Diehard fans, music nerds and critics love lists. But in rap, greatest-of-all-time rankings like this take on a special level of import: aside from moving a crowd (shouts to Rakim), MC means proving you’re the best. In no other genre do artists so blatantly express their desire to outdo competition. That made Billboard's list a more high-stakes undertaking than usual. Many of our favorites -- Big Daddy Kane, Drake, KRS-One -- didn’t make it, and each of those omissions hurts deep down. We also have to note: we’re ranking rappers, not rap artists. That’s why Dr. Dre and Kanye West, for example, two legendary producer-artists who don’t match the mic skills of those listed here, were left out.
2.Jay Z
3.Eminem
4.Rakim
5.Nas
6.Andre 3000
7.Lauryn Hill
8.Ghost Face Killa
9.Kendrick Lamr
10.Lil Wayne

