Top 10 Mid Western Rappers
I'm about to embark on a journey that will break down my 10 favourite rappers from each region in Hip Hop! I'm starting with the Mid West since I feel like people don't properly carve out that section. I will continue with the South, West Coast, and end on my favourite coast: the east!
Here are some ground rules. There is no chance I'm doing a list with KRS-One, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and the like. They are legends that have nothing to prove. They built the foundation of Hip Hop and they've got their own top 10 argument going on. I'm thinking about people who gained prominence in the 90s and beyond and I'm thinking about people who are still alive!
Artist/Rank:
#10- Danny Brown
Where You Reppin':
Detroit, Michigan since his first studio album in 2010.
Best Body of Work:
Old (October 2013) is great for displaying the range that the ostensibly cartoonish Danny Brown posses. I had to constantly check to see if there was a featured artist on some of the tracks since Danny doesn't always use the same voice or energy on each song. But it's an album filled with amazing beats, flows, and BARS!
Artist/Rank:
#9- Kanye West
Where You Reppin':
Chicago, Illinois since his first studio album in 2004
Best Body of Work:
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (November 2010) is not only my favourite Kanye West album but it has been scientifically proven to be the best Kanye West album in this article! I have a complicated relationship with Mr. West since I can't get on board with some of his outbursts but he is an excellent musical artist! I come for the beats but like MBDTF proves, you can stay for the slick lines every now and then.
Artist/Rank:
#8- Chance The Rapper
Where You Reppin':
Chicago, Illinois since his first mixtape in 2012
Best Body of Work:
Acid Rap (April 2013) was a project that made sure that I would check for every single thing that Chance put out. There is something to be said about the passion that Chance The Rapper puts into his music videos and music in general. Every time I see him operate it confirms that it's cool to try hard and care about what you're doing instead of pretending to be indifferent. Check out the quintessential Chance playlist over HERE!
Artist/Rank:
#7- Elzhi
Where You Reppin':
Detroit, Michigan since his first album with Slum Village in 2002
Best Body of Work:
Detroit Deli (A Tate of Detroit) (June 2004) has the amazing Kanye assisted single "Selfish" which also features the incomparable John Legend. As will be the case, from time to time on this journey, I will be forced to give up props to artists I didn't truly engage with as a fan. Elzhi is a perfect example of this. I can't deny the impact Slum Village and J. Dilla had on Hip Hop and Detroit.
Artist/Rank:
#6- Big Sean
Where You Reppin':
Detroit, Michigan since his first studio album in 2011
Best Body of Work:
Dark Sky Paradise (February 2015) is the best case scenario for a Big Sean studio album. Sean works best in mixtape format or providing an amazing guest verse. I always appreciate hearing Big Sean rap but feel he rarely has multiple big hits on his albums. Dark Sky Paradise has at least two or three big hits on it in addition to showcasing Big Sean's talent on solid album cuts.
Artist/Rank:
#5- Twista
Where You Reppin':
Chicago, Illinois since his first studio album in 1992
Best Body of Work:
Kamikaze (January 2004) was the perfect welcoming party for the motor-mouthed Twista. As a huge fan of rapid fire flows, I can't honestly remember a time where I wasn't a fan of Twista. This album, however, made sure that, with the help of Kanye and the power of THA ROC, Twista would get his music to the masses. Most importantly, no one can do what Twista does. His flow and voice are one of a kind
Artist/Rank:
#4- Lupe Fiasco
Where You Reppin':
Chicago, Illinois since his first studio album in 2006
Best Body of Work:
The Cool (December 2007) felt like Lupe perfected what was already an amazing debut in Food & Liquor. Lupe and I haven't seen eye to eye on certain things so I may not be up on his latest day to day, however, he is a dope lyricist that packages his substance in a dope flow and some nerdy references.
Artist/Rank:
#3- Common
Where You Reppin':
Chicago, Illinois since his first studio album in 1992
Best Body of Work:
Be (May 2005) was the turning point for me. I liked tracks from Common before, but I had kind of got swept up in the "Common's changed ever since Erykah!" hype. Be was the album that made sure I forgot all about that and looked forward to every Common album to come... Gee thanks to Kanye too... There is something to say about an artists that pushes Oprah out of the way when he wins an Oscar. Nah I'm playing! Common has that voice that you can't confuse with anyone else and he's been delivering the goods for so long while showing hints that he could still get better.
Artist/Rank:
#2- Royce Da 5'9
Where You Reppin':
Detroit, Michigan since his first studio album in 2002
Best Body of Work:
Street Hop (October 2009) is great if you can track down the physical copy and not the weird one floating around streaming services. Despite the wonky tracklisting on streaming services the verbal dexterity the hip hop Winter Soldier puts on display can't be denied. Royce, JAY-Z, and the next artist probably have the hugest influence on my style. Don't believe me? Check out The Knight Is Yung, The Therapy LP, and Subtle But Tasty!
Artist/Rank:
#1- Eminem
Where You Reppin':
Detroit, Michigan since his first studio album in 1996/1999
Best Body of Work:
The Marshall Mathers LP (May 2000) turned me into a believer. I just didn't want any parts of the Rap God before this album. Sure he had a funny single from the first album, but I just didn't think he had staying power. All it took was the opening to the scientifically proven best album in his catalogue, MMLP, for me to realize I was in the presence of greatness. Eminem puts words together with such skill that you sometimes forget how problematic his lyrics can be; you just feel pride in being able to rap his verses exactly like him.
-YG