The Internet has gone Top 50 crazy, a trend incited by the viral Top 50 Rappers Of All Time list that surfaced online earlier this week. The atrocious list released by The Brew Podcast ranked Joe Budden as the third-best rapper of all time, ahead of other industry vets including Eminem, 2Pac, Black Thought, and André 3000. Fabolous earning a place in one of the coveted top ten spots is also a travesty.
There’s so much I would love to say about that list but let’s remain focused.
Since the viral top 50 list went live on Monday, Aug. 5. Hip Hop heads, fans, and bloggers have all added their unsolicited two cents to the ongoing GOAT debate, with the likes of Mike Tyson, Ebro Darden, and Lil Durk sharing their unofficial Top 50.
But who would you have in your Top 10, or 50 in this case? Here’s the thing – your list isn’t accurate, and neither is mine. There’s no accurate list. Just go home. We all have opinions as to why we think John Doe belongs in the top spot but at the end of the day, it’s purely subjective.
Ranking rappers in Africa is trickier than the usual North American debate because you have so many factors to contend with including language, size of country, and cultural differences. Not forgetting corrupt leaders.
There’s also the curious case of the East. Everyone forgets about the East.
So what’s the easiest method to use when ranking rappers on the continent? Here’s a quick outline I think can help you identify the top 50 African Rappers Of All Time.
- – Popularity – You can never rule out popularity. How big is the artist outside his country? You can’t be the GOAT when only five people listen to your music. If an artist is popular then he/she is likely doing something right.
- – Longevity – At least ten plus years of consistent material, including guest verses. No hiding.
- – Lyricism – A huge game-changer but not the most important. Tupac isn’t the most lyrical but he makes GOAT debates.
- – Versatility/Notoriety – This is the one that keeps you relevant. Be flexible.
- – Battle Tested – You’re not the GOAT if you’ve never been in a rap beef, I’m sorry. I didn’t make the rules. Beef is an essential element of rap. Tupac, Biggie, Nas, JAY-Z, KRS-ONE, Ice Cube, and Drake, just to name a few have all been involved in rap beefs at some points in their careers. Start a beef, even if it’s with the mailman.
You can also look at classic projects but it’s hard to tell what’s a classic these days.
Veteran African rappers like Obrafour, Modenine, Reggie Rockstone, and Proverb all make my Top 50 African Rappers list as well as new school rappers including Nasty C, Emtee, and Cassper Nyovest.
As expected, the lists didn’t go down well with some readers and this was how they reacted to it. Some are not so pleasant.
“you set yourself up for a firing squad.”
Since this is a thing now, I’m just going to drop this here. 🏃🏿♂️🏃🏿♂️ pic.twitter.com/7iBXZVEwD4
— lazy Goat (@papermanCH) August 8, 2019
He barely rap in English.. Only his Ghanaians fans understand what he rap about… I can’t rate such a rapper
— author specie (@007author) August 9, 2019
Sarkodie (number 1) and phyno is on the list and buy are indigenous rappers but no @olamide_YBNL . MI (mr incredible) is not on the list.. & @VectorThaViper on 45 hahaha 😂 you are a joke man. You need to go listen to Rap attack
— tha successful (@streetly007) August 9, 2019
I do not see Hayze Engolah https://t.co/v4REZFCMxg
— 🏁FINISHER ⚠ (@brizzy1080) August 9, 2019
Consistency but you ranked Modenine, M.anifest and Obrafour ahead of him? Anytime you hear anything about rap in Nigeria, MI Abaga is the brain behind it. He’s done more for Nigeria Rap culture than all other rappers
— Lakeside Muller 🐅Ọmọ tọ’nsọ (@legzy00) August 9, 2019
I trust you coz @Sarkodie is no. 1 always…and my nigga @KingShukid254 is in there too https://t.co/thRhVLwI0D
— 👽 (@Dj_TopSecret) August 9, 2019
You set yourself up for a firing squad.. 😂😂😂😂. You left out amazing rappers who are lost in translation while exalting others who are.. https://t.co/Kcb7n4AVUs
— @RightHand2God (@MrBlu_Allday) August 9, 2019
No doubt Sarkodie got bars, but above Modenine? It’s a big noooo
— SKRIPT (@AmSkript) August 9, 2019
What of SDC?
— Z (@thekingzoey) August 9, 2019
Fact that there’s no one from TZ… the list is void 😂😂
— FreeErickKabendera (@Wakazi) August 9, 2019
Should have started this post with the words ‘in my opinion’ cos there’s no way Sarkodie is no 1 and Vector is 45 😂😂😂
— bobo_juice (@itz_cyrilshie) August 9, 2019
LMAO. No francophone rappers?
LMAO.
— Bóncoüse (@keleccini) August 8, 2019
— Clinton Al-harazi Eleto (@ClintonSpel) August 8, 2019
Wtf is weird mc doing on the list ? Where is Gino ?
— KayBangz aka 3plek (@kay_bangz) August 8, 2019
Stoogie T should be top 15, Sarkodie should be mid table https://t.co/vdTzeWHJiy
— Poseidon (@Dha_mist) August 9, 2019
Olamide is not here ??
— Temitope Morgan (@TemitopeMorgan) August 8, 2019
lol WHAT? 😂 pic.twitter.com/cg4pdXSxaS
— steph (@steph_therapper) August 8, 2019
Definitely nicer than most in your Top 10. But we’ll get to it soon enough
— 🇺🇬🇺🇬 (@TheMithMusic) August 8, 2019
No way Sark is better than Modenine x Proverb.
— Miracle Boy (@iamDoli_Suave) August 8, 2019
You’re trying to get me mad, heheehhee
— 🇺🇬🇺🇬 (@TheMithMusic) August 8, 2019
Sarkodie is not better than M.I or Modenine ❌❌❌ M.I is too 3 all time
— Lakeside Muller 🐅Ọmọ tọ’nsọ (@legzy00) August 9, 2019
Where is baddo…olamide….????
— •´¯`•.ИASҠY ß♡Y .• (@samuelnasky) August 8, 2019
🔥🔥🔥🔥😂 https://t.co/uC0IWaPhHL
— Mandela In A Rari (@ThirdEyeMalawi) August 8, 2
