Top 10 Rappers of the 20th Century

See the rappers who ruled the 20th century.

DMX - Few in hip-hop can claim to have impacted the game as quickly and powerfully as DMX. The dog catapulted to the top of rap’s food chain with two back-to-back blockbuster albums, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot” and “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood,” back in ’98. The troubled MC’s reign ended five years later, but not before he set a record for having his first five albums top the Billboard charts.

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DMX - Few in hip-hop can claim to have impacted the game as quickly and powerfully as DMX. The dog catapulted to the top of rap’s food chain with two back-to-back blockbuster albums, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot” and “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood,” back in ’98. The troubled MC’s reign ended five years later, but not before he set a record for having his first five albums top the Billboard charts.

Jay-Z - Sure, he doesn’t have LL’s years, but Hov’s list of accomplishments is so impressive and so out of this world, it reads like fiction. He may never be able to recapture his “Reasonable Doubt” swag, but Jigga’s arguably stayed closer to his golden years than any rapper before or after him. Jay counts 11 solo platinum albums, including nine consecutive number ones, continues to stretch hip-hop’s boundaries, and is still one of the most influential artists in the game 14 years in. Just ask Mitchell

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Jay-Z - Sure, he doesn’t have LL’s years, but Hov’s list of accomplishments is so impressive and so out of this world, it reads like fiction. He may never be able to recapture his “Reasonable Doubt” swag, but Jigga’s arguably stayed closer to his golden years than any rapper before or after him. Jay counts 11 solo platinum albums, including nine consecutive number ones, continues to stretch hip-hop’s boundaries, and is still one of the most influential artists in the game 14 years in. Just ask Mitchell

Scarface - Facemob was respected on all coasts when the South was playing catch up to the East and West back in the ‘80s. The Houston lyricist is one of the few acts to have as many classics as part of a group (Geto Boys) as a solo artist.

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Scarface - Facemob was respected on all coasts when the South was playing catch up to the East and West back in the ‘80s. The Houston lyricist is one of the few acts to have as many classics as part of a group (Geto Boys) as a solo artist.

The Notorious B.I.G. - Biggie Smalls’ impact was such that he’s still considered the illest by many, despite only releasing two full-length albums: “Ready to Die” and “Life After Death.” His DNA can be found in countless rappers today, including Jay-Z, a rapper widely considered the best to ever do it.

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The Notorious B.I.G. - Biggie Smalls’ impact was such that he’s still considered the illest by many, despite only releasing two full-length albums: “Ready to Die” and “Life After Death.” His DNA can be found in countless rappers today, including Jay-Z, a rapper widely considered the best to ever do it.

Nas - God’s Son took the baton from Rakim and never looked back. One of the game’s most gifted wordsmiths, Nas is one of few complex lyrical assassins to have crossed over into the mainstream. Though he stays close to his underground roots, his stat sheet isn’t too shabby. Nine gold and platinum records, including “Illmatic,” an opus widely regarded as hip-hop’s holy grail, make Nasty Nas one of the greatest rappers of all time.

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Nas - God’s Son took the baton from Rakim and never looked back. One of the game’s most gifted wordsmiths, Nas is one of few complex lyrical assassins to have crossed over into the mainstream. Though he stays close to his underground roots, his stat sheet isn’t too shabby. Nine gold and platinum records, including “Illmatic,” an opus widely regarded as hip-hop’s holy grail, make Nasty Nas one of the greatest rappers of all time.

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Rakim - The R was ahead of his time. With Eric B. by his side, Ra took the industry by storm by provided an upgrade from his peers’ seemingly pedestrian flows and lyrical content at the time. Putting focus on lyricism, Ra made the word matter more than ever. To this day, “Paid in Full” is still considered one of the best LPs of all time.

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Rakim - The R was ahead of his time. With Eric B. by his side, Ra took the industry by storm by provided an upgrade from his peers’ seemingly pedestrian flows and lyrical content at the time. Putting focus on lyricism, Ra made the word matter more than ever. To this day, “Paid in Full” is still considered one of the best LPs of all time.

Tupac Shakur - Never has an MC been able to wear so many hats effortlessly and been accepted for it. Pac was playful (“I Get Around”), thought-provoking (“Brenda Got a Baby”), introspective (“Dear Mama”) and ruthless (“Hit Em Up”) all at once. His work ethic allowed his estate to release posthumous material 10 years after his death — making a relentless work ethic mandatory to be successful in the rap game.

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Tupac Shakur - Never has an MC been able to wear so many hats effortlessly and been accepted for it. Pac was playful (“I Get Around”), thought-provoking (“Brenda Got a Baby”), introspective (“Dear Mama”) and ruthless (“Hit Em Up”) all at once. His work ethic allowed his estate to release posthumous material 10 years after his death — making a relentless work ethic mandatory to be successful in the rap game.

KRS-One - The Blastmaster was never a Soundscan juggernaut, but his body of work over the course of the last 23 years has made him one of hip-hop’s most revered figures. The original blueprint, Kris set the precedent for MCs willing to step into the ring with their adversaries. Kris leaves sucker MCs shook in their boots to this day.

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KRS-One - The Blastmaster was never a Soundscan juggernaut, but his body of work over the course of the last 23 years has made him one of hip-hop’s most revered figures. The original blueprint, Kris set the precedent for MCs willing to step into the ring with their adversaries. Kris leaves sucker MCs shook in their boots to this day.

Snoop Dogg - His popularity is such that he can sell practically any product in one breath and spit alongside street-credible new jacks in the next. Riding the wave of his classic “Doggystyle” debut, Snoop was one of the main contributors to the West Coast’s dominant early ‘90s run. He continued his platinum ways well into the 2000s. Simply put, he’s legendary.

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Snoop Dogg - His popularity is such that he can sell practically any product in one breath and spit alongside street-credible new jacks in the next. Riding the wave of his classic “Doggystyle” debut, Snoop was one of the main contributors to the West Coast’s dominant early ‘90s run. He continued his platinum ways well into the 2000s. Simply put, he’s legendary.

LL Cool J - There wouldn’t be a Drake or Fabolous if not for Uncle L. When he burst onto the scene with his 1985 debut, “Radio,” the Queens MC set the blueprint for rappers to walk the fine line between respected lyricist and ladies’ man. Twelve albums and 25 years later, L is more active on the acting side these days. Still, his longevity and relevance in the game are second to none.

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LL Cool J - There wouldn’t be a Drake or Fabolous if not for Uncle L. When he burst onto the scene with his 1985 debut, “Radio,” the Queens MC set the blueprint for rappers to walk the fine line between respected lyricist and ladies’ man. Twelve albums and 25 years later, L is more active on the acting side these days. Still, his longevity and relevance in the game are second to none.