said.

1. Public Enemy

In inner cities all across the East Coast, during the Spring of 1988 when Public Enemy dropped "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back", it was as if no one else was producing Hip Hop music. This was the second album by this group from Long Island, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that it dominated the hip-hop for the next year. With lead member Chuck D flanked by right-hand man Flavor Flav and DJ Terminator X, this group revolutionized the flow, content, and texture of the rap music. "It Takes a Nation..." may be one of the greatest albums of all-time, regardless of genre. They followed up this classic with over ten more albums, making this trend-setting group my selection for the number one Hip Hop Artists of All-Time.