according to
http://rap.about.com/cs/history/tp/bestofalltime.htm
1) 2Pac
With the exception of, perhaps, the following rapper, no one, living or dead, can begin to approach Tupac Shakur's level of craft. His sheer diversity of subject matter, good looks, charisma, volatile lyrics and passionate delivery made him a legend. His greatest hits were released in 1998.
2) Notorious B.I.G.
Wet vocals, illustrative lyrics and phat Puff Daddy-produced tracks made Notorious B.I.G. (aka Biggie Smalls) a force to be reckoned with. Despite his limited, violent and sometimes depresssing subject matter no one can top Biggie in terms of lyrical metaphors and ridiculously conversational freestyle ability.
3) Nas
This debut album was a classic and still years later, Nas is undeniably one of the best living rappers. This poetically gifted artist, at his best, is capable of crafting images that stay with you long after the CD has ended.
4) Talib Kweli
Although his solo debut was released a mere two years ago (2000), it was almost immediately recognized as a classic. Not only is he a spiritual, political and social griot -- he can spit like nobody's business.
5) Rakim (Eric B. & Rakim)
Sometimes referred to as the original gangsta rapper, Rakim displayed deadly cool, you-heard-me delivery and intelligent street smarts over phat jazzy beats. Tracks like "I Know You Got Soul," "I Ain't No Joke" and "Paid In Full" still inspire awe -- over fifteen years since they were recorded.
