Time Turner

Lore & Background

The source focuses entirely on the methodology behind the '50 Greatest Rappers' list rather than fictional lore. To determine the rankings, editorial boards from Billboard and Vibe established specific criteria: body of work (chart performance, certifications), cultural impact, longevity, lyricism, and flow. The process involved ten journalists led by Datwon Thomas, who deliberately excluded dancehall and reggaeton artists to keep the pool focused on North American rappers. This decision sparked immediate criticism regarding the omission of international talent. The list was released in stages starting January 11, 2023, culminating in the February 8 announcement that crowned Jay-Z as the greatest rapper of all time and Nicki Minaj as the greatest female rapper.

In Their Own Story

The narrative within the source revolves around industry reaction rather than a fictional plot. The 2015 list originally ranked The Notorious B.I.G. first with Lauryn Hill as the sole woman, but the 2023 revision expanded to fifty names. Debates erupted immediately; Ice Cube called the list 'irrelevant,' comparing rankings to 'assholes: everybody got one and they all stink,' while specifically snubbing Too Short's exclusion. Melle Mel, ranked 48th, questioned the influence of Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, suggesting Eminem's placement was due to his race—a claim he defended on his podcast by citing Eminem's own comments on white privilege. Conversely, Missy Elliott expressed humility at being in the top 20, and Kendrick Lamar validated his ranking with lines about Jay-Z ('HOV') on Beyoncé's 'America Has a Problem.'

Reader's Guide

This source serves as a record of critical reception and factual updates to the hip hop canon. It clarifies that Nicki Minaj (Trinidadian) and Drake (Canadian) were the only non-American artists in the top ten of the 2023 list, while Eminem, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G. appeared on both the 2015 and 2023 versions. The text highlights specific controversies, such as Curtis Roberts' critique that Billboard prioritized popularity over content, and Charlamagne tha God's view that it was too early for Kendrick Lamar and Drake to be considered greatest of all time. It also notes Ja Rule's dismissal via social media, claiming no 50 rappers exist who are better than him.

Did You Know?

• Billboard and Vibe released the top rankings on February 8, 2023, crowning Jay-Z as the greatest rapper of all time.
• The 2023 list was compiled by ten journalists who explicitly excluded dancehall and reggaeton artists to focus solely on North American rappers.
• Nicki Minaj is the only female rapper included in the top rankings of both the original 2015 list (as Lauryn Hill was the sole woman there) and the revised 2023 list where she was named greatest female rapper.
• Ice Cube, ranked 18th on the 2023 list, publicly denounced Billboard for their lack of hip hop knowledge and the exclusion of Too Short.
• Melle Mel, ranked 48th, sparked a polarized debate by claiming Eminem is considered one of the best primarily because he is white.