Let the greatest MC argument begin anew. Kool Mo Dee was on Tavis Smiley's show last night promoting his new book, "There's a God on the Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs". It seems that Mo Dee, like many of us, was moved to make his own list after seeing the list that MTV put together last year. ( Here's my list if you haven't seen it yet. ) Here's the description of his book:
Rapper Kool Mo Dee thrived during hip-hop's nascent years as a vocalist whose tongue-twisting rhymes and speedy delivery put his counterparts to shame. On his 1987 album, How Ya Like Me Now, Kool came up with a 'hip-hop report card': a method of rating MCs (Emcees, Masters of Ceremonies, Master Communicators, or rap vocalists) as a way of separating the premier MCs from their often one-dimensional, overrated counterparts ("Sucka MCs"). Building on this original list, Kool has put together an extensive rating system to compile the definitive list of the greatest MCs of all time. Kool rates each MC based on seventeen different categories, ranging from the artist's lyricism, vocabulary, and freestyling ability to his longevity, body of work, and social impact. Each artist is given a numerical score from one to ten in each of the seventeen categories, as well as an explanation for how this rating was determined. The book includes a complete discography and full-color photograph for each MC, and will also have supplemental lists, such as the top ten storytellers and top ten rhymers.
It definitely seems worth a read and the categorical ranking is a nice touch. There's so much to consider when judging such a subjective thing, so no doubt his list will prove to be just as controversial as every other list. He did reveal his top 5 on Tavis' show:
Continued on the next page
Page 1 — Page 2
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - TheOriginal DJ SWIFT
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.
2 - Zach
What the hell is Nathan's?
3 - word up
you obviously know nothing about hiphop if big l isn't in your top 22
4 - angelo
1-tupac
2-big l
3-eminem
4-jay-z
5-biggie
6-nas
7-rakim
8-dre
9-jada
5 - vonnie
my top 5 list
1.Tupac
2.Biggie
3Lil Wayne
4.Soulja Slim
koolmo dee will always be the top dog.
6 - clarissa
my top 5
1. Notorious B.I.G
2. Method Man
3. Ol' Dirty Bastard
4. Eminem
5. Rza
7 - Oscar
My top 5 rappers
1. Brittney Spears
2. Celine Dion
3. Raven Symone
4. Hillary Duff
5. Lyndsay Lohan
8 - O. Sparks
Biggie Jay Tupac Nas LIL WAYNE
9 - tom
Whers´s EasyE ?
10 - pib
1-2pac
2-rakim
3-raekwon
4-nas
5-kase-o
11 - t
1.rakim
2.krs-one
3.eminem
4.canibus
5.biggie
12 - erwin
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.)
13 - brent
1.nas
2.tupac
3.biggie
4.Jay z
5.run-dmc
14 - truth
best eva rappers:
1)2Pac
2)Nas
3)Rakim
and das it
15 - Q.T
2PAC AND NAS
16 - reaL
2pac
biggie
eminem
dr dre
Ice Cube
17 - yazen
1.eminem
2.tupac
3.biggie
4.dre
5.run dmc
18 - yazen
Here's something else 4 you gies, Eminem is the biggest selling rap artist after the great 2pac. Look at stats people.
19 - ROCKY08
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.
20 - yazen
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.
21 - Ronnie A.
1. Lil Wayne that all!!!
22 - reel
1. rakim
2. biggie
3. big daddy kane
4. nas
5. mos def
23 - Skila
for the record, Dr Dre doesn't write, he's a producer, he doesn't count
24 - john doe
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'
25 - C.E.F.
First of all, let's try to be objective and keep the "fanhood" out. If you read the book, you would understand Kool Moe Dee's reasoning for the rankings. I think the point system validates that. Personally I believe Rakim should be #1, but 1nce again the point system validates Melle Mel's #1 ranking. Second of all, you have to consider the time the book was written. This is the reason that some rappers were left out. Kool Moe Dee cleary states that he included Biggie, 2pac, and Pun b/c they accomplished every thing that they could possibly accomplish, since they are deceased. Now as far as the Big L argument, he probably should be on the list. Lastly, I believe Andre 3000 is the best rapper (weirdness and all!); but I can admit that I am showing my "fanhood"! Peace.