The BET Top 10 rappers of the 21st Century list was recently unveiled after serious deliberation by a Hip Hop panel. The list was disclosed during an hour-long television special, and featured the hottest rappers of the past decade, from 1999 onward.
The special just aired last night, Friday October 15th on BET. Let's kill the suspense. Coming in at #1 on the list is hip hop icon, Eminem, who has sold more records than anyone on the list. Second is Lil' Wayne, currently incarcerated but still making astounding music. In the third spot, Kanye West, the producer and rapper extraordinaire. Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent takes the fourth spot due to three platinum albums in the past decade and consistent hit making. Rounding out the Top 5 is rapper T.I. who is not only making hit records but also is saving people's lives.
Here's the complete BET Rappers Top 10:
1) Eminem
2) Lil' Wayne
3) Kanye West
4) 50 Cent
5) T.I.
6) Ludacris
7) Drake
8) Young Jeezy
9) Jadakiss
10) Rick Ross
Since there's ten names above, that means five of the original fifteen didn't make the cut. They are Eve, Fabolous, The Game, Gucci Mane and Nelly. Surprising that these amazing lyricists didn't make the list. To compile the list, BET put out a list of rappers for hip-hop fans to vote on. After 25,000 votes, a list of just fifteen rappers remained. That list was judged by a "Hip-Hop Suprme
Court" which was headed by Justice Big Tigger.
According to
the "Supreme Court" deciding panel consisted of: Jermaine Dupri (Producer - ATL); Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur (AllHipHop.com); Boy 1da (Producer);DJ Diamond Kuts (Power 99 FM - Philadelphia); DJ Greg Street (V103 - ATL); Tony Neal (CEO, Core DJs); DJ Timbuck2 (107.5 WGCI – Chicago); Chloe Hilliard (Managing Editor/Social Media Manager, Vibe Magazine - NYC); and DJ Vlad (VladTV.com - NYC).
Of course the list will draw its share of criticism and debates as most of these musical Top 10's do. Many will say that Fabolous and The Game are definite Top 10's. Also, there's no female reps on the list as Eve missed it. Some will refute the inclusion of Rick Ross, as he has put out some top notch hip-hop yet is criticized for his background as a Corrections Officer while he raps about street life. Many are also immediately asking "Where's Jay-Z or Nas?" but remember this is a list based on those who have blown up on the rap scene since 1999. Of the list, Drake's inclusion is perhaps the most telling. He's really exploded on the scene in just the past few years and now finds himself at the Lucky 7 spot on a who's who of rap for the past decade.
If you missed Friday's airing of the special, check it out again Saturday morning at 10AM EST on BET.