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Jay Z and Nicki Minaj have been ranked mong the greatest rappers of all time.
Editorial staff determined the rankings based on achievements, cultural influence, and vocal prowess.
Over the past years, the magazine has been rolling out its list of the top 50 greatest rappers of all time before revealing the final top ten.
Nicki Minaj is the only woman in the top ten. 'she has undeniably blazed the trail for the next generation of female MCs, while at the same time, building a legacy whose impact is hardly limited to the hip hop world.' wrote the Billboard.
On the other hand, the legendary rapper and 27-times Grammy winner Shawn Carter AKA Jay Z whose illustrious career has spanned nearly 3 decades was topping the list.
With a career that spans three decades, no one can knock JAY-Z’s hustle. 'When it comes to longevity, the breadth of his accomplishments, and what he’s meant to hip-hop Jay Z remains the true GOAT,' The magazine stated.
At 36, Drake is the youngest rapper in the top 50 at No. 8. As one of the 'most gifted and accomplished artists to ever touch down in music,” he remains a certified hitmaker whose 'touch” has earned him nearly 300 entries on the Billboard Hot 100.
The man behind both Drake and Nicki, Lil Wayne, takes his rightful throne at No. 7, followed by a pair of late legends, The Notorious B.I.G. (No. 6) and Tupac Shakur (No. 4).
With 15 Grammys and 10 No. 1 albums, the “Rap God” Eminem has earned his top 5 status. His “unprecedented commercial success” and “peerless technical skills” land him in the “upper echelon of GOAT rappers.”
Nas rounds out the top 3, followed by Kendrick Lamar at No. 2. The Compton rapper’s 'lyrical prowess, classic albums, and envelope-pushing evolution' have afforded him a reputation as the 'best rapper of his generation.'
Here is the list of the top 10 greatest rappers.
1. JAY-Z
2. Kendrick Lamar
3. Nas
4. Tupac Shakur
5. Eminem
6. The Notorious B.I.G
.7. Lil Wayne
8. Drake
9. Snoop Dogg
10. Nicki Minaj
