Today, Time Out New York released a list of the 50 best hip-hop artists from NYC. Since we think such a task is nearly impossible, we thought we would open things up to discussion. I don’t want to sway you too much, but keep in mind Wu-Tang Clan came in at the fourth spot, while solo members Ghostface Killah, Raekwon and GZA also had spots of their own. Surprisingly, RZA, the leader of the whole crew, was left out. You will also notice the highest ranked female MC is Nicki Minaj.
Anyway, the list appears to have been crowdsourced between influential hip-hop figures, as well as Time Out writers. Not only that, but Time Out also considered other things like album sales and overal popularity. What also threw us for a loop, though, is the fact that artists that are also on the list had a say in the voting process. We are talking people like De La Soul and Big Daddy Kane, who happened to both find themselves in the top 20.
Check the list out here, and come back to let us know if you think ranking NYC’s hip-hop artists is a good idea. Oh, and is Jay-Z really the best hip-hop artist out of NYC? The comments section is now open.
make up ya mind. is it most influential, best business men, or greatest hip hop ARTISTS. like kool herc, puffy, and grandmaster flash are cool and influenced hip hop to make it what it is today but wouldn’t call them great artists. definitely not greater than slick rick and big l. not feeling how none of the rappers that were voted the greatest by rappers actually were on the list as the greatest.
Mase and DMX are way too high. Puffy shouldn’t even be on this list (but he has been one of the most influential BUSINESS MEN in hip-hop). Either choose to include Wu-Tang as a group, or choose the best single members- not both. Big Pun is way too low. No Big L? Wow. and Biggie over Jay-Z. That’s a start.
Mickey Factz? LOL.
No Big L, No OC, No AZ = No list.
Whaaaaaat the fuuuuuck.
Heems and Kool AD together -easily- make this list, what are you talking about? Mayyybe not as solo artists but together, yeh, they’re up there.
And wow no OK is sad as fuck.
Wait…. no Big L.. really?
where the fuck is Big L?
no way asap rocky or das racist should be on this list… rocky maybe in 5 years.
organized konfusion/pharoah monch should be on there
so should camp lo but maybe thats just me
and at least one member of ditc – probably big l but o.c. too…
mos and talib should both be higher so should pun
i like how they included the entire duck down label tho haha
I can’t believe that Azalea Banks would make even the honorable mention list before Mickey Factz. And with A$AP in the top 50, I know Mick is ahead of him, no offense. Strictly speaking out of NY, Mickey should be hovering top 10.
A list that has Mase higher than Kool Herc deserves no serious discussion.
Das Racist so close to a legend like Slick Rick? these niggaz crazy. Basically, Slick should be in the top 10 – soooo many rappers say that he is a huge influence to them.
Also Asap Rocky? WTF?
Puff Daddy higher than ATCQ?
DMX higher than Ghostface, GangStarr and De La Soul???
Again – SLICK RICK number 49????
Lame list.
Mos Def should be top 10, Tribe should be top 5.
No Big L but they include Mase? PUHLEAZE.
just no.
You should have embedded the list so I wouldn’t have to leave your site to go read it and then be expected to come back and discuss it here.
No RZA = fail.