Top 10 Rap/Hip Hop Artists of the Decade

The Criteria:
The past 10 years have proven to be a time of change for the Rap industry. Gone are the days of Biggie Smalls, the Wutang Clan and 2pac. Hello to the age that has been defined by the rappers that will be featured on this list(Especially #1). A rapper's style won't be important. Lil Wayne's muddled, hypnotic verses will be judged the same as Jay Z's crisp, creative lines. A rapper's creativity, musical fluidity, smooth lines, and consistent delivery will earn them a high ranking, but if you can't hack it with the big dogs you won't get a chance to be featured on this list. Local stars won't be here.

Number 10: Soulja Boi
A recent hit can quickly make a rapper's name known, but Soulja Boi has delivered with three hits! A boy from Mississippi got a little bit of fame with a clever dance, but then delivered another hit without even trying. He has had very little time to bust onto the scene, but he has made a big contribution in the last year to Rap, and we want to hear more from this young gun.

Number 9: The Game
The big man from the West has expanded his reputation with multiple albums being released all over the States. His distinct street style is related to but not similar to the grunge rap that is heard today. His clever beats and hypnotic style have captured the west coast, and in coming years his influence may spread to the East, but until then he only earns a number 9 spot on the list.

Number 8: 50 Cent(G-Unit)
The original bad boy. Recently he has fallen on hard times, but we all remember the days when Stunt 101 was the greatest song out there. His thug style made the girls melt and the guys look up to him. Sadly, this has all changed in recent years... Can he make a come back?

Number 7: Usher
Usher brought club style rap into the main stream of recreational music listening. His contribution changed the industry in so many ways.

Number 6: Lil Jon
Okay! Let's Go! These popular phrases were once yelled by Lil Jon... But recently he too has fallen on hard times, but his influence can't be ignored! His outrageous voice and screaming added to his notoriety. His style also made him a huge star. Overall, he is not the most talented on the list, but he has done the most with the least.

Number 5: TI
TI has become the go to man for every female singer. His dedication to music and knack for live performances have done a great deal to his popularity. Ti is able to keep up with every female singer he has ever performed with, and he out shined Lil Wayne when he opened for him on tour several years ago. TI used to have a feud with Ludacris, but TI matured and since then his career has been going no where but up.

Number 4: Ludacris
He has expanded his empire beyond Rap... And into Thai food? Yes sir! Luda has opened up a restaurant in downtown Atlanta that shows that the rap scene isn't big enough for this super star. Luda is an educated man with a Bachelor's from UGA in musical composition and he has enough awards to back up getting a degree. Luda invented a style of "silly" rap that has dominated main stream music for the past 10 years. His rhymes are clever and based on outside cultural influences. His albums show that he doesn't follow traditional hardcore rap themes that have lured many other rappers into the business.

Number 3: Kanye West
Kanye may be the most musically talented rapper. His rhymes don't follow a formula. His tracks don't fit into a genre of rap. Instead, Kanye invents his own style. He is a canvas that is painted by the events that shape the world, and his work promotes this idea of being enriched by one's environment. Despite being a little arrogant, Kanye has become a star with his outrageous music videos and pioneering style.

Number 2: Lil Wayne
Mr. Carter or Weezy or Dwayne... Whatever you say, he's here to stay. His voice is almost alien. His swag is almost foreign. His language is repulsive. His raps are diabolical. Lil Wayne has revolutionized what Rap can be. His rhymes are a linguistic acid trip, and they don't make much sense at times, but the hypnotic clever blend that Weezy rolls is nothing but pure delight. The cultural influences that Lil Wayne draws from makes him especially popular with teenagers and young adults. Weezy seems to feed off of drugs and still maintains a very close connection with drug dealers in and around Miami(Arrested recently for pot possession in TX). If Weezy ever becomes clean, he might get removed from the list... But until then... This is planet Weezy.

Number 1: Jay Z
With his recent album, Blueprint 3, Jay Z has firmly reminds the public what we should have been saying the whole time: Jay Z runs this rap game. His style is evolving as evident by his new work featuring female singers in differing roles. Jay Z has never been one for failure, and the struggle of growing up in the Brooklyn projects continues to provide motivation to over achieve and he delivers time after time. He tells the story of growing to be successful in his songs time after time, but the message is constantly reinvented each time. Part thug, part businessman, all player, all real 100% Brooklyn thug every day. Jay Z has become the image of success in the Hip-Hop scene.