The Top 5 Rap Groups

Let’s Talk About It…

Leave your top five in the comments below!

5. Wu-Tang Clan
We all know how it goes, “Wu Tang ain’t nothing to…” This maybe the most true words ever spoke about a group. How is it that almost everyone in this group can go toe to toe, lyrically, with ANY MC? We know the usual suspects, Meth, ODB, Rae, and Ghost. The other members of the group will also make you, “protect ya neck.”  Raw and hardcore, they are as New Your as Timberland boots and shorts. The genius of this group is not only in other worldly mic skills, but also in their incorporation of old kung fu movies in their musical sound.  In a music genre that overly relies on mafia themes, the Wu are well disciplined assassins. The only thing that I will say bad about the Clan is that they are too east coast. This too could be said about the number 2 group on this list, but the difference is, now rap music sounds like the number 2 group on this list. It is  because of this, I believe that they are not given recondition that they deserve. Highlights: Triumph, Can It Be, Method Man

4. Run-DMC
This is the first group that I can remember that had EVERYONE waiting on their next album release. They had the look, the New York confidence, and the lyrics. There was a time when Run-DMC was what every rapper looked like and sounded like. They said it best when they said, “I’m the king of rock, there is none higher..” Their success came a a time when rap was still young and considered a fad. Had they failed, I’m not so sure if we would even have rap as an option. And if we did it would look completely different. The importance of this group from Hollis Queens can not be overstated. They were not a gimmick act, they were legit and they knew how to make money, just ask Aerosmith.  While there are several old school rap groups to choose from, Run-DMC is the cream of the crop and deserves their crowns. Highlights: Rock Box, Run’s House, Tricky 
 

3. OutKast
Andre said it best, ” the South got something to say!” Once OutKast said that, they became the mouthpiece for how a southern hip hop group should sound and look. The beauty of this group is that you can see their progress throughout the years. Kast has a top five MC in Andre 3000, and another MC, Big Boi, that is grossly underrated. Their style is uniquely Atlanta and their sound is easily digestible for any listener. How many rappers are out now that look like a clone of Andre 3000? OutKast is the definition of “Trendsetter.” Here is an exercise for you, blindly pick any one of their albums and comment below if you were not more than satisfied. Highlights: southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, Millennium, B.O.B.   

2. Three-6 Mafia (Triple Six)
This entry on the list is sure to cause some drama. But pause for a minute and ask yourself this question, “Am I being a hater right now?” How can you define the majority of today’s rap music without including the sound and style that DJ Paul & Juicy J help create and popularized. Their music has won an Academy Award and has been sampled multiple times. Their rap style has been duplicated and sampled as well. The whole sub-genres of “Horror Core” is directly related to Memphis and Triple Six. The core group and the multiple rappers that were featured or were apart of the label, rivals the roster depth of the Wu-Tang Clan. Admittedly, Three 6  does not compare lyrically with some other rap groups, but do not fool yourself, Lord Infamous (Da Scarecrow) is more than capable of holding his own and has birth many of rappers (Migos, among others).  Don’t be surprised when you see Paul & J on the list of top producers.  Highlights: Ridin In The Chevy, Who Run It, Sippin On Some Syrup. 

1. NWA
“The worlds most dangerous group.”  Loc’s and black Raiders Starter jackets. Before NWA, no one outside of California knew what these were, let alone cared to have them. Before NWA, there was “Gangsta Rap” but no one outside of California was ruthless (pun intended) enough to unapologetically put it in the face of the world.  Their brutally honest album, Straight Outta Compton set the tone for Hip-Hop/Rap that is STILL the standard today. For better or for worse, hip-hop has been shaped in the image of the narratives painted by Ice Cube, Eazy E, and MC Ren.  Their hardcore lyrics matched perfectly with the hardcore beat production handled by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella.  NWA’s music has stood the test of time and would fit just fine on any modern hip hop play list. The group boasts a top 5 MC in Ice Cube and probably the best producer in the game in Dr Dre. In addition to that, Eazy E’s Ruthless Records successfully paved the way for all of the record labels that you we have today. Highlights: Their Entire Catalog.

Be on the look out for our next Top 5 featuring Hip-Hop producers (remember, its just a made up
list…don’t @me.)

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