Favorites? I'll have to go with:

1) Outkast (So what if that's a group?)
2) Kanye West
3) Jay-Z

gosh, only 3

faves:
Black Thought
MCA
Jay-Z

In no order and with no surprising choices

Chuck D, Ice Cube, Q-Tip

Sorry, gents, but I can't seem to pick just three.

1. Nas - I don't care if he does nothing but shit out of his mouth for the rest of his life, Illmatic alone puts him here for me.

2. Ghostface Killah

3. Pharoahe Monch

4. GZA/Genius

5. MF DOOM

in no order

Ghostface, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Q-Tip


if MC Solaar had kept up his quality from his first two albums, i'd probably have put him in first
Common and GZA are way up there for me too and Nas on his good days

quote:

Originally posted by Briznow:

5. MF DOOM

I've heard the name batted about the place, but I never heard any of his stuff before, went out and got 'The Mouse and the Mask' yesterday and you're right, he's quality. Any recomendations?

Im in South Africa, & dat means d only hiphop I can get here locally is 50c, Game, Jayzee, Eminem and d rest of the cormmecial guys. PLZ recommend any good sites {other than hiphopgalaxy} where I can get a varied collection of good HipHop??????????????

it's hard to narrow it down to 3 of "all-time" because I grew up listening to different artists than I do now, and my opinion/taste changes often.

I'd say my 3 favorite would be

1) Aesop Rock
2) Buckshot
3) Masta Ace

Aesop Rock?Really?

1. Nas
2. Boots Riley
3. Andre 3000

3 of my favourites and undisputably three of the greatest ever as well.

Too tough a question but nevertheless in no particular order:

KRS-One
Rakim
Nas

quote:

Originally posted by groundfisher:
Too tough a question but nevertheless in no particular order:

KRS-One
Rakim
Nas

Gotta show some love for the originator of the BDP!

quote:

Originally posted by Mick_DH:

quote:

Originally posted by Briznow:

5. MF DOOM

I've heard the name batted about the place, but I never heard any of his stuff before, went out and got 'The Mouse and the Mask' yesterday and you're right, he's quality. Any recomendations?

'Madvillian' is a great album and if you are into instrumentals, check out his 'Special Herbs' collections.

quote:

Originally posted by Turenne:
Aesop Rock?Really?


3. Andre 3000

3 of my favourites and undisputably three of the greatest ever as well.

I'd take Aesop Rock over Andre 3000 any day. Andre wouldn't make my top 30 or so.

Yes I can understand how you would take Aesop's Rock(who has done ummm...???) over Andre 3000 who has taken part in three of the greatest Hip-Hop albums ever made and orchestrated some of the most original and genre breaking music ever made.

Sorry... I thought this was the thread for the greatest MCs of all time, not the greatest hip hop albums, or most consistent rap group thread.

Just as you think it's beyond dispute that Andre is one of the greatest MCs of all time, I think it's beyond dispute that Aesop is a far superior MC to Andre. I'm frequently knocked sideways by the intelligence and humour of Aesop's lyrics, I'm very rarely taken aback by Andre. In fact, I don't even think Andre's the best MC in Outkast (I actually mean that... not just trying to wind you up).

Don't get me wrong... I know I'm sounding like an Andre hater. That's the last thing I am. I like Outkast, although I'm not too fussed about their last couple of albums. And if we're comparing output I'd agree Outkast have been more consistent. This is the greatest MCs thread though, and imo Andre isn't in the same league as Aesop.

Aesop Rock > Andre 3000

Your entitled to your opinion, my opinion of Aesop was that his voice was easily the most annoying thing ever created after that feckin crazy frog song.

Maybe I should check out his new stuff, but I doubt my admiration for Andre will change, an MC he changes his flow almost every track and has that rare charisma and spontaneous delivery that only a handful of MC's have.

I trust no one has a problem with old Boots Riley though?

Damn, just three?? I'll give you a top five, dead or alive...

2Pac
Rakim
Nas
Talib Kweli
Mos Def

Of course there's plenty of talent out there that could have easily made the cut. Andre 3000, KRS and Ghostface comes to mind...

Sage Francis
Ol Dirty Bastard
Del Tha Funky Homosapien

quote:

Originally posted by DJCookieDoh:
Sage Francis
Ol Dirty Bastard
Del Tha Funky Homosapien

ODB? He wouldn't have been my choice of The Wu, but any representation is good.