The Modern Top 5
I never studied sociology or anthropology because I never found it important. Therefore, I don't know why society loves to classify things and rank them. All I know is that rap aficionados and cliques love to have group chats where they go on for days about who they deem is where and what stats need to be accounted for to make an official list. This will be the list that they're willing to bank an entire decade or time period on, and some rappers may drop off or rise depending on the time. That has been a reality since before the days of Kool Moe Dee and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. The debate, at least in my opinion, is important, but there are a few things that we need to get across before I give you my top 5 rappers.
Let me begin with something that bothers a lot of people who make their list: where do people like Eminem and Kanye West go? They're legends. Rightfully so; if a rapper is in discussion for one of the best rappers of all time, they shouldn't be on this list. They're careers have gotten them into another conversation. That's why you won't see them, Jay Z or even Snoop Dogg on my list, even though they are releasing some of the best work of their careers right now. The legend debate is something that we can go through some other time.
Now is there a definitive way of ranking rappers? No. The definition of the word "rapper" has been in fluctuation so much in the past decade that we aren't even sure what it truly means anymore when you have mumble rappers and singers (Rihanna on Lemon, Chris Brown...) having their go at the genre. Now can a singer be on the list? Yes, if they are a decent rapper and have enough good material to credit their inclusion. With that being said:
5. Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper has no label, no album and no chill. He speaks openly about his faith and does it in such a technical and yet poetic way. He's garnered three Grammys, including best rap album, for his wildly successful Coloring Book. While others would put A$AP Rocky, Meek Mill or anyone else, what separates them from the Chicago native is this very simple fact: he's at their level at the age of 24. The potential is high and people are waiting for his first major album release impatiently.
4. Big Sean
Arguably the best "rapper" on this list, Big Sean has made a name for himself in the game with witty punchlines and almost iconic guest verses on pop songs such as As Long As You Love Me with Justin Bieber and Calvin Harris' Feels. His technique is never to be criticized when he is at his best. The corny lines jokes have been overdone; they need to listen to Dark Sky Paradise and listen to Detroit Vs. Everybody to truly respect Sean for the lyricist that he is.
3. J. Cole
Entering the top 3 is possibly the most underrated artist in the list. Releasing complete projects such as 4 Your Eyez Only, Born Sinner and the critically acclaimed 2014 Forest Hills Drive have made him a household name. He's shown flashes of technical prowess (American Dream, GOMD) but his socio-political tracks are the things that remind some of the older heads of the greats like Pac and Rakim. But he's made a name for himself in this art and deserves to be on this list.
2. Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar has been called the second coming of Pac and the savior of hip-hop. While I assume that he's humble enough to not believe it (see what I did there), the numbers and facts can back him on it. Since he released Section.80, Kendrick has been at the apex of a poetic rapper, diversifying his subject matter with every other line and becomes a better MC with every single project. He's slowly crossing over into the mainstream pop genre with DAMN, but maybe the amount of success that he's had will be able to make him dethrone the number one artist...
1. Drake
How can Drake be number 1 if he "sings too much"? Make Michael Jackson numbers in this digital age, that's how. He said it himself that he crossed over into pop and didn't need to die for it. He's an impressive rapper, not at the technical proficiency of the other people in the list, but everything he touches turns to platinum. His melodic rapping has brought him to the apex of the music world. Only warning I have for you is to not speak pon his head top: you might become the next Meek Mill. .