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Billboard and Vibe‘s picks for the 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time are all public knowledge. The publications revealed the top 10 MCs Wednesday, putting an end to the weekslong unveiling of rappers on their list.
Coming in at #10 and representing all female MCs is Nicki Minaj, who “earned her crown as the modern-day Queen of Rap” and “defended her title for over a decade.” The publications say she’s “undeniably blazed the trail for the next generation of female MCs” all while building her legacy.
Number nine on the list goes to Snoop Dogg, “one of the founding fathers of West Coast and gangsta rap,” while Drake secures the eighth position for reasons including “his virtuosic skillset.” His mentor Lil Wayne comes right before him at #7, followed by The Notorious B.I.G., Eminem and the late Tupac.
The final three, in reverse order, are Nas, who’s praised for his vivid storytelling and longevity, Compton native Kendrick Lamar and, finally, Jay-Z.
“There are simply none who can match his entire career — his longevity, the breadth of his accomplishments, and what he’s meant to hip-hop from a musical, cultural and financial standpoint for the last three decades,” the outlets say of Jay, the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
For the uninitiated, Billboard and Vibe compiled a list of their top 50 rappers of all time, in celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. They unveiled 10 rappers weekly until all were revealed.
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