We meet again ladies and gentleman.  My first article seemed to ruffle a lot of feathers.  I like that.  It was interesting to see some fans’ reactions
to people’s lists.  A lot of “so and so should’ve been on that list”…some people actually baffle me.

Some fans suggested some rappers for the Top 5 list that wouldn’t be on my Top 2 million list.  Damn, these young kids listen to some horrific shit.  And I’m NOT talking about mainstream artists.  Stop complaining about the mainstream.  There’s as many, or MORE, awful rappers in the “underground.”

Anyway, back to the topic at hand:  Top 5 Dead or Alive.  Once again, I asked some homies to shed some light on the situation.  People and friends I respect.  Once again, lots of surprises in here.  And thank you to everyone who participated.  I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to help me out with this piece.  And to everyone reading this, enjoy.

DJ Premier:

1. Melle Mel
2. Rakim
3. Big Daddy Kane
4. KRS-One
5. Chuck D
@REALDJPREMIER

Lord Finesse:
(this line-up is in no particular order)

Kool G Rap
Big Daddy Kane
Rakim
KRS One
Notorious BIG
Kool Moe Dee
Big Pun
Nas
Big L
LL Cool Jay
Jay Z

I couldn’t get “just” 5.  The following 11 were picked on Intellect, Wordplay, Influence, Definitely Skills.  This defines my list of Lyrical Icons.  Based on when each individual were in their prime.  Not based on record sales, videos, material items.   Just straight skills period.
@lordfinesseditc

Jus Allah:

1. Kool G Rap
2. Nas
3. Papoose
4. Doom
5. Canibus
@jusallahmma

Mac Danzig (UFC Fighter)
The top 10 GREATEST MCs in my opinion are:

1. Big Pun
2. Nas
3. Big L
4. Kool G Rap
5. R.A. The Rugged Man
6. Slick Rick
7. GZA
8. 2Pac
9. Scarface
10. Ghostface

My top 10 FAVORITE MCs are:

1. Scarface
2. Esoteric
3. Vinnie Paz
4. Jus Allah
5. AZ
6. Project Pat
7. Nas
8. Big Pun
9. Demoz
10. RZA
@macdanzigmma

C-Lance (Enemy Soil producer)

1. Eminem
2. Vinnie Paz
3. ILL BILL
4. Royce Da 5’9
5. Guru
@clanceenemysoil

Lord Ezec aka Danny Diablo (NYHC Legend)

1. Kool G. Rap
2. Big Pun
3. Rakim
4. Big Daddy Kane
5. Big L
@DannyDiablo

Buckwild(DITC):

1Rakim
2Chuck D/Ice Cube
3 Big DaddyKkane
4 KRS-One
5 Slick Rick
@therealbuckwild

Steve Kim (www.maxboxing.com)

1. Rakim: Why, his first two albums were unreal and the opening of Follow the
Leader is a work of art.

2. Nas: When he’s on, he’s as good as I’ve ever heard. “I Gave You Power’ is
a personal favorite.

3. Chuck D/Public Enemy: Entertaining and educational all at once. When hip-hop
had a real conscience.

4. Ice T: His early stuff was outstanding, great storyteller.

5. Big Daddy Kane: Truly one of the pioneers of this genre- and c’mon, the best
hightop fade in the business!!!

Also, and I can’t believe this, I have to include RUN DMC, who you can argue brought
rap music to mainstream America in many ways and therefore, perhaps the most
influential group ever. Their stuff still is music to my ears.
@stevemaxboxing

Planet (Outerspace):

1. Jay- Z
2. Kool G. Rap
3. Rakim
4. Big Pun
5. Chuck D
@planetaryAOTP

Q-Unique (Arsonists/Rock Steady Crew)
“I couldn’t do just five so I had to break it down my way.”

Most Important to the foundation:

1. Melle Mel
2. Grandmaster Caz
3. Kool Moe Dee
4. Whipper Whip
5. G.L.O.B.E.

Crack Era

1. Rakim
2. KRS
3. Big Daddy Kane
4. Kool G Rap
5. Super Lover Cee

90′s

1. Big Pun
2. Big L
3. Nas
4. B.I.G.
5. Ice Cube

Groups

1. Tribe Called Quest
2. Wu Tang
3. Public Enemy
4. Cypress Hill
5. N.W.A.

Independent Mid 90′s

1. Company Flow
2. Non Phixion
3. Arsonists
4. Hieroglyphics
5. Dilated Peoples

Top mainstream

1. Jay Z
2. Eminem
3. Drake
4. Jadakiss
5. Fabolous

Top Independent

1. Atmosphere
2. ILL BILL
3. Vinnie Paz
4. Sean Price
5. Necro
6. Immortal Technique
7. Pharoahe Monch
8. MF Doom
9. El-P
10. Apathy
@Q_UNIQUE17

Gem Crates (producer, Works of Mart):

1. Rakim
2. Kool G Rap
3. Big Daddy Kane
4. KRS-One
5. LL Cool J
(if I can add a 6th, BIG L )
@gemcrates

Doap Nixon AOTP/OPG):

1.Nas
2. Jay Z
3. Jadakiss
4. Chuck D
5. Rakim Allah
@DoapNixon

Apathy (AOTP/Demigodz):

1. Rakim
2. Nas
3. Jay-Z
4. Ice Cube
5. Chuck D
@ApathyDGZ

DJ Mickey Knox:

1. Eminem
2 Jay-Z
3 Big Pun
4 Big L
5 Biggie
@DJMickeyKnox

AG (DITC):

1 Biggie
2 Party Arty
3 Big L
4 Big Pun
5 Jay-Z
@AGofDITC

I’ve been trying to avoid this, but the fans won’t let me.  Everyone hit me on Twitter and Facebook and said, “Great article, but what’s YOUR list?”  So, here we go.  Let the hate begin.

1. Kool G. Rap
2. Big Pun
3. Jay-Z
4. Rakim Allah
5. Tragedy Khadafi
6. Prodigy
7. Big L
8. AZ
9. KRS-One
10. Big Daddy Kane
11. Jadakiss
12. Scarface
14. Ransom
15. Ice Cube
16. Pac
17. Brother J (X-Clan)
18. K-Solo
19. Black Thought
20. Busta Rhymes
21. Trugoy the Dove aka Plug 2 (De La Soul)
22. Beanie Sigel
23. Grand Puba
24. Lord Finesse
25. MC Ren

Yeah, 25.  It’s my article, so I can do what I want.  Ha.  As always, I appreciate y’all taking the time to read my little rants and articles.  These things take time and energy, so I always enjoy hearing from everybody.  Even the morons. I need a good laugh every now and then.  The new JMT record, “Violence Begets Violence,” drops next week, so cop that, and I’ll catch y’all on tour.

-Vinnie Paz