Decades ago when the Rock & Roll genre came to fruition it laid claim to the title of anti-establishment, rebellious music. It was the kind of music parents didn’t want their children to listen to, afraid it would corrupt their minds and darken their souls. Around the 1990’s that honor was been passed over to Hip-Hop, with rappers raising their middle finger to the man and dropping curses left and right. But which rappers are putting out the hottest tracks today? Top 5 Lists weighs in:
Honorable Mentions:
JAY-Z, Meek Mill, A$AP Ferg, Future, Wiz Khalifa, Travi$ Scott, 2 Chainz, Young Thug, Logic, J. Cole, SchoolBoy Q, Wale
#5- Nicki Minaj
Even in 2016 making it in the rap game is not an easy task for a woman, yet despite this
Nicki Minaj has solidified herself as one of the best rappers making music today. She put herself on the map with her mind-blowing freestyle featured on Kanye West’s ‘Monster’ in 2010, and since then has released three albums. Her New York accent seeps through her lyrics as she spits some of the baddest verses in all of rap music.
Favorite Album: The Pinkprint
#4- A$AP Rocky
Like Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky is relatively new to rap music, considering that he has only released three albums. But what puts him at number four on this list is the quality of those albums, specifically ‘Long.Live.A$AP’ and ‘At.Long.Last.A$AP’. Both of his two most recent albums (released in 2013 and 2015, respectively) have been incredible, featuring a handful of smash hits including ‘Everyday’, ‘Goldie’, ‘F***in’ Problems’, and ‘L$D’. It comes as no surprise that this has resulted in him exploding in the rap scene. And while completely unrelated to his music, the guy is one of the best dressed rappers alive (according to GQ at least).
Favorite Album: Long.Live.A$AP
#3- Drake
He was the most listened to artist in 2015 on Spotify and for good reason. Since 2010 Drake has released four albums and two mixtapes (one of which was co-created with Future), all of which have received high praise from hip hop listeners. Some might argue that Drake deserves to hold the one spot on this list. While I do believe the rappers ahead of him have earned their spots, Drake has made a strong case for himself, especially with the release of ‘Nothing Was the Same’, a monumental album that will be listened to for years to come.
Favorite Album: Nothing Was the Same
#2- Kanye West
He is Yeezus. He is a lyrical genius. He is a god. At least, according to him. While his reputation for arrogance precedes him, the truth of the matter is that Kanye West IS a musical genius. ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’, ‘Watch the Throne’, and ‘Yeezus’ are all phenomenal, and that’s not including all the sensational albums he has released before 2010! And the kicker is that every single album of his has its own unique sound, making each release an event in and of itself. With only a few days before he releases his newest album, I sit impatiently on the edge of my seat.
Favorite Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
#1- Kendrick Lamar
When it comes to modern rap music there is no one greater than Kendrick Lamar. Hailing from the dangerous streets of Compton, K-Dot sets the bar for all other modern rappers to follow. While he only has released three albums in his career, two of them have been downright revolutionary for the genre (‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’ and ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’). That’s not to insult his first album, ‘Section.80’ (also great), but to merely state that I was stranded on a desert island and could only listen to five hip-hop albums until the end of my days, his latest two albums would be included. All hail the king, King Kendrick Lamar.
Favorite Album: TIE- Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and To Pimp a Butterfly
Top 5 Lists 