This is a list of
rappers who I feel are the best right now, not all time. It’s mostly based on
albums and songs from 2011-2012. Here’s the top 20
Top Rappers 2012
2nd Edition
*Eminem and Royce Da 5’9 are combined into Bad Meets Evil
*Outkast didn’t have an album this year yet so they aren’t included.
1. Nas(19)-
Nasty Nas is finally on top. He’s jumped 18 spots mostly due to the fact he hadn’t
done much in the 2010-2011 time frame. Life
is Good is a stellar album that I didn’t think would be that good. Nas
feels he still has something to prove…and maybe he does. “When you become
better than legends you thought were the greatest”, raps Nas. Not only that, he’s
had some good guest features as well like on Tha Carter IV and The
Dreamer/The Believer , and Pink Friday Roman Reloaded. When its all
said and done Nas may be known as the best rapper ever.
2.
Lupe Fiasco(14)- I am incredibly proud of Lupe Fiasco.
The Chai town mc released a great album this year, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Part 1. I’ll be
honest I didn’t think it would be all that good. Lupe is an impeccable lyricist,
and he seems to have changed his style a bit which is welcome cause you don’t want
to hear a guy rap the same on every album.
3.
Kanye West(1)- Who could be better than Kwest? Well he
did drop the compilation album Cruel
Summer and he had some hot guest spots on albums over the last year as
well. Its enough to keep Kanye in the top 3. He’s a great lyricist with
incredible production as well. For Kanye I could see him reclaiming the top
spot, but it would take a really good solo album to do that.
4.
Kendrick Lamar(20)-Man! Kendrick has jumped 16 spots on
the list. This is mostly due to his dropping a classic this year. That album is
really really dope. What I find most impressive about him is his storytelling
and unique delivery. His songs really draw you in. Well I don’t know if he can
make another album of good kid, M.A.A.D.
City’s caliber but the sky is the limit for this gifted MC.
5.
Rick Ross(7)-Ross hasn’t jumped that much, but he’s
cracked the top 5. His 5th album was really good, almost as good as
2010’s Teflon the Don. He’s also been
appearing on EVERYBODY’s albums, including Nas. The future looks bright for
Ross, but I don’t think he’ll ever be up there with Biggie Smalls.
6.
Game(3)-The holder for Rap album of 2011 falls just shy
of the top 5. Game had the best album in 2011, but this is 2012. He’s still a
force to be reckoned with however. Things will be interesting looking forward
for Game as he has some pretty big completion in the west from Kendrick Lamar.
7.
Killer Mike(new)- Ah, Killer Mike. I have to admit,
before hearing R.A.P. Music, I didn’t
think he was all that. However he raps with ferocity and has a great flow. Not
to mention El-P giving him dope beats. He’s not going to go up on the list but
he’ll stay on it.
8.
Nicki Minaj(10)- Face it, Nicki is the best Pop rapper
right now. Her 2nd album was poorly constructed but it was good
nonetheless. She’s also had some strong guest spots over the last 2 years.
Barbie has the female MC game on lockdown.
9.
Drake(4)- I gotta hand it to Drizzy, he didn’t release
and album this year(which was smart) and he still makes the top 10. However he’s
fallen back though. Drake’s changed his flow up, and had some great features
like on 2 Chainz’s debut album. I’m not sure if Drake can come out with another
hot album. He’s going to have to stay personal with his subject matter.
10. Bad
Meets Evil-This is the group composed of Eminem and Royce da 5’9. Simply put,
these 2 are some of the best rappers ever. I didn’t include Slaughterhouse,
even though Royce is a member of it. Their Hell
The Sequel album was pretty good. I admit Eminem has fallen off a bit, but
together these 2 elite rappers are still in the top 10.
11. Big
K.R.I.T.(new)- Krit is another rapper I hadn’t really heard of before 2012. The
dirty south rapper/producer has a smooth flow and a smooth sound. His mixtape/album 4 Eva N a Day was awesome, and his Live From the Underground album was dope too. I expect him to crack
the top 10 next time. This guy is the future of the dirty south.
12. B.O.B.(new)-This
is his first time making one of my top rapper lists. Bob has been one of my
favorite rappers since he burst on the scene in 2010. Well I actually heard him
on T.I.’s Paper Trail album. The Pop rapper just may the most creative Pop
rapper right now.
13. Common(6)-Chai
town’s Nas is back with G.O.O.D. music. He is still a top MC, but he’s fallen
back quite a bit. He’s another rapper that I feel based on their discography,
just don’t have anything left to prove. Common may or may not top The Dreamer/The Believer.
14. J.Cole(11)-
Cole has been a little disappointing in 2012, but honestly since he didn’t drop
an album this year, it’s pretty normal for an artist to fall back. His debut
album was good, and I know next time J.Cole will at least be in the top 10. He
has good flow and subject matter.
15. Young
Jeezy(12)-One of my favorite rappers fell back a few spots. Jeezy is a great
rapper who I feel is the Raekwon of the South. Yeah I said that last time, so
what? TM103 was good, but I feel he
has an album of The Recession’s caliber
that he has yet to make again. Jeezy has been in the game for a while now, but I
don’t see him coming out of the top 20 anytime soon.
16. Big
Sean(new)- Big Sean is a rapper I initially didn’t like that much, but he’s a
pretty talented and popular rapper right now. His debut album Finally
Famous was pretty good. I’ve been more impressed with some of his guest
verses. Sean reminds me a lot of Drake. They do have similar flows and subject
matters.
17. El-P(new)-
Who the hell is this guy u ask? El-P is a producer rapper and man is he
talented. I first heard this guy on Killer Mike’s latest album. However his own
album Cancer 4 Cure, is a great album
This dude has incredible lyrical skill, and a unique flow. I look forward to
hearing more from this rapper.
18. Jay-z(8)-The
hip hop heavyweight is waaaaay back. Hova still makes the list, but not just
because of Watch the Throne but also
due to some strong guest verses like on Cruel
Summer & God Forgives and I Don’t. At this point in his career I don’t feel
Jay needs to release anymore albums, his discography is just that good already.
However if he is truly the “god MC” he’s got to come out with a strong solo
album next year.
19. Lil
Wayne(9)- Lil Weezy is back, but he’s barely made the list this time around,
which, believe it or not, is a rarity. 2011 was a good year for him, but this
year he’s been inconsistent. Wayne was once the Lebron James of rap to me, but
now that Lebron has (arguably) gotten better, the comparison no longer holds
true. Wayne has gotten worse, and needs to drop some hot records quick.
20. 2
Chainz(new)-This may be a shocker to some. I didn’t think too highly of 2
Chainz debut solo album, however he’s been a force in the game in the 2nd
half of this year. The man has been on a lot of people’s albums.He has very
good delivery but he needs to work on his lyrical dexterity. TRUUUU, YEAAA…..those ad-libs are too cool
man.
Honerable mentions: DMX, K’Naan, Ab-Sol, Tyler the Creator,
Tech N9ne, Black Thought, and Raekwon, Pusha TT.I.,
Ludacris,
