Talking about the best rappers of all time is a bit like arguing over the best Sunday roast. Everyone’s got their favourites; no one agrees completely, and emotions run high. Still, it’s a conversation worth having—especially if you’re the sort of person who rewinds bars, quotes lyrics randomly, or still remembers where you were when you first heard “Still D.R.E.” or “Shut Up”.
Now, let’s be clear. This isn’t some cold, facts-and-figures list. We’re not counting streams, awards or how many times a rapper’s name trended on Twitter. This is more personal. The ones who stuck. Who made you stop what you were doing and listen? The ones who made music feel real.
So here’s a look—not ranked, not numbered—at some of the rappers people genuinely talk about when they say “the best”.
Tupac Shakur
Tupac was raw. Whether he was being sensitive in “Dear Mama” or throwing fire in “Hit ‘Em Up”, he never held back. He had something to say every time he stepped to the mic. And he said it like he meant it.
Even in the UK, where the accent and references were worlds apart, his music still felt personal. Tupac made people feel heard, especially when no one else was saying much about struggle, racism, or growing up hard.
The Notorious B.I.G.
If Tupac was fire, Biggie was ice. Smooth, confident, calm. He could tell a story better than most. Listening to “Warning” or “One More Chance”, it’s like you’re watching a film in your head.
He wasn’t flashy with his flow. He just slid over beats with this coolness that never tried too hard. And sometimes that’s what makes a rapper stick—when it sounds so natural it’s almost unfair.
Jay-Z
People say rap’s a young man’s game, but Jay’s been holding his place since the ’90s. The mad part is he’s still sharp now. You can go from “Can’t Knock the Hustle” to “4:44” and see the whole journey—from hungry to grown.
He’s done flashy. He’s done deep. And he’s done it all without sounding like he’s pretending. Not many can say that.
Nas
Nas dropped Illmatic at 20 and messed up the curve for everyone else. His lyrics painted pictures. Not just clever lines, but full-on scenes—corner stores, rooftops, little details that felt like real life.
Even now, when people talk about “real rap”, Nas’s name comes up. Because he didn’t just rhyme. He said something.
Eminem
Love him or not, Eminem changed the game. His flow, his wordplay, the way he crammed whole stories into tight, fast lines—it was ridiculous.
He’s funny, brutal, and sometimes uncomfortably honest. But that’s the point. You hear “Stan” or “Lose Yourself” once, and it sticks with you. Over in the UK, we were obsessed. Some of us still are.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick makes albums that feel like chapters in a book. They take time. They build. Sometimes, they hit hard straight away. Sometimes they grow on you, but when they do—wow.
He’s not the loudest, but when he speaks, people listen. And it’s not just bars for bars’ sake. There’s feeling there. There’s purpose.
Stormzy
It would be weird not to mention Stormzy. He came through grime, but he’s gone well beyond it now. And not just because of chart numbers.
He’s sharp with lyrics, but he’s also vulnerable when it counts. “Crown”, “One Second”, and even parts of “This Is What I Mean” show a guy who’s grown with his audience.
Plus, you know he’s not afraid to speak up outside of music too. That matters.
Skepta
Before grime started getting mainstream attention again, Skepta kept it alive. No gimmicks. No big label watering things down. Just hard beats and direct bars.
“Konnichiwa” wasn’t just a good album—it felt like a moment. A bit of pride, a bit of defiance. He made grime global again without changing what made it good.
Drake
Okay, yeah, he sings. He’s soft sometimes. But the guy can rap. Really rap. When he wants to prove a point, like in “5AM in Toronto” or “8AM in Charlotte”, it’s hard to deny the skill.
He’s also smart with how he blends styles. One week it’s grime influence. Next week, drill. Then back to classic boom-bap. It’s not copying—it’s adapting. Like it or not, he’s shaped modern rap in a massive way.
Dave
Dave’s got something rare: he’s young but already wise. Listening to “Psycho” or “Heart Attack”, it’s almost hard to believe someone so early in their career could say so much with such clarity.
He’s not in a rush either. He takes his time with music, and you can hear that in every bar.
Little Simz
Here’s someone who doesn’t always get enough credit. Simz is lyrical, calm, and fierce all at once. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert was one of those albums you sit with and let it sink in slowly.
She’s not about clout. She’s about craft. That’s rare, and it shows.
Also Read – Tays UK Drill
Why Lists Like This Matter
It’s not just about debating for fun. Talking about the best rappers of all time is a way of remembering what makes rap special. It’s about voice. Story. Feeling. Technique.
You can like drill and still respect boom-bap. You can be into catchy stuff and still nod when someone drops a proper bar. It’s all part of the same thing.
And yeah, new names will keep popping up. That’s the point. Rap moves fast. But the best ones—the ones who stick—they leave something behind.
Final Thoughts
There’s no perfect list. Everyone’s got one in their head already. But some names keep coming up for a reason.
Whether it’s Tupac’s honesty, Biggie’s smoothness, Kendrick’s layers, or Stormzy’s strength, the best rappers have one thing in common: they make you feel something.
Not every bar has to be deep. Not every beat has to be hard. But when it hits right, you know. You just know.
And if you’ve ever walked down the street with headphones on, mouthing lyrics under your breath, feeling like you own the place—you already get it. That’s what rap does. That’s why it matters.
