Top 10 Best Rappers of All Time

1 Eminem Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an American rapper, actor and music producer born on October 17, 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Eminem has sold over 300 million records making him the bestselling hip-hop artist of all time. In addition to his solo career, he is a member of D12 and (with Royce ...read more.

Best flow, best lyrics, best beats, best singing, voice, best rapper ever he's best artist ever. Both of his personality, slim shady and Marshall Mathers, are great to listen to. He has a song for whatever mood your in, If you need to get pumped up listen to Till I CollapseM+9620

I agree with this comment. What blows my mind is HOW DID THIS COMMENT GET 8000 THUMBS UP? HOW? - cosmoM+164

Em is easily #1 his first 3 albums (sslp mmlp and eminem show) showed rap fans a style never heard before. His metaphors and word play are crazy and his lyrics are probably the best ever. He was the first rapper to blow up from the underground battling scene and he always talks about real stuff unlike Wayne and all the other mainstream rappers. Hell the sequel is gonna be insane! SHADY 4 LIFE!M+6520

Eminem's life made him who he is today, one of the greatest of all time, when I listen to his songs he reminds me of pac, biggie & rakim, one of the greatest of all time and the best rapper aliveM+5271

They remind you of biggie and Tupac? In what way are they similar to Eminem? But yeah I agree I loved Lose Yourself and My name is. And. I thought My Mom was kind of funny of a song - FerrariDude64M+31

Well in my view'Legends are not made by anyone not even the lord almighty,
Legends are made by their own talents and creativity and becomes ultra legends or legendary' So,I wanna say that this statement of mine imaginations and thoughts suit Eminem.
He is the most successful rapper after tupac and the faster rapper of altime who has 11 grammy awards also 1 oscar award for his film 8miles(B-rabbit)
Keep moving on Eminem we there for your support to keep you in VH1 king throne forever. - PachenkoMnew

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2 Tupac Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was an American rapper and actor born on June 16, 1971 in East Harlem, New York. Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide and has been referred to in multiple major publications such as Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music artists of all time. 2Pac was ...read more.

Enough said! Tupac's a community dude.. Rapping for the people, it doesn't get better than that. Eminem is great agreed! But tupac gives a whole new meaning to what rapping is supposed to be about.M+3253

He is only one of the ultimate, honest as well as Gangsta rapper standing alone for the people who is suffering... His lyrics, flow and husky voice has inspired me and he will be remaining the no1 rapper till the end of time...R.I.P. leasane parish crooks...M+2319

I agree. Listening to tupac's music is like a journey through his life and thoughts. By the way I started listening to tupac a while after he died, I actually started listening to eminem first. Tupac treats rap as what it should be, an art-form, not just entertainment. Poetry not nursery rhymes, intellect more so than wit. Even in his casual songs strictly for entertainment he still displays a tremendous level of talent. He is immensely passionate about his poetry and has something real to say.

Tupac will forever be the greatest rapper ever... Period!
Followed by Nas...M+2215

His name, Tupac Shakur, sounds like a Jewish holiday - CirilloDudeMnew

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3 Notorious B.I.G. Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known by his stage name, The Notorious B.I.G (a.k.a. Biggie Smalls), is consistently ranked as one of the best rappers of all time. The Notorious B.I.G was born May 21, 1972, he was born in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 24 The Notorious B.I.G was murdered ...read more.

His raps are genius, you can actually picture what he's saying... Story to tell, hypnotize are his topM+490

***His raps are genius, you can actually picture what he's saying... JUICY, EVERYDAY STRUGGLE are his top - guitarM 

He is one of the only 5 Rappers that have reached Diamond...

The Best...R.I.P.B.I.G.M+267

Sorry its a disgrace that Lil wayne be put above him.. Long live The Flow. Biggie was to the East Coast what 2Pac was to the West Coast. Biggie released the Hip Hop classics "Ready to Die" and "Life After Death" and became a Hip Hop icon. He changed the way an MC flows, and stopped everyone in their tracks when he dropped his verse on "Notorious Thugs" using the Bone Thugs style better than they did themselves. Also one of the great storytellers in Hip Hop, The Notorious One had every element an MC could dream of. Would have easily been number 1 if not for his untimely death in 1997.M+207

The style and rythme that this man has was mind blowing! If he would have only had another 5 years there is no telling the masterpieces he would have produced!Mnew

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4 Nas Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, better known by his stage name Nas, is an American rapper. His album, Illmatic, is considered to be one of the best rap albums of all time. He is also considered to be one of the best rappers of all time.

Knowledge and lyricism, A MC not just a Rapper.
He knows brings discussions, He did that with hip hop is dead and the untitled album
He gives you something to think about. He knows the history of hip hop and gives a strong answer to commercial rappers of today.

Old Skool MC KRS ONE praised him and brought a tribute to him. He is respected by Rakim and Slick rick!
He influenced A lot of rappers in the 90 and today. Think about Jay Z, Tupac, Common, Kanye west, Talib Kweli, Eminem.

A Poet! A Rebel, A MC, A Storyteller. Nas brings Oldsckool and New Skool together.M+147

Lyrics - 10
Voice - 9
Themes - 10
Popularity - 8
Critical Acclaim - 8
Overall - 47/50M+48

Nas takes his lyrics to a high level of intelligence so not every one will get it or appreciate his unique lyrics, but his message is alive and real. His collaborations with Damion Marley puts this artist to a new and higher interpretation which stands out! The education is real so don't throw away the meal.M+27

ILLMATIC > It Was Written > Stillmatic > Life Is Good > Hip Hop Is Dead

And all those albums are better than the entire rest of the rap genre!

Best lyricist in the game by a million years, best storyteller (barely above Eminem and Tupac), really good at bouncing vibe music (Biggie's the king though)

5 top tier albums, only albums that hold a candle are Ready to Die, Life After Death (Most of it), All Eyez on Me, MMLP, SSLP, Blueprint 1, Chronic, 2001, Straight Outta Compton, GKMC, and Get Rich or Die Trying.

Nas is the GOAT, Eminem as a VERY close second. Pac and Biggie are damn close but sadly dead and slightly overrated because of this.Mnew

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5 Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter, known by his stage name Jay Z, is an American rapper, entrepreneur and investor. He is best known for his album Reasonable Doubt.

Jay Z is not only one of the best rappers STILL in the game, but he's also one of the most successful men on this planet. Coming from the streets, he turned himself into a business man. He's discovered most of the greatest talents in the industry today. He discovered Kanye. Nobody thought Kanye could rap till Hova supported him. Jay has been putting music out for the past 19 years. What rapper can stay relevant for that long? This dude is in his 40s. And with age, his lyrics have grown. He went from a 90s thug, making freestyles about killing cops with Big L to being one of the most influential artists in pop culture today. Listen to one song on Magna Carta Holy Grail, and you'll be scratching your head to the lyrics. You look up what he's talking about and you realize that Jay Z is a lyricist like no other. He's getting to the point where his music is almost art. Can he spit fast like Eminem? No, but he's got a style that surpasses speed. And the only reason Tupac and Biggie are ...moreM+51

Okay okay, his old stuff was pretty damn good. But "STILL in the game"? Are you kidding? He hasn't written his own lyrics for 10 years. He's the perfect example of how the rap game is going downhill. Tupac spat things that were way more intelligent and revolutionary and Biggie destroys him in lyricism and flow. I remind you they were the most famous... BEFORE their deaths. They. Ruled.

Oh, AND he found Kanye? Well thanks a lot for bringing another piece of garbage like you to the rap game, Jay. - RealpbcM+57

Tupac and Biggie were undoubtably great rappers, Tupac had the lyrics and Biggie had the flow. BUT, Jay has sustained his talent over a number of years by adapting his whole style as time goes on. I know it's unfair to make this point seeing as Tupac and Biggie unfortunately died, but in my opinion, both rappers wouldn't have been able to sustain themselves like jay z has done.M+28

He tells you he's the best like a hundred times in his songs. DuhM+27

So good you have to buy his songs on Spotify. GOATMnew

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6 Dr. Dre Andre Romelle Young, better known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics.

Alright, Dr. Dre has definitely contributed the most to hip hop out of everyone on this list by far. Two start off, he made two of the most classic rap albums ever; 2001 and The Chronic. Anyone who disagrees just has to listen to them. Also he was part of the best rap group ever NWA. He also made the careers of Game, Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop and even contributed to the Nas career. He is wildly known as the best producer/beat maker ever. He is the best rapper alive.M+776

He's the father of the hip-hop industry, not being the first hip-hop artist, but having the biggest impact of any artist. He's brought us some of the best, and he's still on top of the game today, working with the best new-school rapper, Kendrick Lamar. No one can take more credit for the history of hip-hop. - its_joetimeM+43

If it wasn't for him rap would be so much different.. He belongs at 1 or 2, along with eminemM+534

Dre should definitely be higher up, he is the most influential rapper ever, with classics like 2001 and the chronic. My two favourite songs of all time are 'nuthin but a g thang' and 'still dre'. I've looked down this list and seen will smith, lil wayne, chris brown, drake, John cena, soulja boy etc. , which just makes this a joke of a list straight away! This frustrates me! DETOX!M+428

He made beats headphonesMnew

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7 Sagopa Kajmer

He is the King that changes name of "rap style" to "SAGOPA style" and he is limited edition in TURKEY with placing the 1st place in rap music with no exceptions.

With maximum meaning loaded to the lyric content and zero swearing in his songs made his place is untouchable.

He is the BIGGEST in the world with his depth of colour.M+15895

Its because of bots. There's no way every citizen of Turkey has been to this list. This guy shouldn't be thus high let alone on the list at all - bobbythebronyM+123

The Best Turkish RAPPERM+8297

Real name is Yunus Ozyayuz nick name is sagopa kajmer and he is the best rapper in Turkey. I love SagoM+4520

If you know turkish,you would understand that he is the best rapper on the world
In his every song,there is a deep meaning
There are not silly words in his song
Because of that he is the best rapper ever
Every rapper can say words fast and write lyrics but just SAGOPA KAJMER can make cry you - xmoonstarxMnew

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8 Rakim

Why are any of the guys ahead of him. Nas, biggy, and Eminem are the only ones ahead of Rakim that are even close to as good as Rakim. And to anyone who is thinking of voting for Eazy-E they should know Ice Cube ghostwrote for him and Kool G Rap is the real godfather of gangster rap not eazy he doesn't even make my top 100 much less 20. - Chris-1M+202

The man made the standard for being an MC and he still continues to extend his legacy and to put all these bitch ass rappers like lil wayne and 50 ahead of him is a travesty and a spit in the face of all true hip hop fansM+119

This whole voting circus clearly shows when the majority of these visitors here started listening to real rap/hip hop.
Anybody who is in 40's now like me has seen the start of this music style and has listened long enough to actually be a fair judge.

Rakim is in a league of his own, and boy it's lonely at the top!
A lyrical genius that can actually rap a complete album without having to default to swearing, now that's impressive...

He's probably too lyrical for most who cannot comprehend it all and prefer to listen to Mc's that fill albums with chrome rims and bitches.

Just look at the fact that it's the most sampled MC of all time, even to this day you hear powerful one liners of Rakim in modern day Rap.
Coupled to a great DJ like Eric B or Primo he cannot be stopped and I'm certain he can take on ANY modern day rapper at any time.

Hat off to the God of Rap who remained the same even to this day.
M+64

One of the firsts to do it on a large scale, and maybe the one person responsible for the popularity of Hip-Hop/Rap today.Mnew

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9 Snoop Dogg Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr., known professionally as Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper and actor from Long Beach, California.

Very world famous, probably one of the faces of this rap era - roblistM+456

Doggystyle was an amazing album, but he wasn't great when he changed to Snoop Lion. - jack2244M+13

Just like rick the ruler, he has a cool flow great rapper doggystyle one of the best albums ever madeM+275

He's snoop dogg. Wanye, kanye, and even eminem wouldn't know how to freestyle without snoopM+229

Kanye doesn't freestyle, no one knew who Snoop Dogg was when Eminem started battle rapping (1985-1986) and Lil Wayne sucksM+99

With a silly and a funk style of raping Snoop Dogg is in my opinion the best rapperMnew

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10 50-Cent Curtis James Jackson III, better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur, investor, record, film, and television producer.

50 cent is a great rapper he's smart and a great business man. Perfected the slow flow.M+671

Get rich or die tryin his best album sold 15 million he should be in everyone top 10 rapper listM+526

Best of all time! Great lyrics, done so much for the industry, can freestyle unlike Lil Wayne, doesn't do depressing songs like Eminem all the time. G-Unit!M+340

Most of Eminem songs aren't depressing like Rap God and The Monster and some are funny like Real Slim Shady and Just Lose It - AlphaQM+11

GET RICH OR DIE TRYN AND I'm THE MAN?Mnew

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The Newcomers

? Skee-Lo VoteE

? Lotus Juice

Don't know this guy? He raps for the Persona series. And believe me, his raps are great, even though you might not even understand a word. - ChocoMintM+1

the godM+1

VoteE

The Contenders

11 Ice Cube O'Shea Jackson, born June 15, 1969, known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and filmmaker. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the seminal gangster rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built ...read more.

The Fact that Ice Cube is 24 and Lil Wayne is 2 makes me want to punch somebody Ice cube is the best S. Ice Cube was the definition of Microphone Controller.M+469

Ice Cube is a veteran in the game, but also has had a rich career and diverse with it! NWA was his stage and did everything in his power to make everything he did (still does) look so good!M+260

Ice Cube was one of the front men of N.W.A. , one of the pioneers of Gangster Rap, has produced a lot of singles and platinum albums, has a very successful acting and movie producing career! Has a lot of money and is one of the faces of West Coast Hip-Hop! Is this is enough? There is plenty moreM+249

Best flow, best beat, this guy is one of the best.Mnew

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12 Kanye West Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, songwriter, and fashion designer. He was born on June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. After West's parents divorced, him and his single mother moved to Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 10, West temporarily moved to Nanjing, China, because his mother was teaching ...read more.

Listen to my beautiful dark twisted fantasy and you wouldn't even think about voting another rapper! Only lupe fiasco is almost as good as 'ye!M+206

Kanye isn't only a rapper but he is a musician who has that cross-over appeal. He's a dope producer too and that's why he has to be in everyone's top five yo. Respect!M+127

Really? 13? This is the guy that brought you:
1. Gold digger
2. Stronger
3. Touch the sky
4. Good life
5. Diamonds from Sierra Leone
6. Jesus walks
7. Power
I won't go on... Do I need to? He's worked with Eminem, Lil Wayne, Drake, T-Pain, Adam Levine, John Legend, Jay Z...
His albums are IMMENSE and basically, no matter what you do, YOU CAN'T BEAT KANYE WESTM+58

He has his own record label and has john legend in it and big sean - DattKiddGeorgeM+4

Quite possibly the greatest of all time. Mastered writing producing and performing. Has 5 classics(TCD,LR,Graduation,MBDTF and TLOP). May not be the fastest in the game but lyrics that are just as meaningful. Just look at murder to excellence and tell me he doesn't belong in the conversation for GOATMnew

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13 Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. is an American hip hop "artist" and is often referred to as one of the worst "rappers" of all time. He was signed to Cash Money Records by Birdman at a young age. He has been critically acclaimed and even more panned throughout his career. He's often criticized for constantly ...read more.

Lil Wayne is the worst rapper ever. He sounds like he has a sore throat. Lil Wayne has been big because of white middle class suburban people who don't know real rap. He is also the biggest liar in rap history. Out of all the rappers who have rapped about stuff they have never come close to doing, Lil Wayne is the worst. He raps wbout how he is a "real g" and how he shoots people. But the only person he ever shot was himself, and that was his only arrest. He set the bar so low for rap, that this allowed people like iggy azalea to come in and ruin rap.M+329

Get this thing off the list. Lil Wayne is not an artist. He's a monkey who eats the mic and chokes on it. His music is the worst. So get him out of the top 10. - AntwonM+114

Doesn't belong in this list or any list for that matter. Couldn't hang with real rappers.M+96

Better than Eminem - MattbrodskyMnew

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14 Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is 182? You guys are flat out idiots. This list is way past being a joke. Its an insult to RAP and Hip Hop.M+466

Thank goodness Kendrick elevated from 182 to 14. It's about time we show this man respect. - yaygiants16M+45

Kendrick Lamar in my opinion is one of the best rappers in the game right now. His rediculous flow in rigamortus amazes me as well as his 100% beast flow in look out for detox. The way he slays every track he features makes the actual artist who made the song look small compared to his lyrical thunder. Don't believe me? Just check out the song The City by The Game or Text Book Stuff by XV. This MC is a monster and for many in 2011 he made his first album Section 80 that was by far the best album of the year for many. Also checkout his song Cartoons and Cereal. For kendrick to be in 98th place as the best rapper is a shame for he is definitely better then overrated Eminem and should be in first. This is only the start of Kendricks career. Wonder what he'll put out next.

P. S kendrick lamar and J Cole collab album in the future.M+281

78? This is a joke right? Kendrick is one of if not the most talked about artists at the moment. After releasing a brilliant album in Section.80, he signed with Dr. Dre to Aftermath and just recently put out his major label debut, good kid, M.A.A. D city. That album is a future classic. Honestly, Kendrick's style is very similar to 2Pac. Deep lyrics with a meaning, which make him easy to relate to. The one thing Kendrick has that 2Pac didn't really have is the ability to be one of the greatest lyricists of all time. Not to mention his crazy and unique flow/delivery. Kendrick is the future and is sure to be one of the best by the time he's done. Mark my words.M+173

This guy is BELOW LIL WAYNE AND KANYE? After this newest album, put him at the top 5.Mnew

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15 Eazy-E Eric Lynn Wright better known by his stage name "Eazy-E", was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. He is affectionately called "The Godfather of Gangsta Rap". He was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California. On March 26, 1995 Eazy-E dies from complications ...read more.

He deserves respect for his talented skills and my favorite rapper R.I. PM+316

He definitely deserves to be in the top 3 he is the King of Gangster Rap, he literally co founded G-FunkM+212

Eazy e is awesome, he is the most legendary rapper that have ever lived. Not only did he start N.W.A he also got the most smashing solo career ever. By the way I like Eminem but eminem would never been here if it wasn't for the godfather of rap.M+198

Dre Day only makes Eazy's payday.Mnew

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16 Big L Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), best known by his stage name Big L, was an American hip hop recording artist, born and raised in Harlem, New York City, New York. Coleman embarked on his career in rapping, with the hip hop trio, Three the Hard Way. His first notable appearance came ...read more.

Lyrical talent... Plus you can't kill him he was born deadM+199

I can't believe that Drake, Will Smith, EZ, Snoop, 50, or a lot of other rappers are on this page. In my opinion it should go Big L, GZA, Biggie, Eminem, Pac. Gotta put all Wu Tang up there on flow and lyrical ability... Except ODB he still killed it thoughM+142

Can't consider him the best all time cause there just ain't enough of his material... But he definitely could have been =/M+88

Someone probably just killed themselves when they saw Lil Wayne one spot above the legendary Big L - 445956Mnew

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17 Norm Ender

I think he is writing the best lyrics. And making good flows and rhymes. Look at: norm ender- içinde patlarM+7230

Ender is the best rapper ever!M+6793

Norm Ender is the best rapper in worldM+5406

Adam king is backMnew

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18 T.I. Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr., better known by his stage names T.I. and Tip, is an American hip hop recording artist and actor from Atlanta, Georgia.

T.I. deserves top 5! He's the king of the south for a reason! Enough said
M+213

King of the South should be the best rapper alive, 2Pac and Biggie sent T.I. to save Hip Hop... Salute to the KingM+116

T.I. is a king he like kills all yall he's got the best rhymes ever and yeaM+88

BossMnew

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19 Drake Aubrey Drake Graham, known professionally as Drake, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor, born and raised in Toronto, Ontario.

I have been following Drake's music before he got signed and just released the mixtape comeback season, he is my favourite rapper right now. No other singer or rapper has lyrics like Drizzy right here! His emotion and lyrics that he gives and shows us is incredible! He talks personal and is relatable to nearly everyone, he has a song for every person for every mood! A fantastic genius! He can also sing as well as rap his new album Take Care is the most phenomenal thing I've heard in a long time, every single song I can listen to without skipping this shows he's wicked! His flows are also Unique! Not heard drake? Man listen and vote for him, he needs to be in the top ten of this list!M+46

Drake. Where do I start? He's had more number ones on the Billboard Rap Songs then anyone else. All 4 of his albums have gotten a 75 rating or better on Metacritic. He's DIFFERENT. He has emotion, he doesn't rap about pussies and money and weed and clothes and guns, and he sings. Because anyone cam say they rap, but you need something more these days. Drake raps from the heart and mind, which really establishes him. All of his songs sound different, and he's a mastermind. Plus it's awesome how's he a better rapper than his mentor Lil Wayne. I don't think he's the greatest of all time. In fact, there are about half a dozen better rappers (Em, Pac, Big, Nas, Busta...) But man is this guy underrated. He has delivery, originality, sincerity, and lyricism in his rhymes. His producers are amazing and most of his songs are great! Drake deserves to be top 10! PLEASE VOTE FOR DRAKE! - bubbles1111M+20

When you think of Best-of-All-times, you have to think about lyricism, think about delivery, originality, and sincerity in the rhymes. Then when you acknowledge that, you have to think about production quality and consistency. He has the most #1 singles of all times, and he's ben out for only 3-4 years! He touches on raw thoughts and feeling that a lot of guys shy away from because they fear ridicule, but this young man embodies realism in his music and he rarely, if ever, puts out a sub-par song.M+34

And I'm Guessing Your A Fan Of Lil Wayne? What You Said Is Only Correct About Eazy.

Kendrick, Biggie And 2Pac Are Great. Drake Is The Most Overrated Man In Music. The Only Good Song He's Got Is Forever Thanks To Eminem And Kanye. - 12ccM+54

He's too goodMnew

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20 Andre 3000 André Lauren Benjamin, known by his stage name André 3000, is half of the hip-hop duo OutKast. He is widely considered to be the better half of the duo, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all time.

I like his rap style. Great flow good lyrics. And he sold a lot of records great all around rapperM+88

Are you people serious, this guy is one of the top ten rappers of all time at least. At 110 this is absurd. And where in the hell is Big Boi.M+76

Should be in the top fifty and is way better than most people ahead
List is dumb(Lil Wayne at 3? )M+48

To put him below Drake is an absolute insult...definitely top 5 - HipHopAintDeadMnew

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