Picking out our favourite rappers of all time is a pastime that is most enjoyed without any repercussions. The kind of conversation you have with your friend sitting around poorly constructed garden furniture as you contemplate other mythical musings. However, for rappers, having to note your top five is an almost constant expectation. That’s certainly the case for Common.
One of the leading lights of the hip hop game, Common’s opinions on anything and everything are always welcomed. But when he appeared on Nick Cannon’s radio show for Power 106, he was asked the dreaded question: ‘who makes your top five?’
At the time, back in 2019, Common was fielding questions regarding Let Love, his new album, which features Daniel Caesar, Swizz Beatz, BJ the Chicago Kid, Jill Scott, Leon Bridges, and more. But, soon enough, conversations switched to the question everybody wants to ask a rapper.
For Common, the choices were fairly easy except for one more modern-day rapper he felt deserved an honourable mention. Following on from his own heroes like Rick Ross and Ice Cube, Common was happy to pick his top five, starting with none other than The Notorious B.I.G.
Common was quick to follow that up and grant “equal billing” for Illmatic legend Nas. He completed his list with a nod for Andre 3000, his fellow Chicagoan, Kanye West and the magnificent KRS-One.
But there was a special mention for Kendrick Lamar, whom Common thinks is close to that mammoth top five. “You put Kendrick’s albums against the five that I named, it’s like, man, that dude got like four classics probably,” said Common.
Common’s favourite rappers ever:
- The Notorious B.I.G.
- Nas
- Andre 3000
- Kanye West
- KRS-One