I hate lists. I often joke that Complex should publish a Top 50 Worst Complex Lists list (and have us click 50 times to see each entry on the list, of course #douchebags). About a week ago, MTV debuted their Hottest MCs list. It's what you'd expect from a music website brought to you by the folks who provide Music TeleVision (minus the, uh, "Music"). Pretty standard stuff: Safe selections from the scope of Payola-controlled "hip hop & r&b" a.k.a. "urban" radio stations. But because us real bloggers (heh) know what time it is, here's our top 10 list. Finally, a list I can get behind.
The man you all know as J.Monkey is the managing editor of The Rap Up, built of course by Henry Adaso a.k.a. Rizoh a.k.a. the reason I'm considered a "blogger", and not merely a music pirate (though I'm that as well). J compiled a who's who list of folks whose opinions are skewed towards hip hop as you want it to be, not merely as it exists on the radio. The result is a far-more satisfying top 10 list. Basically, this is the version of MTV's Hottest MCs list by people who don't really use the word "hottest" in regards to musicians. READ: The Bloggerati Top 10 Rappers In The Game
Okay, now here's my entry/list:
1. Nas
2. Ghostface Killah
3. Kendrick Lamar
4. Freddie Gibbs
5. Roc Marciano
6. Action Bronson
7. Big K.R.I.T.
8. Danny Brown
9. Ab-Soul
10. Killer Mike
Lemme explain:
1. Nas: He dropped a damn-near classic album last year. He's as relevant as ever. He's back in the studio. Throughout his career, Nas hasn't been the most consistent emcee. But right now God's Son is on fire.
2. Ghostface Killah: GFK's dropping anywhere between one to three albums this year. All of them are highly-anticipated. I'm predicting a resurgence in Ghostface fan support, reminiscent of 2006 when he dropped Fishscale.
3. Kendrick Lamar: Waving the banner for TDE, revitalizing Interscope Records, and holding it down for the New West, the Black Hippy emcee has earned his spot as an artist to be on the lookout for.
4. Freddie Gibbs: If 2Pac was alive, I'm imagine he'd co-sign Freddie Gibbs before any other emcee in the game. Take that to the bank.
5. Roc Marciano: Making gritty and obscure-sounding New York City hip hop relevant again. Roc Marci dropped two classic street records in the past few years and is poised to team up with his homie Ka to drop the Metal Clergy project. Never put him in your box if your shit eats tapes!
6. Action Bronson: A hip hop Hebro who sounds kinda/sorta like Ghostface and has the DNA of Kool G Rap coursing through his veins? Oh, yes. Action Bronson belongs on the list.
7. Big K.R.I.T.: I'm agnostic. But even I'll admit that listening to a Big K.R.I.T. project in full is something of a spiritual experience. K.R.I.T. is a pillar of the New South, earning props from vets like Bun B for good cause.
8. Danny Brown: Only three things in life are certain: Death, taxes, and the next Danny Brown project will most assuredly fuck with your brain. In a good way.
9. Ab-Soul: Mysticism, politics, conspiracy theories, and life. Ab-Soul tackles it all with depth, humor, and above all, skill. Arguably Black Hippy's greatest asset (behind Kendrick).
10. Killer Mike: Bigga's album with El-P last year gave me goosebumps at times. It was that good. There's a reason they call this man the Ice Cube of the South.
And there you have it. My list and some brief explanations on why these are the ten emcees to check for (and most likely to earn a spot in The Tape Deck). I may be the laziest blogger on the planet, but sometimes it's nice to get stuff like this off my chest. Hip hop is alive. Turn it up!!
The man you all know as J.Monkey is the managing editor of The Rap Up, built of course by Henry Adaso a.k.a. Rizoh a.k.a. the reason I'm considered a "blogger", and not merely a music pirate (though I'm that as well). J compiled a who's who list of folks whose opinions are skewed towards hip hop as you want it to be, not merely as it exists on the radio. The result is a far-more satisfying top 10 list. Basically, this is the version of MTV's Hottest MCs list by people who don't really use the word "hottest" in regards to musicians. READ: The Bloggerati Top 10 Rappers In The Game
Okay, now here's my entry/list:
1. Nas
2. Ghostface Killah
3. Kendrick Lamar
4. Freddie Gibbs
5. Roc Marciano
6. Action Bronson
7. Big K.R.I.T.
8. Danny Brown
9. Ab-Soul
10. Killer Mike
Lemme explain:
1. Nas: He dropped a damn-near classic album last year. He's as relevant as ever. He's back in the studio. Throughout his career, Nas hasn't been the most consistent emcee. But right now God's Son is on fire.
2. Ghostface Killah: GFK's dropping anywhere between one to three albums this year. All of them are highly-anticipated. I'm predicting a resurgence in Ghostface fan support, reminiscent of 2006 when he dropped Fishscale.
3. Kendrick Lamar: Waving the banner for TDE, revitalizing Interscope Records, and holding it down for the New West, the Black Hippy emcee has earned his spot as an artist to be on the lookout for.
4. Freddie Gibbs: If 2Pac was alive, I'm imagine he'd co-sign Freddie Gibbs before any other emcee in the game. Take that to the bank.
5. Roc Marciano: Making gritty and obscure-sounding New York City hip hop relevant again. Roc Marci dropped two classic street records in the past few years and is poised to team up with his homie Ka to drop the Metal Clergy project. Never put him in your box if your shit eats tapes!
6. Action Bronson: A hip hop Hebro who sounds kinda/sorta like Ghostface and has the DNA of Kool G Rap coursing through his veins? Oh, yes. Action Bronson belongs on the list.
7. Big K.R.I.T.: I'm agnostic. But even I'll admit that listening to a Big K.R.I.T. project in full is something of a spiritual experience. K.R.I.T. is a pillar of the New South, earning props from vets like Bun B for good cause.
8. Danny Brown: Only three things in life are certain: Death, taxes, and the next Danny Brown project will most assuredly fuck with your brain. In a good way.
9. Ab-Soul: Mysticism, politics, conspiracy theories, and life. Ab-Soul tackles it all with depth, humor, and above all, skill. Arguably Black Hippy's greatest asset (behind Kendrick).
10. Killer Mike: Bigga's album with El-P last year gave me goosebumps at times. It was that good. There's a reason they call this man the Ice Cube of the South.
And there you have it. My list and some brief explanations on why these are the ten emcees to check for (and most likely to earn a spot in The Tape Deck). I may be the laziest blogger on the planet, but sometimes it's nice to get stuff like this off my chest. Hip hop is alive. Turn it up!!
