top 5 (dead or alive)

[JTizzle]

Good topic.  Did everyone forget about Slick Rick???

1 Slick Rick
2 Pete Nice
3 Guru/Ganstarr
4 Snoop
5 2pac/Biggie tie

[EastCoastHoney]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take it back!

I really like the guy. I hated him when the 1st album came out.
But 2000 B.C. was great.
As was Mic Club: The Curriculum
As was Rip The Jacker.

Okay, maybe he's not the worst rapper out there, but he still gets no props from me.   :-P

[EastCoastHoney]

Good topic. Did everyone forget about Slick Rick???

No, I didn't forget about Slick Rick.  Children's Story is a straight up hip hop classic.  Rick the Ruler would probably make my top 10 or 12 list, but not my top 5. 

[disgruntledhuman]

3 pages and nobody mentioned Run DMC? I know they weren't exactly the greatest at wordplay but if it hadn't been for them, I doubt I would have gotten into rap. They are definitely responsible for bringing rap to the forefront back in the late 80's. Anyway, my top 5:

Run DMC
Eric B & Rakim
Public Enemy
Ice Cube (especially N.W.A. and his first 2 solo albums)
Big Daddy Kane

[MistaJohn]

Good point Disgruntled.

For some reason, Run DMC often gets overlooked. Perhaps because their lack of ability to adapt. They kind of got stuck in 1985.

Nonetheless, they are legends and responsible for inspiring the greats.

[EastCoastHoney]

3 pages and nobody mentioned Run DMC? They are definitely responsible for bringing rap to the forefront back in the late 80's.

I agree 100% with what you said about Run DMC.  They are true pioneers, however I took the original question to mean the dopest MC's ever, not necessarily the best rap group or top pioneers of hip hop.  I would make a separate list for this group and definitely include:

Sugarhill Gang
Run DMC
Beastie Boys
LL Cool J

By the way, I have to give a special mention to some other 80's rap artists who have probably been long forgotten but were definitely dope including Dana Dane, Whodini, and MC Shy D.   

[jorge kluney]

I really liked Kool Moe Dee.
His songs dissing Cool J were pretty good.

He admitted that LL could make a better album, but "lyrically, the kid can't hang".
"Just usin' your name I took those L's Hung 'em on your head and rocked your bells "

[LiquidSwords]

whoa canibus isnt good? i beg to differ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN8biMDFYU8