The Top 10 Rappers of the 2010s
The 2010s in Hip-Hop will certainly be looked at as the most successful decade the genre has ever seen. In this decade, we’ve seen rappers reach new heights of success, as well as new sub-genres start to take form and dominate the airwaves. Much of the success is due to the transformative and dominance we have seen from multiple rappers of this decade. We’ve seen summer dominance from rappers like Fetty Wap, and Tekashi 6ix9ine, however, their ability to sustain such success remained in question for a variety of reasons. However, this top ten list isn’t for rappers who’ve displayed dominance over just one summer, but for the rappers who on the impact of their presence and influence within Hip-Hop has molded it into the multifaceted genre that we know it to be. Now, here they are, my top ten rappers of the decade. Enjoy.
10) Migos
Classic Albums: “Culture”
Before listening to the Migos, I like many people never really paid much attention to adlibs. However, after listening to their 2017 album “Culture,” adlibs had somehow become the talk of the genre. Listeners everywhere became obsessed with searching out for adlibs from the Migos, even making sure to yell them whenever songs like “T-Shirt” or “Bad and Boujee” came on at the local party. Some personal favorites for me are Offset’s “Hey” or “grrr,” Quavo’s “mama” and Takeoff yelling to contrast his smooth flow. While the Migo’s “Culture” allowed them to transcend into a new stratosphere of stardom, I’d be trash if I didn’t mention their early hits like “Versace,” “Hannah Montana” and “Fight Night” laid the groundwork for them to be the three-headed monster we know them to be today.
9) Big Sean
Classic Albums: “Finally Famous” & “Dark Sky Paradise”
Probably the most controversial pick on the list, at number nine for me is Big Sean. The Detroit rapper’s career is definitely an interesting one of peaks and valleys, however, when he is at his peak, there are very few rappers who can even sniff his level. This man is simply a lyrical genius who is responsible for lines like, “fuck trying and not doing cuz not doing is something a nigga not doing” (Control ft. Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica) and “Coming from a city where bullets turn bros into souls, who knew from the concrete that a rose had arose, good girls stop being good when I turn them into hoes, dreams stop being dreams when I turn them into goals.” His at times motivational outlook in his raps on his first three albums “Finally Famous,” “Hall of Fame,” and “Dark Sky Paradise,” hold a place in the hearts of Hip-Hop fans everywhere earning him the number nine slot on this list.
8) Kanye West
Classic Albums: “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” & “Watch The Throne”
Any top ten rapper list is simply incomplete without Kanye West. Always a polarizing figure in pop culture, Kanye has never ceased to amaze us, both inside and outside of music. However, while I could give you a full article about Kanye’s antics outside of the music, for the purposes of this list, let’s talk about the music. First of all, the man gave us what is easily a top-five album this decade in 2010 with “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” which earns him a place on the list by itself. However, Kanye came back in 2011 with JAY-Z to give us one of the best collab albums of all time in “Watch The Throne.” Say whatever you want about Kanye, I’m sure his actions have led you to say whatever about him, but one thing that cannot be questioned across the board is the man’s musical genius.
7) Young Thug
Classic Albums: N/A
Young Thug at number seven on this list is purely an impact pick. One of the biggest reasons for the generation gap in Hip-Hop because his flow and cadence led some Hip-Hop OGs to question what the genre should sound like and what qualifies as Hip-Hop, Young Thug’s impact on the sound of Hip-Hop is unquestionable. His early songs like “Lifestyle” with Rich Homie Quan and “Check” broke the Hip-Hop mold of what the genre can sound like. This, in turn, paved the way for superstar rappers like Gunna, Lil Uzi Vert, and Trippie Redd who rely on their cadence and flow Young Thug is one of the four rappers most responsible for the current wave of Hip-Hop.
6) Lil Wayne
Classic Albums: “Tha Carter IV”
Wheezy F Baby and the F is for GOAT! (The F is in there somewhere, just trust me, we’re not here to argue over the English language.) Despite being pseudo-banned from giving us great music to inject into our veins for five years, Wayne’s impact on this current generation of Hip-Hop isn't to be challenged. From making a hit by freestyling on a beat off the dome to the fascination with face tattoos, no matter what subgenre of Hip-Hop you find yourself listening to Lil Wayne’s influence is there in some form or fashion. Wayne also gave us what is arguably his best project of his career this decade, a legendary work of art known as “Tha Carter IV” featuring songs like “John” featuring Rick Ross and “6 Foot 7 Foot” featuring Corey Gunz. Wheezy also cosigned two of the biggest of the artists of the decade in Drake and Lil Wayne as well as many other successful acts through his position as the Young Money’s frontman.
5) Future
Classic Albums: “DS2”
Future, like Young Thug and Lil Wayne, is one of the key influences that led Hip-Hop to where it is today. Starting with his early hits like “Same Damn Time” and “Honest,” his versatility isn’t something to be questioned. The best display of his talents and hitmaking ability comes from his legendary run starting in 2014 with the release of the “Monster.” “Beast Mode” and “56 Nights” completed his mixtape run in 2015 before he cemented his legacy with the release of his trap classic “DS2” with hits like “Thought It Was A Drought,” and “Where Ya At” featuring Drake. His 2015 ended with his collab album with Drake “What A Time To Be Alive” satisfying the thirst for more music Future left with “DS2.” Future has become known for his work ethic in the music business as well, most notably dropping two albums, “FUTURE” and “HNDRXX” in consecutive weeks. Future has also gone on to do a collab album with Young Thug, titled “Super Slimey” in 2017 and another with Juice WRLD titled “Future and Juice WRLD Present… WRLD on Drugs” in 2018. However, this doesn’t even touch the surface of the amount of music Future has been a part of this decade. The quality of his music, as well as his “DS2”, being the start of the Hip-Hop eye focusing on Atlanta earns Future a top-five place on this list.
4) Nicki Minaj
Classic Albums: “Pink Friday”
“Boy you got my heartbeat running away…” oh my fault. At number four on this countdown is Nicki Minaj. Responsible for many Hip-Hop moments both good and bad, her presence in Hip-Hop as one of the top MCs in the game carved out a spot for many women rappers this decade. Her ability to make hits that transcend the genre’s gender split earns her a spot on this list considering where Hip-Hop was when she first came into the game. Don’t believe me? Play “Super Bass” right now and lie to me saying you don’t know the words. Can’t do it? Exactly. Her debut “Pink Friday” is the crown jewel of her career by far, with hits like the previously mentioned “Super Bass,” “Moment 4 Life” featuring Drake, and “Fly” featuring Rihanna. Her decade serves as a blueprint for many up and coming lady rappers now and in the future.
3) Drake
Classic Albums: N/A
Arguably, the most commercial rapper of all time, Drake has certainly carved out his spot in Hip-Hop royalty on the strength of his numbers alone. However, just talking about his numbers does a disservice to how great of a rapper he is. Responsible for a smorgasbord of hits, most notably “Over,” “In My Feelings” and “Headlines,” Drake’s mere presence on a song is enough for it to get on the charts. His dominance of the charts and talent to adapt to the always evolving sound of Hip-Hop is impressive. Drake’s dominance makes him a strong case for the top three of the decade, despite him not having an undisputed classic album like our top two rappers. However, up for consideration in his discography for classic status are “Thank Me Later,” “Take Care” and “Nothing Was The Same.”
2) J. Cole
Classic Albums: “Born Sinner” & “2014 Forest Hills Drive”
It’s a Cole world at number two on the list. J. Cole is easily one of the top two rappers of the decade in my eyes because of his immense talent as well as his impact throughout the genre. Responsible for two classic albums, J. Cole is one of those rappers who always comes through with something important to say. “Born Sinner” was a true introduction to what Cole could be with songs like “Crooked Smile” featuring TLC, “Power Trip” featuring Miguel and “Let Nas Down” that displayed his ability to tell a story and stay cohesive throughout. However, many argue that “2014 Forest Hills Drive” is the crown jewel of J. Cole’s career setting the stage of the storytelling and execution to expect from Cole’s next two albums “4 Your Eyez Only” and “KOD.” Cole fans love to mention that each of his last three albums are certified platinum despite not have features on each one. Cole’s influence has been felt through his label Dreamville as well as he is currently mentoring upcoming artists like JID and Ari Lennox.
1) Kendrick Lamar
Classic Albums: “Section.80,” “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” “To Pimp a Butterfly,” & “DAMN.”
Coming in at number one on this list is Kendrick Lamar. Storytime: It’s 2012, “good kid, m.A.A.d city” had just dropped and everyone is lauding Kendrick Lamar as the man who saved Hip-Hop. Why? One word: storytelling. The storytelling on display throughout his career alone elevates Kendrick Lamar to the top three artists of the decade. However, what makes him number one is his sheer ability to rip your favorite rapper apart with his wordplay and flows. Think I’m wrong? You clearly never heard Big Sean’s “Control” where Kendrick rapped about his fondness for his Hip-Hop counterparts, then raps “but this is Hip-Hop and them niggas should know what time it is, and that goes for Jermaine Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Wale, Pusha T, Meek Millz, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean, Jay Electron’, Tyler, Mac Miller, I got love for you all but I’m trying to murder you niggas.” Many fans point to this moment on Big Sean’s “Control” as the moment Hip-Hop became a competitive genre for this decade’s greatest. On top of that, every single one of Kendrick’s albums are classics in their own way. “Section.80” for the cohesive chill jazz-like vibe, “good kid, m.A.A.d city” for its storytelling and impact on the genre, “To Pimp a Butterfly” for its presence as a time machine, bringing genres like funk to the forefront of music and finally “DAMN.” Because of the impressive storytelling that is on display whether you play the album in the original order or backward.
This decade has brought us some of the greatest rappers we have ever seen in the genre. However, there appears to be no way but up for the Hip-Hop genre as artists like Travis Scott, Cardi B, and Lil Uzi Vert set their goals on making the 2020s their decade. Listening to the shifts in the sound of this genre will be an interesting experience as we have already seen evidence of genres like country and rock growing their influence with Hip-Hop through artists like Trippie Redd and Lil Nas X. At the end of the 2020s, the idea of what a genre is may completely change, however that remains to be seen. One thing that is a guarantee is Hip-Hop’s next ten years will be filled with musical excellence.
