I appreciate the forum on the topic of greatest mc's. I feel when you make up a list of the 22 greatest mc's (and i've been in to hip-hip since the 70's so I've heard just about everybody) the number one thing to consider along with lyrics is influence. Which mc's came out and were able to influence others to do what they were doing. Just like rock and roll, if you were to make a list there, there will be many artist on that list that influenced someone else. That has to be something that's taken into consideration. With that said MTV (although within there right to do so) are really not qualified to compile a greatest mc list. Case in point, you just can't make a list of this kind and not include Mc Ricky Dee aka Slick Rick. Thats like making a list of the greatest Hotdog places and not include Nathan's.

What the hell is Nathan's?

you obviously know nothing about hiphop if big l isn't in your top 22

1-tupac
2-big l
3-eminem
4-jay-z
5-biggie
6-nas
7-rakim
8-dre
9-jada

my top 5 list
1.Tupac
2.Biggie
3Lil Wayne
4.Soulja Slim
koolmo dee will always be the top dog.

my top 5
1. Notorious B.I.G
2. Method Man
3. Ol' Dirty Bastard
4. Eminem
5. Rza

My top 5 rappers
1. Brittney Spears
2. Celine Dion
3. Raven Symone
4. Hillary Duff
5. Lyndsay Lohan

Biggie Jay Tupac Nas LIL WAYNE

Whers´s EasyE ?

1-2pac
2-rakim
3-raekwon
4-nas
5-kase-o

1.rakim
2.krs-one
3.eminem
4.canibus
5.biggie

You guys are missing the point of rap. It's about who can spit the most intelligent lyrics but do it with a great flow.

Under these circumstances this is the list.

1. Rakim
2. Mos Def
3. KRS-One
4. Apathy
5. Black Eyed Peas (NOT Elephunk OR Monkey Buisiness. With Bridging The Gaps and Behind The Front they are some of the best rappers ever.)

1.nas
2.tupac
3.biggie
4.Jay z
5.run-dmc

best eva rappers:
1)2Pac
2)Nas
3)Rakim
and das it

2PAC AND NAS

2pac
biggie
eminem
dr dre
Ice Cube

1.eminem
2.tupac
3.biggie
4.dre
5.run dmc

Here's something else 4 you gies, Eminem is the biggest selling rap artist after the great 2pac. Look at stats people.

WOW I AM SO FUCKING BLOWIN AWAY THAT IT IS INSANE. KOOL MOE DEE CAN GO AND SUCK IS FATHERS BALLS UNTIL THEY TURN BLUE. THE BOOK IS REALLY A PEICE OF SHYT CAUSE KMD WAS DEAD AZZ WRONG FOR WHAT THE FUCK HE DID. PUTTING BIGGIE BEFORE PAC IS JUST LIKE PUTTING THE DEVIL BEFORE GOD. AND I REALLY DONT KNOW WHY!!!!!!!! YALL BE HATIN ON PAC LIKE THAT. MAN 2PAC HAD FROM THE DOPE LYRICS, THE PUNCH LINES, MC SKILLS, THE IMPACT, THE LOOKS, THE LADIES, THE RESPECT. YO COME ON NOW. THIS IS JUST REALLY UNBELIVABLE. AND IN SUM WAYS YA RAKIM NAS JAYZ KRS-ONE & BIGGIE MIGHT HAVE SPIT BETTER/MORE PUNCH LINES THAN PAC BUT THAT REALLY DONT MEAN A GOT DAMN THING. BUT I JUST LAUGH AT YALL FAKE ASS CAUSE YALL IS 2 FUNNY 4 ME. AND FUCK THE PERSON WHO BUILD UP THIS OH STUPID AZZ BLOG.

"Anyway, I had to crack a smile at Tupac's ranking. I have Tupac ranked #12 on my list and I've been fighting with Tupac fans over that ever since I posted my list back in June. Mo Dee can now have the joy of dealing with those Pac fanatics. :-)"
YO U ARE FUCKIN SLEEP AND YA NEED 2 WAKE YA ASS UP 4 REAL. BUT IF U ARE REALLY A PAC FAN THEN PUT YA FUCKIN 2'S IN THA AIR. AND 2 ALL DEM HATERS GO DUMP YA SAVAGE BODY OVER THE FUCKIN BK BRIDGE.

hey, rocky08, you definatley dont know hip hop, [Personal attack deleted]. Eminem came up with the re-up, and there goes another couple of million, right past tupac, as the best ever. No dissrepect to pac, i lov the man deerly, and if he was still here know one could beat him. and hes not which is a shame. Eminem is on his way.

1. Lil Wayne that all!!!

1. rakim
2. biggie
3. big daddy kane
4. nas
5. mos def

for the record, Dr Dre doesn't write, he's a producer, he doesn't count

Let's keep it simple stupid (KISS). I thinke Pac, Biggie, and Big L, died before their lyrical time for starters. In particular Pac and Biggie doesn't have the body of work to be the greatest ever due their unfortunate circumstances. I don't even count those albums put together by people who still want to capitalize on their ability after their death's because are just put together verses from years past. Their are certain that I look at when determining THE BEST EVER. It is a difficult process. What is the exact formula. Like in basketball, if its championships that its Bill Russell, if it's stats than it's Wilt, so on and so on. I look the collective body of work. Delivery, flow, lyrical diversity, timing, and of course punch lines or one liners are things to consider when having this discussion. Here is my selection based on the criteria listed:

Jay-Z
Pac
Biggie
Eminen
Nas
Rakim
Scarface
LL Cool J (he has done this for a long time)
KRS-One
Redman

Canibus (honorable mention) he can't make a song but the dude can most definently spit fo' sho'