The Source's Top 50 Lyricists Of All Time

[Trax]

#1.Rakim
#2. Nas
#3. The Notorious B.I.G.
#4. Jay Z
#5. 2PAC
#6. Eminem
#7.KRS-ONE
#8. Big Daddy Kane
#9. Lauryn Hill
#10. Melle Mel
#11. LL Cool J
#12. Chuck D
#13. Andre 3000
#14. Ice Cube
#15. Slick Rick
#16. Scarface
#17. The D.O.C.
#18. Kool G. Rap
#19. Big Pun
#20. Q Tip
#21. Redman
#22. Common
#23. Mos Def
#24. Jadakiss
#25. Queen Latifah
#26. Big L
#27. Pharoahe Monch
#28. Talib Kweli
#29. Snoop Dogg
#30. Guru
#31. Kanye West
#32. GZA
#33. Method Man
#34. Black Thought
#35. Bun B
#36. Lil Wayne
#37. Busta Rhymes
#38. Posdnous
#39. Prodigy
#40. T.I.
#41. Fabolous
#42. Ludacris
#43. DMX
#44. Canibus
#45. Lil Kim
#46. Rick Ross
#47. Styles P
#48. Royce Da 5'9"
#49. Lupe Fiasco
#50. 50 Cent












http://rapgenius.com/discussions/8591-T ... zine-scans

[LIL_B]

So much fails in this list

#49. Lupe
#34. Black Thought
#32. GZA
#30. Guru
#28. Talib kweli
#27. Pharoahe Monch
#26. Big L
#23. Mos def
and

Rick ross is a better lyricist than Lupe?
#Sourceislost

[Blu]

You know Source still mad when they put Eminem at #6 lololol

[mdemaz]

You gotta be fucking kidding me, I'd wipe myself with that list.

[JAGODA]

Em at #6.

Ricky is better than Lupe and Fiddy, what the fuck is this shit?

That list is fucked up.

[TheGentlePlayer]

Didn't Rakim only have like two albums? Anyway, he's dope!

[EG.]

Lupe at #49
Fuck this shitty ass list.

[Fa-Q]

Source is once again a fuckin joke to real hip hop heads

[KaZer]

This is why I don't buy or read the Source & Complex cause they are terrible at representing Hip-Hop...

Just like some of you guys said it's a fucking joke, they don't know what they are talking about!

We should make a magazine called TR Magazine or something and make Source & Complex eat shit, Period!

[K Reidy]

this is one of the best jokes that source has done in awhile

[DanWS]

so Lil Wayne is a better lyricist than Lupe Fiasco...... ok.

[Sam.]

I loled at Royce Da 5'9" 's position.

[Manly Moose]

EDIT: Screw it, just know that this list includes being the first to do something, being influential in lyrics and stuff like that when it comes to choosing positions and yes there is bullshit involved. The source gives a nice summary of all the artists listed and its a fun read so stop bitching.



I love this list, with only a few exceptions such as Wayne and Rick Ross this list is perfect and a great representation of hiphop culture. Did you guys even read the short excerpts justifying the positions, this list tends to favor innovators over people like Royce whos lyrics neither say or do nothing of importance. Complexity in rhymes doesnt always equal better lyricism. I dont really know how to explain good lyricism myself but if I saw something like Royce above Ice Cube or Slick Rick then I would have to call bullshit. Of course some of your favorite underground rappers arent going to be in these kinds of list, I doubt the writers have heard of them. I get that many underground MCs like Rhyme Asylum DO deserve to be placed by the likes of Em and company but when your that obscure you wont be put on these lists, even if the writers had heard of them, frankly its hard justifying putting someone on a top 50 list when the person had no impact on hiphop.

For people complaining about Em being #6 Read what they said about him, in terms of lyrics he gets more praise than the #1 spot.

[Manly Moose]

Wow, when reading comments about this list somewhere else I found the worst noise I have ever heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkT-dqEA ... _embedded#!

[Devil'sAdvocate]

Tupac ahead of Eminem? i know this is not ONLY based over technicality.

Pure bullshit is all what you get in this universe!