Top 10 Rappers of the New Millennium Part II: 1-5

Trying to identify the top rappers in Hip Hop is difficult when taking its entire history into consideration. To make matters a bit easier, we have compiled a list of the top 10 rappers of the new millineum. We have already identified numbers 6-10, so now it's time to identify the top 5 rappers of the new millineum.

5. Lil Wayne

Now I'm sure that many may disagree with Lil Wayne not being in the top 3, but the truth is that Lil Wayne has only been as hot as he is now, for a solid 2 years or so. He came into the game before the new millineum, as a member of the Hot Boyz and seemed to be an average rapper at best. When he released Tha Carter in 2004, we began to see his excellence grow as an artist. From that point forward, it seems like Wayne has gotten better with every album and mixtape that he has come out with. Today he is the hottest rapper in the game and had the best selling album in 2008. Lil Wayne is only an album or two away from being the best rapper of the new millineum.

4. T.I.

Every one of T.I.'s albums has sold over one million copies. That is a very impressive accomplishment for a music artist let alone a rap artist. T.I. is one of the few artists in Hip Hop that can make music about his own life and it be interesting. His legal troubles are a testament to the authenticity of his lyrics. On his most recent album release, T.I. showcased his supreme lyrical talent, and once again placed himself above 96% of all active rap artists in the game today. Anyone who doubts this man's skills as an artist, needs to hear "Swagga Like Us," a song featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne.

3. Ludacris

Ludacris' style is like no others. He is a lyrical monster and knows how to keep his listeners entertained. He came into the game as an MC, a comedian, a playboy, a rocker, and a street dude, all rolled into one artist. Ludacris has to be the most underrated rap artist in history. He definitely doesn't get the credit he deserves as an artist. The various weapons he has in his lyrical arsenal makes it easy for Ludacris to collaborate with rappers of all styles and walks of life. On the other hand, not all artists can collaborate with Ludacris due to the fact that his skills can easily overshadow theirs.

2. Kanye West

What is so special about Kanye West is his willingness to cover song topics that other rappers think are a waste of time, because it doesn't boost their thug images. Because of it, Kanye has a style of his own! He isn't considered a concious rapper or a street rapper, but somewhere in between, which is the best possible place a rap artist could be. Kanye makes music that his fans can feel inside. He creates music with a purpose, not just for people to bob their heads to. His lyrics are original, which can't be said about most rappers nowadays, and he rhymes with a swagger that is in a class of it's own. Even people who don't like Kanye West can't deny that he is a beast in Hip Hop right now. Not to mention that he is also one of the best producers in Hip Hop.

1. Eminem

Even though many Hip Hop heads don't want to admit it, Eminem is unquestionably the best rapper of the new millineum. Lyrically this guys is on another planet. He, like many others, doesn't get the credit he deserves. This is mostly due to the fact that he raps in an aggressive manner, yet he isn't a gangster, nor does he try to be. A lot of white rappers have failed because they were seen as white, trying to act black, and Eminem has never been that. He has always stayed true to who he is, and that has brought him tremendous success. Eminem's first two albums went diamond! What rapper has been able to do that?