The Best of All Time, aka the GOAT. That’s a distinguished — and likewise contentious — honor with regards to rating who or what’s the final finest, whether or not you’re speaking movies, TV exhibits, eating places or some other topic.
In early 2023, Billboard/Vibe is rating the Prime 50 Best Rappers of All Time as a part of our salute to this 12 months’s golden anniversary of hip-hop. (The style dates again to 1973, when DJ Kool Herc first arrange his two turntables to rock a Bronx get together.) The rollout begins with right this moment’s (Jan. 11) reveal of the rappers ranked 50-41. Every succeeding week, 10 extra rappers will probably be unveiled as we transfer additional up the listing. Then the ultimate prime 10 will probably be introduced in the course of the week of Feb. 6.
In figuring out these rankings, the Billboard and Vibe editorial groups opted first to restrict the rap area to North America. So for instance, as estimable as his profession is, British rapper Slick Rick isn’t on this listing. We additionally opted to not embrace the vital contributions of reggaetón and dancehall MCs on this listing, simply to maintain our pool of nominees just a little extra centered.
From there, the groups took into consideration the next standards, not in any explicit order: physique of labor/achievements (charted singles/albums, gold/platinum certifications), cultural impression/affect (how the artist’s work fostered the style’s evolution), longevity (years on the mic), lyrics (storytelling abilities) and movement (vocal prowess).
As is well-known, GOAT and comparable best-of lists at all times draw their share of criticism and reward from business pundits and the general public alike. So it took a variety of deliberation and deep dialogue to cause our approach to what we imagine is a well-thought-out, genuine listing that displays hip-hop’s foundational pioneers, evolutionary trailblazers and up to date mainstays. As well as, that blend additionally encompasses 50 years of cultural milestones for a style initially dismissed as a passing fad — and now acknowledged because the business’s market share chief.
Let’s reveal Nos. 50-41 of Billboard/Vibe’s Prime 50 Best Rappers of All Time … and let the talk start.
