Eminem, the iconic rapper, songwriter and record producer, has created a list of the seventeen rappers he considers to be the greatest of all time.
Of course, before we move on to who can be considered the GOAT by Em, it’s worth remembering that he also has a chance at the crown. First and foremost, his lyrical prowess is unmatched. His ability to weave intricate wordplay, metaphors, and storytelling into his verses is unparalleled. Eminem’s clever rhymes and raw, emotional delivery resonate with fans from all walks of life.
Another key factor in Eminem’s greatness is his longevity in the rap game. He burst onto the scene in the late 1990s and has maintained his relevance and influence for over two decades. Few artists can claim such sustained success and impact. Furthermore, Eminem’s technical skills, including his intricate flow, rapid delivery, and ability to switch between personas and characters within his songs, showcase his versatility and innovation as an artist.
Marshall Bruce Mathers III, a creative who is credited as being a pivotal figure in the popularisation of hip-hop in middle America, has managed to break major racial barriers with his work since breaking into the mainstream and becoming one of the most commercially successful rappers of all time. “If people take anything from my music, it should be motivation to know that anything is possible as long as you keep working at it and don’t back down,” he once said in a quote that typifies his approach to music.
“Nobody likes to fail. I want to succeed in everything I do, which isn’t much. But the things that I’m really passionate about, if I fail at those, if I’m not successful, what do I have?” he added. “People can try to reinvent themselves. I don’t think you can really change who you are, though, because who you are is pretty much where you came from and what you’ve done up to now.”
Mathers, the ‘Rap God’ himself, one who is considered by many to be the greatest of all time, has never been shy to discuss the music that has shaped his own creative vision, often paying homage to some of the most celebrated.
Recently, when a fan who was creating a YouTube video asked: “Who is the greatest rapper of all time?” Eminem was on hand. Somewhat surprisingly, the rapper actually replied. “For me, in no particular order… Toss up between Wayne, Pac, Royce, Jay, Redman, Treach, G. Rap, Biggie & King Crook…. [sic],” he tweeted.
He also went on to add: “Plus Redman, LL, Nas, Joyner, Kendrick, Cole, Andre, Rakim, Kane…[sic].”
This, of course, is not the first time Eminem has referenced some of his contemporaries and, in the years gone by, he has often cited some of the icons of the genre as part of his own music. Famously, as part of his 2002 song ‘Till I Collapse’, Mathers raps: “I got a list, here’s the order of my list that it’s in/ It goes, Reggie, Jay-Z, Tupac and Biggie/ Andre from Outkast, Jada, Kurupt, Nas and then me.”
Somewhat surprisingly, though, Eminem failed to include the likes of Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, 50 Cent or any members of the pioneering group Wu-Tang Clang.
Elsewhere, despite being the major figure in the breaking of racial barriers when it comes to white rappers, Eminem failed to include any in his list. It has also been noted that the rapper decided against including any female musicians as part of the selection.
See Eminem’s full selections, below.
Eminem’s favourite rappers of all time:
- Lil Wayne
- Tupac Shakur
- Royce da 5’9″
- Jay-Z
- Redman
- Treach
- Kool G Rap
- Notorious B.I.G.
- Kxng Crooked.
- LL Cool J
- Nas
- Joyner Lucas
- Kendrick Lamar
- J. Cole
- Andre 3000
- Rakim
- Big Daddy Kane