Hip Hop History

The New York City streets and entertainment wires are a blaze, with the (all but official) word that Queens Bridge’s NAS is inking a deal that will team him with the Brooklyn’s beast, Jay-Z. Wow!!

From all the not-so published reports, it seems that New York’s lyrical foes have put an end to the stage wars and have teamed-up for a greater purpose. The industry and consumers will truly benefit from this one. This might sound odd, but I enjoyed the lyrical beef between Hov and Esco; just as long as it stayed in the studio -- which thankfully they were able to do.

However, when these two legends of the game battled on the mic it tended to ignite low-level, studio thugs, like: .50, The Game, DMX, Young Geezy and some of today’s GED rap artists to take their matters (whatever those are) to the streets. When that approach is taken, the beef usually escalates into an all-out blood bath or real life wars. Sometimes I wish .50 Cent would just learn to rap or simply shoot himself. Fifty can certainly bank on the fact that they’ll never be an educational statue bearing his resemblance.

The union between NAS and Jay has inspired me to start a war (of sorts). I am going to attempt to do the impossible and list the top ten Hip Hop artists of all time. My criterion is substance; staying power (or shelve life), originality, wit, content, relevance, charm, flow, music, versatility, and of course, execution.

I have excluded groups... and I want to give an honorable mention to Lauryn Hill for a variety of reasons [most of which I could never admit aloud).
Here it goes:

10. Eminem
If he were black from the Brooklyn, you probably would only be scratching your head because his not higher on this list – and he should be. Additionally, just ask anyone on the list below would they dare step in the booth with him – we now know Jay shouldn’t have.

9. Lupe Fiasco
He is the only glimmer of hope if the youth has any incentive to carry the Hip Hop torch. Unfortunately (for him) the clock started ticking while he was in elementary school – now he’s tasked to school the elementary.

8. Chuck D
The Hip Hop version of CNN before it ever was. I’m not sure where I’d be without his vital vinyl lessons.

7. Common
I’m willing to overlook his last frisbee and pray his career is not taking him towards his stage name – and he starts representing what made his name on the stage.

6. Talib Kweli
While he heralds for Cincinnati his inner city blues and incredible IQ swag reminds one of a mix of Miles Davis and Cornel West – and that’s a real treat no matter where you reside.

5. Black Thought
The wordplay King and the official voice of the legendary Hip Hop band The Roots – his name probably says it all.

4. Mos Def
The epitome of culture and his debut LP Black on Both Sides is a lesson in Black History, which is the birthplace of all others.

3. KRS-One
The prince of the projects and probably the most politically astute emcee they'll ever be. The teacher the school system hates to love.


2. NAS
The ultimate compliment is the fact that he reminds you of #1. Nas is the only rap artist to spit a flow backwards and still have you press rewind. His only downfall is there is no competition for him to slay.


1. Rakim
The undisputed King of the mic. If you made a similar list and didn't start here there is a good chance that you have a Kenny G CD in your collection.



1 love,
Ray Lewis