Hip-hop has come a long way since its birth in the 1970s. One of the most popular genres of music on the planet, hip-hop is constantly evolving and will never cease to improve or worsen with time. Old school rap has been a dominant force for decades, and many people still prefer listening to this style of hip-hop rather than trap or other modern beats.
This article will explore 21 of the best old-school rappers and those who aspire to be among them. This list will always focus on rappers from throughout history (beginning 1970 up through the present day), not just current artists.
1. Tupac
Tupac Amaru Shakur, born Lesane Parish Crooks, was born in 1971 – died in 1996. He was an American rapper and actor, also known as 2Pac and Makaveli. He was a major figure in East Coast hip hop and East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry. He is one of the founding members of the legendary West Coast hip hop group Digital Underground, the first to bring attention to east coast rap.
Tupac is also credited for bringing west coast rap to a large audience. Tupac was known for his witty, intelligent, and dark lyrics, which influenced many other rappers in his wake.
2. The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace, born in 1972 – died in 1997. He was an American rapper known by his stage name Biggie Smalls. He is regarded as one of the all-time great rappers and was a key player in the East Coast hip hop scene in the 1990s. He recorded his first demo tape in New York City under “Big Bank Hank”. As a teenager, he joined several Brooklyn-based rap groups and traveled to other cities throughout New York State, where they performed at local hip-hop clubs.
3. Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones was born in 1973. He is an American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur. In 2012, he announced that he was the founder of a new label called Mass Appeal Records. He is also involved in philanthropy and has served as the inspiration behind several community-based programs. This year, Nas will release a new album.
4. Ice Cube
O’Shea Jackson Sr. was born in 1969. He is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A., and later joined N.W.A. and went solo after being released from the group in 1989, when he signed with Priority Records to release his debut solo album AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted in 1990.
5. N.W.A.
N.W.A was an American hip-hop group from Compton, California. They began as a rap group and were later successful with their transition into gangsta rap with their release of Eazy-Duz-It in 1988. The group began with Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, DJ Yella, and Ice Cube (birth name O’Shea Jackson), who later left and formed his label, Lench Mob Records.
6. Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young was born in 1965. He is an American record producer, rapper, and actor. He is the founder and current president of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. He has produced albums for and overseen the careers of many rappers and hip-hop artists such as Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, JAY-Z, Alicia Keys, and Royce Da 5’9″.
7. Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. was born in 1971. He is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, television personality, and actor. He is best known as an MC in the West Coast hip hop scene and as one of Dr. Dre’s most notable protégés. While he began his career as a member of the rap group Tha Dogg Pound, he secured a solo career with the 1993 debut album Gin and Juice.
8. Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip-hop group originating in Staten Island, New York City, composed of eight East Coast rappers who have since – and throughout the group’s history – been unified by the philosophy of the Wu-Tang Clan. R.Z.A., G.Z.A., Ol’ Dirty Bastard (O.D.B.), Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, and U-God. The Wu-Tang Clan, which is regarded as a pivotal group in hip hop, helped promote and establish the East Coast hip hop and hardcore hip hop genres.
9. Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright Jr., was born in 1964 and died in 1995. He is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor best known as the co-founder of N.W.A Aka Niggaz Wit Attitudes, N.W.A & the Posse and Ruthless Records, popularizing the “gangsta rap” subgenre of hip hop music with fellow rappers Eazy-E and Dr. Dre.
10. Method Man
Clifford Smith was born in 1971, known professionally as Method Man. He is an American rapper and actor. He is a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Method Man was ranked No. 24 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2005 and No. 4 on MTV’s list of the Greatest M.C.s of All Time in 2006.
11. Mobb Deep
Prodigy and Havoc formed the duo in 1991. Mobb Deep has since become a group of artists with a wide repertoire, drawing from the New York City hip-hop scene. Mobb Deep is known for its hardcore lyrical content. The duo’s first collection of songs debuted on the “Big Fun” soundtrack in 1994, followed by their official debut album “Mobb Deep”, released in 1995.
12. Run–D.M.C.
From 1983 through 2002, Run-D.M.C., a hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York City, was active. The group was composed of Run D.M.C. (born Joseph Simmons), Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell), and Darryl McDaniels. They were among the most popular acts of the 1980s and are considered among the best groups ever.
13. A Tribe Called Quest
In 1985, DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad, MC Phife Dawg, and MC Q-Tip created the hip-hop collective A Tribe Called Quest. DJ Jarobi White eventually took DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s place. People’s debut album, Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm got The Source’s first-ever five-mic rating and was well-received by critics.
14. Outkast
Andre Benjamin, known professionally as Andre 3000, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and actor. He serves as the group’s de facto leader. Outkast is a Southern hip-hop ensemble.
Outkast (sometimes written as OutKast) was an American hip hop duo formed in 1992 in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta-based rappers André “3000” Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton.
15. Eric B. & Rakim
Eric Barrier, also known as Eric B, and William Michael Griffin Jr., also known as Rakim Allah, are members of the American hip-hop duo from Long Island, New York. They are recognized as one of the most influential acts to emerge from the East Coast hip hop scene in the 1980s.
16. D.M.X.
Earl Simmons was born in 1970 – died in 2021, better known as D.M.X. (short for “Dark Man X”). He was an actor and rapper from America. Early in the 1990s, he started rapping. In 1998, he released his debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, to critical and financial success, selling 251,000 copies in its first week.
17. L.L. Cool J
James Todd Smith was born in 1968. He is an American rapper, radio host, and actor. His first studio album, Radio, and the song “I Need a Beat,” released in 1985, were the catalysts for his commercial breakthrough. In the summer of 1987, he released Bigger and Deffer, his sophomore album, to critical and commercial success. It featured the hits “I’m Bad” and “I Need Love.”
18. Public Enemy
American hip-hop group Public Enemy was founded by Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, and D.J. Lord. They are renowned for their social criticism and politically charged lyrics in a variety of genres, from hip hop to rock. The group has been active since 1985 and has become one of the most influential acts in Hip Hop. They were honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
19. KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker, Jr. was born in 1965, better known by his stage name KRS-One, and Teacha is an American rapper and occasional producer from The Bronx borough of New York City. Over his career, he has been known by several pseudonyms, including “Kris Parker”, “The Blastmaster”, “The Teacha”, and “The Philosopher”.
20. Busta Rhymes
In 1972, Trevor George Smith Jr. was born. He was known professionally as Busta Rhymes. He is an actor and rapper from America. After wide receiver George “Buster” Rhymes of the N.F.L. and C.F.L., Public Enemy’s Chuck D gave him the name Busta Rhymes. He is one of the most nominated musicians without winning a Grammy after receiving 12 nominations for his work.
21. Ice-T
Tracy Lauren Marrow was born in Texas in 1958, better known by his stage name Ice-T. He is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and one of the founding members of the rap group Body Count. He also owned and operated several short-lived record labels during the 1990s. His early punk rock roots inspired his self-titled debut album, Ice-T.