2Pac
My earliest memories of listening to rap is bumping “To Live & Die in L.A.” in my dad’s Toyota Corolla when he was driving me to elementary school.
In a matter of a five-year recording career, 2Pac established himself as one of the most popular artists in history with over 75 million records sold worldwide, according to a biography from 2pac.com.
Blending thug rap and poetry, 2Pac spoke on topics such as rape, police brutality and his experiences on the streets.
On the 11th track of his sophomore album, “Keep Ya Head Up,” Shakur raps, “I think it's time to kill for our women/ Time to heal our women, be real to our women/ And if we don't, we'll have a race of babies/ That will hate the ladies that make the babies/ And since a man can't make one/ He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one.”
This was a refreshing track during a time when mainstream rap music revolved around gangbanging and trapping – topics Shakur rapped openly about too.
The duality of Shakur transparently rapping about vulnerability and humility, while also crassly tearing apart another rapper’s career in the most thug manner– as well as his penmanship and west coast flow, makes 2Pac my No. 1 pick as the best rapper.
Favorite tracks: “God Bless the Dead,” “Life Goes On” and “Dear Mama.”
J. Cole
Going into 2015, J. Cole’s “2014 Forest Hills Drive” was and remains on repeat for its jazzy production, relatable story-telling and explicit bars – a recipe to drive a 16-year-old wild.
His debut album, “Cole World: The Sideline Story,” released in 2011 and would go on to be certified platinum – a trend Cole seems to achieve with each release.
One of my all-time favorite songs is “Love Yourz,” the 11th track on his triple platinum album “2014 Forest Hills Drive,” which had zero features.
In the song, Cole raps, “Always gon’ be a bigger house somewhere, but n**** feel me/ Long as the people in that motherfucker love you dearly/ Always gon’ be a whip that’s better than the one you got/ Always gon’ be some clothes that’s fresher than the ones you rock/ Always gon’ be a bitch that’s badder out there on the tours/ But you ain’t never gon’ be happy ‘til you love yours.”
I too had no car or bitches, but Cole’s delivery convinced me that if I did, I should appreciate them unconditionally.
The simple word choice and relatable lyrics had teenage me in my feelings, letting me contemplate why I lack the gratitude I should have at that point in life.
Favorite tracks: “She’s Mine Pt. 2,” “Crooked Smile” and “Love Yourz”
Mac Miller
Mac Miller, like many others around the world, has a special place in my heart.
Miller had a plethora of mixtapes before reaching success after his fifth mixtape “K.I.D.S.” released in 2010.
My favorite mixtape of all time is his 2014 abstract project titled, “Faces.”
The production of the mixtape followed the cancellation of his MTV series “Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family,” a series that followed Miller as he experiments drugs and handles fame.
Locking himself in an underground studio he called, “The Sanctuary,” Miller poured his whole self into the “Faces” mixtape, exploring his drug addiction, battle with mental disparities and experimenting with abstract production and storytelling.
12 tracks into the record on the song “Funeral,” he raps, “See, we swallowed in this web of lies, never try to exercise/ You used to be a fantasy, but now I guess it’s televised/ I heard the legends never die, oh, this lonely hell of mine/ There never was a better time to better myself.”
These heart-wrenching lyrics foreshadow Miller’s tragic death in September 2018, shortly after the release of his fifth studio album “Swimming,” where it seemed like he was slowly recovering from his addictions.
I thank, appreciate and love Malcolm James McCormick for his music and contribution to my life.
Favorite tracks: “Jet Fuel,” “Perfect Circle / God Speed” and “Diablo.”
MF Doom
Hip-hop’s most treasured underground anti-hero Daniel Dumile, otherwise known as MF Doom, re-emerged at the end of the ‘90s after mourning the loss of his music partner and brother Dingilizwe Dumile, known professionally as DJ Subroc.
Doom’s debut studio album, “Operation: Doomsday,” released in 1999 and quickly established him as an elite rapper and producer in the underground hip-hop scene, known for his witty delivery, playful rhyme schemes and animated production style.
His fifth studio album, “Mm..Food,” released in fall of 2004 and features the fan favorite “Beef Rapp.”
On the track, Doom raps, “What up? To all rappers: shut up with your shutting up/ And keep a shirt on, at least a button-up/ Yuck, is they rhymers or strippin’ males?/ Out-of-work jerks since they shut down Chippendales.”
In the beginning of the verse, Doom takes shots at rappers who chase clout by feuding with other rappers, also known as “beef.”
Although there are better examples that display Doom’s lyrical prowess and talent, the verse is a favorite of mine because of its ruthlessness.
Doom tragically passed away in October 2020 to unknown causes, but his legacy does not end there.
Celebrated lyricists such as Tyler, the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt and Danny Brown are just some examples of how Doom’s craftsmanship can influence a whole generation of lyrical rappers.
Favorite tracks: “All Caps,” “Kookies” and “Doomsday.”
Baby Keem
Baby Keem made huge waves in the rap industry with his 2019 mixtape, “Die For My Bitch,” where he blends melodic and trap rap over west coast old-school beats.
Best known for his baby-voice flow and punchy production, Keem sets himself apart from rappers who used similar techniques by using melody and harmony as a focal point in his music.
After being established as an exciting rapper to watch, news of Keem being Kendrick Lamar’s cousin surfaced on the web, causing fans and critics to question his abilities as an artist and whether or not he was an industry plant brought in under his cousin’s wing.
He proved them wrong with his second studio album released in 2021, “The Melodic Blue,” spawned the Grammy-winning track “family ties” featuring Lamar.
On the final track of the album, “16,” Keem raps, “My mama mad at me, I know I fucked up big/ My girl mad at me, I know I fucked up big/ What’s love? I guess I’ll never understand/ Every time I say sorry, I do that shit again.”
While these aren’t the most playful or hype lyrics Keem has spoken, they definitely hit home for me and others who struggle with expressing their feelings and communicating with loved ones.
Favorite tracks: “FRANCE FREESTYLE,” “STATS” and “lost souls.”
