Far Beyond the Hype Rap’S Best Artists of Today
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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 like Tupac and Biggie will be in this discussion. But other all-time greats like Rakim, DMX and OutKast 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 Twitter 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 Joe Budden 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. Travis Scott So I decided to create my own Top 10 rankings while ac- Best Song: Pick Up the Phone (featuring Quavo & 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 Young Thug) greatest artists.. 2. Kendrick Lamar Best Album: Astroworld Best Song: B**** Don’t Kill My Vibe Best Album: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City Imagine this. Take the musical genius of Kanye West, combine Story by: Sazoun Grayer it with the production savvy of Kid Cudi 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 albums 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 poetry. about him, whether it’s his interruption of Taylor Swift’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, Kim Kardashian. However you may feel about 3. Future talks and to his seemingly never-ending energy. Scott will go down the person Kanye West, the artist is an undeniable leg- Best Song: Where Ya At (featuring Drake) as one of the best to ever do it. end. A jack-of-all-trades — rapper, singer, producer and Best Album: Future Hndrxx Presents: The businessman — West has produced some of the most Wizrd 6. Migos legendary masterpieces of rap history such as “College Dropout,” “808s and Heartbreak” and “Yeezus.” 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 elite. 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 Offset and shape what hip-hop has become and has influenced replay value of his music. I’ve been listening to his songs Takeoff 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 Lil Wayne) 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 age of 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: Barter 6 10. Gunna 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 fashion 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 Atlanta 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 “Super Slimey” 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 Busta Rhymes. 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.