MTV's Next 10 Greatest MC's

[rcpbball30]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1529079/0...?headlines=true

When the MTV hip-hop brain trust reconvenes to reconsider "The Greatest MCs of All Time" five or 10 years from now, these MCs will definitely be in the running for the top 10.

MC: Ludacris

Selected Catalog: Back for the First Time (2000), Word of Mouf (2001), *Chicken-N-Beer (2003), The Red Light District (2004).

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: Bottom line, Cris is the most versatile MC in the rap game. He knows no bounds in his raps. The Mouth of the South can tantalize the shawties on love ballads with Usher, help Jamie Foxx maintain heavy airplay while boasting about being a sexual Superman, throw them 'bows on a crunk record, and still hang with the premier lyricists in the game like Nas and Jadakiss on posse cuts with his humorous metaphors and unblemished flow.

Forecast: With the mega radio hits showing no signs of stopping and movies now in his repertoire, Cris' already formidable star power is still on the rise. However, the South's most consistent record seller is sometimes a victim of his own charisma: His party record hooks are so contagious and his videos so innovative that sometimes people forget about how nice he is on the mic. Later this year, Luda is dropping his Release Therapy LP, which should give a swift kick in the backside to anyone still sleeping on him.

MC: Kanye West

Selected Catalog: *The College Dropout (2004), *Late Registration (2005).

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: In five or 10 years, not only will we be talking about 'Ye as one of the best artists on the mic, but his invite to the producers hall of fame will have been signed, sealed and delivered. He very well could be giving the greatest beatmaker of all time — Dr. Dre — a serious run for his crown. As a rapper, Yeezee's skills are improving every year — and politically, he just might be the most important voice in rap.

Forecast: Say all you want about West's huge ego, that same ego was largely responsible for pushing him to deliver two classic LPs in two tries. That same ego is not going to let him put anything else out unless it's going to be heralded across the board: If you listen to "Impossible," you'll hear just how much he's grown musically, as if he wasn't already advanced enough. Kanye's been experimenting with his flow, as well, and popping up on recent remixes with the likes of D-Block and Three 6 Mafia that are helping enforce his street cred.

MC: Lil' Wayne

Selected Catalog: #Get It How U Live! (1997), *#Guerrilla Warfare (1999), Tha Block Is Hot (1999), Lights Out (2000), 500 Degreez (2002), #Let 'Em Burn (2003), *Tha Carter (2004), *Tha Carter II (2005).

# = as a member of Hot Boys

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: After digesting the classic Tha Carter and its superior sequel, a lot of people down bottom and up top really believe Wayne's self-proclaimed status as "the best rapper alive since the best rapper retired." Even if you don't put him at number one, you can't deny he's in the top five — right now. His arsenal is stacked tight: endless lyrics, a flow that'll make the competition vomit, proven pop and sex appeal, 'hood love and veteran status.

Jay? Nas? Biggie? Pac?

Our experts say Hov is king. Find out where your favorites rank and tell us what you think.

Forecast: He's been making music for 10 years and he's only 22 years old? You think LeBron James has a career ahead of him? Weezy is leading the pack of MCs under 25 — like Lloyd Banks, Cassidy and Juelz Santana — who are snatching the baton from the older cats. The future is here.

MC: The Game

Selected Catalog: *The Documentary (2005).

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: Sure, he only has one LP, but his mixtape circuit catalog constantly displays this Compton king is the truth.

Forecast: Game has been keeping his name out there recently with beef disses, but if he can stay away from feuds, he's absolutely going to be one of the special artists down the road. And while 50 Cent's hooks and Dr. Dre's beats obviously helped him sell records the first time around, Compton's bad boy has more than proved he can stand alone and shine. He's thought-provoking, audacious and obviously has his metaphors ready.

MC: Beanie Sigel

Selected Catalog: The Truth (1999), The Reason (2001), *The B. Coming (2005).

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: He can be heartfelt, humorous and ruthless. Sig is one of the most believable rappers of the past 10 years, and verse-for-verse, he's one of the most consistent.

Forecast: He may never give us a huge radio anthem, but that's not what we love Sigel for. He comes with that true grit in his raps. He's a street ambassador. Probably the only criticism Beans has received in his almost 10-year career is that he hasn't dropped that game-changing classic LP yet — which is not to say that the best isn't yet to come. His latest album, The B. Coming, was unequivocally timeless and his best work to date; it was just a little hard for him to push his product from behind prison bars. Now a free man with his batteries recharged, the Broad Street Bully has all the opportunity in the world to put the game under his thumb.

MC: Jadakiss

Selected Catalog: #Money, Power & Respect (1998), *#We Are the Streets (2000), Kiss Tha Game Goodbye (2001), Kiss of Death (2004).

# = as a member of the LOX

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: He's not going to give you a million different flows, he's not going to change his inflection up (he doesn't need to: he has one of the most recognizable voices out there), but he will keep killing you with words. Jadakiss is at home on the throne. Lyrically Kiss' track record the past decade is so impeccable, he's definitely the punch-line king.

Forecast: Coming from two dynasties like Bad Boy (circa 1994-98) and Ruff Ryders (circa 1999-2001), Kiss and the LOX have had no problem putting New York in a chokehold with their own D-Block movement. As a soloist, Kiss was certified gold last time out and had his biggest radio hit with "Why." So where does he go from here? Jada has to keep his momentum going with joints that can reach beyond the 'hood.

MC: 50 Cent

Selected Catalog: *Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003), #Beg for Mercy (2003), The Massacre (2005), Music From and Inspired by Get Rich or Die Tryin': The Motion Picture (2005).

# = with G-Unit

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: He doesn't make too many friends, but man, does 50 know how to make hit records. Whether he's dropping platinum bangers on his own or lending his talents to other artists, Fif has proven to be the most consistent hitmaker in rap today. Since 2002, Mr. Moneybags has had one of this decade's most impactful albums, led one of rap's strongest crews and revolutionized the mixtape game.

Forecast: Let's face it, 50 is going to have at least two more multiplatinum albums before he hangs up his mic. Commercially speaking, it doesn't seem like there's any new ground for him to break. He's had the million-selling first week, he's had the album that was the soundtrack to a nation and sold 10 million copies. 50's greatest success is looking like it will probably be on the business side. Apart from Eminem (who signed 50) and Jay-Z (whose Def Jam-owned Roc-A-Fella Records maintains Kanye West on the roster), none of the artists on our "Greatest MCs of All Time" list has been able to introduce a multiplatinum artist. 50's already done that with Dr. Dre for Game­­ — and with Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Mobb Deep and quite possibly Mase signed to his label, the Queens general seems destined to live lavishly as an executive for a long time to come.

MC: T.I.

Selected Catalog: I'm Serious (2001), *Trap Muzik (2003), *Urban Legend (2004), King (2006).

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: King is proving to be Tip's breakout LP, solidifying the King of the South's top position in all regions. He's finally crossed over into that rare breed of hip-hop pop star like Jay-Z, who is just as loved in the trap as he is on the airwaves and record stores. And the swagger is unimpeachable.

Forecast: Tip feels he should have been a major top dog from the inception of his career, but timing is everything. Now that he's affirmed his artistry in the music biz, he doesn't have to worry when he divvies up his time in Tinsletown. That, too, is proving fruitful, his Hollywood bow in "ATL" was critically acclaimed. The future for Tip is definitely looking it will be the best of both worlds.

MC: Cam'ron

Selected Catalog: Confessions of Fire (1998), S.D.E. (2000), *Come Home With Me (2002), *#Diplomatic Immunity (2003), *Purple Haze (2004), #Diplomatic Immunity, Vol. 2 (2004).

# = with the Diplomats

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: Have you ever gone to a show and seen Diplomat fans in action? It's almost like Cam is the epicenter of a cult following. Killa, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones are probably the biggest thing going in their NYC hometown when it comes to 'hood music, proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that you don't have to be multiplatinum "TRL" darlings to be a true rap stars. Cam himself is entertainment personified, whether it be his outlandish interview quotes, even crazier rap sentences or his swaggering outfits.

Forecast: Since Cam reintroduced himself in 2002 with the Roc, he's had one consistent formula: To shun high-priced but proven producers in favor of unknown track masters with a gritty sound, which has helped him keep the streets on smash. In the future, he may chase a few more million sales and rap over more commercial beats — which is fine, as long he keeps up his wordplay.

MC: Talib Kweli

Selected Catalog: *#Black Star (1998), ~Reflection Eternal (2000), Quality (2002), The Beautiful Struggle (2004).

# = as a member of Black Star

~ = as a member of Reflection Eternal

* = undeniable classic

Analysis: He's conscious but fly and gets ridiculously busy. Talib's catalog has been deemed respect-worthy for years by his peers and the backpack hip-hop fans. With a little spotlighting by Dave Chappelle, Talib's profile has gone up a couple of notches in recent years.

Forecast: Talib is literally one or two hits away from rising above his underground status and capturing the attention of the masses. That, coupled with a little more media savvy, and there's no reason why he couldn't dine with the greats.

Be sure to check out MTV News' definitive list, "The Greatest MCs Of All Time" and tell us what you think.

— Shaheem Reid

I think that it is outrageous that Lil' Wayne is on that list. The worst part is that they consider Tha Carter and Tha Carter II to be "undeniable classic" I have tried to listen to both of those albums and the key word is try, because it is that unbearable, I can't even stand to do so, they are so bad. Well, I just thought I would post that to see what you guys thought about it.

[bigted]

Wow this list sucks ass, even Bow Wow's better than some of those they mentioned, mostly none of these should be mentioned among the all time greats, except Talib Kweli, he should be mentioned already actually

Edited April 20, 2006 by bigted

[fresh_from_sofia]

Wow this list sucks ass, even Bow Wow's better than some of those they mentioned, mostly none of these should be mentioned among the all time greats

the future of commercial rap :4-only1ha: :paperbag: ... at least Kanye and Talib Kweli are there

[fan 4ever]

This list sucks...no other words for it realy! I can see why they put Kanye, Ludacris and Talib Kweli on it...but please...The Game?? 50 cent?? Lil Wayne?? Cam'ron?? Beanie Sigel??? Please!!! Why not put lil romeo and bow wow on that list then??

[bigted]

Well I think a lot of these rappers here will be remembered for the decline of commercial rap if labels don't learn to sign more quality rappers in the next 10 years, album sales ain't really as high as they used to be, people are starting to lose interest, they're getting tired of the disposable rappers, we need a breath of fresh air to all this generic stuff to hit the airwaves, hopefully some real mcs like Kel Spencer could come in and take over the future of the rap game, Jay-Z should've offered him a record deal at Def Jam instead of signing generic pimp rappers like Young Jeezy and Rick Ross who only make hustlin' songs like everybody else does, it's a crime nobody signed him yet 'cause he could probably out wit the entire commercial rap scene at this moment:

Kel Spencer's mixtape "Who Is Kel Spencer">>>>most albums MTV called classic there

Edited April 20, 2006 by bigted

[ash trey]

Ummm Slick Rick, Outkast, Fresh Prince, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip >>>>Better than any mc on there but I was happy to Talib there. I like Kanye but he is in no way a top 20 MC.

[Turntable]

I agree that Jadakiss, The Game, Talib Kweli and Kanye might become something.. Hust this is a lil over the top :rofl: And I dont think in 10 years we`ll still hear from 50.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Turntable

[bigted]

I don't understand how people could consider Kanye one of the all time great mcs either, people diss LL for having a lot of guests on his new album but come on now he has more dope albums without features on it than Kanye has dope songs without features, come on now this guy had like 100 guest appearances on his 2 albums combined, Kanye's beats are dope but that doesn't make him a dope mc, that makes him a dope producer, being a dope mc has to do with flow, performance, lyrics, and he doesn't qualify to me, if it was a 60 minute album with Kanye's boring flow on the mic I think I'd go to sleep... :rofl:

Edited April 20, 2006 by bigted

[Schnazz]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Thanks for posting that list, I needed a good laugh.

[WesSyde]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Thanks for posting that list, I needed a good laugh.

:word: what a joke

[Trey]

I think The Game belongs there, but 50 Cent!

[Da Brakes]

This is berlimpcious! :rofl:

[bigted]

The Game with only one album is an all time great? "The Documentary" had some good songs but that's not a classic either, I don't think it's an album that'll stand the test of time, that word classic gets thrown around too much, and don't get me started on Lil' Wayne:

Will's worst album "Born To Reign">>>>>Lil' Wayne's career

[mfuqua23]

Greatest MCs = ???. Somewhere is the lost definition of emcee. Commercially successful rappers is more like it. Everybody's listening party. I can understand why all of who was said. But I think their points are weak. And to say Bow Wow would be better is going a bit far. I don't find that funny one bit. No one artist has been "phenomeonal" for the "this year in Hip-Hop". It's been the genre and state of mind. It's a shame this was even put out, whether it ends up right or wrong.

[bigted]

MTV is really reaching here, if most of the rappers came out 15 years ago they'd been laughed out of the industry and been called a bunch of sellouts, it's sad to where the rap game has gone, a lot of these rappers don't have any individuality, at least Kanye tries some to be unique but a lot of the other ones are just carbon copies really of the image that record companies have been promotingand they don't really have that much skills either, they couldn't check a mic for Will if they all were performing at the same show, a lot of these rappers get booed off stage, so it's more like their cheap imitations more than anything, this list ain't really funny either, it's really sad to see where hip-hop has gone, MTV has become a disgrace, they went from Yo! MTV Raps to this crap?

Edited April 20, 2006 by bigted