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Home , 2014 Forest Hills Drive, 21 Savage, Born Sinner, Future (rapper), Gunna (rapper), Hndrxx

6 LIFE&ARTS Wednesday, September 11, 2019 @TheEtCetera The Et Cetera far beyond the hype Rap’s best artists of today

Who comes to mind when discussing the top hip-hop art- ists ever? Of course the usual suspects Tupac and Biggie will be in this discussion. But other all-time greats like Rakim, DMX and could also be mentioned. I think everyone’s preferences would look a little different. Recently, a hip-hop podcast called “The Brew” tweeted out a list of the “Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All-Time”. The list that resulted in a uproar of angry fans and members of the music industry. The commenters had several big complaints. For one, no female artists were listed. One-hit wonder and now outspoken hip-hop critic was listed at No. 3. And a number of highly regarded top artists were either ranked horribly or absent from the list altogether. I agree that this list included a truly ridiculous sequence of artists. Upon seeing the list for the first time, I honestly thought it was a joke or a troll. 4. So I decided to create my own Top 10 rankings while ac- Best Song: Pick Up the Phone (featuring & knowledging that, because I’m 18 years old, my list caters more to the present-day era of rap. So here’s my ranking of todays ) greatest artists.. 2. Best : Astroworld Best Song: B**** Don’t Kill My Vibe Best Album: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City Imagine this. Take the musical of , combine Story by: Sazoun Grayer it with the production savvy of and what you get out is Travis Scott. Illustrations by: Allan Garcia-Ramos Being a native of Compton, Lamar was passed the Scott took no time in becoming one of the most prominent fig- West Coast rap torch by Bay Area OGs like Dr. Dre. The and jessica Martinez ures in hip-hop. If he isn’t the greatest artist of all time, he is by far so-called “king” of hip-hop is one of the most talented the greatest stage performer. No one has even come close to hav- and creative rappers we’ve ever seen. Only five ing his stage presence. His concerts are notorious for the absolute in since his “Section 80” debut in 2011, Lamar has 1. Kanye West madness and chaos that they cause, so much so that he was once quickly solidified himself as one of the most important Best Song: Heartless arrested following a show for inciting a riot. His music is already figures in rap today and of all-time. He has a plethora of tremendous, but hearing it live is ecstasy. Best Album: Graduation classics and a Pulitzer Prize to back it up. There’s no wonder that Scott has been so successful. A prodigy Lamar is a lyrical genius, and he effortlessly produces of Kanye West, he signed with West’s Good Music Label at the One word wouldn’t be enough to describe the eccen- groovy, soulful beats that time and time again embody beginning stages of his career and has produced and collaborated tricity of Kanye West. Almost everyone knows something the definition of rhythm and . about him, whether it’s his interruption of ’s with him on many occasions. Since then, though, Scott has been acceptance speech at the 2009 Video Music Awards or on a rampage to create his own lane in hip-hop. He has one of the his marriage to one of the most iconic women of pop cul- most unique personalities in rap. From his sound to the way he ture ever, . However you may feel about 3. talks and to his seemingly never-ending energy. Scott will go down the person Kanye West, the artist is an undeniable leg- Best Song: (featuring ) as one of the best to ever do it. end. A jack-of-all-trades — rapper, singer, producer and Best Album: Future Presents: The businessman — West has produced some of the most Wizrd 6. legendary masterpieces of rap history such as “College Dropout,” “808s and Heartbreak” and “.” Future is the definition of “new-school rap.” He may Best Song: Kelly Price (featuring Travis Scott) It’s hard to choose just one best album because all not be as lyrically sound as the likes of a Kendrick Best Album: Culture of them are equally amazing. His music has been so Lamar, but his use of catchy wordplay and hard-hitting innovative and influential on rap culture. He is an abso- beats has projected him to hip-hop’s . He’s been The first and only group on this list, the Migos have continued lute master of sound production. He knows exactly what popping out banger after banger for years, and he shows the legacy of legendary hip-hop groups like the Wu-Tang Clan and combinations of rhyme and sound will create the perfect no sign of slowing down. Especially after already releas- NWA that came before them. What I believe separates them from result. Just one listen to any of his albums, and you’ll un- ing his second album of 2019, “Save Me.” One thing those other groups, though, is that they are all related. You can derstand the true gift this man possesses. He has helped that really separates Future from his fellow artists is the even hear it in their music. Uncle Quavo and cousins and shape what hip-hop has become and has influenced replay value of his music. I’ve been listening to his songs never miss a beat. They complement each other so well, many of today’s top artists. for quite some time now, and they haven’t got old yet. and their trademark ad-libs are just the cherry on top. “Splash!” LIFE&ARTS 7 The Et Cetera www.eastfieldnews.com Wednesday, September 11, 2019

8. Big KRIT Best Song: Banana Clip Theory Best Album: King Remembered in Time

This is going to be the biggest head-scratcher for most people reading this list. KRIT is not a super well-known rapper. But he should be. KRIT is a strong-tongued, dynamic MC, and his lyrical ability is matched by only a few. What really sets him apart from other new age rappers is that he has an old-school style to his music. The vibes to his music are so smooth and relaxing that he appeals to a wide range of listeners. If you’ve got your great uncle riding in the slab with you, I highly recommend giving KRIT a play.

9. Mac Miller Best Song: The Question (featuring ) Best Album: Macadelic

Mac Miller was an incredible artist and such an under- rated rapper as well. He could rap, he could sing and his flow was uncanny. His style was also unique, so it was hard to really compare him to anyone else. Unfortu- nately, he died last September at the 26. A month before his death, he released his final album, “Swim- ming,” that featured some absolute masterpieces. The album came out the same day as Travis Scott’s “Astro- world,” so it didn’t really get the recognition it deserved. If you haven’t heard it, give it a listen. 5. Young Thug 4. Travis Scott Best Song: Check Best Song: Pick Up the Phone (featuring Quavo & Best Album: 10. Young Thug) Best Song: 3 Headed Snake (featuring Young Best Album: Astroworld When it comes to personalities, the “Thugger” has one of the Thug) biggest. His flamboyant, artsy lifestyle reflects not only in his Best Album: Drip or Drown 2 Imagine this. Take the musical genius of Kanye West, combine but also in his music. Thug doesn’t have as great as of a it with the production savvy of Kid Cudi and what you get out is discography as others in the elite rap class. But when it comes to The final slot was a tough choice. There are many Travis Scott. producing catchy, lovable tunes that stand the test of time, Thug great artists to choose from, but ultimately I landed on a Scott took no time in becoming one of the most prominent fig- is your guy. I have always been blown away by how effortlessly slick, still up-and-coming rapper named Gunna. ures in hip-hop. If he isn’t the greatest artist of all time, he is by far he creates these smooth, rhythmic tracks that leave your ears Gunna has only really been on the scene since 2016, the greatest stage performer. No one has even come close to hav- dumbfounded. Not to mention that he’s also an incredible singer. but the reason he makes the list is his flow. He has the ing his stage presence. His concerts are notorious for the absolute His song “Killed Before,” off of his joint album “” with most fascinating flow of any rapper I’ve heard since madness and chaos that they cause, so much so that he was once Future, showcased his tremendous vocal abilities. It even had Lil . Give this man a hard beat, let him spit arrested following a show for inciting a riot. His music is already Duval, among others, calling for a Grammy for best R&B song. He some flames over it and boom! Instant classic. tremendous, but hearing it live is ecstasy. got my vote. Keep your eye on this man, because he will probably There’s no wonder that Scott has been so successful. A prodigy be higher on the next top rappers list. of Kanye West, he signed with West’s Good Music Label at the beginning stages of his career and has produced and collaborated 7. J. Cole with him on many occasions. Since then, though, Scott has been Best Song: Squad Honorable Mentions: Jay-Z, T.I., 21 , on a rampage to create his own lane in hip-hop. He has one of the Best Album: , , , Kevin most unique personalities in rap. From his sound to the way he Gates, A$AP Rocky, , Kid Cudi, Drake talks and to his seemingly never-ending energy. Scott will go down Kendrick. Cole. Kendrick. Cole. The debate may never end. I as one of the best to ever do it. like to appreciate the best of both worlds. J. Cole is a rare specimen. He’s not only one of the most talented rappers alive, he’s also one of the most relatable. A lot 6. Migos of rappers today like to boast about their luxurious or dangerous Best Song: Kelly Price (featuring Travis Scott) lifestyles that the average listener probably can’t relate to. J Cole’s Have a different list? Best Album: Culture lyrics talk a lot about the everyday struggles of the man and issues that everyone went through during a time in their lives. The first and only group on this list, the Migos have continued Many people will say he has one of the greatest albums of all Tweet us your Top 10 the legacy of legendary hip-hop groups like the Wu-Tang Clan and time with “,” but I’m more of a “Born Sinner” NWA that came before them. What I believe separates them from type of guy. The reason why Cole falls to No. 7 on this list is that those other groups, though, is that they are all related. You can he can be a little predictable at this stage in his career. He doesn’t @TheEtCetera even hear it in their music. Uncle Quavo and cousins Offset and really have that “wow” factor anymore, and replay value of his Takeoff never miss a beat. They complement each other so well, music is not as high as others. Still, he’s a phenomenal talent and and their trademark ad-libs are just the cherry on top. “Splash!” an all-time MC.